Saturday, October 23, 2010

Sundays In My City #51 - Clack-a-clack...

I've missed a few Sundays due to vacation and traveling so it's nice to be back with Unknown Mami and the Sundays In My City community.

I was in and around Manhattan for a week and made two fun stops-- One that has always been a "must see" and one that will forever more be on my "I gotta go now!" list.

First up was the brand new Eataly-- My idea of the "Happiest Food Place On Earth". It's a 50,000 square foot Italian food paradise brought to you by Mario Batali, Lidia Matticcho and Joe Bastianich. And let me tell you-- They did themselves proud!

Eataly is a gorgeous, high end, grocery store, wine store, book store, housewares store, with multiple glorious restaurants and oh so much more-- All under one roof. I was in heaven, so much so that I only took one picture before I entered the store because once inside I was drooling too much for picture taking.

The only bad part was that since I don't live in NYC, I couldn't bring home most of the amazing foods they sold (homemade pasta, olive oils, balsamic vinegars...) Now my hope is that Eataly is so wildly successful they open one in Los Angeles. And if they do, I swear I'll apply for a job just to spend more time in the store! I wonder if they'd have a taste-tester position.

My other "must see" stop is Macy's in Herald Square. I've been going there for the past 40+ years-- Not for shopping, for it's original 1902 escalator....

Every visit I wind my way around the way too big, and a little confusing to navigate store, to step onto their vintage escalator for a clack-a-clack-a-clack step back in time. It's beautiful.

I take my hat off to Macy's for keeping the original escalators leading to their top floors. I'm sure parts are very hard to come by and it's expensive to maintain, but the escalators are a piece of history that has been in action for well over 100 years. It feels different, smells different, and sounds different from any other escalator I've ever been on and I love that Macy's has preserved it.

And the best part at the top of the escalator was that Macy's had this-- Cuz you know Santa rides into town after their Thanksgiving Day Parade....


But their Christmas department and decorations were still under cover... Not like the Macy's in Los Angeles who's been hocking Christmas for nearly a month already. Yeah!

How's your Sunday?
Welcome to www.TheFiftyFactor.com - Joanna Jenkins

58 comments:

  1. What a cool escalator!!

    And I am glad to see you back and posting, too.

    I often don't comment because I have nothing to add that hasn't been said (and usually better than how I'd say it...) but this time I'm first.

    So now I have set an example for others.

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  2. I want to go to Eataly! Love Italian food and Italy!

    The escalator reminded me of old escalators in the Tube in London a long time ago...

    Glad you had a good time away and also that you are back. Take care. xxx

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  3. Eataly - what a great name! Hope all is well with you and yours.

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  4. Eataly sounds amazing.
    Glad to hear you had a great break and welcome back.

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  5. Welcome back!
    In Helsinki, Stockman, had similar escalators, I can remember them! :)
    It's been too long ago I visited New York...
    Happy Sunday!

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  6. fantastic! if Eataly isn't a reason to move to NYC then I don't know what is!

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  7. I used to love going up the escalator at the Bon Marche in downtown Seattle (which is now Macy's!). It wasn't so old that it clacked, but it sure was fun!

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  8. I know that escalator well! I'm from N.J. and have spent quite a bit of time in the City. Where is Eataly located? I will be going back for a visit soon and would love to visit it. Thanks for sharing-

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  9. What a fabulous eatery you have found. I must go there when we visit NYC!! And I would love to see Macy's during the Christmas holidays. I bet that is something else!!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  10. hard to believe santa will be back so soon...wow....bet this was an amazing trip....my wife went to NYC during christmas one year with a bunch of ladies....love it...

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  11. I think it's great that they've kept the escalator, and I love the name of the store - Eataly!~

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  12. Nice to see you again. I love history as much as the next guy but I'd probably have to take the stairs. I'm terrified enough about riding modern escalators.

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  13. I was in NYC in Feb with my daughter.... why didn't we know about Eataly!! Then again, I think I would like at least a whole day there, so now there is an excuse to go back.

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  14. Can you please, please, please get Eataly to open up in the UK?! I would definitely spend a lot of time buying stuff there if it did. :-)

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  15. I think keeping the escalator is a good PR move too. Keeps the customers coming back just for that.

    Santa already? Yikes.

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  16. Welcome back ... and oh my goodness, the thought of Santa and November coming is enough to make my toes curl! It's getting cold here in Michigan, but I am not ready for winter. Thanks for the tour of your favorite spots!

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  17. Sounds like you had a nice trip. Going where the food is good makes a trip a lot more fun (I'm a "foodie").
    I wonder Joanna, how many people use that escalator and never give a second thought to it's beauty/history.

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  18. If Mario is involved it has to be spectacular. What a great name: Eataly. The escalator at Macy's is so old fashioned now, isn't it? I am glad to hear Macy's in NY is keeping Christmas under wraps for a more appropriate time. Sounds like you enjoyed your NY trip. Hugs.

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  19. we are already seeing christmas merchandise in the stores here. it's not even halloween yet. before you know it, stores will be carrying christmas stuff year round.

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  20. oh my gosh Joanna, Eatly looks like my slice of heaven! How amazing. Thanks for sharing that. I will definitely vist during my lay over in NY next summer!

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  21. I love visiting NYC. I never thought of shooting the escalators at Macy's. They look like hardwood at first glance. Great pictures!

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  22. I looked Eataly up online and it does look like a place where you could spend a whole day and more. What an amazing place.
    Kudos to Macy's New York for keeping Christmas under cover for now.

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  23. Both of these sound fabulous. How cool that Macy's has kept this...never heard this before. I hope that you've gotten to rest up from this wonderful trip.

    Happy Sunday! XX

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  24. I have been itching to go back to NYC. I need to make it happen!

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  25. I never thought to take a picture of "that" escalator when I was in NYC!! Great idea!!

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  26. See, Macy's in NY has the right idea of building anticipation for Christmas instead of making you sick of it months before.

    I love that they have the old escalators. In a former job, one of my responsibilities was operating a very old elevator. The people in it would have to tell me what floor then I would pull on a lever and have to time the stop just right so that the elevator would be level with the floor. It was pretty cool.

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  27. Sounds like you had a wonderful time. I love Lidia, have a couple of her cookbooks and watch her show all the time. I would love to see that spot in person.

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  28. Eataly sound like a place I would love too. Too bad you didn´t get more pictures. But I´m glad you enjoyed yourself. The escalator at Macy´s is really cool.
    Have a good week Joanna!

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  29. I always have that experience of visiting some really neat food place while travelling (especially farmer's markets and gourmet places like you're describing) and then wishing I had a way to take stuff back with me.

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  30. Going to NYC over turkey day so gonna check this place out! Have a wonderful week ahead!

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  31. that Eatery looks fabulous, only in NY!

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  32. The escalator is historical. Happy Sunday.

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  33. i love those escalators. I was devastated when I saw they had replaced the one near the NE side of the store between handbags and perfume, but I imagine that one took a lot of abuse.....I remember the first time I went to NYC in 1978, and rode those escalators. I like imagining I can still feel my hand on the smooth wood rail..... thanks for the memory, and I look forward to finding Eataly when I am back in January!!

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  34. Too busy. I often leave the house as we leave for church repeating...day of rest,day of rest, day of rest!!! Hubby and I both teach a Sunday School Class. He adults~~~me pre-teen. Then right after song service I go into Kid's Church mode. Hubby is a deacon and collects and counts the offerings.

    Today we had a hot-dog roast after church and some things to take care of 'round the Ponderosa. Now, ya see why I joke of a day of rest! Heeehehehehe!

    Betcha are sorry ya asked! :o)

    God bless and have a beautiful week sweetie!!!

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  35. My Sunday has been slow with sick children, and a taste of NYC is definitely in order.

    HILARIOUS to see my 6th grade photo on your blog roll.

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  36. What a great time you had in NYC apparently! Good for you. Love the photo of the escalator!

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  37. Sounds like you had a wonderful time while in NYC. That escalator is awesome. It's always nice when a little piece of history gets preserved.

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  38. Ohhh I love that escalator! I really need to make a trip to NY, I have never been to NYC!

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  39. Great post. I've been on their escalator and I know just what you mean. It's a treat to ride it.

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  40. That food store sounds amazing. Hmmm... I could be a taste tester from afar couldn't I???
    Esculators.... I fell UP one once... took chunks out of my shins on those nasty metal serrated ends.... ouch! Don't like them much now.

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  41. I was in Eataly the other day. Love it. So much selection and all a very high quality.

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  42. I never go into the City anymore but maybe that has to change so I can experience Eataly!

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  43. NYC really knows how to "do" Christmas. Love the escalator.

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  44. Help -it's too early for Christmas.

    And anything called Eataly must be wonderful!

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  45. In my mind, few things are as glamorous as department stores with escalators.

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  46. I love the name Eately. I vote that best name ever!

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  47. Eataly is so on my list of places to visit.
    gorgeous photos.
    xo

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  48. oh, that store sounds like Whole Foods and Little Italy all rolled into one! I just might have to move to NYC in order to eat out of that place. Mangi!

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  49. Eataly sounds like the perfect reason to visit Manhattan. We want to go sometime during the Christmas season, to see windows and such...and go there!

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  50. I love NY, especially Manhattan. And I love Macy's escalators. It's been a few years since I've stepped foot on them now, but used to go every single year.

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  51. What a fun trip! I've never been to Manhattan, but it sounds like Eataly might be a reason to go!
    I love Mario. We went to one of his new places in Vegas a couple years ago and he autographed a coaster for me with "Spaghetti is love."
    Yes, yes, it is.

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  52. I would love to go to Macy’s in NYC....I would love to go to NYC period. Never been...what a shame. JetBlue flys out of Long Beach direct to NYC...the airport is minutes away....no excuses....I want to Go!!!!

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  53. Hello Joanna,

    I am glad to see you back and posting. I need to get back into the swing of it myself but it has been so crazy around here.

    I love the Macy's escalator! Oh how I wish a trip to NYC was in my very near future! I know I would absolutely love Eataly!

    Love the picture of the mama and her sleeping baby!

    ~ Tracy

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  54. i love when i have time to surf for new blogs... i found your blog after reading a comment about you missing the geese ( i may move to your area and know i will miss the little lake i live on in michigan - swans, herons, geese, cranes and more... i posted some of my favorite photos of them last week :-) and how serendipitous that you are blogging about nyc - i leave next week and will now be sure to see the escalator! lovely post ~ thank you

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  55. Your visit to NY sounded wonderful. As for Eataley, Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti did a really nice blog and photo spread on the place so, if you start missing it too much, you can go there! Surely, they'll bring it to L. A. someday...or, perhaps, to San Francisco.

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  56. Love this post. We spent a week in Manhattan a few years ago and still talk about going back one of these days. Simply an amazing place!

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Thanks for stopping by and commenting, I really appreciate it.