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New York City

Newyorkology Update: Cherry Blossoms and Diplomatic Dining

April 28, 2006 at 1:29 PM | 0 Comments

It looks like the winter weather has stopped making surprise cameo appearances in New York City, as we've already reached more than our usual allotment of perfect spring days. That makes it perfect for this weekend's Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. But the trees will still be in peak bloom (and the crowds will thin out) over the course of the next month.

Both the Tribeca Film Festival and the Upper West Fest are going on through next week and Broadway has been crowded with lots of new shows rushing to open in time for Tony qualifications. The best of the plays seems to be British transplant "The History Boys" which received across-the-board stunning reviews. While I'm on the topic of Broadway, I should mention that the ubiquitous TKTS booth in Times Square is moving. At least until the fall, TKTS sales will take place at the Marriott Marquis hotel on Times Square while the booth's original location is torn up and replaced with a better facility.

One of the most fun things I got to do this week was dine at the United Nations. Most people don't realize it, but the delegates' dining room is actually open to the public for lunch. It's a $25 all-you-can-eat buffet with a dessert selection that might make you weep.  Kofi was on his way up when I was heading out, but I didn't stick around as I had somewhere else to be. (I have met him twice at cocktail parties and am utterly amazed how his presence lights up the room making you think of him less of a politician and more like the lead singer of U2.)

There are a few things to know about dining at the U.N. You need to make a reservation in advance and you have to allow plenty of time to get through security. That can take as much as 30 minutes--tacked on to the extra time it takes to hoof it all the way over from the most convenient subway at Grand Central. I'm told that if you go, you'd be wise to time it with one of the upcoming two-week food festivals: Bilbao, Spain starting May 8; Brazil on May 22; Korea on June 5; and Greece and Iceland are on tap for the fall.

More headlines from this past week at NewYorkology:

Revived Morgan Library blends old with new
Empire State Building turns 75 on May 1
Freedom Tower construction prep work starts today
Williamsburgh Bank to open for one-day tour

[Image via noe0712/Flickr]