I love New York.

I’m not talking about loving my city in that overblown Carrie Bradshaw embroidered coat and heels way, because frankly, I’m not that into Manolos and how many Cosmos can one person possibly drink?  (We could also argue about the wardrobe choices on that show and Patricia Fields’ tastes, but that’s another post entirely.)  I am also definitely not talking about loving New York in a going to the Empire State Building, I-Heart-NY t-shirt kind of way.  But me and the city?  We’ve got a nice quiet relationship going on.

I think the most endearing thing about the city isn’t Broadway or the museums or the fancy restaurants, great though they all are.  It’s the way you can go wander through a neighborhood or visit a favorite spot totally unplanned, and the city will reward you with a little flourish that will just make your day.  A new fruit at the Greenmarket, a funny scene on the street, a homey little cafe you’ve never noticed before. This is true at any time of year if you’re open to it, but it’s most true as the weather warms up, everyone spills outside, and life on the street becomes that much more unpredictable.

The city made my day again today.  Following a resolve to be VERY PRODUCTIVE, I decided that the best way to kick-start my day would be to head out to the Chelsea Market, get myself a nice cappuccino from Ninth Street Espresso, and sit for an hour or so away from the distractions of the internet and pull my day together.

As I discovered when I set foot outdoors this morning, it is beeeautiful in New York today.  First hurrah of the day: excuse to wear the cute short-sleeved cream jacket that’s been languishing in my closet since September!  Nothing like feeling cute when the only other things you’re wearing are a pair of jeans and a plain v-neck t-shirt from J. Crew. Although the Chelsea Market was hotching with tourists by the time I left, arrival before noon meant that there were plenty of tables available to spread out at, and no line to speak of at the espresso counter.  (Anything before noon on the weekends is early by New York time.)

I picked up a terrific cappuccino, staked out a little table across from the Amy’s Bread backstage, and pulled out my work.  Frankly, this was already a thoroughly enjoyable morning.  That was the moment when the city blew me a kiss.  About 20 feet away, a string trio consisting of a violin, a viola, and a bass set up and started to play chamber music. Although I’m not very well versed in chamber music repertoire, much if not all of what they played had a distinct baroque feeling to it — some with soulful Bach flavor, and some buoyantly and bouncily suggestive of Handel.

Now, I realize this may not be to everyone’s tastes, but I am 100% a girl for the Baroque, much though I love other music.  Unexpected live classical concert, free, while I had my coffee?  With repertoire right up my alley?  It was like a personal present to me. I sat and listened to them and worked for about 45 minutes while I sipped my cappuccino before dropping them a $5 and heading home, crab club in hand.

Yeah, baby, I love you too.

Tags: Bach, chamber music, Chelsea Market, Handel

This entry was posted on Saturday, April 18th, 2009 at 3:03 pm and is filed under Upper East Side. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.