Last July I had a "Lost" experience on the way to meet friends for a NYC Restaurant Week lunch. I was not as "Lost"
as are the Oceanic 6 (coincidentally there are 6 of us also); but I was in fact on Manhattan Island, there were "others" on the island, and I was feeling displaced. Something had happened when Broadway met me or I met it and I was all turned around at Times Square. A native New Yorker! I described all the happenings in the "LiamLicks" story in August 2009. "Meet at Quality Meats". Refresh your memories by clicking-http://liamlicks.blogspot.com/2009/08/meet-at-quality-meats.html
I had learned from that trip that Broadway is a trickster, it hypotenuses Manhattan, creating a diversionary Square/Park/Circle whenever it angles across an avenue just to delight and confuse you, and sets you off in another direction.
I had also believed back in July that there were no directions for walkers. I have since learned that there are. Google has them. Therefore, I was fine. My destination SD26 , http://www.sd26ny.com/a lunch meeting at a newly opened highly anticipated restaurant. I arrived at Penn without adventure (unusual for me) and set out on my walking journey. It was New York winter cold, sudden whipping winds at the corners, heat blasts from stores as doors opened; colder than it should have felt because the tall buildings block the sun and the shadows
give involuntary body chills even under down coats. Swirling slicing gusts whip through your hood/hat covered hair, freezing your ears and forcing protective tears from your eyes.I had my Google map and this time, Broadway and I were going to stick together no matter what park we crossed. I got through Greeley Square at 34th, Broadway tried to lose me, as I traversed the square, I refused to be confused, finding Broadway again at the far end of the park. I continued on, turned before Madison Square Park, almost lured by the oasis, but resisting another Broadway "Square" trick. I did not enter the park, but turned the proper left. ( to the right my map, my head shows my walk and two green balloons show the start -A-and the finish B-).
And there it was. SD26, the next photo is my view looking in; the glass captures in its reflection the grandeur of the surrounding tall buildings and creates a tableau all its own.
A light infused space, airy, ripe tomato red chairs in the wine bar area, 
filled with cozy alcoves and unexpected indentations for sitting, and secret rooms for dining. Black, red, atrium white and some jazzy primary color weaves for accents. Oh HGTV, come here to SD26-The first 2010 meeting place of the famous 6 restaurant week lunchers!I am not lost or last this time.
Thought I was first, but seems Liam is waiting, do not understand how he got in-the dress code is causal elegant-guess he walked under a patron
wine bar area preceding restaurant, Liam at the right of the pic
Our meal was 3 courses and 3 picks allowed from each course, I'll show a few we enjoyed
bean soup- farro and bolotti bean soup
wild bass acquapazza zucchini, fregota sarda, diced tomatoes
assorted sorbets
and moka bar
and the conversation (lively and passionate), ambiance (cool and cozy) and service (engaging and good looking) were outstanding.I especially enjoyed playing with "kindle like" wine list,
a mini IPOD like PC.We lingered, and as the lunch crowd emptied, we realized it was time to go.
Liam had fallen asleep after enjoying some Chianti Classico at the eclectic wine bar
see the little guy laid out in the right corner, look close
SD26-yay!
Thanks to our organizer, James
ooh, whoops, wrong James' photo. I have "Lost" on my brain and Sawyer's broken heart.Speaking of hearts and preventing them from being broken-keep hearts healthy!
Liam loves women
and wants to remind everyone, all species, to wear red in support of the Women's Heart Health day on Friday, February 5, 2010.http://www.goredforwomen.org/
Tip from Liam, Valentine's Day hearts work well for this day, pin them on yourself and others, what fun!
Woof, Woof
