New York – Around Town : Union Square, Gramercy Park, and Flatiron (part 2) – Statues and Monuments, Restaurants

by

Exploring Gramercy Park and Flatiron


Morning

Book-lovers should start on 12th Street, where
the city’s biggest used book-store, the Strand, is located at No. 828.
From here, head north up Broadway to Union Square, visiting the
Greenmarket
. Continuing up Broadway brings you to the Paragon Sports
superstore, 867 Broadway at 18th Street, and Fishs Eddy, 889 Broadway at
19th, selling all but indestructible vintage and new china. The
fascinating
ABC Carpet & Home
 awaits at No. 888.

At the Flatiron Building, turn east to
Madison Square
, then have lunch at Tabla or the gourmet
11 Madison Park
. Several restaurants on “Curry Hill” also offer inexpensive lunches, including Pongal, No. 110, and Saravanaas at 81 Lexington Ave.

Afternoon

While you are in the neighborhood, check out the intriguing spices at Kalustyan’s, 123 Lexington Avenue.

More shops can be found on Fifth Avenue between
14th and 23rd streets, including Anthropologie, No. 85, Zara, No. 101,
Juicy Couture, No. 103, and H&M, No. 111.

End your day in the civilized oasis of the Gramercy Park neighborhood. Be sure to stroll 

East 19th Street

, known as the “Block Beautiful,” for its handsome 1920s houses.

Statues and Monuments




  1. George Washington

    The
    city’s first major outdoor statue was created in 1856 by Henry Kirke
    Brown. The statue is a 14-foot (4.26-metre) equestrian figure on a
    granite pedestal.

    • Union Square facing 14th St




    George Washington

  2. Abraham Lincoln

    This pensive figure by Henry Kirke Brown was commissioned shortly after the president’s assassination in 1865.

    • North end of Union Square near 16th St

  3. Marquis de Lafayette

    A
    larger-than-life 1873 statue of Lafayette pledging his heart to the
    American Revolution by Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, creator of the Statue
    of Liberty.

    • Madison Square




    Marquis de Lafayette

  4. Mohandas K (Mahatma) Gandhi

    The
    site for this 1986 statue of the hero of Indian independence was chosen
    because the park was frequently the site of protest gatherings.

    • Union Square

  5. Edwin Booth as Hamlet

    The
    founder of the Players Club is shown in his most famous role, about to
    give Hamlet’s soliloquy. The 1917 statue faces his former house.

    • Gramercy Park

  6. Fantasy Fountain

    Greg Wyatt’s 1983 smiling sun and moon flanked by dancing giraffes, from whose mouths water flows in warm weather.

    • Southeast corner of Gramercy Park

  7. Worth Monument

    An
    1850s obelisk marks the grave of the only public figure buried under
    the streets of Manhattan, General Worth, hero of the Mexican Wars.

    • Traffic Island, 23rd St & Broadway

  8. Farragut Monument

    This
    1880 memorial to a naval hero established Augustus Saint-Gaudens as the
    nation’s foremost sculptor; Stanford White designed the base.

    • Madison Square

  9. Chester Alan Arthur

    Arthur
    became the 21st President when James Garfield was assassinated. George
    Edwin Bissell sculpted him in 1898, standing in front of an elaborate
    chair.

    • Madison Square

  10. William Seward

    In
    1876 Randolph Rogers immortalized the secretary of state under Lincoln,
    best remembered for his much-criticized purchase of Alaska in 1867.

    • Madison Square


Restaurants




  1. Union Square Café

    One of New York’s most popular restaurants uses ingredients from the neighboring Union Square Greenmarket .

    • 21 East 16th St at Union Square West

    • 212 243 4020

  2. Gramercy Tavern

    Unpretentious fine dining where the inventive American cuisine is universally praised. Great desserts .

    • 42 East 20th St at Broadway

    • 212 477 0777

  3. 11 Madison Park

    Danny Meyer has made 11 Madison Square chic with his imaginative New American cuisine in an elegant Art Deco setting.

    • Madison Ave at East 24th St

    • 212 889 0905

  4. Tocqueville

    French cuisine is prepared with Japanese touches in this hidden gem.

    • 15 East 15th St, between Union Square West & 5th Ave

    • 212 647 1515

  5. Tabla and Tabla Bread Bar

    Another Danny Meyer success on Madison Square; New American with Indian seasonings, served in colorful surroundings.

    • 11 Madison Ave at East 25th St

    • 212 889 0667




    Tabla Bread Bar

  6. Blue Water Grill

    The
    ultra fresh seafood (plus sashimi and sushi rolls) isn’t the only draw;
    there’s also the bustling sidewalk café, and downstairs jazz bar.

    • 31 Union Square West at 16th St

    • 212 675 9500

  7. Olives

    This
    restaurant for the beautiful set is in the W Hotel. The menu features
    modern Mediterranean dishes, and they serve afternoon tea.

    • 201 Park Ave South at East 17th St

    • 212 353 8345

  8. Veritas

    An amazing wine list is the big draw, but the New American cuisine is also outstanding. Reserve ahead.

    • 43 East 20th St, between Broadway & Park Ave South

    • 212 353 3700

  9. Novitá

    This chef-owned Northern Italian restaurant is warm and intimate. Try the pan-roasted sea bass with artichokes.

    • 102 East 22nd St, between Lexington & Park Ave South

    • 212 677 2222

  10. Craftbar

    Tom
    Collichio’s scaled-down version of Craft next door ives diners the
    chance to experience the chef’s take on flavor, but at cheaper prices.

    • 47 East 19th St at Park Ave South

    • 212 461 4300