Was all set for a swank "Sex and the City" type cocktail hour or two with a couple members of my "gal about town" posse last night. Nothing like chilling with good friends over fine drinks in a fabulous lounge, being one of the fabulous people. (Isn't it fabulous to be fabulous? - Wait, how would you know?)
The problem was this: Our fabulous evening had to begin by going through a mall. Okay, a high-class mall, perhaps. But, a mall nonetheless - The Shops at the Time-Warner Center (pictured above). Riding up the escalators to trendy bar impressario Rande Gerber's sleek Stone Rose, I couldn't help but notice that mall rats had already infiltrated the area, decked out in a collection of spray-paint tight jeans and mondo-baggie cut-offs.
Was bringing this bit of Long Island/New Jersey wasteland culture into Manhattan really necessary?
Luckily, the "crew" got off at the third floor to check out the Gap or some-such chain store. I journeyed upward on the escalator in hope that I would be rewarded with a posh scene and refined cocktail when I got to the fourth floor.
Meeting my friends and passing inspection as we entered Stone Rose we were greeted with just that. The views were magnificent, laying Central Park out below us, like a lush, green carpet, framed by a few skyscrapers and gilt buildings for a romantic - THIS is why I live in New York - effect.
And yet, right at the next table, there it was: Long Island (or possibly NJ) in all its teased, grating accent glory. And suddenly I noticed that several tables of similar sensibililty were scattered about the bar. How did these folks pass inspection?
Guess I'm a snob, right? Well, yes, I'm a snob. A snob who is originally from mall country - Long Island - so I know full-well what I chose to leave behind.
Yes, yes, certainly there were a handful of tasty men circulating at the bar, and a few flirty, urban gals hanging around too. Perhaps I was simply on "high-alert" after spotting the mall rats earlier. But, ultimately, there was no way around it.
Incredible view. Great drinks. Wonderful friends. Gorgeous surroundings. It didn't matter.
I was in a mall.
And, so I guess that about sums up my thoughts on the Time-Warner Center. I think I'll just have to skip the splendors of Per Se, Bar Masa and their other gourmet neighbors. You can't deny your surroundings, no matter how amazing the cuisine or the cocktail. Do it right or don't do it at all. So, if I'm gonna eat in a mall, it had better be at The Cheesecake Factory, or nothing. And, can we hit the Benetton afterwards?
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