An overcast but warm day allowed us the opportunity to go for a long walk. We opted for third avenue. Somewhere where we hadn’t walked before and we wanted to continue with some of our off the tourist track time here. 

Third avenue extends from Murray Hill to the upper east side. We started around Grand Central and continued 50 blocks to 96th street. A combination of shops and restaurants, but lots of residential living as we progressed into the 60s and beyond. We saw lots and lots of dogs. People were out walking their pooches enjoying the milder weather on Sunday afternoon. 

We discovered a French bakery and had brunch. Fresh baked bread, eggs and a croissant or two. Yum. 

We walked past museum mile, we made our way to the Jewish museum, passing the Guggenheim, the Neue, the Frick and a number of other smaller dedicated museums located in the grand houses of the upper east side. We attended a Helena Rubinstein exhibit in the Jewish museum as well as explored the beautiful architecture of this magnificent house. 

We caught the bus home along Fifth Avenue and took it easy for an hour before we headed out to Park Avenue for dinner at Park Avenue Winter. A restaurant that changes its name and menu with the season. We were here last year when it was called Park Avenue Autumn. 

We enjoyed scallops and steak and duck. But dessert was the highlight. I had a work of art, a chocolate cube. Check out the photo. A solid cube of chocolate, filled with mousse, encasing chocolate cake with chilli ginger sorbet. Yum. Yum. 

We caught the subway home and I watched the news and sat in horror as I saw footage of Martin place. Hang on, I’m in NYC, why is Sydney on TV. I quickly learned about the siege unfolding in Sydney. The next day as the siege continued into the evening in Sydney local papers and news reports were running the story. So sad and so scary.