I decided to hop the subway a few stops and spend a nice breezy NYC lunch hour walking around SoHo. I used to work in this neighborhood so it's fun to come back every once in a while and check out the scene.
Mercer Street, with its cobblestones, is one of the oldest in the city. Broadway always has a crowd. Down any side street there's always a new shop or restaurant with a potential Page 6 story.
I grabbed lunch at Fanelli's on Prince. A former speakeasy that dates back to the 19th century, the corner cafe exudes a century of memories as well as the tasty smell of a variety of pub grub fare. The wait staff is a tad rough-around-the-edges and they bring a little rock n roll aloof attitude to your red and white checkered table; it's clear they're not there for the idle chit chat or the random celebrity walk in. Next I dropped in the always-interesting Versani and browsed for a sterling bauble while listening to enchanting Buddha Bar music. I checked my watch and the next thing I know I was back on the R train along with a strolling quartet belting out some Motown and shaking a can for spare change.
As Ferris said, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."