Feasting Fancies © Two New York Icons

I think we could say The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Bloomingdale’s Department Store are both New York Icons. Each has many parts and departments and each must function and be superb to make the greater whole sparkle and be outstanding.

The Costume Institute is a very important part of the Museum and has just opened a wonderful new exhibit. “American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity”. The exhibit will run from May 6 -August 15, 2010, and I suggest very strongly that you get to see it.

You will walk through fashion history in a series of round rooms, beautifully decorated for each period. We begin with “The Heiress’ (1890s), based on the Henry James novel, standing in a ballroom filled with many other beautiful ball gowns from the designers of the day. We move into the great outdoors with the “Gibson Girl” (1890s) with her athleticism and physical independence, bathing suits, riding ensembles and cycling suits fill this period.

“The Bohemian” (early 1900’s) finds us in Louis Comfort Tiffany’s studio in New York; she is wearing silk pantaloons by Callot Soeurs, and drinking the latest cocktail. We move on to the “Suffragist” and “Patriot” (1910s) and see, through film, the gradual social and physical emancipation of women around the time of World War I.

“Flappers” (1920) is set in a beautiful mural of New York City inspired by the paintings of Tamara de Lempicka. Beautiful beaded evening dresses by Molyneux keep the flappers dancing. We have the “Screen Siren” in the 1930s in a cinema. She showcases body cleaving second-skin bias cut gowns, including a dress designed by Travis Banton for Anna May Wong in the film “Limehouse Blues” (1934). The final gallery is a video installation that explores how today’s ideal of American style evolved via each of the exhibition’s archetypes.

This exhibit feature approximately 80 examples of haute couture and high fashion primarily from the Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan museum of Art, which was transferred to the Met from the Brooklyn Museum in January, 2009. Many of the pieces have not been seen by the public in more than 30 years.

The Brooklyn Museum will present a simultaneous exhibition of masterworks from the Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection from May 7 to August 1. 2010. “American High Style Fashioning a National Collection” will look at 19th and 20th century masterworks by designers including Charles Frederick Worth, Jeanne Levin, Jeanne Piquing, Elsa Schiaparelli, Charles James and Norman Norell. The designs were owned by prominent women including Millicent Roger and Lauren Bacall. Many of theses pieces have never been previously exhibited.

The “American Woman” is a beautiful show and really needs to be seen, not only for the fashion but also because the design of the show is creative and beautiful.

Bloomingdale’s has sat on the block between 59th Street and 60th Street and Lexington Avenue and Third Avenue for more years than I can remember. At one point Bloomingdale’s basement was the place to shop for bargains, and returning anything has never been a problem.

The store has evolved over the years to become a legend in its own time. It’s exciting to enter the store; you never know what surprises await you. When I had my caterering business, Bloomingdale’s was one of my clients. One party we worked on was a big fund raising event to benefit City Center for the Performing Arts; it took place on the furniture floor. They were unveiling their new room designs and we were one of several caterers involved. It was very exciting and always a pleasure to work for them.

“Forty Carrots” is one of the restaurants in Bloomingdale’s. It originally opened over 40 years ago in the basement. The feature of Forty Carrots is fresh home made yogurt, which they introduced to New York City it has became very successful. A space on the seventh floor that was a restaurant became available and they moved “Forty Carrots” into that location which is where it can be found today, nestled among the sheets and pillowcases of the bedding department.

Entering “Forty Carrots” is a delight, it is colorful, bright, and cheerful; you feel as thought something good is going to happen, and it does! As you’re seated, a yellow, orange and green menu is placed before you on the green place mat that sits on the table, the excitement grows, what will you have?

They have specials that last a week, soups, sandwiches, salads, breakfast items all day and entrees, and a children’s menu. The standard flavors of the yogurt are listed; your server will tell you the special two flavors of the day and a nice selection of beverages.

If you have not had lunch or dinner at Forty Carrots I suggest you select for your first meal, a bowl of Smooth Carrot soup. This soup really is forty carats, and either the Flagship Trio Salad Platter, which will give you a sampling of the classic Tuna salad, Sonoma chicken salad and egg salad all served on a bed of lettuce or the Sandwich Trio Platter which will give you the same selections but as sandwiches on a pretzel roll, an onion roll and an organic brioche roll. What wonderful trios! They also have a no mayo Tuna salad which is white Albacore Tuna, minced Bermuda onions and celery, combined with light lemon oregano vinaigrette. Where else can you have your choice of tuna salads?

Some of the classics are an Astoria Spinach Pie, High Protein Vegetable Lasagna, Fruit Salad, Veggie Burger, Grilled Turkey Burger, Grilled Wild King Salmon or an Open Faced Grilled Vegetable Sandwich, all are served with a salad that’s coordinated, and for $3.00 more a small fresh yogurt. Some of the specials are Lemon Shrimp Pasta, Grilled Chicken Quesadilla, Apple Gorgonzola Salad or a Vegetable Panini, again served with a salad or other sides.

Special teas are available as are wines and beers, and fresh squeezed juices and coffee. The dessert selection is of course the frozen yogurt in all its flavors, you could also choose; Flourless Chocolate Torte, an Apple Pot Pie, Carrot Cake, Raspberry Cheesecake, Brownies, Blondies or other Sweet Bars; a daily fresh Fruit Cobbler and Lemon or Apple Pound Cake and for $2.00 extra make it a la mode with frozen yogurt.

Everything is fresh and made to order, everything is wonderful and served by a great staff of people who will help you decide if you’re having a problem. It’s open pretty much when the store is open and they take all major credit cards. I know you will enjoy Forty Carrots for lunch or dinner or even breakfast all day. It is one important part of the whole that makes Bloomingdale’s the Icon it is in New York City and the World.

If you have any questions or need more information please write me at this newspaper or e-mail me at RAskRalph @aol.com.