My first Friday night in New York and Arlene had graciously agreed to accompany me out. I had picked a restaurant called the Wild Lily Tea Room in Chelsea and Arlene, coming from Queens, met me in Tribeca near my place. It was pouring rain and you soon discover in New York that a vacant taxi on a rainy Friday night is a near impossibility. We took the subway uptown - but were still several blocks east of where we needed to be. So we walked. The umbrella I had was barely big enough for me, never mind me and Arlene. By the time we got to the restaurant (crosstown blocks are freaking huge) we were soaked. I literally had to go to the bathroom to take off my shirt and wring it out. Why couldn't they have had an electric hand dryer?

Once settled in we ordered a sake sampler. Some food - wasabi chicken, some dumplings, and a salad I think. I loved the vibe of the restaurant. Stylish without trying to be.

After dinner Arlene took me to Bar 13 where we danced until 3am to a mish mash of hip hop, top 40, and "Livin' on a Prayer" (to which I surprisingly still know the words... ah the days as an adolescent rocker.)