A walk in the rain, Reminiscence, and the Strand.
As I listened to the raindrops pitter-pattering on my umbrella I wandered onto Fifth Avenue below 14thStreet, ready to be disappointed by the demise of my childhood haunt, Reminiscence. And, yet…there it was, in all its vintage glory.
Ah, Reminiscence. Where does one even begin? Located, originally, at 175 MacDougal Alley, just below 8th Street, it, along with Capezio next door, was the go-to destination for those magenta-dyed painter’s pants, olive-drab jump suits, and Hawaiian shirts you could not live without in high school. It wasn’t a big place, and the ceiling was low, but what it lacked in size, it more than made up for in personality. Bright colors, patterns, and great music, Reminiscence was it.
And the Strand. Well, no matter what, I always feel better when I am there. And I don’t spend a lot of time in the basement, but – thanks to the fabulous Call My Agent -- I’ve been reading again in French and the Strand has a decent language section downstairs. The sound of the fan, the classical music upstairs, it’s all good.
Cap it with a cup of coffee and a glorious chocolate bun at Ole and Steen and life is hopeful once more.