Near and Far with The Friday Flyer

Carmelita Kubota takes NYC

Carmelita Kubota sits in front of a One World Observatory window in New York City. Photos provided by Carmelita Kubota

Carmelita Kubota returned from a one-week stay in New York City just before Christmas after fulfilling a brief, private cooking stint. During her stay, she was able to visit Times Square, Rockefeller Center, the Bull Statue at the New York Stock Exchange, Chinatown and the One World Trade Center.

One of the highlights was a visit to One World Observatory See Forever Theater positioned on the World Trade Center’s 101st floor. Carmelita says, “The 60-second lift ride to the top was the most exciting experience that will be imprinted on my mind.”

Observatory tickets are priced $32 for adults 13 to 64, $30 for seniors 65 or older; and $26 for children 6 to 12. “Pricey but worth the actual experience of seeing this iconic New York landmark soaring to a symbolic 1,776 feet, the Western Hemisphere’s tallest building,” says Carmelita.

On the One World Observatory 101st mezzanine are three dining places. Carmelita tried One Mix while feasting her eyes on the panoramic New York skyline. The other two dining places are the One Cafe, serving choices of made-to-order menu items, and the One Dine, the fine dining restaurant overlooking the vibrant Observatory floor and the City Pulse, an interactive display.

Carmelita says she was craving to try One Dine with its seasonally-inspired a la carte menu complimented by small production fine wines, local draft beers and handcrafted cocktails. Unfortunately, she didn’t have the required reservation.

Carmelita says, “The memories of New York, ‘the city that never sleeps,” still linger, the most vivid one was being in the One World Trade Center One World Observatory Tower – for I saw it all in ruin, and saw it rise and saw it take shape!”