Artist Michael Varley at 25CPW

I snuck a peak into 25CPW over the weekend while taking my son for walk down Central Park West. Having been jammed for the past few weeks, I'd lost track of what's been passing through the unique gallery space on the Upper West Side. So, it was nice to have a chance to catch even a glimpse of the latest collection.

The action inside the art gallery caught my eye. New pieces were hanging, and gallery executive director Bess Greenberg was moving through the pace with a purpose, and a man I hadn't seen before wielded a paint roller at the end of a long handle. Not wanting to give up the perfect day, I pushed the stroller forward and back toward Central Park, but the curiosity stayed with me.

It turns out the new show contains selected works by Michael Varley and is on display until May 5, 2010. It can be viewed only by appointment, and the work is certainly interesting. Don't worry, there are more events coming.

Plaza Reopens Palm Court

The 103-year-old lunching venue The Palm Court at The Plaza Hotel has reopened and is ready to take your orders for Devonshire and chamomile. It has taken $6.5 million to make the room ready again, part of the $450 million renovation of The Plaza, with part of those funds spent to uncover and restore The Palm's stained-glass lay light.

In addition to afternoon tea and lunch, Sundays will offer an a la carte brunch menu with food prepared by ex-Country and ex-Table 8 Executive Chef Willis Loughead. His specialty is farm-to-table dishes with locally-sourced ingredients, which might save you trips to the Finger Lakes and the Hamptons since that's where your food will be coming from. Selections such as Palm Court Tea, come with three-tier display scones, tea sandwiches and pastries, while the New Yorker Tea offers black-and-white cookies, organic roast beef on a pretzel roll, and New York cheesecake.

Children will be attended to with a dedicated menu and cocktails, and The Palm Court will be available for special events in the evening. Afternoon tea runs from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., if you're really keen to sit under the light you can pop down for breakfast at at 6:30 a.m., seven days a week. If there's anything that hasn't changed, though, it's the dress code: business casual is the order of the day.