Saluto: Hartford, CT- 2/15/12- 15:04 EST

What is your best guess as to why they have placed hooks next to the paper towel holder? At first I thought it was a nifty hold you handbag idea, but then realized that the they were placed too close together for that. In fact, you would only need one set for that purpose. Leaves a lot to the imagination!

Global Strategy Group: Hartford, CT- 2/15/12- 13:12 EST

A strange array of soaps, hairspray and anti-germ spray. Having looked at the list of tony clients this firm has serviced, I was imagining that some super politico might have used the same restroom. Later realized that most of them probably frequented the D.C. or N.Y. C. office.

New Haven Lawn Club: New Haven, CT- 2/14/12- 19:04 EST

If you have to have a monthly board meeting, this is as good a spot as any. One of the best old fashioned restrooms around. Don't let looks decieve you. This antique looking faucet went on as I dispensed soap into my hand and went off the minute I was finished rinsing. I was actually shooting the dainty spray of LIVE orchids. Read To Grow, the literacy non-profit whose board I sit on, is about to launch itself on a campaign to cover all the birthing hospitals in the state of CT. It currently covers 11. Watch for them in your area.

Dr. Pressman: New Haven, CT- 2/12/12- 14:40 EST

Mediocre restroom decoration, however, this is one of the friendliest doctor's offices I have ever been in and if his injections cure my neuroma, I will be a happy walker once again.

Elizabeth's Cafe: Madison, CT- 2/12/12- 12:38 EST

Surprised that this is the first shot of self-promotion I have come across in my travels thus far. Why hide it in the restroom I ask?

Bee and Thistle Inn: Old Lyme, CT- 2/10/12- 19:50 EST

My first experience of stained glass as an art object in a rest room. I remember the old days when we went here for the outstanding scones- served only at dinner for some odd reason- and to sit at a table in front of the one fireplace on a cold winter's evening. It was never more charming as it is nowadays with multiple fireplaces and dining options. The cosiest of places and with consistently good food as well.

Gabrielle Carlson: Manhattan- 2/9/12- 11:24 EST

I have been buying deliciously feminine and discretely sexy clothing from this solo designer for decades. She works out of a tiny atelier on E. 10th street and it is always an adventure in color and texture and an ego boost to spend an hour with her. Her bathroom usually has some "experiment in dying" hanging from the shower.
Also not bad that one can always get a seat for lunch at the infamous Momofuko Noodle Bar right across the street. 

Olio Restaurant: Groton, CT- 2/8/12- 14:03 EST

Do you suppose this table and chair are to invite the clientelle to do a little pre or post meal writing?  It has been years since I ate at the nouveau Italian restaurant which was packed when we arived at 12:30 and completely vacant when we departed at 2pm.  The reverse of what one finds in NYC. I did find their take on the ubiquitous beet salad to be delicious and inventive.

Memorial Hall: Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT- 2/8/12- 19:58

How did I know this was the Women's since the sign was ripped from the wall? Obviously because the other door had a Men's sign! This was the only imperfection I found in this ingenious modern building which encased the original stone campus chapel. This University has so many wonderful offerings at little or no charge, it is a wonderful community resource. Tonight I was there to here the brilliant Haitian writer Edwidge Danticat- whose novel Breath, Eyes, Memory I adored- read from her new book Create Dangerously. It is incredibly moving to hear a Haitian speak about her experiences in and of that beleaguered country.

Pho Mai: Middletown, CT- 2/8/12- 19:24 EST

More instructions to restroom users.  How lazy are people getting that they would leave the water running?
FYI, this looks like a hole in the wall, as do many ethnic restaurants in Middletown, but it has the best, most authentic Vietnamese food- and I have been to that country- I have had in the States. It is run by a well educated and ever smiling Vietnamese family and the Pho and hot and sour soups are so delicious I buy take out containers whenever I am in town to bring home for later consumption.

Monkey Farm: Old Saybrook, CT- 2/6/12- 13:49 EST

I have lived in this neck of the woods since 1974 and had never been into this establishment believing, as one friend recently wrote, "thought the people who “dined” at The Monkey Farm had tattoos on all body parts, were missing most of their teeth and slept with their first cousins". This proved not to be the case at lunch time anyway. Had a perfectly delicious Reuben sandwich with yummy coleslaw and found the restroom to be scrupulously clean with a funny retro pink sink and incongruously encourgaing pro Giants scribblings on the slate walls.

XO Yoga: Chester, CT- 2/4/12- 8:56 EST

This yoga studio is all about Love, Love, Love.  It is on their tee-shirts, their wall and the owner's tattooed arm.

PAX wholesome food: Manhattan- 2/3/12- 14:36 EST

A quick place to run into while shopping. Clean enough and located upstairs which was devoid of diners and I didn't have to feel too guilty that I wasn't actually a patron. Again lots of signs about what not to put in various recepticles. I guess there really is no toilet ettiquette taught any more.

American Wing, Metropolitan Museum: Manhattan- 2/3/12- 13:59 EST

A beautiful restroom which reflects the sumptuous new American wing itself.  This is more like what I would have expected in the Member's Dining Room.

Member's Dining Room, Metropolitan Museum: Manhattan- 2/2/12-12:21 EST

This restroom is fine, but a long walk from the dining room and nothing special, unlike the dining room itself which has a reserved and elegant atmosphere partially created by its wall of slanting windows overlooking Central Park.  The food is delicious and the clientelle is interesting to observe if your lunch partner isn't.

Wadsworth Atheneum: Hartford, CT- 1/29/12- 17:27 EST

Okay, so I lied and here is another out of sequence shot. I wasn't going to post this, but I keep thinking about it and wondering why there would be a picture k in such a small area above the light fixture above the mirro in a public bathroom.  Granted this is a museum, but a I can't imagine anything was ever intended to hang here. Heard the illustrious John Ashbery read from his latest book which is a translation of Arthur Rimbaud's Illuminations. More interesting to me were the readings of his own poems. Just when he was getting into a real grove, he was cut off from the reading by one of the staff saying we were out of time. Quite extraordinary.

Century Club: Manhattan- 2/1/12- 16:35 EST

Sorry I could not get this photo to load the right way, but the floor tile was actually what I was featuring, so I guess it doesn't matter that the pedestal sink is sideways. I am not crazy about the downstairs meeting rooms, but the one I was at today is on an upper floor with French doors leading onto a large terrace.  Its high ceiling has skylights and it feels like being in a modern loft- enhanced by the contemporary art on the walls- rather than a stuffy old club.

Yale Club: Manhattan- 2/1/12- 14:28 EST

Glad the motif wasn't bulldogs. Like the Yale blue and white in the stripped wallpaper. Seems appropriately Ivy League. Had a meeting in a small room on the Libarary floor. I had never been here before. They have an extinsive collection which is catalogued like a public library and is all wood panelled and quiet.

Josie's: Manhattan, NYC- 2/1/12- 13:17 EST

This what I call a fun restroom. I was delighted to find a delicious organic restaurant in my neighborhood. And across the street is a healthfood store with fresh produce. Now I am all set.

B.A.M.- Brooklyn,NY- 1/31/12- 21:46 EST

Do you need to provide a reason for people not to flush snything other than toilet paper down the toilet? Must say I think Richard III could have used an ocean roar. Was there ever a more vile character in all of Shakespeare's repetoire? Poor Kevin Spacey having embody his tortured flesh and soul for 3 1/2 hours Tuesday thru Sunday and twice on Saturday. Don't know how he does it.

Caffe e Vino: Brooklyn, New York- 1/31/12- 17:58 EST

Too bad about the trash can. Otherwise a lovely restroom still life going on here. My second time to this Italian bistro before an event at B.A.M. Good food delivered quickly. Saw Richard III and the critics did not lie for a change. It was spectacular. Kevin Spacey was extraordinary and the modern setting really worked.

The Drunken Horse: Chelsea, Manhattan- 1/31/12- 16:39 EST

When did people start throwing paper towels in the toilet? This is not a sign I remembver seeing in such profusion a few years ago. Stumbled into this empty wine bar - it was only 4:15pm- in hopes of having a rejuvenating cup of tea after viewing 10 art galleries.  Soon enough a steaming glass of Earl Grey was soon in front of me and a soothing mix of music from Pandora reenergized me.