The Upper East Side has a vast selection of art galleries – everything from a small private gallery showing Barnett Newman to a larger open exhibit of George Braque. I love taking the time on a Saturday to stroll around and view art on the Upper East – a stroll that must include lunch at a Jewish Deli – there are a few brilliant Jewish Delis on the Upper East–Viand Coffee Shop being my favorite.

I totally recommend seeing the Barnett Newman showing at the Craig Starr Gallery – a very intimate setting with seven oil paintings and few more prints. Very minimalist and inspiring pieces. I love that this gallery is like a house – you ring the bell and get a private tour. Better to call ahead though.

I also loved the modern pieces from Howard Hodgkin at the Gagosian Gallery – all oil on wood. I recognized a couple of pieces of his, not sure from where. I don’t know much about strokes, but if a piece of artwork makes me want to stare at it for a while and makes me giddy – I love it.

The private collection of Robert Rauschenberg (also at the Gagosian) was très interesting and nuts too. He owned an extensive collection of art, several pieces from Cy Twombly and a couple from Andy Warhol. There were also some intense existentialist pieces (a pile of felt, and a shower showing a film in the background) – I don’t understand that genre, but it’s so interesting to see the vast creative scope of artists’ minds.

The George Braque exhibit at the Aquavella Galleries is stunning – and extensive. A couple of large oil paintings that really made me feel something – giddiness. Maybe that’s a strange way to describe the effect of art but that’s just me. A beautiful exhibit.

The perfect ending to this kind of a day is a visit to Ladurée for beautiful Parisian macaroons.