Happiness is...: Taking the train into New York City. Walking around the Lincoln Square area in a light rain -- enough to get your coat wet, but not enough to turn you into one of the orphans of the storm. Discovering a crowded little restaurant with nice hot coffee and chocolate cake and apple pie with crumbs on top. Finding a store called "The Sensuous Bean" and walking into a wonderland of coffees (does anything smell better than coffee?) and imported honeys and chocolates and caramels and teas. Being with someone you love while doing all of this.

Happiness is not...: Yesterday was the last day of operation for Barrymore's, my favorite theatre district restaurant. I've been going there for over 35 years. I've taken all four of my lovers there, plus assorted friends, plus my sister. The food was good (especially the chicken pot pie), the prices were moderate (well, for NYC), the staff without exception friendly and welcoming and dedicated to good service (and getting you out in time to make that curtain). Bill-the-honeybear and I were there this past Friday for dinner, and to say the joint was jumpin' doesn't begin to tell you what it was like. I had already decided that I would be there for one last time on the day it was closing, for one last meal, one last good-bye.

Mistake. We walked in to find the place empty. Only one waitperson who was doubling as bartender. The only food available was open roast beef sandwiches (without french fries!) or eggs. No beer at the bar, either. All the menus had been taken (or stolen, depending on who you talked to). The remaining contents of the place would be sold at auction on Tuesday. We walked out, took a picture or two of the exterior, then went around the corner and had lunch. I'm gonna pretend I wasn't there on Sunday. Friday will be my last memory of Barrymore's -- a wonderful place that has no place anymore in the redeveloping theatre district.