HAPPY MARCH. The month that brings us Spring, more daylight hours, St. Patrick’s Day and March Madn

We hear it every March – in like a lion, out like a lamb, referring to the month that starts in Winter and ends in Spring. And while El Niño may limit the roar of the lion this year – we’re going to go for it and explore all things Lion (maybe not all, but a lot) in NYC.

Library Lions

We’ll start with the most famous lions in NYC – the Library Lions. The Lion statues that flank the entrance to the Main Branch of the Library on 5th Avenue and 42nd Street are iconic symbols of NYC and are said to be its most beloved public sculptures. They have had different names over the years but the ones that have stuck are Patience and Fortitude (Patience is on the South Side, Fortitude the North.) Now you can address them properly the next time you stop by to say hello.

A Slightly Different Lion

Despite what you might think based on your viewings of the movie Madagascar, the Central Park Zoo is no longer home to actual lions. But you can visit their adorable namesakes – the Sea Lions. They are featured at the Central Garden & Sea Lion Pool right in the middle of the Central Park Zoo – entrance at 64th and Fifth Avenue.

The English Lion

Lions have long been a recognized symbol of England – so let’s take a look at all things English (maybe not all, but a lot) in NYC.

Afternoon Tea

What could be more English than tea and afternoon tea just kicks it up a notch. There are many choices for afternoon tea in NYC, and they run the gamut from pricey to more reasonable. Either way, it is a lovely way to spend your afternoon.

The Elegant

• Astor Court at the St. Regis Hotel – Two East 55th Street

• Palm Court at the Plaza Hotel – 768 Fifth Avenue

• The Pembroke Room at the Lowell Hotel -28 East 63rd Street

• Lobby Lounge at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel – 80 Columbus Circle

Still Elegant, but a little more reasonable

• Tea & Sympathy – 108 Greenwich Avenue

• Lady Mendl’s Tea Salon- Inn at Irving Place – 55 Irving Place

• Podunk Tea Room – 231 E 5th Street

English Pubs

Enough tea and dainty sandwiches, let’s not forget the English pubs. Here is a sampling of some of the best in NYC – bonus if “Lion” is part of its name.

• The Lion – 62 West 9th Street

• The Red Lion – 151 Bleeker Street

• Lion’s Head Tavern – 995 Amsterdam Ave.

• The Churchill Tavern – 45 E. 28th Street

• GMT Tavern – 142 Bleeker Street

• Cock & Bull – 23 W 45th Street

• Pound and Pence – 55 Liberty Street

Every English Pub worth its salt should serve a decent fish & chips but if you want a truly amazing version (and other items from the deep fryer), head to A Salt & Battery, located at 112 Greenwich Ave. A traditional chip shop, the deep fried desserts are mind blowing and their dessert menu features something called the deep fried lion bar, so now you have to go.

Other notable lions in NYC are the Columbia University Lions. Columbia was founded in 1754 as Kings College by Royal Charter (reference to English Royalty, hence the Lion mascot). Columbia University is situated on a beautiful campus in Morningside Heights, its fourth location since its founding. Visitors are free to tour the campus and maps and material for self guided tours are available at the Visitor’s Center, located at 213 Low Library, 2960 Broadway.

Just outside the Columbia campus on Amsterdam Ave is The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine - 1047 Amsterdam Avenue. This is the seat of the Bishop and the mother church of the Episcopal (Church of E

ngland on the other side of the Atlantic) Diocese of New York. It is a grand and magnificent building worth a visit. In addition to regular church services it hosts many events and performances throughout the year

And speaking of performances, let’s not forget the Lion King. In its nineteenth year on Broadway at the Amsterdam Theater, it is still so popular tickets are rarely available at the discount ticket booths. You can probably get full price tickets close to your date of purchase.

So go head and roar through this one. As much as we love the lion, we are all looking forward to the lamb.