I debated long and hard about whether or not to write here about my whirlwind weekend in New York City because I forgot my camera! I love to post pics of my travel because they say so much more than words do in many cases. So if you aren't in the mood to read, skip this one.
What the hell ... here's what I've got.
Friday: Early morning flight out of Phoenix with arrival in Newark at 2:30pm. We boarded the Air Tran to the train station and took the train into the city, toted our single bag down 5th Avenue past all the gorgeous shops and a single slice of NY-style pizza, arriving at our hotel at 4:00pm.
We checked into the Marriott East Side NYC (www.marriott.com) and then boogied out for the evening. Rockefeller Center beckoned with its shops, crowds, and ice rink. The line to ride to the top was way too long for us - next time (and with a pre-purchased ticket.) Royce Chocolates were next up after reading about their delicate confections - on the money!! Super rich, creamy, delightful little nuggets of cocoa. So glad we stopped (www.royceconfectusa.com) in for a sample and a little bag of chilled chocolates with a chiller!
Dinner you ask? Reservations were made at Momofuku Ma Peche (www.momofuku.com.) Try saying that incorrectly! Teeny little location with friendly upstairs bar service and a very cool local who regaled us with stories of working as a designer for Macy's menswear collection. Fascinating - just like Project Runway (almost.) The scent of delicious food wafted upstairs and we couldn't wait to be served the Lamb Ribs with white grapes and peppers, the soft pork belly buns, a substantial broccoli salad, and the dim sum cart strolling by. Dim sum along with a smallish menu of divine goodness ... yes please. No dessert here - looking forward to our Royce chocolates later.
Saturday: Up early and ready for a walk uptown and through Central Park. We have NEVER seen so many dogs!! Dogs of every size, shape, breed, color, and temperament and most of them off-leash in the park. It was amazingly cool. Chill little Chihuahuas and groovy old Afghans pouncing with sweet Bernese Mountain Dogs and tons of poodle-mixes. Such a great vibe on a cool October morning. We're from Phoenix so we're not used to boots, jackets, hoodies, gloves and the like in October ... but there it was and it was gorgeous. I especially loved seeing the Alice in Wonderland statue but had to turn away when a couple of toddlers were straddling the top hat of the Mad Hatter. It was sooo high up there! My mommy-self just couldn't watch.
Across the park and past the gorgeous apartments (including the Dakota where John Lennon lived and died) to our breakfast treat - Good Enough to Eat on the upper west side of Central Park. (Get that NYC lingo ... upper west side?) Loved my pumpkin bread French toast and amazingly thick crisp bacon. Service is terrific here and worth the line out front (30 minutes guys.) Loved the choice of coffees and teas but way too full to try those luscious desserts in the bakery case. Next time.
Weaving our way back towards the theatre district and our afternoon entertainment at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre - "It's Only a Play" starring Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Stockard Channing, Megan Mullally, F. Murray Abraham, and Rupert Grint. Hilarious - absolutely hilarious. You must know Broadway to enjoy this one and the cast is superb. I read that Martin Short will be joining the cast the first week of January. Not sure who he will replace. Anything you see in NYC on Broadway is a treat and this show was no exception. Delightful!!
A quick stop into Beer Authority for a sampler of our choosing. Loved the Nebraska Brewing Brunette Brown, and the local Brooklyn selections. Good service, nice vibe, and on to our dinner reservations.
You gotta have Italian in New York and we settled on Carbone Ristorante on West 38th Street. SO happy we chose this place. Fresh red vine-ripened toms on the crispy bruschetta. Sturdy spaghetti and meatballs and a luscious piece of fish - Branzino Mediterranean Style. Oh My Gawd delicious. Fresh, flavorful, lightly seasoned in the Italian style. Tremendous! That and the limoncello were to die for.
Wandering through Bryant Park on our return to the hotel and visited all the little pop-up shops and dessert shops. Perfect weather on a perfect night.
Sunday: Early to rise and we headed out for bagels. Thick, New York style bagels with (no kidding) Tofu Cream Cheese!!!! So happy for this non-dairy treat on my bagel. This place was seriously crowded with everyone in the neighborhood picking up their Sunday eats. Ess-A-Bagel (www.ess-a-bagel.com) has what you need and you won't be disappointed. Honest.
This dream day had us taking the subway to Brooklyn to visit the original Jacque Torres Chocolaterie (www.mrchocolate.com) for the richest hot cocoa ever. We could barely finish it because it was so velvety (even with soy milk!) Then a short walk to the stairs for a lovely walk over the Brooklyn Bridge. Did you know that the area below the Brooklyn Bridge was known as the "DUMBO" neighborhood? Neither did I. I'll let you look it up and be surprised as to what it stands for. I've wanted to make a trek across famous bridges for awhile now. Two years ago we biked the Golden Gate Bridge and last weekend we walked the Brooklyn Bridge. I am so lucky. Gorgeous sunny day with a hint of a breeze - Lady Liberty and Ellis Island sharing space with sailboats floating in the bay. Along the way, I was enlightened regarding a disease called "Primary Immunodeficiency Disease" by a mom who was walking for her son. This disease is closely related to horrible allergies and a lack of immunity for colds and flu. If you'd like to find out more or even make a donation go to www.primaryimmune.org for more info. Thanks Lakeshia for sharing your story with us.
We stopped into Anthony Bourdain's restaurant "Les Halles" for lunch. I'll save you money and time - skip it. The best thing about the place was that the bathrooms were clean.
But ahhh.... the World Trade Center Memorial. There is nothing quite like this emotionally riveting spot. Erin and I first visited New York City about 6 months after the bombing and never saw the towers in their glory. We saw the broken windows, boarded buildings, construction tape, and the pervasive sense of sadness throughout the area. This time around we encountered a peaceful space with waterfalls and engraved names surrounding the site of the brand new tower. I don't want to go into too much detail because I think it is a space that should be felt in person. Go and visit, you'll understand what I mean.
Brooklyn to Mid-town ... 5 chocolate houses, 5 brew-houses, 5 neighborhoods through Chinatown, Little Italy, Greenwich Village, the FlatIron District and along the Hudson River. Such a great way to see the city and all it's vibrant parts. I do recommend that you walk this city. Sure you can take the subway or a taxi and you'll have to do that eventually. But to really get a feel for New York, you must walk. I especially loved the Marie Belle Confectionary (www.mariebelle.com) and Neuhaus Chocolates (www.neuhauschocolate.com) as well. As for beer, you can't take a step without wandering into a great place for beer but we especially loved The Ginger Man (www.gingerman-nyc.com) for it's great beer selection and local beers too. The crispy potato chips were impeccably seasoned with a creamy dip. Yum.
Our last NYC meal was a little Jewish Deli called Second Avenue Deli (www.2ndavedeli.com.) I can't possibly visit this city without hitting up a new deli. They too are found just about everywhere. I had probably the best matzo ball soup I have ever tasted with the dilliest and butteriest (like those words?) pickles. Smacking my lips just remembering them. Jeff's liverwurst sandwich did not live up to our expectations and that was disappointing. But service was excellent - just like your grandma serving you dinner... if your grandma cooks!
New York City is crowded and dirty and gritty and bright and shiny and delicious. I love this city for a visit - and once a year wouldn't be a bad thing IMHO. But money is always a concern and this city is expensive. Plan ahead and make a visit. You CAN do it in a weekend. I did.
Bring out the hoodies people - it's Autumn!!
Deb :)
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