Right, well, to say that I had the time of my life in NYC would be putting it pretty lightly, I'd say. I HAD THE TIME OF MY LIFE. Even when it was down pouring, even when it was so hot that we felt like we were walking in slow motion. I wouldn't change a second of it. And it sure is true what they say: that city certainly never sleeps. Maybe I would've changed that actually; Maybe we could've slept a smidgen more.
I got there pretty much on time Thursday afternoon, and that evening my best friend Tori whisked me to dinner at Alice's Tea Cup, which was just like a dream, really. If you're even remotely a fan of Alice in Wonderland, then you'll love this cafe's nod to a classic. Everything is very kitschy and weird in the best way, with waitresses in vintage dress, and tables with doll heads in them. I loved it, I loved the huge tea selection, and the FOOD. The food was TOPS. It was the perfect kick-off to my big summer adventure...until it started to rain.
And not just any rain, my friend. Oh no. Hurricane rain. And as a woman of color I must tell you: water and hair are mortal enemies when it isn't bath time. And because my little umbrella refused to be our big protector from the elements, Tori and I ran to the closest Duane Reade for both shelter, and emergency ponchos. And I'll tell ya, those glorified saran-wrap sacks with hoods actually served us well. Sure, we got horrified stares from the pretty fashionistas on the F train, but we were relatively dry. And we just couldn't stop laughing all the way home.
We were fortunate enough to stay at a little B & B in Brooklyn, so we got to do some exploring. On Saturday we decided to grab a quick breakfast at a nice cafe called Ted and Honey where we got breakfast sandwiches that were positively divine. I never would've thought to eat a leafy green salad for breakfast, but in New York, I'm up for anything. Afterwards we decided to semi-surpise my other best friend at work, then take a very wet stroll around the East Village. Tori was dying to catch at least a bit of the Germany/France game, so we ducked into a nearby bar with plenty of open tables.
We spent the Fourth of July on top of my friend Devin's rooftop mainly saying "excuse me" to the millions of hipsters joining us, and commenting on how terrible we thought the band playing was. We saw the Fireworks from the Brooklyn Bridge though, and that made it much better.
Saturday was spent the exact way it should be: with your best friends, having a makeshift picnic in Central Park with items you find from Trader Joe's, and laughing until you cried. We were supposed to meet up with our other friends that afternoon, but got there a bit early. To kill the time, Tori took me to one of her favorite cookie shops, which she's been excited to take me to for months. If you've never been to Levain Bakery, then you haven't tasted the decadence that is a gourmet cookie. This place has it made, let me tell you. It's this tiny hole-in-the-wall that you might probably pass right by, but you wouldn't, because the line is constantly out the door. There are only a few selections of cookies, and only cookies, and it's WORTH IT. Must try.
Later that afternoon I corralled the group into coming with me to The High Line, an old train track that has been repurposed into a totally excellent park. It's got trees and vine tunnels, and plenty of benches, and amazing views. It doesn't take you long to get from end to end, but there's so much to see and do. And if you get peckish, there's a nice little indoor gourmet food court for you to enjoy along the way.
After we left the High Line, everyone was up for drinks, so they took me to the Art Bar, which is the type of place that you would expect in New York if you've ever watched Friends. It's cozy and intimate, and there are sofas and throw pillows everywhere. The drinks are delicious, and the music was constantly on point.
We spent the rest of the night wandering around the West Village, admiring all the designer storefronts, and even making it to Katz's Deli! I didn't get a chance to order a sandwich (I'd stopped earlier at Bleecker Street Pizza for a quick slice), but that didn't stop me from taking a billion pictures and making the patrons by the window super uncomfortable. Hey, par for the course if you want to sit near the entrance and people-watch.
Sunday's breakfast was by far the dreamiest. We ventured to Provence en Boîte in Carroll Gardens' Restaurant Row, and as soon as we stepped inside, it felt like we'd just left New York and entered a little French cafe. It's rustic and chic, and French casual, always with a hint of sophistication. And when one is in a sophisticated French cafe, one must always order French press coffee. One simply must. Our waiter was also outstandingly hilarious and friendly, so that was a plus. As the swift breeze flowed in and out of the windows, blowing the flags up and down with the warm breeze, Tori and I felt compelled to give in to the magic, and order dishes as sophisticated as the atmosphere: For Tori, Eggs Florentine, and Eggs Benedict for me. Both OUT OF THIS WORLD. And perhaps I say that a lot, but I MEAN IT. My eggs were so good, and the brioche so fluffy, that I was slightly disappointed that it had ended so soon.
We got to see an old High School best chum of mine for thirty minutes later that afternoon which was lovely. It was sad that the time was so short, but after five years, we'll take it! I promised I'd be back and we'd do something spectacular then anyway. After, we went to a pet store called Puppies where I got Oscar an ADORABLE "I Heart NY" hooded sweatshirt that I know he (re: my mother and myself) will love.
That night Tori took me on my first trip to Williamsburg where the mustaches and beards are plenty, and there is always the threat of a sculpting-wax shortage. I loved it. It reminded me of Allston, honestly. But far, far more expensive.
We had dinner at this totally awesome restaurant and biergarten called Radegast, where the authentic German beer flows freely and the waiters speak with faint German accents. Tori had beet latkes with the best goat cheese aioli that I've ever tasted (I hadn't had any prior, so my opinion is high), and I had Swiss Chard and Beet Pieorgies. Devin ordered lamb bratwurst with Sauerkraut, and since I'm from the Midwest, I couldn't stop myself from trying a giant bite. The prices are great, the food is good, and it really feels like there's a little bit of Germany residing in Brooklyn.
We ended up staying out WELLL into Monday morning, which made parting a little groggy and way too quick. But we all got dressed and ready in record time, let me tell you. I grabbed a great fried egg breakfast sandwich from a kiosk in Bryant Park, and I was on my way back to Beantown.
I've just now finished my last B'Day truffle from Momofuku Milk Bar, and now it really feels like my dream adventure is officially over. But all is well. If I didn't leave, I wouldn't appreciate just how special these moments truly are. Miss you already, but I'll be back.
Count on it.
I'm not usually one to spend money on baking pans that are only designed for one thing (save for the time I bought that donut pan...But that was different because there are hundreds of donut combinations!), but I just couldn't resist those adorable Madeleine pans any longer! How can I have a proper tea party without shell-shaped cookies? How can I pretend that I'm French without cake-y cookies with tons of powdered sugar sprinkled on the top? The Madeleine pan was an investment really, I mean, if you think about it. Kind of. Maybe?
Besides the fact that these sophisticated little ladies (Because they're obviously girls. All that's missing, really. are mini strands of pearls.) are totally delicious, they are also surprisingly easy to make. I know that I say that so often, but it's for real this time!
