Friday, August 29, 2014

Just you and me in NYC.

As we're entering the last long weekend of summer, I thought that this Favourites on Friday post would be on my anniversary trip with my very favourite person. 

Darin and I have not been away by ourselves for more than one night (and that was earlier this year) since C was born, more than five years ago. However, with all the helping hands in NY, we planned a two night stay in Manhattan for our eighth anniversary. It was a hectic, fast paced, cultural, fun, delicious experience and we got to sleep in also!! Win-win in my book!

(Warning: lots of pictures to follow)

We headed out Monday at midday.

On the train from Long Island heading into the city. As you can see, some people are more excited than others. 


After dropping our bags to the Hotel- we stayed right off Times Square, we headed out to do some sightseeing.

First step, Rockerfeller Centre. 




Check out the very cool Jeff Koon's Split Rocker Topiary at the Rockerfeller Centre. 




This was lunch as we had some stellar plans for dinner.... the green one is mine. 



Walking around by the NBC Studios.




Then we headed to Central Park.  We didn't have a lot of time so we took at petti-cab and a tour. I love Central Park. To me, I get a feel for the best of Manhattan in there so I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to walk around more. 



When we were done, we headed to the iconic Russian Tea Room for a drink. I had a cavitini-- my quintessential vodka martini with a spoonful of caviar. Clean, crisp but unfortunately, not dirty enough for me. 




We then headed to Greenwich Village, another fun neighbourhood and to Babbo, an exquisite Italian restaurant featuring the genius concoctions of Mario Batali. Truly a wonderful dining experience with ever bite better (and more beautiful) than the last. We took their tasting menu (they make substitutions) together with their recommended wines for each course... and together with their seven courses (they presented two extra so in total nine),  we were absolutely stuffed. 


We then took in a comedy show in the Village as there were lots of comedy clubs in the village. My camera had died by this point. 

The next day, we headed off early to the Museum of Modern Art where we spent the morning enjoying the works of Lautrec, Lygia Clark, Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, Matisse and my very favourite Vincent Van Gogh. His paintings, especially The Starry Night, make me so happy. In my first apartment in Canada, I had two of his pieces framed and hung on my walls. 



And because we're in NY, we couldn't not have some...



We headed to Serendipity to have some Frozen Hot Chocolate but decided not to wait in line for an hour! 



Instead I waited in Time Square to go get us some tickets for a Broadway show.




Between that and dinner, we did some shopping on Fifth Avenue and then got to Daniel. 

Daniel was probably the best dining experience of my entire life and I'm so glad we saved it for our anniversary. The food was exquisite and the service impeccable from the minute we entered to the head waiter coming to see us off at the door when we left. I didn't take pictures of every course but here are a few I managed to sneak in. Each plate was an artistic masterpiece (and I know having viewed artwork all morning) and meals were served with an extraordinary, understated flourish as well. We just ordered appetizers, mains and desserts but by the time they were done with us, they served us nine times. From the amuse-bouche to the different courses, to our decadent chocolate desserts, to our anniversary treat ( a divine concoction of lime-avocado sorbet, coconut chantilly and apple-absinthe coulis), to the fresh out of the oven madeleines to the house made chocolates, it was out of this world. 



We left there so happy and off we went to see Pippin- a fun Broadway number. 





And then, as we had all that chocolate, we did a little shopping in Times Square at midnight. Well I did and D tried his best not to poke his eyes out. 



The next morning, we headed to the High Line. It is basically some old railroad tracks that were repurposed to become an aerial and sustainable walkway and park. It was totally different from the hustle and bustle and the grit of the city and reminded us a bit of Canada actually. 



And then, after a taco, we headed out to meet my aunt Geeta and Cass for her special day in the city but that my friends, is another story.

In the meanwhile, my kids visited an amusement park, put on make-up, had lots of outdoor time, watched movies, had a dance party, two sleep overs and more  sugar than I usually let them have--- let's just say my parents are cooler as grandparents than they were as parents and my aunts are as fun as I remember them. 



Have a wonderful long weekend all!

Linking up with Andrea

Momfessionals


and 
Jenny for Friday Favourites.



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8 comments:

  1. This trip looks amazing! I've been to NO but not NYC. It's on my bucket list. I love Mario and will have to add his place to my list as well. As for the pizza...it's my favorite food and your pic makes me want to drive up there right now...granted 12+ hours is a ways to go for pizza :)

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  2. Sounds like a great time! I LOVE NYC! We didn't wait in line at sensory l serendipity either...I really do think it's all about who you know in that city though because I've seen lots of people push through lines and get seated

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  3. It looks like a lot of fun! Those are great pictures. I would love to visit NY specially during winter, with all the snow and Christmas decor.

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  4. Looks like you had a great time in NYC! I love that city, there is so much going on all the time!

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  5. That seems like the perfect NYC experience! I've only been once and was SO overwhelmed I'd like to go back!

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  6. PS I was just nominated for the Liebster award, and I would love to nominate you! Here is where you can find all the information:

    http://happilyevermock.blogspot.com/2014/08/liebster-award.html

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  7. I can't believe its we haven't done a trip alone in more than 5 years! Thanks to the NYC crew for making it happen...and to the girls for staying out of trouble!

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  8. Great post!! I posted a list of my all time favorite places to go in NYC! You can check it out here- http://rothseri.com/2015/03/22/best-places-to-go-in-nyc/

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Hearing from you makes me so happy!!

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