I want to share some shots of my trip to New York City earlier this month. The day before I left it snowed in Vermont, so the signs of spring in Manhattan were so refreshing.
It was Tartan Day so we saw a parade of Scottish people from around the world going up 6th Avenue. There were different clans and societies, bagpipe bands, and Westies wearing kilts.
We stayed at the Warwick hotel, which was longtime home of Marion Davies (that's her on the right) and also Cary Grant.
When recalling the trip, most of what we did was EAT. On the first night we found Guantanamera, an awesome Cuban restaurant on 8th avenue. It was perfect--crammed with tables, mic set up for music later, low lights, tons of food. We ate a lot of ceviche and empanadas, and split a crispy juicy order of the house chicken. There were delicious tostones (fried plantain). Photo above is of a guy rolling cigars in the front window.
We meandered up to Lincoln Center after dinner to look at the fountain and the buildings.
The next day we found dim sum near our hotel and went there for brunch (after a run around Central Park, where trees and daffodils were in flower).
We also went to GLOSSIER. So fun! It's a makeup store in Soho and you have to wait outside, then they let you enter in small groups and you go up a set of dark pink stairs. I swear the air smells slightly of roses.
There are only testers on display, no merchandise to gather up and purchase. Once you know what you want to buy you find a lady in a pink jumpsuit and she'll take your order (and credit card info) on an ipad.
The orders are packed out of sight on an upper floor and they come down from the ceiling in a plastic bag with your name on it. The ladies at this counter grab the bag and call your name, and then you pick it up. It was the coolest thing.
We did other shopping around Soho, including the Vans store, and at Top Shop I bought an insane pair of gold snake-head earrings, just cuz.
Spring at NYU!
On our last evening we went back up to Lincoln Center and had dinner at Bar Boulud. It was a great spot, intimate and not too expensive. Here is our charcuterie plate.
The bar goes the length of the room on one side, with booths on the other side (we were in a booth).
Many of us got the Frenchie burger, which is an angus burger with tomato compote, raclette cheese, and pork belly on top. Thin-thin fries on the side.
Last morning was another visit to Pain Quotidienne. While I love the earthy organic vibe at this chain (this was the second one we visited in two days), the service was wicked slow, it was hard to get the server to come back after dropping off our orders, and one time my coffee wasn't particularly hot. BUT they have a lot of organic stuff, so... that's good?
Things not pictured: Mark Manders "Tilted Head" public art installation at the entrance to Central Park, Chinatown (I almost bought a durian but didn't want to carry it), an unusual-seeming number of French bulldogs, Eataly (we had panini for lunch on Day 1), and the corner store near our hotel that had at least 5 different drinks coolers with waters, iced coffees, kombuchas, iced teas, Turmeric lattes, matcha drinks, mushroom elixirs, juices, fizzy things, not to mention a ton of alcohol that I wasn't paying attention to. ALL THE THINGS.
I got to New York by driving to New Haven, CT, then taking the commuter rail to Grand Central Station. It's about a 5 hour trip door to door, which isn't bad at all! While there we walked all around town and took the subway a few times. No taxis, no ubers. Things still on my list are the High Line, any kind of art museum, maybe check out the Film Forum, and find more more more good restaurants.
Happy Spring!
