* pictures to come *~ top 3 eating experiences:1. patsy's: (located in midtown) the reason i heart nyc :-) this small, old-world italian restaurant simply warms my heart. i discovered it two years ago, because of its notariaty among one of my favorite people in the whole world...tony bennett. there is a dress-code. ALL of the waiters are italian, most of which speak very little english. there is a maitre de. he wears a tuxedo (bow-tie and all), and has a white napkin draped over his arm. he walks around and makes sure that everything is to your liking. the food is very traditional italian food, which is way different than lets say, olive garden or macaroni grill! but, the best part of all, is the most moist, deliciously rich canoli cake that has ever crossed my taste buds. yummy! this restaurant is not good for the wallet, but it is without a doubt, good for the soul (especially my little italian soul)!
what i ate: house salad, asparagus parmigiana, veal chop siciliano, canoli cake
2. kitchenette: (located in greenwich village) this was our most fun eating experience. this little hole-in-the-wall breakfast eatery/bakery is the cutest little restaurant. it is very eclectic, with old distressed doors serving as tables and mismatched chairs! you didn't really feel like you were in a restaurant. it was more like you were sitting around a friend's kitchen table. although we had great food and coversation there one morning, the highlight (for me) was sitting at a table next to
todd oldham!! for those of you who don't know him...he is a very well-known, high-end interior designer. he also serves as the host for
top design on bravo. we found out that he lives just around the corner from the restaurant and is a very regular customer! it was SO exciting :-)
what i ate: freshly squeezed orange juice, scrambled eggs, wheat toast, homemade turkey sausage with apples, onions, and sage.
3. serendipity: (located in midtown) ever heard of
frozen hot cholocate? if you watched oprah's favorite things episode about 3 years ago, then you would have been introduced to it! words can not even describe the yummy goodness. this menu item is not only trademarked, but it is what made this restaurant a little bit famous :-) also, if you haven't seen the movie, serendipity, then you need to! this restaurant is also very eclectic, mainly due to the fact that it is adorned with tons of tiffany lamps. it is super cute! we ate here for dinner shortly after arriving in the city. we had a super fun time!!
what i ate: the haight-ashbury sandwich ( sliced turkey, tomato, avocado and alfalfa sprouts with melted muenster on raisin pumpernickel with russian dressing) THE BEST SANDWICH I HAVE EVER EATEN! frozen hot cholocate!
~ top 3 sights:1. top of the rock: (located in midtown...rockefeller center) this is the alternative to the empire state building. and honestly, i think it is a WAY better view and experience than the ESB. when you go to the top of the ESB, you have to struggle to see the city through a metal fence. it isn't the best backdrop for a picture. at the top of the rock, you are being protected by plate glass that is two stories high. so, every aspect of the skyline is so much clearer. you travel to the 70th floor in an elevator, whose ceiling is a clear piece of glass. not only do you get to watch as you climb 70 stories (ever seen the inside of an elevator shaft?), but they actually play a movie that gets projected onto the ceiling of the elevator. it is too cool!!
2. central park: (located in midtown) most people would say that central park is what it is....really cool to see once, but not that big of a deal to see again. NOT TRUE! there is nothing like being in that park in the fall. i was mesmerized by the foliage and the general atmosphere of that place. not to mention that it would take several trips just to be able to see the whole park! i have been in the park several times, but this was, by far, my favorite experience. makes you want to worship!!
3. the MET: (located in midtown) even if you aren't that into museums, i can guarantee that you will like this one. it covers every era of art, every subject of history, and just about every civilization. this is another place that would require several trips to be able to see every exhibit. but it is SO worth the time!
~ greatest experience of the whole trip:1. memphis: this is a brand new broadway musical, that actually opened the week we were in nyc. we saw it on opening weekend. i wish so badly that i could adequately describe this show. for those of you who know me, you know that i am a HUGE fan of wicked. it has always been my favorite broadway musical, and i could see it a million times and never get tired of it. however, after seeing memphis, i think wicked has been knocked down a notch in my book. unlike wicked (which is based in a fantasy world), memphis is based in history. i think, had we seen this show two years ago, it would not have had the impact that it had on us. but this story has become extremely personal to my family. it only took the opening song for me to start crying, and i wasn't the only one! as emotionally raw and controversial as the story is, i have never felt more energized as i did when we left the theatre. it was an amazing experience. if you are ever in nyc, and are determined to see a show, consider this one!
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Turn up that dial! From the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, by way of hit runs at the La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre, comes a hot new Broadway musical with heart, soul and energy to burn. She's a black singer whose career is on the rise, but who can't break out of segregated clubs. He's a white radio DJ whose love of music transcends race lines and airwaves. When the two collaborate, her soulful music reaches radio audiences everywhere, and the Golden Era of early rock 'n' roll takes flight. But as things start to heat up, whether the world is really ready for their music - or their love - is put to the test. Be ready to experience all the exuberance and the emotion...the beauty and the controversy...of a wondrous, defining time in our history. You're tuning in to Memphis. ...until next time, NYC!