New York Wrap-Up

The rest of our trip was amazing. We got really lucky with the weather... this week, New York was forecasted to have three days of rain and snow on Friday. While we were there, it was full sun and blue skies, albeit a little cold.

I'm not sure if it's the excitement of being able to communicate easily (in English), but I made a few friends.  This picture is incredibly random.  I came to this place for lunch, alone, while Ryan was at work.  I ended up staying until dinner, and got Ryan to come straight there, so he could meet this group of four (otherwise, I didn't think he'd believe me).  They included a filmaker, and Italian olive grove owner (who was from New York, in his late 60's) and his 23 year old girlfriend.  And the one closest to us is the bartender... he thought the situation was crazy too, was with us for the past five hours, and wanted to be in the picture.      

We made more friends on St. Patrick's Day. We started the morning by watching the parade, and decided to find a bar for lunch.  We start talking to the people next to us... who were in town from IRELAND!  Before we knew it, we were fast friends.  They'd get one round, and we'd get the next.  That lunch turned into dinner as well.  Have you ever tried to keep up with an Irish couple? We did, and it meant crashing at the hotel at 8:00 pm.  We actually exchanged information, and met up with them again later in the week.  I can't explain it... this has never really happened on vacation before.  Ever.

The rest of the time was a little less crazy. We loved the play. Took a ferry ride. Ate the best doughnuts ever. Flavors included tres leches, peanut butter glaze and blackberry jelly, vanilla bean (my favorite), blackout (serious chocolate) and organic orange.  Pistachio is pictured. Amazing.

Then, Mom came to meet us! We continued to shop. Went to two more museums.  Took a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, had brunch, and tried macarons that were better than in Paris.  If it makes me a total snob, comparing NYC to Paris macarons, just know that two years ago, I hadn't even tasted one.  Moving on...

High on Mom's list was a trip to Mood, and it did not disappoint (she got some great fabric). I said, "thank you Mood," in my best Project Runway voice.  I'm sure they appreciate the thousand of tourists who do that.

We took more walks (and found more shops). This time, on the unfinished High Line, through Central Park, and around West Village. But dinner on the last night stole the show. We wanted to celebrate big, and we certainly did, with the meal of a lifetime - which had the highest Michelin rating possible. There are only 11 restaurants in the US with that score, and it was exciting to see firsthand.  It was definitely over the top.  Ryan was too... he snuck presents in and had the waitress bring this little birthday cake (for me and Mom, her birthday was last month).  It was a very appropriate end to an extravagant week.  30 is definitely a birthday I won't forget.