We left town right before a blizzard and arrived in New York where it was a glorious 50 degrees. The weather was in the high 40s to low 50s the entire time we were there, which was amazing. A lot of people asked if we were upset that it didn't snow while we were there, but I can see snow at home and it hinders my shopping experience.
We stayed at the Hotel Plaza Athenee, which is on the Upper East Side (or Blair Waldorf adjacent). It is my favorite hotel that we have stayed at so far. By city standards the rooms were HUGE plus it was pretty fancy and I love fancy.
The hotel - picture from orbitz.com
Our room
As soon as we got to our hotel, Daniel got called by work. He had installed some new computer equipment at a feedlot and the touchscreen went down and of course he was the only one who knew how to fix it. So I spent my first three hours in the city drinking in the hotel room. I'm not going to complain too much because if it wasn't for his job I would be working full time and we wouldn't be able to travel. I'm also not going to complain because I got a new Burberry purse compliments of his guilt.
I plan pretty much everything around food and there are so many amazing places to eat that it is super overwhelming. The first night we ate at Bistro Chat Noir, which was like two blocks from hotel. It was cozy and the food was great. We had truffle mac'n'cheese (which was almost as good at the Cowboys) to start and Daniel ordered the Black Cat Burger and I got Pappardelle BLT. Supposedly Christina Aguilera ate there the week after us. I'm sad I missed her because I feel like she could use a good pep talk.
Food at Bistro Chat Noir
The next day we went and explored Rockefeller Center and shopped. We went to Top of the Rock, which was pretty cool but also very cold and windy.
The Rockefeller Center tree
The postage stamp-sized skating rink
Radio City
Central Park from the Top of the Rock
The Empire State Building from the Top of the Rock
That night we ate dinner at Il Mulino and we are still talking about how good it was. I read that it was hard to get reservations but we got in and it was amazing. Everyone is Italian and as soon as you sit down they bring you food. I liked the appetizers more than the meal. They gave you fresh parmigiano reggiano, bruschetta, fried zucchini, bread, and salami. We also were sitting next to a group of Jersey boys, which made the experience more authentic.
Getting ready to experience Il Mulino
We finally got to eat at the Clinton St. Baking Company. I got their cookbook for Christmas two years ago and everything looked amazing. There was an hour wait, but we took that as a good sign. Everything was delicious and I would definitely go back. Their jam was almost as good as Mama's in San Francisco and that jam changed my life.
The front entrance
The Farmer's Plate, how fitting
City lights at night
This picture does not even capture how crowded Times Square was
On a side note, if you are ever planning a trip to New York for New Years and are thinking about inviting us, don't. I'm going to save you time and say there are a 101 things I would rather do. I can't handle that many people in such a small area.
I love me some Mary
The theatre
Waiting for the show to start
It's starting!
I give Mary Poppins a 6 out of 10. I am a traditionalist and I really loved the movie growing up and the musical is not the movie. There are new songs and different characters, and all I wanted was some Mary and Burt. The other thing that made me sad was that people do not dress up for anything anymore. It was crazy to see kids in sweatpants. Dear America, I love a yoga pant as much as the next person but it will not kill you to dress up and make certain events a little more special.
So that was our trip in a nutshell. I'm glad I put it on my 30 before 30 list and I already want to go back this summer.
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