Manhattan Kind of Weekend

 Central Park in Autumn

 
Last weekend, Anthony and I headed to New York.  I booked a last-minute hotel room on Priceline and once we got to Grand Central, we headed over to Chelsea to drop off our bags.  Then, we took the subway down to the Lower East Side where New York Magazine/Grub Street teamed up with the Hester Street Fair for a food festival.  We were so excited about it but by the time we got there, many of the stands had closed or run out of food and the area was so packed that we could barely move.  We waited in line for almost an hour and finally got to taste a few things but next time, we'll try to get there earlier.  I would have loved to try food from Wafels and Dinges or Melt Bakery. 

We then took the subway across town to the West Village for dinner, since we were still really hungry.  There are so many choices on Bleecker and Cornelia but we decided on Keste Pizza & Wine for Neapolitan-style pizza.  The restaurant was really homey and it was still early so we were able to score a table in the back where it was pretty quiet.  I ordered a really great salad and Anthony and I each got a different kind of pizza and shared.  The crust was delicious, the cheese was so fresh (Anthony's had smoked mozzarella--so good!) and the owner was really friendly.  Afterward, we walked across the street to Amy's Bread and bought a cupcake and piece of chocolate cake for dessert.

Later that night, we lined up outside the Uprights Citizens Brigade Theater.  We were both UCB virgins and really excited to see the improv of Death by Roo Roo.  We had an awesome time--comedians are funnier in person sometimes, right?--and will definitely go back again.  

The next morning, we got up early and headed out for breakfast before catching our train home.  We walked down to La Grainne Cafe and didn't even have to wait for a table.  I loved the bustle of the restaurant and the food was so good.  I am still thinking about the thick french toast with blanched almonds.  Anthony had a delicious crepe with apricot preserves and we both enjoyed the fresh-squeezed orange juice (I loved the coffee, too, but it was a bit strong for Anthony). And the guy at the table next to us had cafe au lait, which I am now dying to try!

Overall, we had a lovely weekend in New York City.  The weather was perfect and we didn't come home with bed bugs.  I think that maybe next time, if Anthony's up for it, we'll take a fall stroll through Central Park...



Photo courtesy of centralpark.com