Back to New York City

"Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful."    Ralph Waldo Emerson

Valhalla's with 48 beers on tap

Finally, back to New York!  I feel like it’s been forever.  Got on a late bus after a grueling day at work on Thursday (but managed to sneak in a glass of wine at Sorisso near South Station first, and perhaps did some networking for Wild Berry Traveling?!).  After an uneventful ride where I as always, gratefully dozed, I met Kristi at Valhalla, a craft beer bar, (9th and 54^th)  where she was finishing up her shift, got a light bite to eat, and chatted with her co-workers and regulars.





Fennel with cream cheese and white grapefruit

Duck with cabbage, brussels sprouts, and prunes

Lamb with curry, quinoa, and winter preserves

Walnut with raisin and parsley root

Friday I slept in a bit and dove into the work I had started on almost 40 years of letters from my Uncle to my Grandmother.  When Kristi came home from work we headed over to Brooklyn.  A friend from her Esca days opened a restaurant in Williamsburg about a year ago, and delightedly for Carl, it’s been getting great press,  such as Best New Restaurant 2012 by Esquire Magazine!  Gwynnett St is amazing (312 Graham Ave (347)889-7002,  www.gwynnettst.com.).                            We highly recommend it! 

After a very luxuriously long dinner with Carl and Friends we decided to continue our night in Brooklyn and headed to Park Slope.  Another great Friend of Kris’ was tending bar at the Backyard (388 5^th Avenue, (347)227-8018, www.backyardbrooklyn.com.)  for the evening.  We had missed the rush so we spent a fun couple of hours with Alex.

 

Saturday we slept in, again, and spent the day cocooning together.  We were true New Yorkers and ordered brunch in from 3 Star Diner (1^st and 76th).  I still get a rush when we do this, that we can do this!  Kristi worked on launching her business, Wicked Organized NYC, and I continued on Uncle John’s letters.  It is totally different to have another Body present when you decide to cocoon.  As Kris said, it takes you out of your own head.  So true. 

At around 2pm we meandered out and took a long walk through Central Park (bumped into a Young Group singing beautifuly, I taped it, but can't figure out how to dowload it!) to Midtown to do a few errands.  We then popped into Hibernia (9^th and 50^th) for a decadent order of nachos.  Home again we came for the evening, doing some more work.  At around 9:30pm we went around the corner to Citarella’s (3^rd and 76^th) to pick up some groceries (we decided we prefer Agata and Valencia), popped into McCabes for some wine (3^rd and 76), and got some fruits form the vendor on the corner.  And, People wonder why I love NYC?

Sunday we never got dressed continuing with our work and being very productive!  Finally at around 9pm we again ordered in and had a wonderful dinner courtesy of Tiny Thai (83^rd and Lexington).  I could get very used to this. 

It’s now Monday.  I am writing, relaxing, and will get a bite to eat in the neighborhood before I catch my 6:30pm bus to Boston.  Glad to be back to NYC and the Hx3!