Enchanted Manhattan
I'm back, and I don't know where to begin. Maybe with the fact that is was 70 degrees in NYC every day we were there. Or maybe with this photo of dearest Bethany, jet-lagged and beautiful, standing in front of the fountain in Madison Square.
Our three days seemed liked twice that many. We took the Staten Island Ferry, had a long walk through Central Park, visited Jordan at her charmed Brooklyn apartment, took a million subway rides, spent hours at the Natural History Museum.
I'll get to the food in a minute, but I have a confession to make first. I didn't think I'd be crazy about Broadway shows (i.e. Why don't tourists just spend their money on food?), but I'm converted. Big time. Bethany's sister Kaitlyn is an assistant wardrobe supervisor for Dreamgirls, which just opened at the Apollo. I wasn't that hot on the movie, so wasn't prepared for what I saw. Countless costume changes, a stunning set, emotion and passion to boot. And then getting to pick Kaitlyn's brain afterward about life on Broadway. Who knew that it took so many wig supervisors to put on a show? I'm still in awe over the whole thing, and Kaitlyn was the consummate host. She slept on the floor and gave us her bed, and she was the one working 18 hours a day. Thank you, Kaitlyn. I am heading up your fan club now.
So much amazing food...a few highlights:
- Dinner and a bottle of sake with Jordan and Bethany at Momofuku Ssam Bar. Though we had so much to say to one another, we hardly looked up as the plates came--pickled shitakes and turnips, pork belly steamed buns, apple kimchee with horseradish cream, chewy rice cakes with spicy sausage, fried brussel sprouts with fish sauce. And the most surprisingly incredible pie for dessert--concord grape sorbet on a ritz cracker crust, all atop a salty peanut butter nougat. PB& J pie, in other words. Only David Chang could get away with that.
- The olive bar and cheese counter at Zabars.
- Sitting on sunny church steps with too-hot-to-hold bagels from H & H, split open and filled with lox.
- Soft-boiled eggs at Balthazar.
- "Cereal milk" soft serve and banana hazelnut cake at Momofuku's Milk Bar.
- Cloudy pork ramen and fried shoshito peppers at Ippudo.
- Dinner with my Aunt Rose at The Modern--a cilantro martini and beignets with mango marmalade, maple ice cream, and caramel sauce for dessert.
- And the highlight of the trip for me, dinner with Kaitlyn and Bethany last night at Casa Mono, Mario Batali's tiny tapas restaurant near Union Square. Description will be hard. Pumpkin and goat cheese fritters, served piping hot with fried sage. Mussels with chorizo, crispy caramelized lamb chops with harissa and eggplant, fried cuttlefish. And the most perfect créme brulee I've ever had, served with little doughnuts fried around fresh bay leaves. Every minute of our cozy dinner there felt quintessentially New York.
Bethany and I sat in the middle of Times Square last night, wondering at the city that never sleeps and comparing it to our staid little lives at home. I'm already scheming about a return trip ,but here's what I know for sure (do I sound like Oprah?)--all the lights, action, and perfect meals in the world don't hold a candle to this little life that I love, home with my family in Seattle's rain. They're my people, and I loved Manhattan all the more because I was coming home to them.
Thanks for these perfect days, Bethany. When we're trying to get a word in edgewise to one another in the next year, between doling out graham crackers and changing diapers, I'll pull up this post and take a little sip. I love to enjoy the world with you.
November 10, 2009
Reader Comments (20)
Welcome home! :)
Hmmm, how can it be I'm the first one commenting after ALL your time away? Just the timing, I guess, but I bet your mom and/or Priya are typing now so I better make it fast.
I'm so glad you came back with a full heart and belly. Welcome home.
I've never been to New York (just the airport doesn't count), but I've been to some wonderful Broadway shows in other cities. The good ones are so magical. Cory and I managed to get to see The Lion King when it was in town at the Paramount last year, and since we can't get out much, we got seats about 10 rows back from the stage. We didn't know much about the production ahead of time, and I'm glad, because it was so breathtaking to experience it that way. Speaking of which, I think I'll start listening to the soundtrack right about now...
I have never been away from my kids before! It's been too long and cannot wait when the opportunity arrives. Thanks for sharing! I was hoping for more pics...as you can tell I'm trying to live vicariously through you! :P
Glad you enjoyed your visit..........
I love the Modern bar, and Balthazar is so good for breakfast.....you crammed in a lot of stuff in a short visit!
I don't want to ask what the bill at Momofuku was! with sake, it must've broke the bank!
So jealous... especially of Casa Mono. We talked about taking a trip this summer to Las Vegas, just to eat dinner at Mario Batali's place there. Thanks for sharing your amazing trip!
Looks like Bethany found just the right boots! Her legs were looking pretty darn good Getting to go to NYC.was awesome, was but what made it the perfect trip probably wasn't the food, or the sights or the weather or even the fall colors I'm sure it had a lot to do with the friends your were able to share it with.Sounds like way too much fun! Loretta can now stop saying "I want my mommy".....welcome back to the stormy Northwest we're glad you're home. Now all you have to do is get a job as a restaurant critic.
P.S. Would've loved to have been a guest in Jordon's charmed Brooklyn Apartment,it must've been sweet.
I love New York. When I traveled for work, I got to spend quite a bit of time there. Eating out and going to plays. And walking through Central Park and museums. It is so nice to hear about you getting to go and getting the backstage tour of Dreamgirls. How sweet. And, of course, it's great to have you back.
Hi Sarah - Sounds like you had a wonderful trip. Perfect time of the year there...I love NYC. First time I went, as an adult, I spent the days wandering around all by myself. It was wonderful. I was there for a little over a week visiting an old friend that now calls it her home. Last time I took Kevin and we were there for 3 days - he is not much of a city boy, so three days was just enough. He was so overwhelmed in Times Square - noise, people, lights. I just wanted to hang out. :)
I made the Chai Tea Apple cake for a birthday at work yesterday - boy, it got gobbled up in a heartbeat. Was loved by all!
Happy you are home - and I am sure the kids are too!
Yay!!!
I remember feeling the exact same way the last time I was in NYC. As exciting and full of life and wonder as it is, I wouldn't trade my life in a small town with only a few traffic lights for the world. I think it made me love NTC more while at the same time love my life here more...all at the same time :) So glad to hear you had an amazing trip filled with amazing food and amazing friends...
you have just touched the tip of the iceburg! i still can't believe we were only there 3 days...we did enough to seem like we were there for 2 weeks!! my favorite thing was watching you as you deliberately found some way to tell yourself that nyc doesn't have it all! :) after every amazing thing we ate, you would say, "this is really amazing, but now i know that i can just as great bagels/tapas/ramen/you-name-it at _______." it still makes me smile to think of it. i couldn't have asked for a better companion and i loved sharing it with you. now that i know we are perfect travel partners, i'm scheming about the next trip. :)
oh, and mfm...unfortunately, those cute legs belong to jordan and her cydwoqs. i did find an amazing pair of shoes though. just wait until you see them. :)
welcome back! ahhh, nyc always brings me such eating pleasure. :)
so much so, i have to go back at least once a year. ok, ok, i go to visit my lil' circle of best friends, but there's a reason i don't complain about "having to" visit!
if we're ever there at the same time, let's eat! buon appetito!
I know those legs.
good thing I did not know you were going to NY or I would have made a request that you bring home some H&H bagels to Seattle- I actually cried when reading about sitting down on a stoop and eating them hot. G-d I miss that experience. and the Olive bar at Zabar's- girl don't get me started. Glad you had such a good time. and of course seeing a play is worth it, part of the magic of the city.
Glad you had such a wonderful time! It sounds like you hit all the highlights of NYC, and you happened to hit this area with the best weather in weeks - great timing!! Casa Mono sounds like a dream (I've been planning to hit up Centro Vinoteca for ages, where Anne Burrell is either the sous chef and Mario is the chef or she is the chef ... but I might go to Casa Mono instead!), and that PB&J pie sounds crazy good. Might have to try that around here... At Balthazar, did any of you have the famous Balthazar salad?
So the verdict is that Seattle >> NYC? I think in terms of culinary prowess they are neck and neck. I plan on visiting Seattle in the coming months, so can I grab restaurant recommendations from you in the future??? :)
I had to google "cereal milk" and "lox"....I feel educated and more East Coast. I DIDN"T have to google Mario Batali, though. PS. I go to Hillcrest and got the invite to your blog from your Mom.
Hello, favorite readers! You all get the award for taking pleasure in someone else's happiness. So good to be back with you.
Rox, Naomi, and Talia, welcome!
Katherine, I would LOVE to give you some Seattle food recommendations. I live for that :)
Bethany, your shoes are beyond description. You will be the talk of the town.
I love your description of Sarah comforting herself, Bethany! I hope you submit a picture of your shoes to the your stories page.
I love NY. Thanks for sharing those beautiful pictures.
Cute boots!