Spent last weekend in New York, catching up on my favorite Big Apple activities: enjoying time with family, delicious food and one-of-a-kind shopping. Here are some of the highlights.
Friday
Lunch at S'mac, where they make a myriad of mac and cheese combinations, each in its own personal skillet. I went for the Four Cheese. Best part was the crunchy top layer -- inside was creamy and yummy, but I prefer a lower sauce to pasta ratio. Tony B., you're still my #1. (S'mac, 345 E. 12th Street)
Walked uptown to the Manhattan Mall, which is filled with every (how do I put this nicely...) "mid-market" retail chain you can imagine: Aeropostale, Express, Strawberry, Wet Seal, etc. Why, pray tell, did I make this pilgrimage? To get Bitten, of course! Sarah Jessica Parker's clothing line is sold by Steve and Barry's, and I just had to see it for myself. Could she really pull off affordable fashion, or are the two concepts mutually exclusive? I entered the store and SJP was plastered on posters and endcaps and TV monitors everywhere espousing her mantra that "Fashion is not a luxury. It's a right." And I have to say the clothes do look cute, but as you might expect, the fabric is thinner than SJP herself. I love you, sweetie, but I have to trust that my top is going to make it through more than one washing. I bought one for $10.99 and we'll just have to see. It's gonna look great with my pink Prada flats, though. (Bitten at Steve and Barry's in the Manhattan Mall, 6th Avenue and 33rd Street)
Speaking of shoes, I decided I'd had enough retail slumming and headed further uptown to a new 'hood. You girls know what I'm talking about. The shoe department at Saks Fifth Avenue, which is so big it has its own zip code (10022-SHOE). Take the express elevator to shoe heaven, where the shelves are mirrored so you can see each heel without picking up the shoe. As Carrie said, "Shopping is my cardio," and Saks gave me one helluva workout. Next to the shoe salon you can recharge in the Charbonnel et Walker chocolate shop, where the pastries whiz by on a conveyor belt. (Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 Fifth Avenue)
Saturday
Breakfast with Emma at Cafe Sabarsky, the authentic Viennese restaurant at the Neue Galerie. They serve their deliciously potent coffee in the Austrian tradition: accompanied by a glass of water to soften the blow before eating your soft boiled egg in a martini glass and marble cake with whipped cream. (Cafe Sabarsky, 86th Street at Fifth Avenue)
Afternoon visit to famed chocolatier Jacques Torres, a.k.a Mr. Chocolate. At his Hudson Street store you can sip hot chocolate while you watch them make all kinds of delectable confections. I stocked up on my favorite: Dark Chocolate-covered Corn Flakes. Don't knock it 'til you've tried it, sister. (Jacques Torres Chocolates, 350 Hudson Street)
Any trip to NY wouldn't be complete for me without a visit to Marina at my favorite store, Nellie M. If you've ever complimented me on my wardrobe, chances are Marina picked the outfit -- and she came through again this trip. (Nellie M. Boutique, Lexington Avenue at 88th Street)
Dinner with bro Jamie at Gari. We surrendered to the omakase (Chef's choice) and it was outstanding. I can only show you half of the 10 pieces since after I shot the first five, the waitress told us they don't allow photography in the restaurant. This may be the last photo scoop you'll see in The Fro Fro Blog, so enjoy it, people. (Gari, 370 Columbus Avenue at 78th Street)
Sunday
Jets vs. Eagles at the Meadowlands. Here I am with Dad: he's got his gear and game face on. Dad and his friend Johnny have been ticketholders since the Jets were the Titans, so our seats are spectacular. Too bad the team wasn't today; we lost 16-9. Still had a great time, and the burger at Johnny's tailgate was delish.
Thanks for a great weekend, New York. You're a helluva town!
Apparently at least one New Yorker doesn't agree with me on the subject of low sauce-to-pasta ratio:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/17/dining/17mini.html
Posted by: laurafrofro | October 17, 2007 at 12:51 PM
I'm famous!!!!!!!! I made the blog!!! Had a fab din din with your parents, bro and Chris. Only thing missing was you. See you at thxgiving, hopefully. xoxo Emma
Posted by: Emma | November 06, 2007 at 04:14 PM