New York is in full bloom, despite the chilly temperatures. And yes for a native Angeleno, 50 is cold in April! But regardless of the weather, it’s nice to walk around amongst the cherry blossoms and tulips.

    

I’m here to visit friends, a college reunion of sorts, obviously to eat, and just to enjoy.

On my first night in, we took advantage of a company called Kitchen Surfing. Basically, you pick one of 3 menus, pay $25 each and have a chef come prepare the meal in your home. They spend 30 minutes cooking (the prep has already been done somewhere else prior to their arrival) and cleaning up and then leave you to eat. It’s a great concept, and a fun and different way to spend a night in.

  

We had delicious steak, kimchi fried rice and brussel sprouts. A lot of food for a great value! Thanks Chef Will!!

To continue the culinary adventures, I took a stroll through Chelsea Market for breakfast.

It should be no surprise that I love this place, seeing as I’ve been vocal about my love for LA’s Farmer’s and Grand Central Markets. I did a lap through the market before committing to Friedman’s lunch for some delicious avocado toast with eggs over easy. I sat at the communal table, did a little reading, and enjoyed.

  

Next up was a walk on the High Line to get uptown. I love the look and community feel of the High Line. The flowers and plantings, the art, the people – it’s such a great public space, with an actual function, and in a space that sat empty for so long.

 

While on the High Line I kept finding myself enamored with the quick glimpses I was getting of the Chrysler Building. I’ve been to New York many times, but on this trip in particular I really can’t get enough of this beautiful art deco building.

 

After walking off the avocado toast it was time for another meal – lunch with my college girls at Marta, Danny Meyer’s new pizza restaurant in the lobby of a hotel.

   

The restaurant is beautiful – a great space for lunch. And the Rapini Pizza and the Olive Oil Affogato dessert were fantastic. If you find yourself at Marta these are not to be missed!

The rest of the weekend was a mix of food and culture. I’ll start with culture (and if culture isn’t your thing you can skip ahead to food)…

Saturday we spent a large chunk of the day at the 9/11 Museum. I had been to the Memorial a few years ago, but the museum just opened on the 2014 anniversary, and I had heard it was very well done.

 

 

We were there for nearly 3 hours, and while emotionally draining and very powerful, I also found it to be uplifting. It’s a nice balance of history and memorial, and there is a LOT to see. I was especially moved by the various artifacts found in the rubble, and the twisted metal of different remnants from the site,  and shaken by the video of the bombers going through airport security. It’s a strange experience, walking through a museum commemorating an event that you’ve lived through and realizing that it’s there not only to memorialize, but also to educate the future generations. I think that’s a first for me. All in all it’s a beautifully done tribute.

                

As far as culture goes, I also went to see Fun Home on Broadway. It just recently opened after a run at the Public Theater. A fun, different, and yet dark and emotional show about family. Performances were great and it was cool to see the show in the round at the Circle in the Square Theater.

Ok, now back to food. Here’s a best of…

Jack’s Wife Freda for brunch. Fresh mint tea, orange blossom pancakes, a mediterranean breakfast with eggs, labneh, salad and pita, and Emily’s creation – the pea and ricotta toast with the addition of an egg on top…because what isn’t better with an egg on top?!

   

Rosemary’s for dinner.

The Octopus salumi is awesome!! And the Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe and Sausage is standout. Linguine with lemon and chili was also good if you like spice, and the Foccacia are definitely a crowd fave, despite not being one of my faves. All of the vegetable and side dishes were also delicious – the brussel sprouts with balsamic mostarda amongst the top for me. As you can tell, it was a good dinner!

  

Chalk Point Kitchen (the other CPK) for dinner. This is a cute place on Broome, serving farm-to-table American fare. The room looks like a farmhouse and it definitely takes that theme as far as it can, including the rooster chalkboard on our table.

 

We ordered family style, as if we were the Duggars, which is to say we ordered waaay too much. I didn’t take a ton of photos, but the Cauliflower Steak with Tahini was the standout for me and is pictured below. The avocado and the mussels were also memorable. Thoroughly enjoyed this spot…check it out.

 

Those are just some highlights. So glad to be able to be here seeing friends, old and new. One more day in the City, an egg sandwich is calling my name this morning, and then off to Austin tomorrow.