Fun in NYC: Part Three

On our second full day in NYC, we had breakfast at The Grey Dog (eggs, bacon, pancakes; perfectly serviceable although nothing special in that regard).

Next we rode the subway to the Natural History Museum (experiencing a slight and easily rectified mishap when we accidentally got on the express instead of the one that makes stops along the way LOL). C indulged me by looking at the minerals and gemstones for a couple of hours before we had lunch at St. James Gate. Although Irish curry (WTF?) was on the menu, I had a burger and fries (my last burger *sob*).

Then, we met up with executrix who introduced us to the Saint Agnes Library Book Sale going on across the street from the restaurant. I found a book for Josh and a book of dirty limericks written between Isaac Asimov and John Ciardi (I think after a night of drinking? IDK Anyways, Emma is amused.). Once we had perused our hearts out, Exec and I headed back to Jersey City on the Path. We spent some time walking around her neighborhood, but mostly we just hung out and talked. Exec is one of those people who is extremely easy to talk to; I think this was only the third time we've met in real life, but we picked it back up just as if we'd been hanging out the day before. I am so grateful to have such a good friend. Not only did she let me sleep in her bed and cook me a fabulous meal and introduce me to another fan, she also sent me a package of books that will help me for a course I'm teaching in the spring (it arrived yesterday!).

Dinner was couscous (my last couscous! *sob*) covered in this beautiful sauce of stewed carrots and onions and raisins and some other deliciousness. Exec had home made harissa (which was extremely yummy) and homemade citrus tarragon dressing for the green salad and a cheese course and macaroons. This was just as good as any meal I had in the city. Yum.

I also got to meet chelseagirl who lives and works nearby. We talked Penny Dreadful and Victorian lit, and I greatly admired Chelseagirl's sense of style; she was rocking some gorgeous blue shoes. Exec introduces me to the very best people.

In the morning, Exec toasted homemade bread (my last toast! *sob*) and scrambled some eggs to get us going for the day. We walked down to the Hudson River and sat and talked. It was beautiful, and the breeze coming up off the water was nice. If I lived there, I'd be bringing the girls down to the river all the time.

And then, unfortunately, it was time to say goodbye. I think Exec and I have visited in person three times in the eleven years we've known each other, and I hope we won't go so long between times for our next visit.

Coming up in Part Four: We eat way too much dim sum and drink way too much wine (not at the same time)

Fun in NYC: Part Four

And now for the final installment of the trip.

Our final lunch in the city was dim sum at The Nom Wah Tea Parlor where we accidentally ordered way too much food. LOL My favorite thing was rice and pork steamed in lotus leaf; I also really enjoyed the dumplings filled with soup and the turnip cakes. I got the steamed dumpling sampler and discovered I should have done the fried sampler instead. I like steamed dumplings in wrappers made of wheat dough, but I really do not like the gelatinous white dough on most of the steamed dumplings. If I had it to do again, I'd get the Chinese broccoli and the scallion pancakes.

Following lunch, C and I walked a bit through Chinatown, Little Italy, and SoHo and back to M's apartment through Washington Square Park. We went into Aedes Perfumery where I got to smell Serge Lutens Gris Clair and fell in love. It's a gloriously deep lavender and the card I sprayed with it just barely smells like it anymore. I'm going to have a huge Surrender to Chance wishlist for Christmas.

We actually went to this store on a previous day, but I bought both Emma and Fiona lavender bath bombs at Rain. Fiona has already used hers and had the best time in her grown-up lady bath. LOL She kept going, "I like the herbs in my special bath, Mommy."

Thursday night was fancy dinner out at Cafe Cluny with M & W. I had roasted little gem lettuce with anchovy and lemons. Then I had the cheese plate with five cheeses for my main course along with a Hendricks gin cocktail and a gorgeous glass of port and my share of a bottle of wine. :)

As we were going back to M's apartment, we noticed that a nearby bar was doing a burlesque show, so C and I caught the last thirty minutes of the singing and dancing at Studio Kraut. It was glorious. We split a bottle of wine, got an accidental topless show when both pasties fell off one of the dancers, and had an absolute blast.

Our final morning in the city, I had the most beautiful Cobb salad I've ever seen at Bec. We walked down to the Hudson and along the walking trail for multiple blocks, and then it was time to go.

We had such good traveling mercies; both flights were on time or early both coming and going. The car rides both ways were easy. C was an amazing traveling companion. M & W were so generous and hospitable. Executrix was an absolute joy to see again, and I made a new friend in Chelseagirl. I am already looking forward to my next visit to the city.