I definitely didn’t think I would get back to Chicago loving New York City as much as I do, but I can’t deal with how obsessed I am. I have completely fallen in love with the ole Big Apple. As I mentioned in my previous post, the last time we were in NYC I behaved more as if we were in Las Vegas, so this time around I vowed (no pun intended) to treat this weekend less of a bacchanalia. That’s totally a word my dad uses, but it legitimately works in this exact moment. Our friends Laura and Sarah were getting hitched at the beautiful Dumbo Loft in Brooklyn so myself and friends decided to make entire weekend of it. I had been looking forward to this trip for ages. I had a bucket list that I created months prior to the trip and anticipated getting everything I wanted to get done, done. Get this, even stricken with the world’s worst cold I checked off every item on my list and then some. About that cold. The running joke all weekend long with myself and fellow wedding guests was that it was just “really bad allergies”. I mean, I literally was trying to convince myself and others that my coughing up a lung was just something seasonal. You’re meeting people all weekend long wondering do I hug and shake hands or do I get awkward and tell everyone about my “allergies, but might be a cold so better off not touching”. To make things more interesting, I ran with the latter of the two. Why not? I’m hoping people will remember me as the girl that almost passed away from her cold/flu, but still cut a fucking rug all night long. From Thursday thru Sunday I met a ton wonderful people, got to hang with my people and was able to experience NYC the way I wanted to. Half tourist, half party animal, contrary to last year’s trip, all party animal. Here is how it all went down.
The very first thing I did after I checked into the Even Hotel in Brooklyn was head straight for a coffee shop. Devoción came highly recommended according to my Facebook post seeking best places for a cup o’ joe in Brooklyn. I walked in and instantly saw why people love this place. The ambiance; it’s bright and beautiful. My order is always one of three things: a single espresso, soy cappuccino or soy cortado. The cappuccino was good. I wasn’t blown away, but I did enjoy it along with their quinoa and avocado arepa.
My friend Rose and I checked out Sweetleaf in Williamsburg the following day. Their cappuccino was ridiculous and Rosie loved their almond croissant as well. The last place I tried, that both my friends Laura and Nicole (aka Tricky Nicky) were freaking out about and that I may have loved the most for the taste of their espresso, was Blue Bottle Coffee. Their soy cortado was the best I’ve had. It’s an in and out kind of place that you drink where you stand or outside on a beautiful day.
Little Zelda in Crown Heights on Franklin in a gem. It’s a funky little coffee shop with cool ass baristas, good coffee, delicious pastries and quite a unique system for loyalty reward members.
Ps. Had zero idea that cherry blossoms were in full effect all over the city. Swoon.
More surprises were flooding me when I began to realize the vintage clothing culture in NYC. Remember, the last time I went to NYC, there was no shopping. Only and I mean only, eating and drinking. You guys, I need an entire weekend alone just to sort through racks of decades and fashion history. Look at those colors, patterns and textures!
Here’s a photo of Rose pouring beer out of a pitcher because it’s just one of the many things she does so very well.
This was at an amazing little pizza joint, Rosco’s, in Crown Heights. Pitchers of beer, deliciously gigantic Za by the slice and a kick ass house salad. You will feel pleasant and well fed after this meal and not so full you want to pass away. It’s a stop to be made if in the area.
Top priority on my NYC bucket list was to meet The Fearless Girl statue. I have loved her since she first made her debut and was extremely relieved to find out that Bowling Green was still her home while I was in town. This adventure was my idea so I told Anthony that I would plan the entire excursion, including the subway part. I was given extremely easy directions. Take the 2 (aka the red line) and get off at Wall St., it would be exactly four stops from Nevins Street Station. I found the station we got on the 2 and departed. Well, when the fourth stop came and went and it wasn’t Wall St., I I knew I made an error. Unbeknownst to me, the 2 goes both ways. I took our sorry asses off the train, walked over to the other side and got back on the 2, going the right way. Live and learn, people, live and learn. Of course we come right out of the station and stand right in front of a bunch of people taking photos at something above us. We look up – Trump Tower. Ok. It was time to go find my girl. We knew we found her when we saw a billion people hovered over taking photos. I thought to myself that never in a million years was I going to get my own photo with her. Wrong.
When you see that she is standing in front of this:
You kind of get the chills that’s she standing there all bad ass and everything. There is some controversy and a bit of a debacle between the two artists. The artist of the charging bull, Arturo Di Modica, proclaims that the bull is a symbol of strength and the “can-do” spirit of the people of New York City. I can appreciate that, but I’m thinking the gigantic set of balls is what may have sparked some “can -do” spirit and girl power from Kristen Visbal, the artist behind The Fearless Girl. But that is exactly what art is suppose to do, isn’t it? Create conversation? I loved The Fearless Girl and I loved seeing other fearless girls stand up strong and proud right along side her.
From here we went to pay our respects at the 9/11 Memorial, which was also on my list of things to see and experience. Photos do not do this memorial justice as it’s impossible to capture something so emotionally beautiful on my iPhone. It’s one of those things you just have to see and feel in person.
Some of my favorite places that we either dined, drank or danced at were:
Friends and Lovers / bar in Crown Heights – this place is freaking cool. You walk into a dive bar of sorts, keep going in and now your in a bit of a grungy DJ room, walk a bit further to the outdoor area and you find this. That’s Tricky Nicky.
Delaware and Hudson / bar and eatery in Williamsburg. I was desperate to charge my phone when I walked into this quaint little spot and saw that they had outlets under the bar and beer on draft above the bar. Bingo. I plugged in and chatted with the friendly staff on a slow Thursday afternoon until my friends met up with me. I’d come back here three days later for brunch with The Mister Project. Their radicchio salad and spinach omelet are off the hook as well is their beer selection.
Did I mention we had pizza three times over the course of the weekend? The two other spots we dined at were Rubirosa on Mulberry Street. The pizza, cacio e pepe, black kale, and eggplant parmesan were incredible. Also, I have very high expectations when it comes to prosciutto (basically the only meat I eat these days) and mozzarella. Blown away. Their charcuterie plates are extremely well done. For late night pizza in Crown Heights, head over to Barboncino, also on Franklin. Wow. Again, I hold very high expectations when it comes to brick oven pizza…A+.
We didn’t have the proper time to visit Central Park which is on my NYC bucket list, but we made it over to Washington Square Park. So, how do I make it possible that I live here in Chicago on the weekdays and go to this park to hang out every other Sunday or so? Every which way you looked, a different story was taking place. Here are some:
There is a pianist under the Washington Square Arch – that’s how eclectic the day’s activities were.
Did I mention Anthony met the Mayor of the Meatpacking District? This guy straight up walked right up to us and struck up a conversation that could have gone of for three hours. Look him up. He has legitimately made a celebrity of himself. And what’s more, he’s friendly, informative and funny. Add him to your NYC bucket list. The Mister Project was obsessed.
Sunday we met up with our friend Meredith and walked The High Line. You’re basically walking about two or three stories high among beautiful city buildings – some extremely modern, others adorned with street art. Beyond that the landscaping and agriculture is spectacular. I saw a giant holly tree for crying out loud. To top off our experience we got Mexican style popsicles from a cute, little stand along the walk. I got mango and Tajin, the others noshed on coconut. Those were some damn good frozen treats. I’d say the only slight downfall for The High Line is that it gets pretty crowded, especially on a beautiful Sunday. Other than that, put it on your NYC bucket list.
While wandering around, we completely and accidentally wandered into this:
The Manhattan Bridge in all it’s glory! This here is in Dumbo. We ventured here on Sunday and walked right into a super funky market. Basically a shit ton of donuts and vintage clothes, two things I am utterly obsessed with and can’t live without. This area is a prime spot for shopping, eating, and photos. Below we will see Tricky Nicky in her truest form, a beautiful Latina thugette.
Lastly, but certainly not least, the coolest thing we experienced the entire weekend – the nuptials of our beautiful (inside/out) friends Laura and Sarah. I haven’t laughed, cried or cut a rug at a wedding like that in a long ass time. It was one of those intimate weddings that you truly felt honored to be a part of. To be able to witness the exchange of vows between two people who are absolutely in love with one another is one of the most human things one can experience. It brings an overwhelming sense of love and beauty to life. Thanks to these two newlyweds for bringing my college friends together, for a beautiful, fun as hell party, good food and tunes and for the chance to finally meet their crew. Now I’m just wondering how many people caught my “allergies”.
For good measure, here is Inspector Gadget, I mean Rose. Here is Rose admiring Brooklyn.
I ❤️ NY, big time. Do tell TSPeeps, what is you’re favorite thing to eat, see and/or drink while in New York City? I need to start my new bucket list of one of my new favorite cities. As they say, New York is never a bad idea.
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Such a great blog! And your photos from the trip?!? Perfection. Let me know when you’re going again. I’m in.
Um, you were a giant part of making it so much fun. Can’t wait to hit up the Big Apple again with you ASAP! XOXO