Philadelphia Trip – Thanksgiving 2010

For Thanksgiving last year we headed to Philly for a long weekend. I was really going to miss our typical family Thanksgiving meal with Turkey, stuffing and gravy. Luckily there was a nice hotel that had a Thanksgiving buffet that could remind me a bit of back home, but of course it did not compare. It is more the memories than the food.

While in Philly we had two goals; Go check out some of the historical sites and find a great philly cheesesteak. We started with the Cheesesteaks and the lines were crazy at Pat’s and Geno’s. You see these places all the time on TV (travel and food network channels). We opted to try Pat’s and it was good. Enjoyed all the signs about how to properly order. Our one flaw was not splitting up and one going to stand in line at Pat’s and one going to Geno’s. After waiting an hour in the freezing cold we had no interest in going over to Geno’s and waiting in line.

As for the historical sites we visited where the wording of the Declaration of Independence was hashed out and voted on. We also got to see the Liberty Bell. There is not a lot to see in Philly, but we enjoyed them.

New York Restaurants – Some of the best in the Country (Daniel Review incl)

New York is well known for being a food mecca. You have some great food trucks, street vendors, street fairs, home made pasta & world renown restaurants. I am going to focus on the latter here. If you look up Michelin Rated restaurants in the city you have over 50+ restaurants of which 5 are rated with 3 Michelin stars and 5 also makes Pellegrino’s worlds top 50 list. This is just on heard of. We had the pleasure of visiting one of those last night. We went to Daniel, Daniel Boulud’s flag ship restaurant. This restaurant has many accolades including 3 Michelin stars and is currently ranked 11th in the world.

http://www.michelinguide.com/us/nyc_stars_2011.html

http://www.theworlds50best.com/awards/1-50-winners

A quick review of Daniel (Obama is visiting it tonight for a fund-raiser dinner). Service is top notch, but they tried seating us in probably the worst table of the restaurant. A quick conversation with the Maitre de fixed this to a great table. The dishes were all presented beautifully and most were very good. The atmosphere is a lot more stuffy than we like with the required jackets, etc. We chose the standard 3 course dinner:

Mousseron & Maine Lobster Ravioli – Very enjoyable and tasty. One of the best ravioli’s.

Maine Sea Scallop Rosette with Lovage – The most tender scallops I have ever have. The avocado was a nice touch.

Trio of Pork – This was the only miss of the night and not worth noting anything about it.

Duo of Beef – This was a couple of excellent pieces of beef. The Waygu was so tender and delicious. The short ribs were top notch as well, but dare I say I have had better in NY.

Too many desserts to discuss as they brought out many throw in treats at the end including delicious Madelines. The Chocolate souffle with caramel is worth mentioning.

Overall it was a pleasant experience that we are grateful for, but just seemed to be short of spectacular which is what I was expecting going into it. Maybe too much Hype? 4 out of 5 stars.

Here is a list of the Michelin Star restaurants that we been able to dine at in order of rank.

1. Daniel – Top Notch. See review above
2. Gramercy Tavern – We dined in the Tavern section and thought this was excellent. For almost 1/3 the price of Daniel.
3.  Gotham Bar and Grill – Top notch service with excellent food as well
4. Spotted Pig – Romantic and chic vibe. Food was ok. But thought the service was not good.
5. Minetta Tavern – Known for the vibe and Black Label burger. Again thought the atmosphere was great and food was ok. Service fell why short.
6. Marc Forgione – Known for the newest Iron Chef. The food was good other than I found what I believed was to be a rock in my meal. They comp’d the dish and dessert. But how does this happen at a Michelin rated restaurant. The dessert was one of the best things I ever had. Pecan Bread Pudding. And they took it off the menu. The food for brunch is ok at best.
7. Peter Luger – My biggest disappointment yet as this is suppose to be the best steak house in NY. Famously known, I can only think they are riding that curtail. Steak was quality, but not seasoned other than a ton of butter. Not to our liking at all.

So many great restayrants in NY and a few of these notable Michelin rated ones have fell short in my opinion. But the good ones are great and the there have been so many great other places we have been able to dine at. No other place in the country like this.

Only in NY!

There is a lot of things that only happen in NY. Here is a list that may continue to be added to. Along with a couple of photos from NY Alley we see filmed all the time and a funny stop light.

Only in NY:

• Do people make a point to absolutely ignore you and look at the wall in an elevator
• You find the craziest cab drivers
• It is considered tabu to take photos with celebrities
• Most people feel entitled and that they are better than that celebrity
• Will you have to pay the most expensive rent per sq ft. i.e $2,000+/month for a bed and a porta-potty. Sorta of kidding.
• You find rats climbing people in subways http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaqV8dz6sW4
• You find a man on a subway licking his shoes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-1lao5UUac
• You have free Shakespeare plays with big stars
• You have some the best bartenders that they named them mixologists
• You have the best “Food Trucks”
• You have so many great restaurants that they duplicate them all in Las Vegas

Anyone have any others to add?

Boston Trip

During last years Labor Day Weekend we took a trip out to Boston. We wanted to travel to a city with a bit of history. We took a bus from New York. In New York you have a variety of choices. There is the big name Grey Hounds, etc. There are the Chinatown buses for $10 each way which I hear have crazy drivers but are the cheapest. We decided to use Bolt Bus which is a fair bargain around $12-$15 each way. And I think our lives are easily worth the extra $10 r/t.

So first was the food in Boston. They are known for the Lobster and Clam chowder. So of course that is what we had to try. The Lobster roll was fresh and good. The chowder was very watery and not we expected at all. Was disappointed in that. We also had some descent italian food, but the star of the trip were Sticky Buns at Flour. This placed has been featured on Food Network with Best Thing I ever Ate and they had a Throwdown with Bobby Flay.

Next up on the trip was visiting historical sites. What better way to do that then to go on the Freedom Trail. This trail spans over a few miles around the city and takes you to many sites. This trail is done by millions every year. Benjamin Franklin and Paul Revere are themes your see though out the trail. Including the tower that Paul Revere was to be given a key signal “one if by land, two if by sea” to head out on his Midnight Ride.

Also amongst the key historic sites on this trail was the area of the Boston Massacre. It took place on this block around the corner of this building.

We got to see many  other places including churches and cemeteries hosting Benjamin Franklin’s Parents and family. Took a quick look at the Boston harbour when they had the Boston Tea Party. Even went a bit off the trail and saw the building that poet Robert Lee Frost lived in. We also strolled around town another day to see the notorious colleges in Boston; Havard and MIT. Havard was as expected, a older colonial feel to the campus grounds but not as grand as they make it out in the movies.

Lastly on our trip we got to go to a Red Sox game at Fenway Park. Now no offense to Yankee fans but this is one hell of a Park. I would not cheer on the Red Sox, but absolutely loved the feel of this old Ball Park. And you can tell the people were very into the close atmosphere from sharing food just outside the park, from the bars that are packed surrounding the park to the joyous singing of “take me out to the ball game”. This was a highlight of Boston.

NY Yankees Game

Last Summer we went to catch a Yankees game at their brand new stadium. I am a bit disappointed we did not get to see the original stadium. You can just imagine Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle and all the greats that use to play there. The craziest part of this adventure was getting to the game. We caught a subway from downtown and with each stop getting closer to the stadium you see the subway cars getting fuller. I swore with with 3 stops left to go to the Bronx we were at max capacity already and felling like a bunch or sardines. But people just kept piling in. That is how they roll!

The new stadium is definitely nice, but you can tell it is new and just seems to be missing that “Old” warm feeling. We had a couple of hotdogs and saw the Yankees win with some friends. Vivyan got to see Derek Jeter who all women love. Overall a fun and good evening.

Shakespeare in the Park

Heard about this early in the summer last year (2010) and figured this was a must do while in the city. So every summer they have two plays that they show several times a week for a couple months during the summer and the tickets are free! Free? you ask. Of course it is never really free…you have to line up at the butt crack of dawn and sit in line for hours hoping you will be one that gets a ticket. Two tickets per person until they run out. We woke at 6am and headed out there to meet our friends LeAnne and Brian. The tickets were not to be given out until 1pm. We were a bit ahead of what they call the 50 Rock. If at the rock, then you had a 50% chance of getting tickets.

We had a lot of time to kill but the weather was great and you are in central park so you can easily people and dog watch. We did some reading, drank some coffee, eat some cookies from Levain. Chatted up and before you know, it was getting close to noon when Brian and I had to depart to get some work done. The ladies stayed to score the tickets. We knew it was for the show that night “Merchant of Venice”. And just like in the movie, Al Pacino starred in this play as well. It was a real treat to see him in this beautiful outdoor stage in the middle of central park. Easily one of my top 5 things that we have done in NY.

To read about the theatre that puts this on and more info including photos: http://shakespeareinthepark.org/about/

4th of July Hot Dog Eating Contest

Wow, its been months since I have posted anything. So Sorry, but it has been a crazy last few months including my Wedding. More on that later.

So let me start where I last left off. 4th of July!. Earlier that day we headed ou to Cooney Island and saw the hot dog eating contest. We missed out on all the drama with the arrest of Kobyashi. In any case the MC leading up to the event was pretty entertaining. It was blistering hot and we considered taking off a couple of times.

Went on the famous Cyclone as well and checked out a few of the interesting things the boardwalk had to offer….

4th of July Fireworks in NY

Fireworks on the 4th

4th of July was a long day for us in the city. After resting from our visit to Coney island. We mustered up enough energy to head for the Macy’s annual NY fireworks. They put on the biggest firework show in the country. We got a late start and knew we would be dealing with crowds, but didn’t realize we were going to have to deal with New Yorks Finest. When we showed up at the main entrance 42nd street towards the Hudson river, where they hold by the NYPD that no more people were being allowed in. 11th Ave was the blocking off point and we needed to get to 12th ave along the river. One New Yorker asked the cop “Where are we suppose to watch it” and responded with “Um…I dunno…My house?”. That’s when I knew this was a losing battle, so we headed down to 34th, the next big entry spot. No luck either and had another interesting conversation with NYPD about directions. Told me I couldn’t go one way, but that I could go two other ways. Too make it short, it was a few minute conversation about what way I could walk, stupid. Just tell people that no one else is being allowed in. Why don’t people get a direct answer is better than a stupid run around. 

So here is some advice if anyone wants to watch the fireworks on the 4th. Be there by 1 hour early to allow enough time to get entry and adjusted before the show. If you want great seats, then get the hours early, I am guessing around 5pm. Any case, we caught the show from a distance and with a bit cut off, but it made for another interesting night in NY city. 

Below is the Grand Finale! 

Another Great World Cup Experience

Well of course we know the US has been knocked out and now that Mexico has been knocked out, I have no one to root for other than great games. But I thought it would be great to share this experience with you.

US vs. Ghana, the big show down. Meeting up with some friends that Sat. for the game, but where should we go. The Plan – Meet up at a German beer garden in Alphabet City (Manhattan) around 1 hour before the game. Great…sounds like a good plan. We were running late, but our friends were there around 1pm, only seats left were in the outside patio that barely had a view and after others will show up by game time, then absolutely no view. What to do? We went to another local beer garden, not really any seats left, but not crazy crowded yet. Left this place as our final option. There were 2 groups searching the city for the perfect place to watch the game with less than 1 hour to go. We headed next to next pub, but it was Dempsey’s in East Village and given the tie in with the US player, we figured this would be a long shot. And it was full and not allowing anyone else in.

Ok…lets head back to the 2nd Beer Garden…on the way I find a place advertising for the game, go in and no one is there. So I got ask the bartender….you guys going to play the game with sound? He said “Yeah, just don’t want to be bored right now”, referring to the music that was playing and keeping them entertained. Ok…great…looks like a swell spot, but no people. We make the call to group #2 and they say they have found the perfect spot. Bowery Stadium. It is an art place typically, ok…no yelp reviews…strange, but head over there anyways.

I try to act like a local heading in the spot and past the bouncer, go inside and I see people starting to fill up the place, but someone saved us seats. Look around and people seem to all know each other, I figure it is a private party and we are definitely getting kicked out. It was bring your own beer. There is a Whole Foods right across the street. The other guys grabbed a few six-packs for us and we star drinking and prepared for the game. Mad props to or friends Leanne, Brian and Dan for finding the spot.

Luckily we did not get kicked out and find out later that they are doing this for every game. Where else other than New York City can a day like this happen. We stumble across a great venue to watch the game, two projections on each side, with a ton of easy-going soccer fans….well at least US world Cup soccer fans. It was bring in your own drinks…WOW. It is one of the best days in NY so far highlighting the exciting things that happen out here. Below is a clip from when US (landon Donovan) tied the game and the crowd at Bowery Studium went crazy! Thank you to whoever is putting on this venue on Bowery. Simply amazing.

Sorry, not sure how to turn the video. Enjoy looking at it sideways! And be warn it is loud.

Lebron James to New York, Miami or Cleveland?

It is absolutely crazy the amount of media being spent on this. I guess they were worn out of Brett Favre the last couple years and have moved on to the next biggest thing they can hype up. King James or as I read recently Drama King. If he chooses the Cavs, then all this was nothing, how silly will this all look. I think there is a real good shot he stays with the Cavs as he will get up to 30 million more. Who wouldn’t want that? But now that Miami is got wade and Bosh committed, how tempting is that? That would similar to what Boston put together a few years ago, but younger and dare I say better. This team could dominate for years in the East and take down the Lakers in the West. Wow, this would be a team I might have to route for. But this media hype and Lebron James himself putting together an hour show to make an announcement is crazy. 

I do find some of it interesting and entertaining, just don’t want to see entire shows dedicated to discussing this topic. One of the funniest things I have seen so far is the New Jersey Nets posting up this billboard right across from Madison Square garden.  Man this guys has some cajones! This was done the day before Lebron was visiting NY, now this is funny. I got to give to this Billionaire, he may not have the talent on his team, but I could see a guy that is going to work hard and spend money to rebuild the Nets and they need a lot of rebuilding! Maybe the partnership with Jay-Z’s influence and a move to Brooklyn will do the trick.

I guess we will see what Drama King James chooses tonight.

Cleveland = He just wants attention and took the $$ and the name above fits him well .

Miami = He does want to win a championship and realizes he needs help.

New York = He want to be a STAR and get all the attention and live the crazy NY lifestyle.