Despite having done nothing of interest lately, and being polite enough not to blog about it, someone keeps reading this drivel. There had been about 600 hits to this blog when I left Italy, and there are now over 1000. So it's about time for an update.
Having not been anywhere for over 6 months, a trip to New York seemed in order for the Victoria Day long weekend. I found some cheap digs, rounded up the Greek God and set off for 4 days of adventure.
The digs on 5th Ave at 30th St were a modest, but quite wonderful, B&B called the Lotus Hotel - clean, central and $125/night through Expedia. Score! http://www.lotushotelnewyork.com
A short stroll down 5th Avenue, with a great view of the Flatiron Building, brought us to Eataly.
Eataly is a new hot spot, opened by chef Mario Batali and partners, at 5th Ave and 23rd Street. It's a combination of retail, restaurant and specialty stores. Having read about it, this was a natural first stop. http://eatalyny.com/
The place is massive! And pure Italy, from the coffee bar inside the entrance to the cheese, meat, bread and other vendors.
The latte macchiato was apparently quite wonderful, especially since GG was able to make a Donald Duck face out of the foam with little effort. The hot chocolate was nothing less than yummy thick chocolate sludge - the best I've ever had. But that isn't why we were there.
They had me at 'gelato'.
Nothing like starting with the classic - chocolate and raspberry. Very worthy indeed. Nomnomnom.
Despite the dire weather forecast, the rain held off and we were able to wander around through Madison Square, Union Square, Washington Square and Greenwich Village for the first 2 days, finding some of the public sculpture on display, snarfing burgers at Shake Shack (best in NYC if you don't mind the line), heading up to Broadway at night, and wandering home past the Chrysler building in the fog.
But you don't think I'd go to NYC just for that, do you??? No no no no no no no!
Little did I know on past trips, NYC is home to three Grom outlets!!!!! Grom - the wondrous Gelato palace from Italy! All ingredients are brought in from Italy - no additives, preservatives or colours. They don't even have a US website - everything is controlled from Italy. http://www.grom.it/eng/index.php
Keeping my evil intentions secret, I led GG on a seemingly rambling walk through the Village, saying nothing until we were sitting in a park within drooling distance of the place. Seeing an elderly man making his way to a bench, blue cup in hand and grin plastered on his face, I could keep quiet no longer and practically skipped across the street. Bonus - no line!!!!
Chocolate and strawberry for me. Espresso for GG, who was suitably impressed.
We were able to join up with some friends from Toronto on Friday, a somewhat wet day, for some adventure. Margaret and Patrick love everything to do with travel. Patrick in particular has been a follower of the blog from the beginning. This was my first time bringing an outsider into the gelato experience, and I didn't know whether Patrick could actually walk the walk.
Hahahahahahahahaha!
We met at the High Line trail, a wonderful urban park build on the abandoned tracks of an old elevated train. It's a great example of making urban space livable.
The plantings are lush and healthy, the benches and lounge areas are comfortable, and it is all accessible. Half way through the section that is currently open, you can stop off at the Chelsea Market - a great place for coffee, bakeries, books, groceries, and even some great vintage photos on display.
Oh. Yeah. They also have gelato. Do you think Patrick could wait for Grom????
No, apparently not. Fortunately, it is scientifically impossible to ruin your appetite for gelato. The orange / lemon was delicious, as was the mint chocolate chip.
Another short trot down the High Line brought us to Gansevoort Street, a half block from the wondrous Pastis bistro. We had to wait 20 minutes before they started serving for lunch at noon, but it was worth the wait. When we left, there was a 2-hour wait to get in. Excellent food and they still manage to have good, friendly, professional, unpretentious service. And so very close to Grom! http://www.pastisny.com/
A half hour wander through the village brought us back home to Grom. The rain kept the line to a minimum.
It seems that gelato is like misery - it loves company. I was impressed by Patrick's restraint - and appalled by his foolishness - when I noticed he ordered a small. Then I noticed his furtive glances back to the counter, caught the calculating look in his eyes. Soon we were all back for seconds.
If I ever open my own gelato place, I'll have to call it The Deadly Sin.
Too overfed and exhausted to walk to the next stop - Park Avenue Liquor, to fondle the single malts - we had to take the subway. And then naps were in order, to ensure GG and I wouldn't fall asleep at The Book of Mormon later that night.
Saturday was sunny and hot and it seemed like a good day to go to the Brooklyn Bridge without a hat. Ooops.
It was packed with walkers, joggers and homicidal cyclists, and I kept thinking of Bugs Bunny cartoons, muttering "Hoboken? Ooooh, I'm dyin'" under my breath, even if not technically from the correct cartoon.
When my pants burst after a quick stop at the gelato counter in Eataly on the way back, it seemed like a good time to make for the airport. I'm officially banished from Manhattan until I can see my toes.
P.S. A Google search for 'Eataly' just turned up the following - they are looking at opening one in Toronto or Montreal. http://www.torontolife.com/daily/daily-dish/rumours-rumblings/2010/05/25/eataly-coming-to-toronto-rumours-swirl-amid-explained-puns-and-subtle-cultural-insensitivity/
