Before I begin, let me start by saying that you can't get this sandwich at Murray's Cheese Bar. No, no - this one is only available in their cheese shop next door. And no, that's not a typo - a BBLT is a Burrata Bacon Lettuce Tomato sandwich, you rube! And here it is.
The BBLT at Murray's Cheese Shop
Whenever I find myself in the West Village, it's always a hard decision for me to choose this baby or that baby to feast upon. Also, you have to keep in mind that to encounter any kind of burrata dish under $10 is a FEAT in this city.
Definitely try this if you've ever ordered a BLT anywhere in the history of the planet. The extra B really puts it over the top and makes it crazy delicious.
The 9/11 Memorial Museum, free from 4:30pm - 7pm, and it's best to show up for this to get tickets at 4:15pm or so and they'll give you tickets with a time to come back at (which isn't a crazy request since it's free). If you're looking for things to do before your allotted time, there's a Century 21 across the street (not the real estate company, it's kind of a large department store) or you can see the Twin Towers water memorial infront of the museum.
Look at stars on The High Line - on Tuesdays through October, astronomers host free stargazing nights at New York City’s elevated park, where you can gaze up at the stars and planets via high-powered telescopes. Tuesdays through October. The High Line is between W. 13th St. and W. 14th St. at 10th Ave., 212-500-6035.
The Whitney Museum, free admission (or pay .25 cents, can't remember) from 6pm - 9pm
The Aquarium at Coney Island, Aquarium Admission on Summer Fridays goes from 4pm - 5pm (before Sept 2) and on Fall/Winter/Spring Fridays from 3:00pm - 3:30pm (after Sept 3) is by pay-what-you-wish donation.
The Noguchi Museum in Astoria is free on the first Friday of every month.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, it says that their admission is $25, but if you look closer that's the recommended price. Don't be a sap and pay that. Every single time I go, I pay either .25 cents or $1 depending on what I have with me. Maybe that's being cheap, but they allow it so I say do it. All you do is say, "One ticket, please" and hand over what you want to pay. Also, they have a rooftop exhibit area that has a really nice view of the park. More thoughts here.
Sabon, if you ever see a Sabon store (it's a Body Shop type place), go inside and they'll ask you if you want to have your hands put through one of their routines. This isn't a thing only women do, they have a "gentleman" line and it makes your hands wicked and soft and great. If they don't ask you, then loom around the fancy sink they have in the middle of the store and then they'll ask. I tell people to get this done all the time 'cause it's great.
There are cheap movies days and here's a listing of them.
Remember how into Spa Castle I am? Well, there's a new Manhattan one opening in November that looks AMAZING. LOOK!
HIghlights
This location will ban kids under the age of 16. This is really the only notable fact that's different from the Queens location.
Pre-sale tickets are going for $50 each right now (they're normally gonna be $65)
The website says there's an Aqua Bar, in which patrons can "swim up and treat yourself to a refreshing drink or delicious cocktail, while never having to leave the pool."
The space'll be three floors, located at 115 East 57th Street. Can't wait to check it out.
I am not a Yankees fan, but this was a fantastic game and easily one of the best nights I've ever experienced in New York City. I could tell you the specifics of the game or you could just watch the highlights here or read about it here if you didn't see it.
Not only was it an especially cinematic game, but the vibe in the stadium? I will absolutely never forget it. There will never be a way to express how insane this night felt. I can only imagine how hardcore Yankees fans felt about it. It was definitely the best baseball game I've ever been to.
With Robbie, outside the stadium
The best parts?
Every time an Oriole hit a homerun, the fan who caught it would throw the ball back onto the field! The first time that happened, it was funny. But when it kept happening? Amazing.
The cleaners did the YMCA dance as they cleaned the diamond.
The guy that sat next to me proposed to his girlfriend.
Hearing that stadium blast Frank Sinatra's New York, New York when Jeter said goodbye on the field? I'm never gonna hear that song again and not think of that moment.
Robbie at the game
I will forever be thankful to my friend Bapi for offering me a ticket to this game. You're getting a gift, Bapi. I swear it's coming. I'm trying to think of something equally appropriate and great since you let me be apart of this crazy historic game. It was beyond kind of you to ask me to come, thank you so much.
Remember how I'm a big fan of Murray's in the city? Well, with the arrival of these (two!) locations of Astoria Bier & Cheese in (duh) Astoria, I never have to get on an E train again.
This is the burrata plate I ate.
Full disclosure: it's not as good as the burrata at The Smith, but it's still pretty memorable. Here's their BLT.
I had a bite of that one and it was really good. I'm not crazy into beer, but apparently this place is known for it. Why is it called bier and not beer? I don't know, but I'm guessing that's what makes it more expensive? Just a theory. Anyway, if you're in Astoria looking for good cheese-centric restaurants, this is the place.
Sidenote: Happy Birthday to the best there is, the kindest kindergarten teacher on this planet and my best friend in the universe. You're wicked and I love you, Harmeet.
If you're looking for the best sit-down pizza place in this great city, I hope you're going to Patsy's (or Angelo's - the owners are the same, menu is the same). I've had this opinion for about seven years now, so I know what I'm talking about. Look at this monster.
Whatever you do, make sure there's pepperoni on the pie. It's that thick-cut kind that makes you happy to be alive. I try to take everyone who visits me here.
Robbie & 'za
If that doesn't look incredible to you, I really don't know what you're looking for in this life we share. If you care for other NYC pizza advice, go on over here or here or here.
Every time I go to Coney Island, I make sure to visit this robot grandma. For twenty-five cents, she'll give you a card that gives you some hints about your future. I've been going to see her for years and I highly suggest you visit her the next time you're there since she can be eerily accurate. (She even has a Twitter account, which seems weird.)
Harmeet and I, living it up
She's located just beside The Wonder Wheel, so just walk down this hill (below) to find her.
Harmeet, coning it up
It was at this booth that I received this card (below), five years and a month ago, and I still carry it around in my wallet.
Front
Back
Other than it being kind of a harsh (but true) card, I got this card two weeks before I started talking to Nathan. And whether you choose to believe me or not (I will understand if you can't, but I swear to God it's true), I rediscovered this card (months later) wrapped in a Nathan's (the hot dog place in Coney Island) napkin from the day that I went.
I'm not saying that this grandma knows everything, but she knows a shit ton more than you. Definitely go see her if you can.
Also, these past five years have been some of the best times I've ever shared with another person and I'm thankful as hell to have you in my life, Nathan. Happy Fifth Anniversary, b.
The Ink Pad is definitely one of my favourite stores in this city. Other than the fact that they make custom stamps, I exclusively go here for any of my mailing needs that don't include postage. What do I mean?
Well, if we're friends, then at some point in your existence you'll likely get a letter or card from me with this sealed across an envelope.
I would apologize for it if it weren't such a beautiful way to seal an envelope. The store sells wax sealer stamps, the wax itself and dozens of other letter accoutrements.
They offer classes as well, but I like to get in and out of this store as fast as I can in fear of falling too deep into the stamp world.
When people come to this city, they usually demand that I tell them the best thing they can experience here. This is an impossible request since, well, we're all individuals who enjoy a variety of things. There are hundreds of great things you can do in this city. If you're looking to have a nice, semi-relaxing afternoon out? Listen up, baby.
Me, liking the Brooklyn Bridge
Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge (start from the Manhattan side and walk over it to Brooklyn). It's free, it's pretty and bridges are beautiful. This is probably the prettiest one there is in this town.
Marla, understanding that bridges are great
2. Walk from the bridge to Juliana's (and not Grimaldi's) to eat some very fine pizza.
4. Take your ice cream and walk along the shore of the park. Does this sound boring? Look, I said it's supposed to be a semi-relaxing afternoon and that's exactly what this is.
Marla, being gorgeous
5. At the end of this long walk, you can walk up Joralemon Street and get on a subway that'll take you anywhere.
