Obviously, I got the Nutella Swirl because I'm a human being with urges - but also, there's no way myself or anyone else knows what those two big words mean (I bet you they have super normal English counterparts too but they just couldn't write them down on that board because of NEW YORK). Anyhow, I've heard their hazelnut is nuts, but it wasn't on the menu that day so this was the next best choice. I haven't decided if I like this trend of establishments changing their menu daily. I'm gonna go with... not being a fan. Yeah, definitely not a fan of that. Who do you think you are, gelato? New flavours every day = too complicated. Just gimme a strawberry and let me be. Maybe that sounds like a good time to me!
How did this post get so angry? That's weird. I didn't mean anything by it, really. This gelato was so good! If I'm craving something cold and sweet and I'm near Elizabeth Street, then I'll definitely go again.
It's me, dummy
There's nowhere to sit or stand in the actual place, so you'll have to venture outside like this.
You can see a list of their past flavours over here, though I don't know what good it'll do you since they'll be completely different ones at the shop upon your arrival. WHY DO I KEEP SOUNDING MEAN ABOUT THIS?
I wouldn't call myself an Ikea fan. Let's get that straight. But I've never seen anything like this, have you? I'm not really sure why everyone who knows about its existence hasn't already gone to Ikea and bought one...?
It's EONS more attractive than those shoe racks that hang off the back of a door. EONS!
I'm getting this as soon as I can afford it. Just heavenly. I saw it in person the last time I was at Ikea and it's so small and slim - the person who designed it should be hugged endlessly for the rest of humanity. Here's Layla next to the one we saw at the store.
Layla, understanding the beauty of a shoe drawer
There are different sizes, as you can tell if you compare the top and bottom photos, so beware of that if you're thinking about getting on. Just gorgeous.
This is my favourite restaurant in New York. They've got three locations. You should probably go to one the next time you're in town.
I used to say that their filet mignon was my favourite thing on their menu (especially if you special order the truffle cream sauce listed amongst the pasta as a dipping sauce for this steak IF YOU WANT YOUR MIND SHATTERED), but since I've somewhat moved on from my love for steak (not totally, we're just on a break), it's really hard to pick a new favourite dish here. Everything I've tried (honestly) has been incredible.
The best?
Short ribs (they only make them on Tuesdays) are so fucking luxurious and wildly unforgettable, it's a sin to be there on a Tuesday and not order them.
Burrata. If you don't know what that is... yikes. It must be hard living a burrata-less life and frankly I don't want any more details of such an existence. One time, my friend Paul and I ordered three of these back to BACK (it was a hard time, I was going through stuff). If insanity had a taste, it would be of this burrata.
Trout. Who the hell knew a fish could be this good? I didn't, and now I do.
Jalapeno cheddar grits are not just a side dish, they are a lifestyle choice, as far as I'm concerned. And I am, in no way, a fan of grits. These are unreal and beautiful and I force everyone to try them.
Don't get me started on their brunch. I DON'T EVEN LIKE BRUNCH.
I've been here so many times over the past few years, it's always a good time. See the accompanying photos, all taken at this restaurant, for further proof. Notice the level of happiness and/or fullness.
Spring 2012, Sarah in the chair downstairs outside the photo booth
Autumn 2012
There's no excuse not to eat here. It can be noisy as hell, but goddam. Worth it.
So... we're all in agreeance that this was the best show to come out of Canada, yeah? One time I saw Busy in a washroom in Mississauga and talked about it consistently for about three years. One day the full series will come out on DVD, but until then they're all over YouTube, baby.
“Do not wear fake eyelashes to a baseball game if you have cheap seats. Cheap seats = upper level. Upper level = windy as hell. Windy as hell = lashes flying right off your face.”
There's nothing cooler to me than seeing remnants of old, old New York.
Pier 54
This is Pier 54, it's located south of 14th Street at the West Side Highway. It was owned by White Star Lines (and frequently used Cunard ships) and this is where the RMS Carpathia docked to unload the survivors of the Titanic.
If you look closely at the main beam, you can still see overlapping lettering identifying it as both a Cunard and White Star Line pier (the companies merged in 1934):
Is it not cool as hell that this is still standing and VISIBLE after 102 years?! 'Cause I think that's insane and amazing. I don't know why I have such a fixation with Titanic-related stuff. I remember hearing about it when I was a kid and just thinking that it was such a crazy story. And then I found out that I had a great-uncle who worked in steerage on the ship, so that (of course) only made me more intrigued by the whole event. Anyway, it's so neat that this beam is still standing.
Just to show you, this is what the building at the end of the pier looked like right before it was demolished in 1991:
Pier 54, in 1991
Obviously it'd be way cooler if THIS had somehow been restored and not torn down, but that's in the past now. It really looks like it was a beautiful building.
These are my two favourite markets to go to in Queens (Astoria, specifically).
Does it seem crazy that they run until November? It that a normal market-ending time? I'm not complaining, but that seems too great to be true.
Anyway, no big lectures here. You're either into supporting local farmers or y'aint. And most of the year - I don't really care to, to be honest. But if you cook a lot, then it makes sense to take advantage of the crazy fresh stuff at these kinds of markets during at least the summer months.
