10 Christmas Activities In NYC

Are you looking for things to do to celebrate the season in New York City? Look no further, baby. These are a few of my favourite things to do in December in NYC.

1. The Holiday Train Show

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2. Take a photo with the accurate-looking, old timey Santa at Macy’s, The Plaza or The Queens Center Mall.

3. Eat at The Plaza Food Hall (specifically for their Lady M outpost). Kids might enjoy the Rawther Fancy Teas with Santa, an hour-long tea party in the Eloise Shop (dates/details through the link).

Photo Credit: The Plaza

4. Eat the frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity 3 or if you hate waiting in line, they also sell take-home versions that you can make at home.

Photo Credit: Dish Maps

5. See The Rockettes, finally.

Photo Credit: The New York Times

6. Visit the Christmas markets at The Union Square Holiday Market, The Bryant Park Winter Village, and The Columbus Circle Holiday Market.

7. Visit the best Little Italy in this town, Arthur Avenue in the Bronx

8. Go ice skating in Central Park.

9. Holiday Train Show at Grand Central (yes, there are two train shows on this list - but this one is free and smaller than #1).

Photo Credit: Grand Central Terminal

10. See The Phantom of the Opera before it’s gone forever.

Photo Credit: Gothamist

Frozen Hot Chocolate at Astor Bake Shop

I had been hearing about this damn frozen hot chocolate for MONTHS, so I finally made the long-ass trek from the N train and tried it. Here's what was presented upon ordering.

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I mean, c'mon. You know that's gonna taste fantastic. YOU KNOW THIS ALREADY. I'm really just here to bask in the fact that I've tried it and you haven't.

Is it worth the walk from the train? In the summer, yes. In the winter? Hard call. I really need to try some of the other menu options to make an informed decision. But honestly, it bodes well to see this truck (below) making deliveries out front. (I would trust Pat LaFrieda with my life - no wait, that's too dramatic a statement. I trust him with my meat. Yeah, my meat. ALL MY MEAT. Man's a genius.)

Meat aside, I have to go back here. And I will report back.

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12 Things I'm Doing This Summer

Summer has officially begun, so I think it makes sense to have a summer must-do list. Is it obvious that I love lists? I have tons of different kinds of lists going - movies to watch, work stuff that needs to be done, etc. But here's what my summer list looks like this year. Keep in mind, a lot of it is food/fun-based (AS ALL SUMMER LISTS SHOULD BE). Also, make one of your own! Otherwise I promise you that this summer will just pass you by.

SUMMER 2015

1. Try the frozen hot chocolate at Astor Bake Shop (Queens)
2. Finally visit the rooftop across the street - there's a hotel across the street from me that has a rooftop bar that I've always wanted to go to but never have (Queens)
3. Finally eat a Nanaimo bar for the first time (Toronto)
4. Go to City Island (Bronx)
5. Go to Montauk (Montauk)
6. See this year's installation at the rooftop at The Met (Manhattan)
7. Successfully grow something in my backyard (Queens)
8. Check out the Jefferson Market Garden (Manhattan)
9. Get the burrata ice cream at Dominique Ansel (Manhattan)
10. See a movie at that gorgeous AMC on the UWS @ 84 street (Manhattan)
11. Try an egg cream in Forest Hills (Queens)
12. Visit the Edgar Allan Poe cottage (Bronx)

Possible Blogs Posts To Do: Photograph Each Hour For A Day, Outfit Of The Day posts, Vlog!

The Frozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity 3 in NYC

This is the frozen hot chocolate that they serve at Serendipity 3 in New York. I've only tried to go to the restaurant once, and the line/wait was much too long so I left. I only really wanted to go so that I could try one of these since I've heard how good they are. 

Anyway, I found out that you could buy the packets online and make them at home (providing you have a blender - a good blender, too - one that crushes up ice well), so that's what I did instead. Verdict? Really goddam good. I don't see how the made-in-the-restaurant version could be any better, really. Just tasty as hell. And enjoyed in the comfort of my own home no less! The packets come in a variety of sizes and you can buy them on Amazon. 

It's $8.95 when you order it at the restaurant, but the serving size is good for at least two people they say (they also have a peanut butter version at the restaurant). 

Also, have you seen the movie Serendipity? Man. I don't even like movies like that and I loved that movie. Just delightful as hell. The likable John Cusack? Get outta here, he's so great in it.