NYC: Fashion and Cheesecake

While we're all stuck behind our daily grind, let's live vicariously through my friends, the Swedish Twins, as they celebrate their birthday in a New York state of mind...

Posted by: Karla Fantastic

During my second day in the Big Apple, I continued my quest for all things delicious in this great city - mainly fashion and cheesecake.

I knew that walking through SOHO would be a fabulous way to spend the afternoon.  But let's be realist,  why walk when I can sit VIP on the SEX AND THE CITY TOUR BUS. Best $60 I've ever spent!

We watched fun clips from the show while the tour guide pointed out the exact New York landmarks where the scenes were filmed. (Yeah, yeah that's cool. When do I get to go shopping?) I won't bore you with my pictures from the street because we'll be here all day and frankly I'm not too great at taking pictures from the inside of a bus. Netflix has SATC - I'm sure - HELLO SPONSOR! (The post brought to you by Netflix.)

An hour of ooohs and ahhhs through the streets of Manhattan later,  our guide informed us that we would be getting off of the bus soon... to go... SHOPPING. HOORAY!!! Our bus stopped on Bleecker Street – a very chic, tree lined oasis filled with the boutiques of Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, Toosh, James Perse, Brunello Cucinelli, Fresh, Lulu Guinness, Creed, Mulberry, Olive and Bette, and so many more. Had I died? Is this Heaven? What's that? We only have 25 minutes to shop? Get out of my way!!

After doing significant damage on my  MASTERCARD (priceless!) I met up with the group who were sitting in a lovely little park. The tour guide greeted us with cupcakes featured on the show. Really? Is this happening? It's a gorgeous spring day. I've just been let loose in a Marc Jacobs store on boutique alley in GREENWICH VILLAGE and now I'm smooshing my face into this delicious sugary frosted delight! Stop it!  Where's my dream man on a flying unicorn?  He has got to be around here somewhere!

Back onto the bus! It appears that we have lost a couple of people to shopping casualty.  But that was to be expected.  As the bus left Bleecker Street I could hear them in the distance... "Go on! Go on without us!" And so we did. They would have wanted it this way. And off we went.  Who's thirsty?!?!

What is a trip to NYC without a Cosmopolitan?  Back home I wouldn't be caught dead ordering one of these fruity "I can't drink whiskey" cocktails! But it's girl time! Let's go have some pink martinis!!! Wooooo!!! 2 drinks later and I feel awesome.  Let's pick up some men! Oh wait, what's that? The tour isn't over? Dammit. Okay, onto the bus we go. Watch your step...

Luckily for me, the tour ended not too far from my hotel. Who wants to walk back carrying all of these shopping bags???  As I turn the corner onto 45th I see what I've been looking for all my life. It's so much bigger in person! Is it? It can't be? A NEW YORK CITY FOOD TRUCK WITH ICE CREAM!!! AHHHHH!!! Run run run! Don't you dare drive off before I get there! Damn these shoes!!! 80 calories of pure delight. (Minus the 500 calories of dark chocolate and almonds.) Walking the half block to my hotel, I'm content. Ice cream in one hand, designer fashion in the other. Life is good.

A quick siesta later and I'm ready for the theatre! Last night we went big on Broadway.  Tonight, it's a musical comedy off Broadway. This could be very good or very bad - either way let's have some drinks first!

We stopped at a BBQ place on 9th called Southern Hospitality.  Wood planked walls featuring Johnny Cash quotes and twang on the radio,  nice touch. What am I in the mood for? Ribs? Chicken? Waffles with Chicken? It all sounds so fattening but so delish!  I ended up with a sandwich.

BORED!  NO! No, it was not! This sandwich was the epitome of all food porn sandwiches. Beefy and cheesy and spicy and hot and wet... stop it! Good cole slaw too!  Don't ask me what it was called. I didn't ask for its name.  We had a great time and I'll leave it at that.  Maybe I'll call them up the next time I'm in the city. Or maybe I'll go for a salad. It's too soon to tell.

After the show - which was HILARIOUS! - I wanted cake... but not just any cake, mother bleepin cheesecake! And I knew exactly where to go. JUNIORS.
This place is famous for their cheesecake. Like crazy famous. How happy was I that it was within short waking distance? Very.  Wow, there are so many to choose from! Devil's food. Carrot cake. Red Velvet. Chocolate.  Blueberry... All in the form of cheesecake!  Do I stay traditional and order the original?  Or do I say to hell with it and go Devil's food?
I decided on the cherry cheesecake. With no late night cocktail!  I want to be completely sober while I enjoy this.  The cheesecake arrives.  A single slice of modest portion. Fluffy cream cheese center atop of graham cracker crust with ooohy gooey cherry topping.  It's beautiful.   Where's my fork? Oh dear lord Jesus, what am I eating?  This cake is not dense or dry. It is the exact opposite of any cheesecake I've ever known. This is pillowy and creamy and not overly sweet.  If I thought it would survive the flight home, I would put several in my suitcase.  Souvenirs for everyone! In my best Oprah voice: NEW YORK CITY CHEESECAKE!!!!!! And you get a cheesecake... and you get a cheesecake... and you get a cheesecake!!!!

My night concluded on top of the world. Well, almost. The rooftop bar at the hotel was still open - so why not pop in for some bubbles?  This being New York and all, I decided to go big. One drink. That's all. And that drink... DOM PERIGNON.

(Shameless plea to the makers of Dom Perignon...) Dear super schmancy bubbly beverage makers, I'm in love. But, unfortunately I don't date DONALD TRUMP. So, how about we strike a deal - I will hold a bottle of this exquisite champagne in every picture from now until I die if I have to. Just let me drink it regularly. For free. I will give up water, juice, triple grande soy lattes... just to drink Dom exclusively.  I'm not sure that I can live without it but I don't want to start robbing liquor stores.  Just think about it.  Signed,  K FANTASTIC

Day 2 in the BIG APPLE was a great fun foodie day! I'm so full but wonder if room service can find me a slice of authentic NYC style pizza.  Now, where are my stretchy pants?

NYC: How to Spot A Real New York Bagel @ The Bagel

While we're all stuck behind our daily grind, let's live vicariously through my friends, The Swedish Twins, as they celebrate their birthday in a New York state of mind...

Posted by: Karla Fantastic

I woke up in the big city Sunday morning realizing a couple of very important things: A. I have not had any of the food that NY is famous for (Where is my NEW YORK bagel? Why hadn't I stopped at that food cart for a hot dog? Cheesecake??? For the love of God... cheesecake!!!!) and B. Why the f--k haven't I been shopping yet? 5th AVENUE IS 2 BLOCKS AWAY!!!! Barneys, Bergdorf... I must go!!! These problems MUST be remedied.  Immediately.

A quick 10 minute walk up shopping Heaven Avenue brought me to the corner of 5th and 58th - home of the famed PLAZA HOTEL.  You know the one... That luxury hotel seen in many movies and television. Pretty much anyone who is incredibly wealthy and is in a hotel...It's THE PLAZA. Magnificent architecture,  a true testament to timeless elegance.  I want to stay at THE PLAZA the next time I'm in the big city (How do I insert link here for donations?)

The Pulitzer Fountain in front of The Plaza Hotel is the scene for my first NY foodie moment...

THE BAGEL. Half a block down the street on 58th is a non assuming deli. Walk in. Go to the counter.  "Whatchu having? For here or to go?" Bing bang boom... Here comes my bagel with lox and schmear faster than a New York minute! I decided it would be fabulous to enjoy my breakfast on the steps of the beautiful fountain.  Too bad there is bird droppings all over this thing... eww. Eww. Eww. Okay.  This spot looks cleanish. Sitting down. The bagel looks glorious, although on the smallish side (turns out they're supposed to be that way!) I Google: "HOW DO I KNOW THAT I'M EATING A REAL NEW YORK BAGEL?" The answer: Is it hand-sized, something you can easily get your mouth around it? Next, look at the color. Does the crust have a rich, medium-brown glow? What about shine? A great bagel will shine back at you; its crust firm and crunchy, protecting the chewy, dense crumb inside. Mass-produced bagels are machine-rolled and baked in a steam-injected oven, producing a pale white-crusted mound with a doughy and often too sweet interior.

So there you go. New York City bagel knowledge. Go impress your friends. You're welcome.

The bagel was incredible! Perfect ratio of lox to schmear. The dough is crisp yet soft. Not sweet. I may never eat a bagel (or that thing masking as a bagel) in Chicago again. Ever.

NYC:Start Spreadin' the News...Get Outta' My Way! I'm Walkin' Here!

While we're all stuck behind our daily grind, let's live vicariously through my friends, the Swedish Twins, as they celebrate their birthday in a New York state of mind...

Posted by: Karla Fantastic

I heart NYC! We arrived on Saturday morning and here are some things I've learned thus far...

A. New York CITY! Holy shit it's crowded!  Cars are everywhere. People are everywhere. Flashing lights and hot dog carts... sensory overload!  I learned straight away to NOT walk up BROADWAY.  Don't do it. Something about NYC dictates that as a tourist you must walk down Broadway... trust me, take 6th, it's faster. Unless you want to get stuck behind a slow moving group of camera flashing people from Idaho. Get outta my way,  IM WALKIN' HERE!!!

B. The THEATRE. Want to go to a show on Broadway?  Hopefully you have your tickets with you when you arrive to the big city because otherwise you may be SOL.  Luckily,  I happened to purchase my tickets in August - yeah, 8 months ago - I'm glad I remembered where I put them.  The Belasco Theatre is a beauty.  Small yet marvelous!  We arrived to our Orchestra seats just before curtain.  An usher reminded us that any sort of video or photography was not allowed... okay, fine fine "hey sister, try to get a picture!" Oh NO NO NO... I'm convinced that these New York ushers are part ninja! Here comes BETTY the ninja usher running down the aisle.... "PUT THAT AWAY!" And oh boy, did she mean it. That woman gave a look that said - I could have you killed.  Annnnnnnd the phone goes back into the purse.  Show time!

C. After dinner dining.  All of that cheering and bravos for the cast has certainly worked up an appetite.  Where shall we eat? Initially,  I wanted to hop in a cab and go to the famous Serendipity for late night chocolatey goodness, but we decided to stay local.  Food cart? Ehh Heartburn! Steakhouse? Mucho dinero! Rooftop of our hotel? Too scenester! Irish Pub? Okay maybe... let's check out the menu.  I'll be the first to admit, I'm not crazy about food from the Irish folk.  I gave the menu a glance and just when I was about to say... "Guinness with bangers and mash does not sound very delicious, let's go..." Up comes an older gentleman.  "YOU LIKE THE LOOKS OF THE MENU?" No. Smile and say sure. Half hearted smile on... "Yeah, looks crowded in there though.  Oh well..." Just then the well suited man grabs my arm and walks me into the restaurant.  "LET ME GIVE YOU A TOUR." Ummm... what's happening here?  I'm so hunrgy! Turns out that sweet old Irish guy was the owner! THE OWNER! Once he found the best table for us in this uber crowded restaurant, I invited him to sit down.  I asked for his opinion on the best of the menu (please don't say bangers and mash!) His eyes lit up as he described the Shepards pie and brisket of beef. We stayed for a Guinness and some corned beef and chatted with the table next to us about the fabulousness of theatre.  It was a fine evening with hearty food.  We walked the short distance back to our hotel. The rooftop was still open for late night scenester watching... nah.  Let's get some sleep.  GOOD NIGHT NEW YORK. The city may never sleep but I do. Peace!