A Day In The City

So Manhattan is only a 90 minute drive from Philly. The temptation was too great. We drove up in the morning, parked the car and then spent the day wandering and eating and wandering and eating. It was fabulous. And I felt fabulous. Who wouldn't feel fabulous while walking around Central Park with a bag full of French cheese? It was a perfect day and here are some pics to prove it.

Farmer's market on Broadway where we bought our $5 "designer" sunglasses.

Zaabars Deli... This place is amazing and Devin was in heaven with all the cheese he hasn't had since his mission. We stocked up for a picnic in the park.
We found the perfect spot over-looking the lake.
Bread+cheese+NYC+me= Devin's Heaven...


My favorite pizza place in the city...
Times Square...
Chelsea Square Market, home of the...
Food Network. But you wouldn't know it unless you were me.
Most amazing dessert ever. Passion fruit granita, basil syrup, pineapple confettura, candied kumquats and olive oil gelato. Sounds crazy but it is out of this world...

Side story: And I think I'll make the short story long. About two months ago I had a 6-hour flight from NYC to Vegas with Eva. I took my seat watching anxiously as all the passengers boarded wondering who would be the lucky one to sit next the mom with the hyper baby ready for bed. The plane filled up and finally down the isle walks this guy...
...but with a plastic cigarette hanging from his mouth. So he sits down and we make small talk about where he's from (Israel), his family (he has a baby at home, whew!), and what he does for a living. At that question, he turns to me with a mischievous smile and says, "I make chocolates". You don't hear that every day but I was more amused by the person sitting next to me to really think it all through. Later he tells me he's on his way to Vegas to help open a restaurant at the Forum Shops. He tells me the name which I shortly forget. Names have no place in my brain until I see them on paper. Anyway, he makes a very nice seat mate, not seeming bothered by all the squirming on my side, patient as I try to get Eva to sleep for 4 hours (unsuccessful until we land, of course). Funny note: When I'm putting Eva to bed, I'll give her a binkie and her blankie and she'll kind of pet her blankie. So she's doing this on the plane but she reaches over and starts giving this guy next to me an arm massage. I think she thought it was her blankie but he just looked over at me and started chuckling. No harm done, right? So he's walking down the isle to de-plane (we hadn't exchanged names) and I ask him the name of the restaurant. He looks around then says the name, Max something and says good-bye and heads out. The row in front of me whips around and says, "Is that Max Bren ner?" I didn't know, nor did the thought every cross my mind he could be opening one of his restaurants. "Who's Max Bren ner?" "He has this restaurant in Union Square that is really BIG in New York right now." Then they got all excited about seeing Max. So I went home and googled it and found out they were right and that I HAD to see this place. Chocolate pizza, chocolate fondue, chocolate syringes for a direct shot... this is my kind of place. And yes, the chocolate was to die for.
One more shot of the city...
Dinner at Siagon Grill, checking in to see how bed time is going back home...
Time to go home! Thanks Sara and Jon for watching Eva!