You can probably decipher the mystery behind that numeric headline if you read my blog last week when I mentioned I’d be on a family vacation to NYC (area code 212) from which I returned to Miami (area code 305, for the most part) on Monday.
That means, you’ll be reading all about and seeing plenty of photos from that four-day trip to NYC and then I’ll switch gears to Miami happenings for the remainder of the week.
Vance and Nick at the bar (on the left) at Overlook Sports Bar.
Thursday… arrive in NYC, check in and immediately head to Tipsy Shanghai for a late lunch Chinese feast of dumplings, noodles and Chinese ribs, followed by shopping at Muji, a beautiful stationery store and grabbing a sweet treat next to the hotel at Sandwicherie. We had to hit a local bar to catch the Thursday night NFL action and we did that at Overlook Sports Bar and that was followed by a stop in at Malone’s Irish Bar & Grill for some ridiculously authentic fish and chips and an Irish red Smithwicks Ale.
Breakfast at John’s Coffee Shop.
This typewriter poet at Washington Square Park reminded me of our own Oscar “The Biscayne Poet” Fuentes here in Miami. In fact, I sent him this picture!
Friday… we started with breakfast at John’s Coffee Shop, subway ride to Union Square Park to check out the Farmer’s Market, crossed the street to shop at Uniqlo where I got a couple of nice tops on sale, popped into Alabaster Book Shop where they sell antique and used books and I got a couple of great deals. Then it was on to cookies at Schmackary’s and lunch at Smashed for smashburgers and onion rings. Followed that with a stop at Washington Square Park where the scene is always happening, then more shopping, this time at 2nd Street Store where Michael and Elizabeth found some great secondhand stuff and finally a $1.50 slice for dinner.
Almost time for The Rocky Horror Show! Here we are bathed in that Studio 54 green glow.
The iconic Studio 54 doors, it was surreal to walk through them!
Disco ball still hangs in this gorgeous space, a throwback to those crazy disco days!
Saturday… at Elizabeth’s request, we had breakfast at Waverly Diner in The Village, books at Book Off where I picked up a few more great deals (so many books, my suitcase was ready to explode!) then the Rocky Horror Show at the old Studio 54 with Michael and Elizabeth. What an experience to walk through the doors of that iconic nightclub and then watch that show with Rachel Dratch, a former Saturday Night Live cast member, in the role of narrator. Unforgettable experience!
The oysters at Crave Fish Bar were stellar as you can see by the empty shells.
Couldn’t resist snapping this pic as we walked around one of NYC’s many beautiful residential streets. These skeletons were all about celebrating the NY Knicks NBA title.
Had to snap a pic of this sign in honor of the legendary Joey Ramone of the NYC punk band The Ramones.
We followed that with dinner at the swanky, dimly lit and delicious Crave Fish Bar where we feasted on oysters, razor clams, salmon and bok choy. Then for Nick, we had to go get him a burger at Five Guys on the way back to the hotel where I decided to indulge in a chocolate shake. Then back at the hotel (we stayed at the Westin Grand Central, a fantastic location), Vance and I went for a drink at the lobby bar where we met a nice guy from Pittsburgh.
Enjoying the tailgate atmosphere before the game where the Dolphins were victorious over the Jets!
The Dolphins in action at MetLife Stadium.
Sunday… it was finally time for the football game, the Dolphins vs. the Jets at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. We cheered, we yelled, which encouraged a group of fellow Dolphins fans to sit with us and WE WON! Pre-gaming around the tailgate and spotting several groups of Dolphins fans made the away game experience that much more fun. Then post game we decided to spend a little time in the American Dream Mall and wait for the crowds to leave and because we had to celebrate the victory, we grabbed dinner at Slattery’s Midtown Pub a Miami Dolphins bar in NYC that Michael found. We had a great time there and that was it for the day but it was a great one.
These three cuties in the gorgeous Empire State Building lobby.
The beauty of Grand Central Station.
Always bustling Grand Central Station with breathtaking windows and that stately clock.
Monday… our final day in New York, we said goodbye to Michael who had to head back to NC early then we went to breakfast at you guessed it, another diner. The Gemini Diner hit the spot to kick off the day and then we decided to do some touristy stuff and what could be more touristy than a stop at the Empire State Building and then Grand Central Station. It was the perfect way to end the trip.
That’ll do it for the 212, now let’s get back into the 305 where I enjoyed a quiet trivia night on Wednesday, mainly because a majority of our team was missing in action. We did our best and enjoyed chatting with the trivia host Heather and laughing and joking about all sorts of crazy stuff.
This weekend I’m looking forward to a date night with Vance on Friday while Nick is at his annual Halloween party, spending Halloween night trick or treating with my nieces and their kids. Finally on Sunday, I’ll be hoping the Dolphins score another victory while I attend a Nourish Miami volunteer get together at co-founder John’s house on Miami Beach.
Just a few observations, discoveries this past week that I want to share with you.
First off, while listening to classical music, I discovered that the opening notes of the “Jaws” movie theme song are taken from composer Dvorak’s Symphony No 9 Op 95. I was so surprised when I heard it that I kept re-starting the song on my Spotify.
Then, while on the plane ride home, I watched “Eternity,” a heartwarming, sad, funny movie all rolled into one with great acting, beautiful scenery and a gorgeous wardrobe on lead actress Elizabeth Olsen. It’s an Apple TV original and I recommend it, I certainly was pleasantly surprised.
There’s also another interesting/fascinating fact. Turns out Vance’s co-worker Annette Crisafulli told him the street my niece Nicole lives on (Crisafulli in Merritt Island), is named after her great grandfather. Who knew?!?
Finally, I want to leave you with a few Save the Dates, should you be so inclined…
Give Miami Day is coming up on Nov. 19, it’s the Miami Foundation’s annual fundraiser and there are plenty of great organizations to support. I will be sharing links to help support Nourish Miami and Boom! Ensemble over the next few weeks.
There are lots of weekend events coming up around South Florida like the Miami Book Fair Nov. 15-22 where the first day of the Street Fair (Nov. 20-22) is free, the Small Press Fair at the Broward County Library on Nov. 14 and there are some Fall Festivals still going on too.
And I leave you with a few parting shots of my green pepper plant and the sun shining through a gorgeous tree, something I spotted on a recent walk.
