Top Ten Awesome Experiences in NYC:
10. City Bakery - I have no idea what kind of muffin it was that I ordered with my latte, but it was a muffin that didn't taste like a muffin and the best non-muffin ever. I tried to research it to no avail. But I did find out that the thing to be had at the City Bakery is something called a pretzel croissant. It looks absolutely yummy. Man, why can't we have a City Bakery in SF? (Like, why can't we have a Uniqlo, or a Muji...?)
9. Yakitori Taoshi - This yakitori joint near NYU is packed with college kids who are too cool for school, but who the hell cares cuz I get to eat chicken balls on a stick? I don't mean chicken balls as in testicles but ground chicken shaped like a ball. But seriously, anything on a stick is better than without.
8. Kyotofu - Fancy tofu pudding with kuromitsu syrup (uh, like I know what kuromitsu syrup is). I really can eat this stuff all day long. Okay, so I ordered the Prix Fixe dinner too, which included chicken/tofu sliders, Japanese curry risotto croquette, etc. I cleaned off everything except for some lettuce leaves. The waitress said, "So not a fan of vegetables, huh?" I joked, "Saving room for dessert." Which is actually quite an apt statement - all my life, I save room for dessert, literally and metaphorically.
7. Chikalicious - The dessert bar was closed the day I went due to some kitchen issues, so I had to settle for the Chikalicious Dessert Club across the street. Well, my disappointment quickly disappeared when I tasted the custard cookie eclair alongside the green tea/red bean shaved ice. And it didn't hurt that three very cute Japanese girls sat next to me. My next trip to NYC will definitely include a return visit to the dessert bar.
6. Guggenheim - It was Museum Mile day in NYC - which meant free admission from 6-9pm. I went to the Guggenheim and stood in the line that went around the entire block. Frank Lloyd Wright's Guggenheim is a marvel to look at, and much more enjoyable for me to wander around than the crazy huge Metropolitan. And Clive Owens had a shoot-out here.
5. New York sunset from atop Empire State Building - At first I was annoyed that I had to hang out for over two hours in the windy observation deck. But by 8:30pm, when I stood there watching the majestic sunset over this grand city, all was worth the while. Isn't it amazing that sunsets never get old?
4. Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island - It was sort of a perfect weather kind of day for a cruise out to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Blue sky, cumulus clouds shaped like alligators and horses, mild ocean breeze. Immigrants would like it here.
3. Katz's pastrami sandwich - I agree with Meg Ryan. Seriously the most tasty pastrami sandwich I have ever eaten. And surprisingly not salty, which is the downfall of most pastrami sandwiches. By the way, hands down a winner over the pastrami sandwich from Carnegie's Deli, which I had for comparison's sake.
2. Biryani Cart (Indian & Mediterranean food cart) - So good I went back two nights in a row. It's a truck located on 6th Avenue and 46th St. The first night was after watching Promises Promises. It was raining hard, and the restaurant I had in mind was closed. So I was headed to Sardi's cuz my friend said it's a Broadway institution. But I was soaking wet, and when I walked by this truck, I said, "Screw it. I just want some food." I had the kati rolls (chicken king koti and vegetable), and holy crap, I seriously thought I won the foodie lottery. I mean, who knew? Randomly on a rainy night? The next night, after watching American Idiot, I hit the truck again, for the king koti roll again and then changed it up for the chicken masala kati roll. Yeah, I think I will be dreaming about that dark and rainy night for a while to come...
1. Billy Elliot - Awe-inspiring. Magical. Heartbreaking. Exhilarating. Joyous. In between wiping off my very manly tears, I was grinning from ear to ear throughout the whole show. I think they even bested the movie that this is based on. After the lights came on, I really wanted to learn to dance, or pursue greatness, or live in a coal-mining town in the eighties.
This is pure magic:
Billy Elliot is actually coming to SF as part of the 2010-11 Best of Broadway series!!! How freaking exciting is that???
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