I like musicals. I like hearing about other religions through song. I like NYC. So...when the twin said she could score some tickets to Book of Mormon for last weekend - Erin, Wendy and I jumped at the opportunity and got our butts on a plane for a quick Sat - Mon trip to the Big Apple.
LAX to JFK
Ladies...why so shy SO EARLY in the morning???
The Ben's were so awesome to let us stay in their apartment on the Upper West Side and it was perfect. Walking distance of so much, a CVS right next door for anything we forgot and right next to Cafe Luxembourg where we had lunch our last day there (and stalked Steve Martin's conversation, as he was eating his lobster rolls and sauteed spinach in the booth next to us!)
The purpose of the trip was 2 fold:
1. Book of Mormon
2. Eating
Both were accomplished and both were epic! Here are some highlights.
Subway Fun!
We had some trouble with the subway in the beginning with it stealing about $7.50 from us inexperienced metro card buyers and with figuring out which side of the platform we were supposed to be on. But we survived and got to see some VERY interesting people on our rides.
Our first dinner out was at Crispo, which was a great recommendation from Anita & Jerry. The place was PACKED and we were famished.
We toasted to Erin's upcoming birthday!
Had an amazing appetizer, because everything is better when it is encrusted in Parmesan!
I ordered the Ricotta Gnocchi with Duck Confit, Rocket, Preserved Tomato & Fontina. It was amazing and I was really upset that I was too full to clean my plate.
Erin got the Spaghetti & Shrimp Fra Diavola.
Wendy got the Trofie al Prosciutto, Truffle Butter, Peas & Parmesan.
All of her favorite things in one dish!
Could not ask for a better first night in the city with my girls!
After dinner we settled in back at the apartment for a night of rest to sleep off our food comas. The next morning we set out to walk to to brunch.
We spotted a vespa...shout out to the Husbro!
We walked until we realized that in order to be on time for our reservations we would need to catch a cab. Apparently I drastically underestimated the time it would take to walk 3 miles. With help from our cabby we met up with
Meredith for brunch at the Union Square Cafe right on time. The food was great (who does not love Huckleberry Pancakes, Scrambled Egg Bacon Dippers and Brioche French Toast? The conversation was sensational and it is always nice to catch up with a familiar face!
Next we headed for our matinee showing of Book of Mormon.
Waiting in line to enter the theatre with the twin.
We had amazing tickets. 4th row center and worth every expensive penny! The show was unlike ANYTHING I have ever seen. Well deserved of all its accolades and awards. But note, that if you are not willing to approach it with an air of absurdity and "so offensive it can't be anything else but funny" this one is not for you. The 3 of us had 3 pretty distinct faces throughout the majority of the show...
Lil' Erin had a face of pure joy. She never wanted to leave that theatre, it was her new happy place!
I rarely had my mouth shut and thought I may have to scoop my jaw off the floor I was in such shock, which would then turn to full out belly laughs.
And then there was the twin...Shock & Awe.
After the show we headed downtown to get some pizza at Lombardi's (great suggestion from Meredith!)
Sauce, Cheese & Mushrooms...simple and delicious. Especially with a glass of sangria.
Waiting for dinner...
This was not only a great suggestion because the pizza was great, but because it was right down the street from Rice to Riches, which might be one of my favorite places in NYC. If they are looking to franchise, I suggest the Viejo Village as their next location. It's like the 31 flavors of Rice Pudding...except you also get to throw in toppings of your choice.
Hard Core Twinner
Getting our Rice on.
Wendy's new mantra!
They are not kidding with that sign...this rice is expensive - BUT worth it. Sadly I was so full from the pizza I was not able to finish the amazingness in the bowl.
Back to the apartment to take catnaps until 11:30 pm, when we headed back to the subway, back downtown to make it for our midnight reservation at Employees Only. This was another suggestion from The Ben's, who had never been before but heard it was great. It did NOT disappoint. Not only were the cocktails AMAZING, but the latenight menu of things like Bone Marrow Poppers and Truffled Grilled Cheese was not too shabby either.
I ordered the Amelia (Luksusowa Potato Vodka & St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur shaken with pureed Blackberries & Fresh Lemon Juice) and split the EO Burger with Paprika Potatoes with Erin.
There was also a burlesque strip tease performed right in front of us for one for the bartenders who was leaving to open his own bar. I did not snap any photos, but as I was sitting right behind the nice lady with nipple tassels and a g-string, I am in pretty much all of the photos that other people took. Classy! Nothing beats dinner, drinks AND a show.
Getting back to the apartment so late (or early in the morning) altered our intended plans for our last morning and afternoon in the city. We intended to shop and eat something from a street vendor...but instead slept in, had lunch with Steve Martin and then packed, cleaned a caught a cab to the airport.
We found out that we Three Amigas are such a great traveling trio. No muss, No fuss, with a desire for low stress and great food and drinks. Next trip...San Fran in 2012!
