It had been over five years since I last visited New York. But for one good reason or another, LA is how I had chosen to spend {almost} all of my spare time for as long as I can remember. That is until Jackie and Agie {pictured below} did a stellar job of convincing me that a visit to their city was long overdue.
So I purchased a ticket for Labor Day weekend that landed me on a rooftop in Alphabet City with two long-time friends and a couple bottles of rosé. After lots of cheers-ing and catch-up, we walked downstairs for our dinner reservations at Root & Bone, headed back to Jackie’s rooftop for dessert, and then made our way to another rooftop for a birthday party. Within hours of being in New York, I had already soaked in the most gorgeous of city views.
Being the early riser that I am {these days}, I woke up the next morning and ventured out solo on a mission to find a gluten-free bagel. I landed at Thompson Square Bagel: cash only, line out the door. It was decidedly perfect. Jackie met me in Thompson Square Park, where we snacked on our bagels, snuck in some people watching, and planned our day.
We spruced ourselves up and hopped on a train to Queens for the second to last PS1 Warm Up of the season. The second we stepped foot into the courtyard, I knew this would be a favorite of this trip.
Music, architecture, art, perfect weather, enjoyable company, crisp wine on tap, fashionable folks in every direction – I fell in love with the day.
Sunday was a slower start. We lounged around and took our time getting ready before getting our lobster roll fix at Luke’s Lobster. Luke’s Lobster, which not only had a gluten-free bun, but rolls with so much lobster meat and just a tad of butter and mayo. This roll replaced any memories of lobster roll past and became the ultimate foundation for another daytime dance party.
This time we ended up in Brooklyn for the Tiki Disco party, where we met up with Shayne and Bret {two more forever friends from home}.
It was an incredible feeling to be in such a unique setting so far from home, but have bits of middle school, high school, and college past in a single scene. We danced, we had the time, we ended up at a bar in Brooklyn that was playing The National {a favorite of mine from Brooklyn} as we walked in.
And then it was time to create our last memory of this adventure. Agie suggested we lunch at Reynard, insisting we complete my visit with a perfect table followed by a perfect view. What we didn’t anticipate, was squeezing ourselves together on a banquette upon finishing our meal and ending this trip with the perfect giggle.
Thank you both for such a fun-filled weekend – I will certainly be back soon!
God, I love that city. Also? I miss you, my friend. I feel the need to visit Austin soon?!
I miss you too! You should come visit when you’re freeeeezing this winter!
KV! Such a delight to welcome you to our city, like you did for us when we visited Valentine’s Day in Austin. I like to reminisce via food memories: from the impressive last minute rooftop picnic, that fried chicken at Root&Bone (NOM!), and, my fav – The Reynard. There’s little better than perfect fries, fresh condiments made in house, and an 5 spice ice cream whoopie pie. I also am bowled over by how great the service was, from letting us choose whether we wanted to wait for the perfect table, to them bringing out a gluten free dessert with ‘Congratulations’ written on dehydrated watermelon slices. Happy you got to see the city skyline from The Ides at The Wythe- though on your next visit, we will have to clamber to the graffiti rocks so you see that perspective! Miss you already.Come back!
Love it! My next visit will be soon, I promise! But you’re always welcome to visit Austin in between 😉