Big Apple, Bigger Prices

I (S&P) have to say as much as I would like to leave NYC with a pair of Louboutin's I am fully prepared to leave with work staples and a little personal restock at Victoria's. One of the things I would most love to do would be to have a meal at one of those restaurants... one of those that at this point in time we likely couldn't get a reservation to, like Per Se. At my heart I am a foodie and a footie (I guess) I have a deep love and appreciation for really good food and fine made shoes. Sure I fill my closet and fridge with middle of the road labels and even some cheapies to fill out the gaps, but really when it comes down to it, I know there is a difference between homemade and bought, organic and conventional and I am of the bias few (which includes J) who believe something heirloom is vastly better in every way than GM'd. All that being said, while I understand the reasoning behind the cost involved (275 per person), I just can't rationalize that I'm also paying for the hype of NYC and the name.

Per Se's Tasting Menu for this week, March 30.

TASTING OF VEGETABLES
March 30, 2009
________________________________________________________
"BAVAROI S DE CHOU-FLEUR"
Piquillo Pepper Glaze, Shaved Romanesco Cauliflower, Crispy Capers
and Young Cilantro with Preserved Meyer Lemon Syrup

SALAD OF HAWAIIAN HEARTS OF PEACH PALM
Haupia, Compressed Pineapple and Field Mizuna
with Hass Avocado Purée

CHICKPEA "CROQUANTS"
Braised Heirloom Carrots, Niçoise Olive "Petals"
and Sylvetta with Niçoise Olive Oil

SQUIRE HILLS FARM’S AMERAUCANA HEN EGG
Ragoût of Forest Mushrooms
with Watercress Leaves

RUSSET POTATO GNOCCHI
Fava Beans and Pea Tendrils
with "Cacio e Pepe"

ANSON MILLS’ WHITE POLENTA "AGNOLOTTI"
Violet Artichokes, Garlic Chips and Wilted Dandelion Greens
with Green Garlic "Pudding"

"HOJA SANTA"
"Pain de Campagne" Melba, Grilled Vidalia Onion
and Confit of Holland Eggplant with Salsa Verde

"GORGONZOLA DI MONTAGNA"
Compressed Bartlett Pears, Red Endive
and Candied Walnuts with Saporoso Vinaigrette

BUTTERMILK-THYME SHERBET
Lemon-Poppy Seed Cake, Thyme "Pâte de Fruit"
and Poppy Seed Caramel

SPICED MUSCOVADO "CASSONADE"
Coffee "Joconde," Granny Smith Apple Chip
and Coffee Jelly with Jasmine Ice Cream

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicknamemiket/3265204436/

Living NYC Style

Probably the most famous apartment in NYC doesn't belong to The Trump, but to a passel of angsty 20-somethings. It's impossibly large, the heater doesn't work, and it has that oh-so-cheeky picture frame around the peephole.

Oh yeah - and it has some really liberated neighbours, I hear.

But.... the idea of visiting NYC has me thinking of the stereotypical New York "pad," where everything is cool and you could have a cocktail party with perfect music break out at any moment. I want that apartment!! Mine has so much potential, with too much furniture (and a gawdawful kitchen).

So at this juncture, I turn to www.apartmenttherapy.com for some soft core home reno porn. Seriously - this site has it all and a hat tree. Nice graphic design, reasonable writing (where there is some), beautiful home tours... and they all cater to those of us who live in small spaces. :) yay!

J - I hope we meet some nice non-axe-murderer types who will invite us to come see their place in some hip doorman building near the park, someone with a bedroom like... this, maybe? It would solve your shoe lust, for sure...

Wish List Part 2

I completely concur with Part 1 with these additions/hopes:

1. Try on a pair of Mahalo Blahniks and then have J pry them out of my cold, clammy with lust hands and usher me out of the store stat and then repeat in Louboutin - Why? Because I LOVE shoes and J could take me down long before I wrestle my MasterCard from her possession.

2. Vegan Soft Serve - Honestly I believe it's a myth, like Puff the Magic Dragon and 1/2 price Dior, after years of reading of the wonders of Brooklyn and NYC's Vegan Food I need to get my tofu binge on.

3. Perch myself on some high end bar stool and attempt to not fall off in fright if I get talked to - a free drink would be such a coup J wouldn't it? Because well I don't have the kind of cash I need to support my martini habit in NYC.

4. My vote for the NYC Concert is way in the boonies - Ryan Montbleau - but hey if we can see Ray if he's over there then bring it on.

Wish List, Part 1

So, here's what I'm hoping to see. J and I came up with a few criteria:

• see a broadway show (Wicked!)
  
• see a musical act we'd never get back home
  
• go shopping window shopping at least once
• Tour the UN (I'd like to see UNICEF offices too)
  
• See the WTC site
• Go to at least one museum (Pref's: MOMA, the Guggenheim, The Met, Museum of Photography)
• See some of the neighbourhoods we've always heard about: TriBeCa, SoHo, Hell's Kitchen, Greenwich Village...
• Walk through Central Park (side note - not sure if I'm going to be able to do this without expecting to see naked face-down bodies half-buried in every bush. I'll be on the path and hear "dun, dun-dun dun-dun, DUNNNNN" and then Benjamin Bratt and his chiseled jaw will jump out of a police cruiser and cordon off the scene. And then kiss me.)
  

That's all for now - any suggestions?

NYC: T minus 45 days

So, we've been talking about going to New York for a few weeks now - ever since I looked up at my impending big 3-0 and wanted to crawl under my sheets. Too many assignments! Too much School! What have I done with my life, anyway?

Luckily, when a girl's got a friend, she's got a whole lot. A panicked email to my friend J ensued:

Want to go on a trip? What about New York? I'm turning 30 and need to do something stupendous. Interested?

And since then, we've been wasting time at work (ahem, investing in our personal development), sending itineraries, articles and sexy food pictures back and forth to each other.

The beginning of a perfect adventure.