I travel to New York City three to four times a year, not for business but because I have a son, Blaze that lives in Manhattan. These three to four weeks I can be assured he is eating a home cooked meal and not fast food. I then get to visit my favorite shops and restaurants and to make new discoveries. Follow me while I list some of the highlights from my Thanksgiving week in NYC.
We took the Jet Blue red eye and landed in NYC Thanksgiving morning around 6:30am. Arrived at my son's apartment at 8:00am, threw my bags on the floor, had a tour of the new apartment, put on an apron and started to work on the feast. My friends know this is my absolute favorite day of the year and so the food starts flying. Blaze was responsible for creating the final menu, doing all the shopping and some light cooking in advance. The biggest item on the menu is a turkey that I always brine 24-hours in advance. Unfortunately, as pictured above there was a knife mishap unwrapping the frozen bird and our table this year was represented by "FRANKENturkey".
Dinner was great and our little group of five had a wonderful food and wine filled memorable evening. Turkey soup on Saturday in the house.
 |
| Entire leg of Jamon Pata Negra de Bellotta |
 |
| Riced potatoes for home-made Gnocchi |
More on food later-
While visiting my son he introduced me to the virtues of a garment steamer. The steam began flowing withing 45 seconds, the winkles melted away and it was easy to use, no more hot medtal placed directly on fabric. A razor sharp pleat is also possible. I was sold. I ordered the Sunbeam 1500TM. My friend Bianca gave me some more insight into its use as follows:
Bianca Perez "I live for steamers. I send hardly anything to the dry cleaners. The chemicals eat away at your clothing and the environment. I hand wash, lay flat to dry and steam afterwards. Make sure to use only distilled water so you don't clog your steamer with any natural minerals. Also, if you can get your hands on medical grade aromatherapy oils (such as young living or dothera) you can sprinkle a drop or 2 of lavender, rose or eucalyptus oil in the water and your clothes will smell amazing!"
 |
| Colin Farrell, Actor |
 |
| "The Human Experiment", Film |
We even had a little snow:
17 second Video:--> https://picasaweb.google.com/103222224874742562177/NYCNovember27Snow?authuser=0&feat=directlink
I had my very first Japanese Raman noodle dinner at "Ippudo" (click) in the East Village. Oh my goodness this is good stuff. I am a fan of Vietnamese Pho soup and this is just one level above that. Ippudo is known for their Pork Bun appetizer, not like the Chinese style pork bun you may be familiar. Instead you have strips of tender, moist, aromatic, sweet, sticky pork on a folded steamed bun that is as light and delicate as a marshmallow. A pillow for your gums. Ippudo always has a short wait, maybe sometimes a long wait but not a problem. Walk down the street and around the corner to 'McSorleys Old Ale House' (click) while you wait.
McSorleys Old Ale House has the distinction of being the oldest Irish pub in America opened in 1854. Visited by Abe Lincoln, John Lennon, and beer was drunk from the actual Stanley Cup won by the New York Rangers hockey team in 1994. A ceiling lamp carries old animal wishbones hung by World War 1 soldiers promising to reclaim them when they returned home, sadly they still remain along the original WANTED poster for President Lincoln's assassin. Even the handcuffs from Houdini once hung on the rail. At McSorleys your only order is beer: Dark or Light. You are served two mugs, the equivalent of one pint with sawdust on the floor. Thanks Heidi V. for introducing us to this place.
This is just a New York cheesecake slice of our week-long trip. If you have never been to New York City, a trip must be added to your bucket list but beware, a lot of walking is recommended because it is hard to go back to your hotel room with so much left to see and be seen.
