New York City, part 1

Our trip to NYC began on Friday with an early dinner with Grandma in Chinatown. Weekend bags unloaded at Viv's place, we bustled over to Bayard Street in Lower Manhattan to meet up with my folks and sis who were also in town. The first dinner of the night included winter melon soup, fried fish, salt and pepper squid, fried tofu and seafood bowl... 

{ Grandma really liked The Fella's vintage baseball tee! }

{ Grandma and me }

Moving onto Dinner #2 of the night, meeting up with The Fella's old college pals at Bar Stuzzichini in Tribeca. By now I was already beyond the point of "Stick a fork in me, I'm done" status, but I still couldn't resist trying the Roasted Red Beet Salad with Orange, Pistachios, and Pecorino shavings.

 

Our friends suggested we move on to Mario Batali's new Eataly in the Flatiron District. Ambling down 5th Avenue we saw spectacular night views, like the famed Flatiron Building.

Wandering the maze in Eataly within 50,000 square feet abounding in Italian-imported food, wine, and New Yorkers having a late meal after work, I took in the white-washed walls, ambient lighting, and branded signage featuring quirky quotes from Sophia Loren, Lidia Bastianich and other notable Italians. Clearly this was the place to be and be seen.

And then I stumbled upon fresh burrata! Very excited by this unexpected discovery and the prospect of checking off #27 on my 30 for 30 list, I picked some up to take home for later. This marketplace is a foodie's dream come true, with multiple restaurants for both takeout and eat-in. Sadly for me, my stomach was too full from two dinners that we only gave into a generous helping of Vanilla and Pear gelato... so delightfully handmade, you could even taste the crunchy pear texture!

Sophia, I hear ya, sista!