Broadway, Not Just for Mama Mia and Cats Anymore

As I was walking around the neighborhood near my office recently, I came across the Broadway plazas - a stretch of Broadway between 35th and 41st where there are extra pedestrian and seating areas.  One thing about New Yorkers is that they're able to make the most out of small spaces.  The city itself is the same - so much art and food and open space, crammed into the medians of one of the city's busiest streets.

Until October 17th, you can enjoy a variety food options, from arepas to cupcakes, that will make you want to turn on your heels away from the long lines and overpriced salads of Chop't. Thanks to UrbanSpace and the Garment District Alliance, you can savor this worldly fare in the shadows of The Sentinels, an imposing art exhibition from Chakaia Booker.  Her dark, almost leather-like sculptures contrast with the bright umbrellas and lush florals that provide an oasis for Midtown workers.

And on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays through the end of the month you can also check out the Broadway French Market for everything from apples, to pickles, and knitted sweaters.  And all these cozy, cultural offerings are available within a few blocks of the glare of Times Square.

Finding the Bagels, At Long Last

Since moving to New York, I've had two totally random run-ins with Vassar alums I sort of know.  Both of whom, upon hearing where we live (Kips Bay), have extolled the virtues of Ess-a-Bagel.  While the Vassar run-ins are commonplace - where do hipsters from a liberal arts college in the Hudson Valley flock?  The two recommendations, among the hundreds of bagel places, struck me as more than mere coincidence.

So we went to check it out.  And what we got was a bagel as big as our heads in a bakery that managed to be, in true New York fashion, both pretentious and no-nonsense.  I was curtly informed that they do not toast their bagels.  I was quickly handed two bagels, meticulously wrapped in origami-like white paper.

When we got home and unwrapped our bounty we saw that the bagels were about one and a half times the thickness of a regular bagel and contained approximately a quarter of a pound of cream cheese.  Jake noted that, even without being toasted, they managed to have the crunchy outside and chewy inside bagel purveyors in Boston seemed unable to achieve.  I noted, at two o'clock that same day, that I still wasn't hungry.

I was so excited to tear into these bagels that I forgot to take a bagel selfie.  Shameful.  So here are some so not as good Google image results to give you a sense of the bagel glory.

Back in the New York Groove

We live in New York again!  And I found the bagels!  More on that later.

I've actually been back in New York City for a little over a month now.  And yes, it's taken me this long to get back on the blog.  It's taken some processing.  Anyone who knows me knows I'm not too good at transitions.

In that month, I've decided that one of New York City's most basic truths is that it's a city of contradictions.  A Gemini like me.

When I got here I told Jake that I felt as though New York was constantly sending me two different messages: "Welcome to the greatest city in the world!  Oh, and fuck you."

Then I was watching Manhattan Love Story on DVR (more on that later, too) and the two central characters were trying to hail cabs while we were treated to their internal monologues - "Thanks, New York!" and "Thanks, New York."  It's a little hard to express their intonations with only punctuation and italics at my disposal, but I think you get the idea.

The truth, which I've kept secret thus far, is that sometimes New York disgusts me.  I wasn't supposed to feel that way.  It was supposed to be a magical homecoming to a city I loved deeply and unconditionally - no matter how much trash there is on the sidewalk.  But if there's another basic truth about New York City, it's that it's constantly changing.  Which means constant construction noise.  The point being, that there was never a chance for this to be a homecoming, because so much has changed.  In the city and in me.

Today I let myself do something that New Yorkers are all too often shamed out of doing - be unabashedly awed by my city.  Like, take out your smartphone and take pictures of the Empire State Building while other people are trying to cross the street unabashedly awed.

Both these feelings live together, and there's room for that here in New York - the greatest city on earth.  It's always struck me how many different worlds can be tucked onto one small island between Jersey and Connecticut.  My world is here now; this is my home.

And for those of you who didn't believe me, blurry photos of three New York City icons, all of which I get to take in every day on my walk to work (yes, I can WALK to work!)  They do literally no justice to the majesty and beauty of these buildings on a blue skied, fall morning, with the sun rising slowly but deliberately behind them.

Classy Brunch in a Jiffy

People wonder why I'm so obsessed with servingware.  The answer is because it's the key to classing up any meal quick.  Store bought cupcakes (gasp!)?  Put them on a tiered serving dish and it looks great.  Let's be real, anything looks good on a tiered serving dish. 

In search of a quick, light, and healthy brunch I went with fruit salad, greek yogurt, granola, and scones.  Buying things like yogurt and granola that don't need any additional prep is a big time saver.  I also used both pre-cut fruit from Whole Foods with some self-cut strawberries and bananas.  Sometimes time is money.  It freed me up to focus on the scones that I baked at home in my adorable mini scone pan that I've been coveting for so long.  I love seemingly unnecessary baking pans, especially when it allows you to make something "mini."  

Key items used here: serving bowls in a variety of sizes, tiered serving trays, candlesticks (while not a serving item, do not underestimate the power of a badass set of candlesticks to class things up).  Not pictured here: a pitcher.  It killed me to have to put that Tropicana out on the table like that.  So I immediately did some online research and I'm thinking about this as my next purchase:



What items is your home missing?  Throw it in a pitcher, put it on a tray, stick it on a cake stand - I guarantee it'll look like a million bucks. 

Somerville Winter Farmer's Market

The cafe lights are strung with care and roots vegetables fill wooden boxes.  If you don't get there late, like me, you might be able to pick up some fresh squid ink pasta.  In any case there's probably bread and cheese to go around.  And some fancy chocolate for dessert.

There's still one weekend left to enjoy the Somerville Winter Farmer's Market. Tomorrow from 9:30-2:00 at the Armory - I promise it will be much more pleasant than a Saturday morning at Market Basket. 

Three Little Figs

If you're looking for the most heavenly spinach pie this side of the Charles, look no further.  Three Little Figs is one of those lovely little ventures born out of the recession.  No traditional job?  Let's make something fabulous.  And fabulous it is. 

This tiny Somerville shop only has a few tables so get there early.  Or stop by to pick up some baked goods to go, like the zucchini cake or the goat cheese stuffed muffins.  It isn't just your standard bakery fare. 

Peach Perfect

I'm back with another Minted inspiration board.  There are so many beautiful color palettes to choose from when it comes to planning a wedding that it's sad you only get to do it once!  We're going with rose and grey, for Vassar, but when it comes to romantic hues, this one just takes the cake for me. 

Peachy Keen board by Sara. See more unique wedding invitations