The B List: One More Broadway Show

On Wednesday night I finally crossed #20 off of my New York Bucket List: I saw one more Broadway show, War Horse, in Lincoln Center.  This was not your typical Broadway show with cheery, pink-cheeked theatrical types romping around the stage belting out hearty show tunes.  Quite the opposite. The staging and set were simple, with minimal props that were often held in place by silent cast members (i.e., fence posts were held side by side by actors hidden in shadows).  The music was mostly solemn Irish (I think) folk tunes sung by a peasant-like "song woman" who appeared in various places throughout the theater.  At one point, she even popped up near our seats in the upper levels.  Brown and grey were the hues of the show, conveying the sadness of war and the poverty of the main characters.  

Photo credit: www.warhorseonbroadway.com

Though all of the above are not my cup of tea (I am more of a flashy B'way show girl, preferring Legally Blonde and the like :), I understood why most of the elements of the show were simple: to draw the audience's attention to the phenomenal heart of the production  -- the puppeteering. When the main horse, Joey, first graced the stage, he was essentially walked on by 3 puppeteers who controlled his movements.  At first this was a bit distracting, but after just a few minutes, I completely forgot that humans were with the horse-puppet (made of metal and fabric) every step of the way.  The incredibly real way in which the puppeteers moved the horse, from minute ear twitches to the contractions of its ribs at varying speeds to create the appearance of breathing, was amazing.  When Joey grew into an adult horse, the puppeteers no longer moved side-by-side with him, but rather were now underneath of the horse.  At this point I became more intrigued not by the horse's movements, but rather the puppeteers movements.  I watched their feet and legs (as these were the only visible body parts -- the rest was covered by the horse-puppet body) move almost like those of a ballet dancer: graceful, intentional and strong. They were the true stars of the show.

Though the show was amazing, it was a bit long, and my favorite parts of the evening were dinner before at Indie Food and Wine and hanging out in Lincoln Center afterward.  This was my second time in two weeks at Indie Food and Wine, and I love it! It's located in the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center of Linocln Center, just a staircase away from the theater where War Horse played. Indie is small and cozy, adding to its charm.  Their cheese plates and wine are delicious (I'm making myself hungry and thirsty!).  They offer gourmet sandwiches which add flavorful ingredients in unique combinations.  We topped off the yummy meal with scrumptious bread-pudding (recommended by our server).  

After the show, we lingered in Lincoln Center, taking in the creative energy. All in all, a beautiful evening :)

Beautiful view from inside the theater. My fave. 

My love and I.

ABT - next on the list :)

Cool light fixture. Couple of canoodlers. 

Love.

Sparkly forest.

Friends :) 

Yours truly. 

That's all for now, loves! Enjoy the weekend!

The B-List: Lincoln Ristorante

Matt did well last Saturday.  He surprised me by treating me to perfect evening at Lincoln Ristorante for Valentines Day per my special requests in "Intro" and "We Eat."  I was not expecting it at all, since we had been lounging most of the day when Matt casually suggested we go out for dinner.  I heartily agreed, not suspecting a thing until I saw him unpack his fancy pants and collared shirt, and take out the ironing board.  Still, I didn't think it was for any special reason.  Little did I know, this was the very night we would celebrate the day 'o Love, and we would be doing so at the recent object of my appetite's desire: Lincoln.

Pre-Lincoln

We entered Lincoln from the lower level entrance on 65th Street between Columbus and 10th Avenues (the alternate entrance is on the main/upper level in the interior of Lincoln Center).  We walked into a small foyer with nothing but a stairwell and an abandoned host's podium.  We weren't quite sure we were in the right place until we heard a high-pitched "Welcome! Do you have a reservation?" from the coat check room hidden off to our right. We didn't initially see the woman, so we were caught of guard and began laughing in surprise. She laughed with us, making us feel at once comfortable in this fancy establishment.  

We checked our coats and received a second greeting from another hostess who mysteriously appeared, and escorted us up a beautiful stairway (how can a stairway be beautiful, you ask? It had sparkly tiles which caught my eye -- I'm a sucker for sparkles). The stairway brought us into the main dining room where we were greeted again by three different hosts and led to our table.  Lincoln certainly does not skimp on attentive service.

The dining room was beautiful: dark wooden beams ran the full length of the high ceilings, and seamless glass panes enclosed the perimeter of the restaurant, granting us a clear view of Lincoln Center.  Dim lighting kept the room romantic, yet laughter and conversation at most tables made for an inviting atmosphere.  Immediately we noted the impeccable service: the staff staff were quiet and nonintrusive, yet knowledgeable, courteous and attentive.  

As for the main attraction, the food was delectable.  We began with bread service followed by mini bruschetta topped with herbed goat cheese, compliments of the chef. To drink we ordered from the Prosecco Bar. I chose Prosseco with peach puree and a strawberry liquor.  Matt picked a lime puree with a ginger liquor.  Tasty and bubbly, and lasted us through the entire meal.

For the appetizer, we chose the procsiutto di san daniele e focaccette: sliced prosciutto with cheese fritters and pepper relish.  The salty meat mixed with the cheese fritters (crispy on the outside, melty on the inside) was unbelievable (my mouth is watering now thinking about it). I've always loved prosciutto in red sauce, but only had it as an appetizer for the first time at Macelleria, an Italian steakhouse in the Meatpacking District where it was delicious.  Here at Lincoln, it also did not disappoint.

The main course for me was the capesante e biroldo: diver scallops with blood sausage, lentils and braised celery.  The scallops were so tender and almost buttery.  Matt ordered a pasta dish with lobster, mezzi rigatoni all'astice.  I liked mine better.

Although we were pleasantly full from the first two courses, we couldn't pass up a sweet treat so we ordered for dessert the affogoto -- gelato with espresso poured over it, paired with a zeppole.  Simply amazing.  

To top off the night, Raquel Welch was seated just two tables over from us.  Hearing her tell her eager table of listeners a few stories was quite entertaining and gave the restaurant a unique energy.  I particularly enjoyed watching the server attempt to politely interrupt Raquel to take her order.  He ended up waiting several minutes unnoticed. 

Tasting such delicious cuisine made me even more excited to one day dine at Per Se, since Jonathan Benno, the Chef of Lincoln, previously served as the Chef de Cuisine of Per Se. But until then, I have Lincoln in my mind:  Delicious meal, beautiful atmosphere and wonderful company. Thank you, Matt!

We EAT.

New Yorkers like to eat.  We take pride in it; not just in the act of eating itself, but in the feat of finding a restaurant that our friends haven't heard of or been to before.  A place we can write about on Facebook or take pictures of and post to our blogs (ummm what? who, me? nooo) or tell our non-New York family members/friends about.  Ok, maybe I'm just speaking for myself, but I really do think this desire to discover something cool/novel/exclusive is something most New Yorkers have in common (from my statistical studies, of course).  Like a bragging right of sorts.

Let me just try to describe this feeling to you: a few weeks ago when I purchased the Jan. 2-9th edition of New York magazine, I got a slight high when I saw it contained a list of the top 101 restaurants (according to Adam Platt). I literally took out my highlighter and permanent marker and began circling places I wanted to eat and jotting down the dates or occasions next to restaurants I had visited. It was like I was literally devouring the list.  I then texted anyone I had ever mentioned any of these restaurants to (prior to seeing them on the Platt list) to let them know I called it.  Funny, right? A little sad, you say? (please, don't judge). 

Perhaps I'm making myself out to sound a little more superficial and food-snobbish than I actually am. Truth be told, I've only been to 2 of the restaurants currently on the list (A Voce - #27, and The Four Seasons - #52), and 2 of the ones on the 2006 list (Tia Pol - #80 in '06, and August - #91 in '06).  Before seeing the list I had determined to go to Per Se (#3),  Eataly (#40), and Lincoln (#88) as seen on my Bucket List in my first post.  That means I was in the know on a total of 7 restaurants of the top  101... a whopping 7%! Are you impressed yet??

My point in all this is that it makes total sense that New Yorkers would thrive on on testing out unique eateries.  This city isn't filled with the chain restaurants that plague the 'burbs (with the exception of Ruby Tuesdays, Applebees, and Hardrock in Times Square).  There are tons of unique hole-in-the-wall places where we meet our friends and laugh and have wine and food and live.  Hence eating is one of my favorite things to do in the city. Yea, hence.

My all-time favorite restaurant that I have been to in New York is The Four Seasons (#52). Matt, my love, took me here for our first Valentine's Day dinner in February 2010. Sadly I don't have a picture of it, but it was truly the best dining experience.  The chairs at each table were placed adjacent to one another so I could snuggle up to my honey while eating. There wasn't even any music playing, which made it all the more romantic hearing the murmur of conversation throughout the dining room.  Matt and I also received a special treat here, but that's a story for another post :)  And of course the food was delicious.  If you are in the city and have the pleasure of eating here, I would highly recommend it:  http://www.fourseasonsrestaurant.com/index2.htm

The same quietness and sophistication that I love about The Four Seasons is what draws me to the new Lincoln Restaurant (#88) at Lincoln Center (http://www.lincolnristorante.com/).  I'm secretly hoping I get to go there this Valentines Day (wink wink Matty Boy).  This picture doesn't do it justice, but I try to make a habit of snapping photos of restaurants I hope to visit just so I don't forget. I highly suggest this practice if you're forgetful like me.

A couple others I've captured on the ole iPhone for future reference: Beauty & Essex (I keep getting rave reviews but have yet to go) and Pink Pony (just looked cute)...

 

Ahhh, ok now that we are done with all those words, here is a pictorial of some of my favorite moments over good eats with great people.

Gallo Nero - One of the best Italian joints in Hells Kitchen. This was my 25th birthday dinner in 2009, when I was just falling in love with this place. 

And here it is again, over 2 years later...just as good :)  Beware though, sometimes the scented candles are a little overpowering and give it a funny smell. 

Cafeteria - It took me forever to get here, but I finally did this past summer, 2011. The mac 'n cheese platter was delish, but not better than the raspberry lemonade. (Lindsay, how was the pickle?)

Caliente Cab - Per Jeff's insistence, we all had a blast here. The margs were spot-on, the guac was just right, and the company was perfecto (that's Spanish for perfect, right?).  CAUTION: do not go if you have motion sickness...you can feel the subway rumble beneath you while you eat. It makes for an authentic experience, though :)

                                        

                                          

                                                     

Rosa Mexicano (Lincoln Center) - This has been my favorite place for guacamole for a long time, though I think they are starting to slack a little. Nonetheless, it's still a classic and their pomegranate margaritas are amAzing. Matt and I went here for a casual 2nd anniversary celebration in August 2011. <3  We were brave and tried bone marrow for the first time. I was not a fan (I'm sure that disqualifies me from receiving any food connoisseur honors).

                   

Pepe Giallo - Jill and Lindsay's date restaurant.  A tiny little Italian spot. Quite scrumptious. Heather enjoying some wine. Ty, Jill and Heather. Me, Matt and Lindsay. 

∫BIlly's Bakery - Not a restaurant. Banana cupcakes. The end. (Sister Meg, me, Lauren S., Jillian, Jaclyn)

Claudio's (Greenport, Long Island) - So this one is cheating since it's not in Manhattan, but it was a quaint nautical restaurant with the best New England clam chowder I've ever had.  Matt liked it too.

Adjisai - Local sushi joint in Hell's Kitchen. One of Jill's summer fun birthdays :) 

A nameless Tapas place - The name escapes me but it was an awesome tapas place (any help with the name, Ty?) for Jill's birthday this year :)

Southern Hospitality, Hell's Kitchen - This one is more restaurant-y than the UES version, but downstairs was practically a nightclub! We went here in December 2011 for Ty's birthday. We got hit on by a table of Europeans.. it was a strange but fun dinner.

Hell's Kitchen Mexican - One of my favorite Mexican restaurants in, you guessed it, Hells Kitchen.  Short commute, good food, tasty margs.  What more could you ask for?!  My 27th birthday, Sept. 2011 pictured below.

Nameless Vegan spot, the Village - Jill what's the name?? I can't remember, but what I do remember is the vegan cheesesticks and the cupcake....mmmm.

Phewww! Well that was a long one folks.  What are your favorite eateries (in NYC or elsewhere)?  Goodnight!

INTRO.

After four years of living in Manhattan, and four years of debating every year whether I should leave or stay (inevitably choosing to stay each year), I've finally decided to move out of the Big Apple. With 7 more months left to enjoy my life here in New York City, I've become a bit nostalgic and have a rekindled desire to savor the City as much as possible.

That being said, I've come up with a New York bucket list of sorts... a list of things/places to experience over the next 7 months. Not that I will never come back to NYC to visit after I move away, but I want to make the most of this place while I still call it home and can tap into its majestic chaos by just walking out my front door.  This blog will document my last months and days in the City, including my experiences crossing things off the bucket list. I'll also share some of the cooler things I've done in my time here, and write about the random daily occurrences that would only happen in New York.

To kick things off, I'm paying homage to the inspiration for this blog's namesake... the "Shit New Yorkers Say" video.  Here it is in all its glory.. The part that really hits home is the "I love it here... I hate it here..." scene.  If there's anything that's epitomized my time in NYC, it's that internal fight between loving the City one day and hating it the next. Loving it for the crazy people on the streets, amazing food, high energy.  Hating it for the crazy people on the streets, expensive food, high prices of, well, everything.    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRvJylbSg7o

And now for the main event (drum roll, please)... the Bucket List.  I am wide open to suggestions if you have any recommendations for amazing things you've done in the city.  Here goes (in categories for your reading pleasure):

Food
1.  Eataly early July 2012
2. Per Se (this is a reach item.. kind of like Princeton on my college app list)
3. Dos Caminos (seems basic, but it's a Mexican place I've heard great things about, and given my inclination for guac, it's a must-do)  3/2012 (forget which day)
4. Amy's Bread (down the street from my apt. but have yet to be patron) 1/29/12
5. S'mac
6. Lombardi's pizza (I originally had Grimaldi's on here, but per someone's advice that Grimaldi's is over-rated, I switched it out for this one)
7. Lincoln 2/11/12
8. Chelsea Market 1/29/12
9. Carlo's Bake Shop in Hoboken 2/4/12
10. Lani Kai Hawaiin cocktail lounge

Museums/music/culture
11. MoMA
12. Tenement Museum 1/14/12
13. Museum of Natural History 1/8/12
14. NY Philharmonic concert
15. Museum of the Moving Image
16. The Cloisters/day in Harlem
17. Concert @ Terminal 5
18. Blue Note Jazz Club
19. Opera @ the Met
20. At least 1 more broadway show   5/16/12
21. Movie at Lincoln Center movie theater   1/21/12

Everything Else
22. Walk over the Brooklyn Bridge (I've done this once, but this is for my boyfriend Matt... shout out to my Babaayy!)    6/16/2012
23. Bergdorf Goodman
24. 9/11 Memorial
25. Spend a day photographing New York
26. Weekend at the Hamptons (something I've wanted to do every summer but have just not managed to make it happen)
27. Walk the entire perimeter of Central Park
28.  Professional blow-out at Dry Bar (with sister :)

So that's it for now.  What's on your NYC bucket list?