Our trip to New York was short and sweet this time. It's kind of crazy to think that this is the 5th trip I've won to New York and every time I'm there I fall in love with the city even more.
It felt like a dream, which was pretty appropriate since that's the name of the hotel we stayed at in Midtown Manhattan.
We took the 6am flight to NY and got to the Dream hotel around 11:30
(Isn't the headboard gorgeous?!)
Just enough time to drop off our bags and head straight to Nobu for lunch
Holy mother of all things delicious, Nobu was amazing! It was one of those meals where all you can do is moan at how good it is and fight over the last bite like cave men.
To start I had the Champagne 95 (Champagne, Torres Orange Liqueur, Crème de Peche & Pineapple Juice). A little sweet, but still delicious. Yellowtail Sashimi with jalapeno was next and was light and refreshing- the perfect way to start the meal. We got the special roll of the day, but for the life of me I can't remember what was in it. Just know that it was damn good. I couldn't go to Nobu without trying the Black Cod with Miso, which lived up to all the hype I had read about it before going. For dessert we got the Raspberry Mille-Feuille: (Caramel Miso Cream Layered Puff Pastry Wafers, Raspberry Coulis, White Chocolate Tuile, Chamomile-Fromage Blanc Sherbet) while this was good, I thought it was the weakest dish we had that day. Maybe because right before we had dessert, we were served the Duck. It was a special of the day, and by far the best thing I ate the entire trip. Seared duck breast, a leg of duck confit and a fresh micro-green salad sat on top of icy cold watermelon and jalapenos with a bright vinaigrette. I seriously wanted to order another one as soon as we were done. Mind blowingly good!
After lunch we went back to the hotel to get ready for the night!!
The party was put on by Food Network Magazine, The US Potato Board and Alex Guarnaschelli at Butter Restaurant . The venue was really beautiful! The menu on the tables were printed out for the night and my recipe was first on the list!! There was a huge oyster bar as well, so Louis and I were in heaven and stopped by there a few times that night.
I was pulled aside to take pictures with my dish and with Chef Alex and as you can see it was blinding! Overall the night was amazing and it truly flew by.
The next morning we headed over to Dominique Ansel Bakery for cronuts! I was so super excited to try these after seeing them all over instagram. Louis, however, had no idea what I was talking about or why I had to pre-order and pay for them weeks before we even got to NY. This month's flavor was raspberry coconut and they definitely lived up to the hype. We also got an order of Madeleines fresh from the oven. After loading up on sugar we walked down to The Highline, a park built on old freight rails that takes you above the streets of the city. It was the perfect day to walk along and watch the crowds below.
The Highline took us to Chelsea Market where Food Network studios and a bunch of restaurants and stores are. I couldn't get over how gorgeous the produce was!
We had walked a long time at this point, and for anyone that knows me, you know that's a big deal. I typically hate walking especially if it's hot. Luckily the day was cool and gorgeous, so it was ok but I was ready to eat! We headed to Ippudo for lunch and sat at the counter. It was super busy, but we only had to wait about 10 minutes. Any time someone is seated or food is brought to you all of the staff makes these loud announcements together in Japanese. I don't have any idea what was going on, but it was cute. Louis got the lunch special of Pork Soboro (rice and sweet and savory pork), a side salad and the Classic Ramen. I got the Akamaru Modern Ramen and I totally get now why they say that Ramen is Japanese soul food. It is a hug in a bowl and I couldn't even finish half of the noodles the bowl was so big. The broth was amazing, and being able to recreate that at home is now on my to-do list.
Next up was something I had been dying to do since the moment I knew we were going back to NYC!
I truly love this show, the music, the costumes. Everything about it is amazing and even though we've seen it once already, there were parts I had forgotten that felt new all over again. Love love love.
After Wicked, we had about two hours to kill before the car was ready to bring us to the airport so we walked across the street to Cognac Brasserie and sat at a table outside to people watch. I have to say, I would not recommend this place at all. The service was painfully slow, the food was lacking and look at how sloppy the bowl of soup I got was brought out to me! I got a Kir Royale and Lobster Bisque and Louis had a Manhattan and the Cassoulet. Meh.
We got back around 1:30 am and we were so exhausted but look at those furry faces waiting for us! Beignet hasn't left my side since we got back. Oh, you want to read? I'm just going to sit on the book so you have to pay attention to me.
I don't know if it was too little sleep, too much partying or dirty planes but I got a terrible cold which hit me quick so I made myself a huge pot of chicken soup. It wasn't the same as Ippudo's ramen, but it hit the spot.
I was also super excited to see Food Network Magazine posted this little gem on Instagram!! Here's my link (@fleurdelectable) if you'd like to follow me over there as well!
