4 hours in NYC

Two Saturdays ago, Marc and I drove up to NYC for dinner. His sister Louise, her husband Gord, and Gord's sister Barb were there for the Victoria Day weekend. They had arrived Friday and were returning to Canada on Monday. While we had considered an overnight while they were there, we realized there was too much going on that weekend, with Nick's confirmation and soccer, so we decided to just drive up for a dinner date.

The weather was iffy, potential rain in the forecast. Rather than the train, Marc figured we'd be OK driving all the way into midtown on a Saturday. By we, I mean him! I've driven in NYC once in my life, and that was enough. The drivers, the cabs, the honking and my lack of knowledge of the city made for a stressful drive, so I've never wanted to do it again.

Marc is one of those people who can visit a place once, return five years later, and is still able to find his way around. I'm one of those people who visits a store in a mall and gets disoriented coming out! So driving in NYC isn't for me. But Marc's been there many times and knows it well.

At the last minute we decided to take Marc's little yellow convertible (we call it his mid-life crisis car!) It was fun, but I needed one of those Grace Kelly scarves wrapped around my head. I had the sunglasses, but nothing for my hair, which was well on its way to forming its own dreads by the time we got there!

Once we got into Manhattan, it was really fun cruising around -- like being on a double decker bus tour, but in a yellow car that kind of blended with all of the taxis! We drove to Central Park, as that's where Louise, Gord and Barb were. Of course when we found them we just stopped for a couple of minutes and finalized our dinner plans. Street parking is just about impossible!

I loved driving around with an unobstructed view. Snapping interesting people pictures and just driving on. Of course right now I don't remember where any of those photos are. I'll have to go through them to see if there's anything worth sharing!

This is what is always looks like when you're driving here. Yellow cabs converging in front of you, from both sides. ALL the time!

We parked near the restaurant Asia de Cuba  Marc has dined here several times. Me, never, but I've seen the menu and was looking forward to it.

We walked back to Time Square. The hotel where Louise, Gord and Barb were staying was there.

(Being tourists, if only for a few hours!)

We all walked back to the restaurant together, and met with blank stares when we provided our reservation information. I know I had just made the reservation that afternoon, but they didn't indicate there would be a problem with such short notice! When I had called earlier, they had asked if we were attending the theatre that evening, which some of us were, so I had made the reservation for when they opened, 5:30. For some reason they had us down for 6:15. They did seat us close to our expected time, and most of the seats around us remained empty until well into our dinner. Perhaps staffing was the issue!? But that was the only hiccup. The food was fabulous and I would definitely go back!!

But even better than the food, was the company. Marc kept us all in stitches!

Dinner was over too soon. At 7:15 we parted ways so they could get to their 8:00 show. 

And, just like the drive there, we were home in record time. Even stopping for gas on the Jersey turnpike, we were home before 9. That's because Marc was driving! Me behind the wheel -- different story!

An Overnight in NYC

My friend Peg managed to get tickets to a Martha Stewart show, so we planned an overnight to the big apple last week. We had to be at the studio at 8:30 Wednesday morning, so thought it best to go the day before.

Peg also invited Sandi and her daughter Katie, and on the train ride into the city, they presented us with gift bags for the event. Sandi made us each a necklace and a couple of charms, and she and Katie created some decadent chocolate and fruit goodies, one made with white chocolate, one with milk and one with dark. We all agreed that fruit goes good with ANY kind of chocolate! Don't they look yummy!

We wandered into Time Square Tuesday evening, dined at Sophia's, and returned back to our hotel fairly early. Four women with one bathroom meant we had to get an early start on Wednesday!

Which we did. We were hailing a cab on 9th before 8 a.m. and were in the first half of the line waiting outside Martha's studios.

The whole process was fun, entertaining and informative. The show was taped live, and during the commercial breaks they played loud and upbeat music. Joey entertained us with his quick wit, which is much more evident when you're in the audience, than the bits you get to see of him on the actual show. He's a pretty funny guy!

(Audience questions following the show)

No cameras during the show and cell phones had to be turned off before we even entered the studio. Martha's guests were Deborah-Lee Furness, Hugh Jackman's wife, who did a craft with her, and the Lee brothers, who prepared a few dishes featuring buttermilk, using recipes from their new cook book.
There were a couple of giveaways. A cook book, and a google book. Better than a jar of mustard! After a stop at Macy's and lunch, we picked up our bags at the hotel and headed to Penn Station for the train home. And started planning our next getaway.

Can't wait for the next one!