I hope you guys had a wonderful weekend! It was unseasonably nice in the Northeast and I relished every minute of it, shopping and eating my way around NYC. Our hotel was right in Times Square which is jam-packed 24/7. We both look miserable below lol (promise that was not the case!):
Sat began with brunch at Cafe Habana. We had huevos rancheros, pollo verdes (pulled chicken braised in tomatillo salsa over corn tortillas and black beans), a side of chorizo sausage and Mexican hot chocolate. I never know the difference between egg styles…these came sunny side up and were unsettling in my tummy (never again). Over easy is the way to go.
Broadway in Soho is my favorite area to shop, as it boasts a TopShop, Zara, Uniqlo, F21, two H&Ms;, and much more…
Scored these olive lizard-embossed Tory Burch revas at Bloomingdales. At checkout, the SA and I were equally surprised to find out they were on sale for $160 retail $235 plus 20% off for F&F.; I haggled for another 10% off as these were the floor model. I avoid the regular leather revas as they scuff way too easily. I have patent ones which have held up decently and I had been eying the reptile-embossed leather ones for a while.
Earrings ($22) from the Young Designers Market (thanks seejessicago for the tip!) and overpriced rings from Topshop (used my student ID tho for 10% off…shh). Also picked up a little something for my secret santa recipient.
Met up with an old friend later and couldn’t resist having some sliders & sangria at The Meatball Shop. They have a menu that you write on and create all sorts of combos with (pork, beef, chicken, etc meatballs and about 5 kinds of sauce). My fave was classic beef with spicy meat sauce.
Wine in Little Italy with some cali friends who were also visiting. I couldn’t get over the fact that we were dining al-fresco in the midst of November!
Around midnight we hit up the 53rd and 6th Halal cart (open til 4am…amazing). There was a super long line although the same company had a second cart open 10 yards away with no line at all.
While walking around earlier that day I caught a whiff of deliciousness and my nose led me to this cart. We had just eaten but I was giddy to come back later.
$6 gets you a combo plate (big enough for 2) with chicken and lamb over yellow rice with some pita slices and salad. The white (yogurt?) sauce makes the meal and although it looks gross in photos I lapped it all up….friggen delicious.
More pics to come, including when I got to meet two gorgeous / smart girls who are fellow bloggers! Have any of you New Yorkers or visitors hit up the above places? Let me know what you think or if you have tips & rec’s to share ; )
Sounds like you had an awesome time. I still haven't made it to NYC. I'll make it there one day though… that's for sure. 🙂
Happy Tuesday Jean!
xx Love & Aloha
Looks like an amazing time, Jean! All that food– yummy! Great find on the Revas, I am looking for a textured pair too. Also, you and your bf are quite the good looking pair! 🙂
Jen
So glad you found something you liked at YDM!!! =) I haven't gone back in a while, but every time I do I spend SO much getting everything!
And ah those pics make me want chicken and rice right now!!! and I <3 meatball shop! Ive never been there, only ordered and ate at the office haha.. need to get down there =P
Visit again soon! =)
i love the pictures! it was unseasonably warm this past weekend! I was in Atlantic City and didn't come back a winner. but you came back a winner, food with friends and your SO!
what a long line for food though, why aren't our food truck lines that long?!? i only see them that long at lunch/dinner time in an area comprised of construction workers. people here are way too bougie to get food from a truck *rolling eyes*
love the flats! i ordered the black leather reva's during saks' ff and i don't like them, they hurt so much above my right pinky and they scuffed on day one, they're going back! maybe i should try a different texture!
Don't bother with Doughnut Plant and Katz Deli. Overpriced tourist traps. All because they were featured on Food Channel. I was not impressed by a $2.50 organic doughnut or a $26.00 pastrami sandwich. They are delicious but I can find same quality for 1/3 of the price. The Jewish Bakery a few store down offers better and affordable alternative.
Veniero is a must visit. Frequent by locals, young and old. Don't go there on Thanksgiving eve because the cafe section will be closed for service to accommodate retail pastry customers. Customers wait hours to buy their mini pastry by pounds and cheesecake for Thanksgiving. I am one of those customers who will wait patiently on line every year.
Thanks for the ideas!! All your pictures are making me excited about visting NY!! And you two look so cute!
enjoy your stay in nyc. I'd suggest checking out the Doughnut Plant if you get a chance and try a tres leche doughnut.
Great jewelry finds and gorgeous TB Revas! Are they comfy? I've heard some mixed reviews. Yummy looking food too – looks like you had a great time!
I live in NYC and totally love the 53rd Halal guys. For the past 2-3 years, there have been a lot of commotion about who the REAL famous 53rd Halal guys are because there has been 1 imposter cart that parks in the same area in the morning.
Read this article for more info – it's one of NYC's best guides to grabbing lunch in midtown: http://midtownlunch.com/2007/11/15/debunking-the-myths-of-the-most-famous-chicken-rice-intersection-in-new-york-city/
Chances are the 2nd cart that you saw is of the same company but they don't stay past midnight.
3 dessert places to hit:
1. venieros- 342 E 11th St
2. the spot- 13 St Mark's Pl
3. ferrera- 195 Grand St
You could go to century 21 for some discounted shopping. And if you can, catch a broadway show. it's a must do..
All that food is making me hungry!!!! Looks like an awesome trip 🙂
The Halal Guys!! I was in NYC a couple weeks ago, and my boyfriend and I LOVED that food cart. We had the same combo plate. 🙂 We noticed the line craziness too. I think it's a psychological thing. People see the cart with the long line, and they think that must be the good one. We just went to the cart across the street too.
very jealous you're in the big apple! i would kill to live on the east coast right now. looks like some great finds in the food and fashion department – what more could one ask for? 🙂
That food all looks absolutely yummy!
xoxo,
Jen
The Haute Road
I had that halal cart $7 meal for dinner during my last visit to NYC. No line up! I was lucky, I guess 🙂 It was definitely a good deal for NY standard. I was stuffed 😀
Have you tried Shake Shack burgers? YOU SHOULD 🙂
I also like to exploit my old student card to get more discounts and cheap(er) entry fares :p
http://www.monochromachic.com
Love the nail polish in your jewelery modeling pics!! <3
looks like you had a lot of fun! by the way, great deals on the tory burch flats!
I just went to NYC this past weekend! We hit up Cafe Habana for their delicious elotes and Soho for some shopping. Love those earrings you found! Wish I knew about that market!
<3 the leaf ring.
I went to college in NY, and NYC was literally within a short reach. I love cart food, and I do agree that it looks not so appealing, but my god, one spoon and you're in it for life. I still crave once a while here in Boston.
Wish I had known you were visiting NYC, as I would have recommended some spots for food and shopping as well. Next time!
Gracie.
your food photos are making me huuungryyyy
i like your leaf ring!
the halal cart food is amazing!! i'm super jealous, i haven't had it in so long
I wonder why everyone likes the street meat on 53rd and 6th? I gotta try it next time I goto NYC!
Mm yummy food pics! I so wanna try Cafe Habana!!
What a fun weekend..good food and shopping in NYC. I am envious! Looking forward to more pics.
wow, looks like you had a great time in NYC!! those sliders look absolutely delicious! great buy on those Tory Burch flats too. can't wait to see more pictures!
Looks like you guys had a great weekend. NYC sounds so fun. I have never been there even though it's not so far from where I live. I am drooling over your food. I love the earrings you purchased. I can't wait to see more pics from the trip. Have a great week!
I'm glad you got to try Cafe Habana and the famous 53rd & 6th Halal Cart! I've had the Mexican grilled corn, Cuban sandwich, and mojito from Cafe Habana…the corn is a MUST, and I need to go back for their icy/slushy mojito drink. Ippudo for ramen and Hirata pork buns is also a MUST. There are a lot of cute dessert places, such as ChikaLicious Dessert Bar, Cha-An Japanese Teahouse, and Spot Dessert Bar, all in East Village near Ippudo. Shake Shack frozen custard is yummy (no frozen custard on the West Coast). I was too full from dinner and dessert for my own 53rd & 6th Halal Cart combo, but I agree that the lamb + chicken + yogurt sauce (and touch of spicy sauce) is delicious. Joe's Shanghai is known for Shanghai soup dumplings, but I went to Shanghai Cafe instead. Mad for Chicken in Ktown is excellent for Korean fried chicken wings. Feel free to check out my FB albums for food pics:
Aug 2010
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=198314&id;=517211168&l;=77f850d7bb
Nov 2009
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=127156&id;=517211168&l;=553fec43a1
ooooh NYC?? You're so lucky! I love NYC but I live on the opposite side of the country and I don't think I'll be going to NYC in a while. Loving your pics! and the last pic… looks really delicious actually!!!!
OH MY GAH!! I need to get my ass to NYC. Looks like you had an AMAZING weekend get away. Great company and bomb food. {*drool} Everyone keeps talking about truck food. =( I have yet to tried. {*sigh}
I've never been to any of the places you listed. If I ever do go to NYC I will HAVE to try this stuff out. Glad your weekend wasn't messed up due to the hotel issues. So silly. =P
<3s Serena.
I went to NYC a couple of weeks ago. Didn't get to try that famous halal cart since we were debating on our last night b/w that place and a Korean place and my friends are Asians so… Try Shake Shack burger, so delicious. Lychee ice cream from the Ice Cream company in Chinatown is pretty good too. Don't you love the low tax rate or the non-existent tax rate before! Nvm, you're from the East Coast so you probably get the same rate as NYC.
Oooh, I love NYC! Great pics, and it looks like you had lots of fun. Great purchases, too!
looks like you're having fun! it's always good to get to a much deserved vacay! btw, it doesn't look too cold there!! –mjvp16/punksjunk
Veniero Italian Pastry on 342 E.11th St. NY, NY 212-674-7070 offers the best pastry in town? You will not be disappointed. Ever shop at SCOOP on Broadway? High End trendy fashion. Union Square is a fun place to shop and dine with many fine restaurants in area. My personal favorites are Gramercy Tavern and Gotham Bar & Grill.
My best shopping experience in US is at Santana Row, San Jose, CA.
omg all that food looks sooo good! i want to go to new york sooo badly, i am so jealous of you! i love the jewelry you got too, very pretty! glad you had fun! 🙂
Fashion Bag 411
Looks like you had a lot of fun, and I'm glad you decided to keep the tomato red coat! Was trying to figure out what the mustard yellow item is you have on underneath, and finally figured out it was the Gap jacket 🙂 And I still use my student ID when I go to the movies (shameful, I know :P) but hey, there has to be some perks to looking like a teenager, right?
It looks like it's cold in NYC right now, good thing you bundled up! I enjoy the pics of your adventures and food, the best one is your O.O expression while holding the combo plate 😀
Love the facial expressions in these photos =P The food pics are making me hungry but they're all places I've never been before, so I'll add that to the list the next time I'm up in NYC. Usually I hit up Japanese places (Ippudo, Taisho) because there's no decent ones around here. I liked the rings you picked up. They might be overpriced but they're pretty! Shhh, but I still use my student ID too lol.
NYC looks amazing!! i been wanting to go there for so long. my bf lived there for over 10 years and im waiting for him to take me there….counting the days lol! looks like you guys had amazing food…looks so yummy!!
I lovee the chicken, lamb and rice! gosh I miss NYC already. I cannot wait to see more pictures!!! 😀
Looks like such a fun place to go! That combo plate is so yummy! We are headed to the Northeast over Christmas. Can't wait to hit NYC!
Oh so cool! Ok yum at all the food!
Love the photos! All of your food pictures look delicious. I love all kinds of eggs, to be honest. Sunny side up, overeasy, scrambled, omelettes, omg.. *drools* I love eggs in general! LOL Lovely jewelry purchases <3 I have a similar leaf ring, but it's silver and smaller. : )
i love these kinds of posts! all the food nom nom nom ! love your rings too =D
thats the best chicken and rice spot in the city! its the go-to spot for after the club munchies. glad you enjoyed nyc ;D
You are making me drool with all the food porn!
My parents + bf won't let me near NYC food carts so I haven't had the Halal cart food but that looks so delicious.
I have been to the Meatball Shop and the classic beef was also my favorite…the chicken meatball tasted nothing like chicken though which is a little suspect. Did you try the handmade ice cream sandwich there? I overindulged the last time I was there and had like 4 of them.
It's been so nice here (I am about 50 miles NE of NYC) this weekend, glad you took advantage of it!
Even though I just ate a huge dinner, you managed to make me want more food with this post! :p
Are those the same flats that Liane has?
I enjoyed all the pics! It's fun to see fellow bloggers in their "real life." 🙂 Can't wait to see the rest of the pics!
I hope you are checking out the Woodbury premium outlet 😛
I just chanced upon your blog when I was looking for reviews on the Burberry kids' trench coat which I fitted and ordered 🙂 I'm just under 5'2 and not as tiny as you but I enjoy reading your tips for petite girls like me 🙂
Ohh fun post!!! 🙂 NY looks like soo much fun! Haha I still use my old school card for discounts too! LOL!
mmm that chicken and lamb w/ rice and yogurt sauce actually does look very yummy! the flats are cute too, hahah yay for discounts!