I made it almost 31 years never having been to New York.
The city. I’ve been to Syracuse and Schenectady. Doesn’t count.
Last week I finally got there! I had a work conference at Columbia University. It didn’t leave a ton of time to explore, but I was thrilled. Especially when the hotel looked eerily like a scene from one of my favorite movies, The Shining.
REDRUM
I had a lot of fun, and the conference was great. We went to dinner one night as a group. I tried my first NY pizza (but failed to get a picture).
There IS a picture of some a little good-natured competition after dinner… if you know me, you know that this is fairly typical.
The next night I had free time while my boss went to the most epic dinner ever. I tried not to think about the fact that he was at Thomas Keller’s Per Se… arguably one of the top 5 restaurants in the US.
Finding cheese-heaven made me feel a little better. (I took this for you guys.)
Secretly, a teeny part of me was glad to have time to explore the city on foot. One of my favorite ways to tour is by taking a run. I made it ~6 miles around Central Park!
It took longer than I meant for it to because I kept stopping to take pictures. Everything was so gorgeous!
By the time I dragged myself out of the park, I was STARVING for dinner. With so many options in the city, I didn’t really know where to turn! Thank God for Google.
Silly me forgot the list of restaurants I’d kept in my phone for when I finally made it to NYC, but as soon as I saw the name Candle West pop up as being nearby I knew that’s where I had to eat. Candle was on my list! It’s a vegan restaurant with some of the most inventive menu items I’ve ever seen. The neatest thing about any “special” diet or food philosophy is that it forces creativity. Even better – I got to meet up with a friend from high school to eat!
The verdict? It was ok. The menu was cool, but it there were components of each dish that could have been done better. No regrets… but that’s my honest opinion. I had a strawberry mezcal drink to start. I only drank a sip (you know it’s bad when I don’t finish a drink!). My starter was a grilled artichoke with avocado aioli over spiralized zucchini and tomato sauce. I would have left off the tomato sauce; it took away from the delicious aioli. For a main, I ordered the morel crusted tofu for with truffled cauliflower purée, mushrooms, asparagus, and fennel. The tofu and fennel were great. The cauliflower didn’t meet expectations; it lacked the flavor I expected from the description. I didn’t eat the asparagus.
Dessert. I can’t believe I’m about to say this… it was too sweet! I ordered the chocolate and peanut butter mousse pie. The peanuts added a good texture contrast, but the berry sauce on top didn’t fit with the dish at all.
The next morning I was up bright and early to go to a meeting. Thankfully I didn’t have breakfast because there was a surprise waiting for me. The meeting host had ordered bagels from what everyone says is the best bagel in NYC, Ess-a Bagel. Everyone is right. I’m still craving them.
These were epic bagels. Perfectly salty, light, a little doughy, and incredibly fresh. Do NOT miss them if you’re ever in the city. I normally won’t eat a bagel. They just aren’t “worth it” to me. I ate the equivalent of probably 2 giant bagels (I had to sampled every flavor, obv). Worth. It.
Before we went home, my boss had one more surprise for me. He knew how much I’d wanted to go to Per Se, so he brought me back a souvenir: Biscuit-y cookie sandwiches filled with chocolate ganache in a branded tin. Marvelous.
Boss of the year award goes to Bob!!!
***
I’m already plotting my next trip to the city!
Have you ever been to NYC? Do you recognize any of these sights?
Who do you think won the arm wrestling? 😉
Too bad the vegan place was a little disappointing, but glad you had no regrets. NYC is amazing. I went to grad school in Boston and my best friend from high school lived in NYC at the time, also in grad school, so I would take the bus out to visit her. We ate at such amazing restaurants and spent money we didn’t even have on fancy bars and over priced drinks. hah, It was worth it. Great memories!
I know! It was still a fun menu to read.
Your grad school sounds a lot like mine. LOL! 😉
Totally jealous- NYC is my favorite place ON EARTH:) Glad you got to go- everytime I’m there, I feel like I could fly I’m so happy. Touring the city by foot is definitely the way to go. I’ve never been so happy to be without a car all my life and if you’ve ever ridden in a taxi cab in NYC traffic, it’s too scary to do on a daily basis:) Have a great trip and thanks for the photos:)
I went to NYC about 10 years but I was too young to appreciate the city! I am dying to go back and your post only confirms that I do so in the very near future! Until then, I am on the lookout for a good bagel place….craving spurred!
If you go back, I’ll meet you there! 🙂
I haven’t been to NYC in years which is really sad since I’m not too far away right now. And of course YOU won arm wrestling. Look at those guns!
LOL! I did not… but appreciate the vote of confidence!
LOVELOVELOVELOVE NYC.
I have to go yearly or I crumble :-0
take us back with you! the cheese can’t stand alone.. 😉
i’ve been to new york twice – SO FUN! i could never live there but such a fun place to visit! and duuuuuuh you won
You totally won the arm wrestling!
I’ve been to NYC for work a few times, but haven’t had those bagels! Love the pics of Central Park.
When you go back, you MUST try them! I’m not one to go wild over a bagel, but whoa.
I’ve never been to NYC! It’s near the top of my bucket list for sure though – I’d love to see it around Christmas. And of course, eat bagels until I pretty much explode. I think I need to do a side-by-side taste test of NYC bagels and Montreal bagels…one day.
I’ve also never seen The Shining…but I did read the book!
You would LOVE it! You need to go to Chelsea, not where I stayed. And I need a Montreal bagel.
Omg I love that you loved NYC! Isn’t it amazing?!? I’m going back there in October for a weekend. In. Love. And I know you can’t even do a normal run in centr park cause you HAVE to stop for pics. It’s too gorgeous.
I would love to go in the fall! Or at Christmas – I heard it’s beautiful decorated.
Glad you loved NY! I am from upstate so we always head down to the city for fun weekends away! Head down the 9/11 memorial and museum next time, it will take your breath away.
I would have loved to see that! Ran out of time. I didn’t even see the Statue of Liberty!
I love NYC! I’m so glad you had a great time.
You & I would have fun traveling together because we love good food! I am always researching places to eat when I travel. Sounds like you found some good stuff!! 🙂
Agreed! Let me know if you’re ever near ATL – I’ll take you out! 🙂
Bummer that the restaurant didn’t turn out so great. I love running in new cities too. Such a great way to see a place. I would love to run in Central Park one day.
What a fun trip to NYC!!! I’ve been there a few times but there is so much to do and see that I feel like I could spend a few weeks there and never be bored! Can’t wait to go back soon! 🙂
I think you’re right! So much crammed into such a tiny space.
my bets are ALWAYS on you girl. 😉 Next time, lets have a girls weekend in NYC. I’ll meet you there!
Awww, sorry Candle West was a disappointment. I actually crave that place. The veggies r organic and some of the dishes r amazing. Amazing. Yum. ANd the wine- my drink of choice is organic which is neat. I go there a lot. And per se? I have lived here 2 years and havent been! Awesome. The food in NY gives me ADD. I never know where to eat because I love SO many places! On my last 2 weeks here and they will have to roll me out since I have to get a taste of everything. Come back! Best city in the world
I should give them another shot… I really want to try the bakery! And Per Se. Totally get the ADD – I get it in ATL and we aren’t near the size!
There is endless exploring in NYC! We’re now just a 30 minute train ride away but don’t get to explore as often as we’d like because of the all night babysitter it would require. But next week, we’re dropping L off at my parents to take a staycation in NYC…can’t wait!
Are you still feeling like that?! You amaze me!!!
OMG I am dying to go to New York. I think the very first thing i would do would be to have a bagel! I bet you won the arm wrestling. That is something I make all my friends do with me too, haha.
I didn’t win… but I’ll see him again in September and he’s going DOWN!
I’m almost twice as old as you (eeek!!!) and I’ve never been to NYC either. I’m glad you had a wonderful time. Too bad Candle West (didn’t it used to be Candle 79 or something like that?), didn’t live up to expectations.
I think 79 is a different place, but owned by the same. Maybe a little more upscale? Not that West wasn’t nice (read: pricy) enough!
ah NYC is what I consider my second hometown, will always have my heart!
I lived there when I was a vegetarian, Candle West’s sister restaurant, Candle 79, is a where we would go for a special occasion, try it next time! there are many better ones though down in the East Village.
Ess-a-bagels are THE best! If you go in and order, they put enough spread for at least 3 bagels. so delish…
I will have to check out some others. Vegan food is just so much fun!!!
P.S. How have you been?!
YAY for a run around Central Park. I really, really miss running in the Park … I lived in NYC for 2 summer internships and loved it. I’m with you on bagels not normally being “worth it” for me, but I’ve never tried Ess-a-Bagel! That hotel is definitely scary!
I thought you’d like that run. 😉
I told you on IG but you must make it to Montreal and try some classic Montreal bagels! Having lived in both Montreal and NYC I can tell you that MTL bagels are wayyyyy superior!!! Ah you made me miss NYC. I think another trip needs to happen soon!
You and Sam both keep telling me! I’ve never been to Montreal… perhaps time for a field trip?
But seriously those bagels and cookies. Serious gluten-envy over here! I have to visit NYC while friends of ours are still there. They’re moving to London in the fall (another place I must visit) so I best get on it! I have wanted to run in Central Park for a long time, so beautiful. There are so many restaurants I’ve heard so much about, and Candle 79 is one of them. It can be tough for some places to measure up to the hype, too bad Candle West wasn’t what you’d hoped for.
Normally I would be nice and sugar-coat it… but that was one damn good bagel. LOL! If it makes it better, my friend just made a bangin’ GF German Chocolate Cake!
It would only make things better if I were there to eat it!! 😉
soooo, have a slice for me??
YOU did!! I know how strong you are you badass girl.
And I am SO jealous – I LOVE NYC and I can not wait to go back!! You have to meet me there if I win that fitness internship I applied for!!
Haha – I wish! Next time. 🙂
When do you find out??
Too sweet dessert? Laura I am not sure we can be friends any more. Those words do not exist in my life. Especially not together 😛 Glad you enjoyed NYC, and had your first NYC pizza, they are good….but I definitely prefer Chicago deep dish! Lots of pretty pictures too. 🙂
I shocked even myself saying that… but it’s was true!
I’ve only been for a couple of short day trips when we spent part of a summer in NJ – we didn’t get to do a whole lot because we had the boys with us and they were only 4 & 6 at the time. Hopefully I will get to go again!
Glad you were able to experience some of the city!!
You should! I think you could go every weekend and see something different, actually.
You know I was dying that you didn’t get to go to Per Se. I think you are my foodie soulmate for sure. Sight. At least there’s always cookies in tins. (but still…)
But still is right… le sigh. Maybe we will just have to go together!
My wife and I are going next week with a couple friends. Per Se has a reservation for 4 open one of the nights we’ll be there and HOLY CRAP $310 PER PERSON. Looking at the menu I bet it’s worth every cent….now if only I could sell the rest of them on it….
Did you go??? I saw the menu they served my boss and it looks well worth it!
You, my friend, have biceps of steel.
Now, onto NYC. I am offended you only just went there- think about all us folk who are obsessed with it yet is wayyy to far to go there often- I would move there if I could! It is the best city and I think we should road trip there.
Will you come to the States so we can arm wrestle?
I think I could sit in that cheese aisle for days and be happy.
Word. And it was right next to the wine aisle.
I have yet to travel to NY either crazy right! I bet you had a fabulous time and you look so happy in all of your photos 🙂 love to you C
Really?! You’re so International though! 😉
You obviously won that arm wrestling match for sure!
I actually have developed a serious phobia to arm wrestle because of a YouTube video a friend showed me a few years ago in which a girl’s arm snapped in half during an arm wrestling match with her friend 🙁
Definitely scarred me for the rest of my life, and it is safe to say that I will probably never arm wrestle ever again lol!
I love NYC also! The food, environment, fast-paced, and diverse culture is awesome! Definitely a city girl over here for sure!
Haha – nope, but I appreciate the thought. 🙂 There will be a rematch! 🙂
I saw that video too… *gag*
I’m so disappointed to hear Candle West was just okay. 🙁 BUT I’m thrilled you’ve finally made it to NYC. 🙂
I was really sad about that one too. Apparently Per Se’s vegetarian menu was good, FYI.
Per Se is only worth it when you are not paying. It is more epic when they make a specialized meal for you, but the sheer diversity is impressive rather than the food itself. I also find some classic vegan resto to be disappointing, too. I never liked Candle Cafe but Candle 79 is great. I hope you find ways to visit again.
That’s always been my impression of places like that. I do still want to try 79. West was cool just in concept though!