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partyinthecitywheretheheatison

No, we’re not in Miami – we’re in New York! And despite the air and wind making a deadly chilling combo, the heat is blasting inside every building.

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We are here for two reasons: #1 is that Matt’s college roommate Chris aka Canada turned 30 a week ago and about 40 of his friends – many from college – are here to celebrate. A college/frat boy reunion! Reason #2 is that MATT is turning 29 tomorrow!! This trip wasn’t perfect timing since we just came back, but we found great deals on transport and hotel and Matt didn’t want to miss this weekend.

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Our train was on time (we’re still in shock over how nice/fun/comfortable the ride was) and we made it to our hotel. By 5pm, we were starving and had a bit of time to kill, so we went out for a snack

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Two coffees –

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And a sandwich – a mozzarella, tomato, basil on warm focaccia split between the two of us.

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It came with french fries, but since this was a snack and not a meal, I asked if we could sub in fresh fruit. You wouldn’t believe my smile when I saw the beautiful pile of berries, melons and bananas put in front of us!

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As the sun set, we met up with 4 of Matt’s fraternity [SAE!] brothers at a craft beer bar we just happened to stumble upon called Upstate Craft Beer and Oyster Bar.

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This place was PERFECT and we got to chat with the owner about owning a small business while we sipped a Double IPA before our friends arrived

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One they did, things got rowdy!

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The boys enjoyed some raw oysters (I prefer mine fried)

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And I ended up ordering an entrée when 6:30 came around and it looked like dinner wouldn’t happen until 10pm. I don’t know how people eat so late here!

My dish was linguini with clams – perfectly garlicky and buttered.

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Our next stop was a friends’ apartment for the evening’s “pre-game”

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We nibbled on a nice spread of appetizers and caught up with old friends.

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There is certainly no shortage of alcohol this weekend!

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I just cabbed it home and left half the crew on their way to a bar. I can handle bars at 7pm or Kegs + Eggs events, but midnight is too late for me to get going. I’m all warm and cozy in my room and hoping to be hydrated by the time we all head to brunch tomorrow. Matt and I are actually staying in a room with two double beds because who knows how late that animal is going to stay out this weekend!

Party on.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. I’ve been reading your blog for months now and have yet to ever comment — but I happen to live around the corner from Sugar! Welcome to NYC!

    Reply

  4. Hey, not everybody in NY eats dinner at 10pm! Although most do end up staying out past midnight…I always thought more bars and clubs should offer real food to subsidize you between your 7 o clock dinner and your last drink at 3am or later…maybe the problem this whole time is I just was eating dinner too early! haha

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  9. I love your restaurant shots. They aren’t “perfect” and reflect exactly what the atmosphere – the darker, vibrant, buzzing environment. Jealous your in the Big Apple!

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  10. I have no idea how the eat so late too! My hubby and I always feel like the old folks for early dinning at 6:00PM haha, but hey we are starving my then and we always get the great happy hour deals on food and drinks 🙂 Guess it pays a little to be early and first to arrive! Have fun

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  13. I would LOVE to be able to hop on a train and get to NYC. One of my favourite cities in the world. We lived there for a year and it was amazing and we often talk about going back. Hopefully soon. Enjoy your time in such an awesome place.

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  14. I’m with you… I am not a late night get the party started type of girl. I like to be in bed by 10! Call me lame but I just can’t swing nights that start after that hour! 🙂 Have a great time. I would kill to be in NYC right now on vacay!

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  16. 3 things: 🙂
    1. I LOVE the tin ceiling in that bar. My dream is to have at least one room in my house with a tin ceiling…eventually.
    2. You should try smoked oysters if you get a chance (if you haven’t already). I had some amazing ones at The Pink House in Savannah served with some mango chutney. My, they were good.
    3. Happy early birthday, Matt!

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  22. Have fun in NYC!! 🙂 I don’t like eating dinner late either. Then it feels like it just sits in your stomach all night. Not a fun feeling.

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  24. Happy early birthday to Matt!

    I always end up feeling super old and lame when I visit friends in NYC. Last time, we didn’t sit down to eat dinner until 3am!! And the restaurant was packed! I just can’t function like that. I like my 10pm bed time and early mornings.

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  29. I literally JUST got back home after visiting a friend on the Lower East side of Manhattan. If you have the time and are craving some ice cream, you should stop at Lula’s Sweet Apothecary. It’s vegan, so they make their ice cream out of cashews. But you wouldn’t know it. It’s absolutely delicious!

    Have a great time in the city!

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  38. This sounds like such fun. I haven’t been to NYC in ages.
    Myself and a friend took the train from Greensboro,NC to Washington,DC several years
    ago. It was a good way to get there and not have to worry about driving in DC.
    My friend does not fly so it’s drive or train. We would love to go to NYC as well sometime.
    I look forward to reading all about your trip and hopefully hearing about where you stayed
    at some point in time.
    Have a great time!!

    Reply

  41. I’ve been to Sugar Cafe! I went to NYC last January and we stumbled upon it for breakfast – I got pancakes with all that fresh fruit on top and it was so good!

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  43. Upstate is one of our new favorites – Shane (the owner) and his wife are so lovely – she makes a delicious whiskey cake that they serve – and he remembers repeat guests and greets them like family. Our group of friends had a private party there on New Year’s and their hospitality was wonderful. Glad you tried and liked!

    Reply

  46. I just left the city, stayed in midtown all week for work, and am on the train back to charlottesville! Have tons of fun! Am jealous of that apt! Looks lovely and even more so by NYC standards!

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  47. I know I say this every time someone goes to NYC, but …. You should go to Sugar, Sweet Sunshine! Best, and also cheapest, cupcakes in the city. And if you are staying near Sugar then it’s actually right down the street from you.

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  49. Hey Kath – do you ever feel slightly awkward taking photos in situations like this? I don’t mean any offence, but I’m just picturing myself in this situation and would feel so awkward lugging around my SLR and taking pics of food in front of my husbands crew!

    Reply

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