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.
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.
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
Two coffees –
And a sandwich – a mozzarella, tomato, basil on warm focaccia split between the two of us.
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!
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.
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
One they did, things got rowdy!
The boys enjoyed some raw oysters (I prefer mine fried)
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.
Our next stop was a friends’ apartment for the evening’s “pre-game”
We nibbled on a nice spread of appetizers and caught up with old friends.
There is certainly no shortage of alcohol this weekend!
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.
NYC!!! If you hve time you must go to Locanda verde for the best brunch ever: http://theactorsdiet.wordpress.com/2011/06/25/breadfast/
that craft beer bar is awesome!!
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!
We are close by!
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
Glad you made it to NYC on the train and it was comfy and nice and fun. Love it when traveling is that way rather than stressful.
Looks like it’s going to be a fun weekend filled with stories and shenanigans. Enjoy 🙂
So you will be he refreshed one. And sometimes time alone is sweet and necessary for the soul. How awesome to reach NY by train ride. Bet its gonna be one heck of a weekend. Have a great time helping Matt bring in the big 29. 😉
Welcome to NY! 🙂 I prefer my oysters fried too. Raw is a bit too cold and chewy for me. 😕 Seems like you guys are having a blast already — enjoy! And happy birthday to Matt!!! 😀
That sounds like India- dinner is a very late affair here…sometimes even 11 pm !!
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!
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
Man, I am so jealous. New York is definitely on our list of places to go this year, its been a while. Enjoy your time with the hubby….sounds like the weekend is off to a good start.
I am with you, I don’t like eating late dinners. I consider a late dinner anytime after 6:30pm! Considering I am up by 4:30-5am because of bread deliveries, bed is usually 10pm. I am so boring!
Have a fun trip.
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.
go back to NY– it’s the best.city.ever.
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!
I love your sweater! So cute. And that sandwich looks amazing.
Have a great time in NYC!
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!
Party on Wayne!! Are you planning to go for a run around NYC while you’re there? Y’all have fun!!
That lavender sweater looks so pretty on you, Kath. Have fun celebrating in NYC and happy b-day to Matt!
Sounds like a blast! Have fun celebrating in the city!
How fun!! Have a great time 🙂
I can’t do the going out at midnight thing anymore either!
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.
What a great beginning to a fun trip!
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.
I would have been all smiles over that fruit side too! I’d take it over fries any day (well..MOST days! 😉 ).
Looks like a blast! 😀
I’m just like you – I don’t like partying until the wee hours of the morning. I like to be fast asleep in my bed by at least midnight. 😀
Are you the only girl there? 🙂 Or did other girlfriends/wives come along? Either way, have tons ‘o fun in New York!
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
There are some others – my sister is coming today!
My husband, Tom, is an SAE too! He also gets wild with his crew. I don’t blame you for letting them go without you. Have fun!
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!
Haha, sounds like me! I’m usually hungry for dinner around 5 and eat by 6:30 or 7 – I don’t know how people can wait any later either!
I’m not sure the last time I saw midnight at a bar – I’ve turned into a hermit lately (and have been totally okay with that!).
so fun! i love NYC… for vacation, could never live full time in that craziness. i’m like you too, turn into a pumpkin around 10 p.m.!
it really is not that crazy in the boroughs. try getting out of the city.
I LOVE NYC. Definitely the greatest US city.What a fun location to have a college reunion. Have fun this weekend!
I am an early to bed, early to rise kinda gal! Looks like a fun time in NYC…nice your sister is meeting you there for some girl time! Will you be taking in a show?
I would love to see a show, but I don’t think it’s in the cards for this trip
Sounds awesome! I’ve never been to New York, only passed through when driving to Florida or Virginia!! Have a great time!
Haha I never understand why people head out that late!!! It makes zero sense to me
I didn’t realize how many people you were meeting up with, what a weekend!
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!!
Sounds like such a fun weekend! This is the year me and all my friends turn 30 too, I hope to be able to celebrate like that! 😉
seperate beds? really? on his birthday?
Well we can always start in one if we need to!
😉
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!
Ooh, I would love love LOVE to visit New York!
I hate to admit it, but I generally have dinner around 9 or 10pm…sometimes later…shh!
haha =)
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!
Sounds like a fun time! I’m with you, though. This old girl can’t make it past midnight anymore!
Kath,
My husband and I taking a trip to NYC in April. Any hotel suggestions?
airbnb.com
it’s great
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!
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.
Welcome to my city 🙂 Hope you love it as much as I do! I just did a post on my favorite sushi restaurant, in case you’re looking for a nice place to have dinner. Enjoy!
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!
Not in the slightest!! They all know all about the blog and lots of them read it sporadically.
I would’ve been right there in that cab with you 🙂 Also, I’ve never even heard of Sugar Cafe…how have I missed this spot!?
That sandwich makes me hungry at it’s not even 8am! 🙂 YUM!
Hahah I’m with you–midnight is already too late 😉