Look who joined me at Hot Yoga this morning, 😉
Don’t ask me how I did it, but somehow I was able to talk Derek into an 80 minute sweat sesh today. I knew the hot yoga would be a great supplement for his half marathon training and having him in sweaty downward dog next to me wouldn’t be what I would consider a bag thing. 😉
My studio had a guest instructor today and as always I appreciated this instructor’s unique approach to his practice. Our guest instructor reminded us to stay in the moment by keeping our eyes opened and focused during the practice. He felt that by closing our eyes we were shutting ourselves off from the practice. I tend to close my eyes during most poses, so I found this part of his practice interesting.
I’m not sure Derek knew what he would be getting himself into this morning.
In the car ride on the way home he told me it felt like his body was ‘re-booting itself.’ He also said it felt like he had just lifted weights at the gym or something. I think he’ll be back – we just need to find him a good studio in Tampa. 🙂
Before Yoga we dined on eggs in a basket with jam and a big juicy plum for breakfast.
After yoga and quick showers Derek and i headed to a new cafe to refuel.
I discovered Austin’s Coffee on Ashley’s blog last week and have been dying to test it out ever since.
It’s a great little cafe that is open 24/7 with funky decor, an awesome menu that includes plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, and has free wifi. I think Derek’s and I were the only ones in the place without our laptops in tow.
I ordered a large Green Passion Fruit Iced Tea to quench my thirst while we waited on our food.
Our drinks came with kisses! 🙂
There really were quite a few options on the menu that I was dying to try, but in the end I went with the Vegetarian Ruben. (dressing on the side)
The sandwich came with potato chips and pasta salad – I only had a few bites and gave the rest to Derek. What I was really after was the ooey-gooey deliciously pressed sandwich.
They used tofu instead of corn beef for the vegetarian version of the sandwich. Honestly, if I didn’t know I would have assumed it was turkey instead. The sandwich was delicious and I would be happy to order it over and over again if there wasn’t a full menu of other creations I’m dying to try as well. 😉
I grabbed a cupcake for the road.
I’m not 100% sure of the flavor because the guy behind the counter didn’t seem to know either. He started naming what it could possibly be, which I found quite amusing. It looked good and he never mentioned the word banana, so I went with it anyways. 😉
Derek and I split the unknown cupcake during Eat Pray Love this afternoon. The cupcake made for an excellent mid-movie snack. 🙂
I loved, loved, loved the book Eat Pray Love – minus some bits of the Pray section – but I would state the movie was just ok. It was a bit slow during parts and a little long for my taste. They also did a sheer disservice to the Italian portion. There was not nearly enough great shots of food in my opinion. Though, I was craving some Naples pizza after one scene. 😉
Overall the movie gets 3 out of 5 stars. I would say save your money at the theater and rent it for a fun night in with the girls. 🙂
We were greeted with this lovely downpour leaving the theater…
and decided to ditch the rest of our afternoon plans in favor of getting some work done at home.
I had a couple of handful of Sun Chips whiles working on our NYC plans.
Anyone have any suggestions on what we should see and do while we’re in NYC over labor day weekend? We’ve done most of the touristy things and are looking for fun low key outings and, of course, some really great food. 😉
Dinner was light and easy.
Okra + Parsnip Fries with barbeque sauce
Morningstar Black Bean Burger with ketchup on a bed of kale
Dessert was fun.
Fresh figs with vanilla ice cream <– Wow 🙂
Derek went to hot yoga AND saw a chick flick with you?! He’s a keeper 😉
Oh yeah, definitely.
Agreed – 100% 😀 Keep him, Meghann
He is awesomeeee! and super hardcore!
Franchia on Park has great vegan food that doesn’t taste vegan. So good and a great atmosphere.
I loved Eat, Pray, Love, the book too! I’ve heard such mixed reviews about which is better, the book or the movie, so I can’t wait to go see it! I agree, a cupcake would be the perfect movie snack for this movie in particular!
i totally agree with Evan, ahha.
whenever i bring people to hot yoga for teh first time, they have a similar look as derek on their faces afterwards heheh
enjoy the night!!
becca
Nice job getting Derek to yoga! He’s cool to try new things. 🙂 As for NYC, I’d say check out the park that’s on the old elevated train tracks. I wish I knew what it’s called. I haven’t been myself but my friends have and said it’s really neat. There’s also a restaurant called Ninja that’s fun and the food is good. I’m not sure what else because I tend to do the touristy stuff like Top of the Rock (have you been there? Excellent views!) and see Broadway shows. Have a great trip!
The Skyline in Chelsea! Went walking around on it last night, it’s great!
The Highline
Highline Park. Good luck trying to find the entrance. My fiancee and I were walking in Chelsea and never saw it. Apparently, it is fabulous.
You can actually enter from two points, down Gansevoort or 20th along tenth avenue. (There are a few more entry points, but these are the ones at the “start” and “finish”) And I highly recommend this, it’s gorgeous and so much fun.
I was just about to say the same thing Evan said!!! I wish I could get my guy to come to yoga and EPL! Time Traveler’s Wife is about as good as he could do 😉 haha
What a fun day!!
Not sure how long you will be in town for but the US Open is always a fun event! Grounds passes are pretty inexpensive and you can easily take the subway there. I also recommend South Street Seaport for some drinks and sunsets! Enjoy!
hhmm I dont know if I want to spend the $ to go see eat pray love. I ahve heard conflicting reports.
Fresh figs and ice cream? Yes, please!
zach braff has an off broadway play that weekend and the US open tennis tournament is going on. Im also going to NYC that weekend and those are some of the things in the lineup!
Bahaha congrats to Derek and nice job, Meghann! You’re such a great influence on Derek…I hope he thanks you 🙂
Alright – I am a NYC gal at heart. My favorite things to do in the city: stopping by Bryant Park and soaking in some rays while enjoying a fantastic cup o’ joe, having a good beer at McFadden’s Irish Pub on 42 and 2 (conveniently located right near Grand Central Station), feeling like an undergad again and spending some time in SoHo shopping and embracing the NYU culture and oh – of course – eating the delciousness of Pinkberry (located all over). Let me know if you want other restaurant (or good bar) suggestions!
i completely agree about the book/movie…i LOVED the book as well; in fact, i dog-eared a ton of pages for quotes bc i think its just such a great message. anywho, saw the movie, and it was sooo long, and still left out some stuff. oh well, def not bad by any means, but the book ruled. a renter, for sure.
dumb question…w/ okra fries, do you eat the tip of the okra, too? i have, and havent had issues, but i didnt really know if it was edible or not (first time making them this year). thanks!
Totally go to my favorite pizza place, Artichoke on 14th between 1st and 2nd, it’s to die for! And then 16 Handles self-serve fro yo is amazing! Union Square Park has a great farmers market on saturdays, but Washington Square Park is my favorite one in the city. Walking around SoHo is great for shopping and celeb spotting, I saw Rachel Zoe the last time! Ahhh clearly I just got home from a weekend in NYC visiting my bf and love it. Oh and run along the East River, there’s a great path along the water and a track and everything!
It’s awesome that Derek went to Hot Yoga with you. My bf would not be caught dead in a class.
I tried hot yoga for the first time a couple weekends ago. I’ve never sweat so much in my life!
The cafe with tons of veggie options sounds right up my alley! Too bad I don’t like in Florida!
Awesome that Derek joined you for yoga! Most guys I’ve talked to were hesitant, but ended up loving it. Not sure my bf would ever try it :(. I love the Reuben, it looks gooey and fabulous!
The last time I was in NYC, I did a walking food tour http://www.foodsofny.com/
We went to Greenwich and SoHo, and it was great!
Some less touristy things if you’re coming to NYC:
Wave Hill- an incredible park/garden in the Bronx. Yes, the Bronx. It’s like a well kept secret with amazing views of the hudson and beautiful gardens to get lost in.
There’s the Union Sq. Greenmarket. If you haven’t ever done that, it’s a must.
The Conservatory Garden in Central Park is also beautiful.
Museum of Arts and Design- a lesser known but worth the trip museum in Columbus Circle.
If you’re wanting to do something “foodie” it’s fun to make a day of hitting up the gourmet food trucks that park in various locations (Wafel and Dinges, The Big Gay Ice Cream Truck, Schnitzel and Things, Rickshaw Dumpling, The Treats Truck, etc).
There are a lot of great free activites in Riverside Park- outdoor yoga, kayaking, music, etc. Go to there website for a calendar.
That’s about all I can come up with at the moment. Have fun!
Brooklyn for pizza- Graziella’s or Motorino
The Beer Gardens in Queena
I fell in love with Wave Hill during my last visit! My aunt keeps a home nearby and she took me there on my last visit! The luch greenery, the gorgeous flowers, the magnificent grounds and the eclectic gallery on the premises all took my breath away! Wave Hill is a must!
Museum of Arts and Design is one of my favorites! It’s not as well known as some of the other NYC museums, but it SHOULD be. It’s awesome. I totally recommend this! (And if you get hungry and don’t feel like restaurant searching…there’s a Whole Foods right there)
And if you go to the Conservatory Gardens, Museum of the City of New York is right there!
Amen to what Evan said 🙂
I have never been to Hot Yoga… I always say I’m going to do it… and chicken out. I don’t know why?
Gotta love Florida and the random down pours, huh?
Glad to know about the movie…I have a feeling I may wait for the DVD!
I know you already did the touristy things but the Cloisters are amazing. The Met brought to NY parts of old European monastaries and put them on exhibit. I enjoyed and loved it. I also liked the park that you walk through to get there. There are great views of the Hudson and across the way is a state park in New Jersey. I recommend taking the subway to the Cloisters. I also enjoyed the Circle Line Tour. I did the three hour tour. Sure, touristy but I liked it because I got to taking beautiful pictures of Manhattan without the craziness of being on that ferry to Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island. The Circle Line was pretty relaxing.
(Re: Food, try the Halal Truck that parks itself across the street from the Hilton in Midtown.Re: dessert, my sister is a pastry chef and foodie and we recently went to NYC on a food tour. We love Chickalicious. It’s a dessert bar. Light, interesting and cute as a button owner/chef. Little Asian woman. )
I’ve been to NYC eight times, Meghann. I’m plotting. I want to live there. (I currently live in CA) ENJOY yourself!!
NYC blogger/runner meet up? haha.
I live downtown, but I love riverside park, the highline (a new chelsea park that was built on the old raised railroad tracks), museum of sex (hahaha), brooklyn, the south street seaport.
All fun! 🙂
MMM, all that food looks amazing!
My bf and I have done hot yoga together a couple times. His first time he did better than me, but he felt it his second time and almost threw up, poor thing.
Jealous about your NYC trip, I’m dying to go back!
Seriously, he is a keeper! If I could get my bf to come to hot yoga with me, it’d be a done deal 🙂
Thanks for the review of Eat, Pray, Love–I’ll save my money and Netflix it!
We are so on the same page with EPL. I felt totally shortchanged on Italy and all the hilarity and food the book described. And I feel like the tried to squish too much in the movie, but at the same time it was too long. How does that work? Sigh…
Run the Brooklyn bridge. My fave thing ever. Also I love chelsea’s market. I also did a fun bike tour of central park: cool facts and a cute bike ride. I loveeee NYC
Any tips for how to convince your boyfriend to go to yoga with you? Hahaha.
There’s some nest sculpture on the top of the Metropolitan Museum that you can make reservations to climb in. There’s also a martini bar up there with great views post-climb.
If you are here on a night when there is an outdoor movie (in Bryant Park, along the Hudson River, or in Brooklyn Bridge park) that’s always fun and free!
For food, I’d recommend Moustache and Fish (West Village), the Ten Bells wine bar (lower east side) or Westville (both West and East Village–hole in the wall, has a set menu and then a daily menu based on what’s good at the farmer’s market that day).
Enjoy your trip!
You must, MUST, go to Max Brenner’s (at least for dessert). It is this restaraunt where when you walk right in there is chocolate churning in a barrell. They have a four page menu full of desserts including Chocolate PIzza, sundaes, froze n hot chocolate, crepes, and soo much more!! It was featured on Best Thing I Ever Ate on FOod Network and that’s why I went there in New York. It also has a gift shop with a bunch of different types of chocolates. I believe it’s in East Village but i’m not 100% sure.
I’m so impressed you were able to get Derek to go to hot yoga with you! Way to go, Meghann!
Ninth Street Espresso has some amazing coffee; I highly recommend visiting the 9th street location. Cash only though! They don’t roast their own coffee, which is kind of a shame, but they have an exclusive blend through Intelligentsia.
Cheers! Sure that Yoga will help your Half-Marathon! And maybe a full Marathon next year!
OHHHHH Jealous at your upcoming trip!!!!
Obviously a massive Pastrami Sandwich in Katz Deli.
And Babbo on Waverly Place. Expensive but so so so worth it. I travelled from Ireland to have dinner there 2 christmas ago and it was possibly the best meal of my life to date!
AMAZING! enjoy!
That is awesome you got derek to go to hot yoga! He is a rockstar and keeper for sure!!!!!
SO glad he liked it too!
Your vegan sandwich looks amamzing and so does that cupcake!!!!
I’m dying to try hot yoga. Good for you for getting Derek to give it a try!! I always sneak things in movie theaters–I’m dying to see Eat Pray Love, I loved the book 🙂
I could give you a million recommendations, but I would say meatpacking district for dinner and/or at night, highline, chelsea market. Maybe wine at Bar Jamon or dinner at Otto. Shake Shack in Madison Square Garden. Beer Garden in brooklyn or queens. Run, stroll through Battery Park City. Brunch at Jane or the Smith. have fun!
Jess gave great recs, in my opinion.
The Cloisters and Wave Hill are beautiful. It is the only hill on the island!
Union Square Farmer’s Market on Friday & Saturday are a must during this time of year. You will be in love.
I recommend checking out some of the more interesting (less touristy) neighborhoods downtown, perhaps the West Village, NoLita, East Village, Lower East Side or go to Williamsburg in Brooklyn to check out the hipsters (a ten minute subway ride from Union Square) or take the F to Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens to see a softer side of the city. Brooklyn Flea (http://www.brooklynflea.com/vendor-list/) is a good destination in DUMBO to see local crafts and try local foods.
Good places to eat?
Pizza
Slice
Artichoke, Kelly mentioned this and it’s good, but not a typical NYC slice: thick, goopy cheese (East Village); Vinny Vincenz, much thinner and delicious spinach topping (East Village), Bleecker Street Pizza or Joe’s (West Village)
Sit down down pizza
Motorino or Luzzo’s (East Village)Lombardi’s (Soho/Nolita), John’s (West Village), Co. (Chelsea), Lucali’s, my personal favorite –as well as Jay-Z’s and Beyonce’s!(Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn)
Romantic or Special Meals (reservations may be necessary)
ABC Kitchen, farmer’s market driven, delicious and fresh…they even have a good pizza and burger (Union Square)
Peasant, wine bar, the downstairs is very romantic (NoLita)
il Buco, also Market driven, an amazing massaged Kale salad too (NoHo)
Fun
Vegetarian Dim Sum, go for brunch (Chinatown)
il Laboratorio del Gelato (Lower East Side)/L’arte del Gelato (Chelsea Market or W. Village)
Have fun and as far as food, let us know if you have something specific in mind(area of the city/type of food/price/ambiance) and I will try to help!
I really want to try hot yoga…there is a studio around here that is offering a beginner’s yoga 6 week deal…I may have to try that! As far as Eat, Pray, Love….I love Julia Roberts, but that movie looks way overrated. I won’t go see it.
Margherita gave a ton of good pizza options – I’ll add one more to the list. Keste Pizzeria (in the West Village) is delicious. Just be prepared to wait in line, they don’t take reservations. I went on Friday night with four other people and we waited for about 45 mins.
Where are you staying? I could maybe give you more options near your hotel.
Yay, you went to Austin’s! You’ll have to visit at night. It’s a totally different atmosphere 🙂
Go to Kate’s near Union Square. Home-style vegan food. So. Good. http://www.yelp.com/biz/kates-joint-new-york
and Joe’s Shanghai in China Town. it’s down the street from the awesome asian candy shop! it has the best soup dumplings around! http://www.yelp.com/biz/joes-shanghai-new-york-2
I would HIGHLY recommend going to Mori Motos sushi restaurant in NYC. I’ve been there twice and it was seriously AMAZING both times! The second time we even got to meet the chef himself :).
– Beth @ http://www.DiningAndDishing.com
I will be in NYC over labor day weekend too!!! This is my first time to the city but I have always dreamed about living there one day… What hotel will you be staying at? I will be at The Iroquois on 44th St.
I usually do not comment but I have been reading your blog for a while and absolutely love it!
Lovin’ Derek’s centerfold-like position in the top picture 🙂 I’d love it if my by came to yoga with me!
If you haven’t been there already, I think a trip to the Cloisters is definitely in order: http://www.metmuseum.org/works_of_art/the_cloisters It’s the perfect place to unwind after a busy day in the city. Hope your week is off to a fabulous start! 🙂
Ah! I just came back from New York. While eloping was our first priority on this trip, wine and cheese was a close second. 😉
This place was amazing! http://www.casellula.com/ Assuming you like wine and cheese of course. I would fly back tomorrow for their Stuffed Peppadew Peppers and a bottle of Malbec. Don’t get me started on how fantastic their chocolate cake was…
They also have amazing farmer’s markets scattered around the city. Check out http://www.cenyc.org/greenmarket to find out the dates/locations. The one we went to had amazing homemade pretzels (whole wheat) and fresh peaches.
Enjoy! Our favourite afternoons were ones we spent wondering around the city. You never know what you’ll find. We found yelp.com helpful with restaurants, they were spot on with the reviews.
Since you seem to like vegan food, I highly recommend Pure Food and Wine, in Irving Place. I’ve never had anything but stellar food, wine, and service there.
http://www.purefoodandwine.com/
I’d also suggest Pipa–awesome Spanish tapas and a very cool ambiance.
http://www.pipa-nyc.com/
For things to do, I echo the comment about the Union Square Farmers Market, and would also urge you to visit the New Museum. If you’re interested in taking a yoga class while you’re in NYC, try Yoga to the People. They’re very ‘egalitarian,’ and the classes go so quickly 🙂
http://www.yogatothepeople.com/new-york-yoga.shtml
Have fun!
If you find a good hot yoga place in Tampa can you pretty please post it? I’ve been wanting to get into it but have never done yoga at a studio so I don’t really know what I should look for in terms of a studio.
Have fun in NYC! There is a restaurant called Blockheads (they have a couple locations) that has to die for guacamole and really yummy food.
Here are some restaurants we liked on the last few trips to New York:
Craft: this was our special night out restaurant, really simple delicious food, upscale but not too formal (http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/craft/)
The Spotted Pig: sort of a casual gastropub with seriously delicious food (http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/spotted-pig/)
‘ino: a tiny, adorable place with panini, bruschette and wine (http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/ino/)
Pastis: delicious French bistro food (http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/pastis/)
Paradou: more French food in the meatpacking district (it’s almost across the street from Pastis) (http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/paradou/)
Plus Shake Shack, which is fast food, but is super delicious
My favorite thing to do in NYC is to rent a rowboat in Central Park and sneak in a bottle of wine. Floating around in the water on a lazy afternoon sipping wine almost makes you forget that you’re in the city….
Have a great trip!
http://www.thecentralparkboathouse.com/sections/boats.htm
I love, love love free kayaking in Riverside Park!! If you’ve never done it, I’d highly recommend it:
http://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2010/09/04/summer-on-the-hudson-kayaking-on-the-hudson
That dinner looks fantastic! Make sure Derek is doing his down dogs correctly. . It’s important especially for newbies to utilize key positioning skills. I found that Leeann Carey has a great free yoga video on this very thing. Your readers might want to check it out: http://planetyoga.com/yoga-blogs/index.php/free-yoga-video-key-positioning-skills-kps-push-and-reach/