Last Bit of Sightseeing

Monday morning was a sad morning because we knew it would be our last morning in the cit with our friends.

When Derek and I booked our tickets to New York City a couple of months ago we tried to make the most we could out of our trip by coming in early on Friday and leaving later on Monday. This gave us a full four days to explore and meant Monday wasn’t left feeling rushed and wasted.

In fact, we were even able to sleep in for once. No early runs, no races, and no early flights? This concept felt so foreign to me.

After a leisurely morning we headed to the cutest cafe near Ashley and Bo’s place for a late breakfast.

I told Ashley I was in the mood for a light, sweet breakfast and she was able to deliver flawlessly. Irving Place in an adorable cafe with fresh gourmet coffee, organic teas, fresh pasteries, and about every other adorable thing you would come to expect from a cafe in the city.

I ordered the homemade granola with yogurt and fresh berries as well as a cup of hot early grey tea that is pictured above.

All together

Exactly what I was craving.

Monday was our planned catch up day for everything we had missed thus far.

First up on our agenda: taking Derek to the Brooklyn Bridge.

We had run by this area Saturday morning, but I was dying to go back with Derek by my side and my DSLR in hand

Our lovely hosts.

We paid a visit to Jacques Torres and Derek and I split a piece of chocolate bark.

Umm… it was alright. Good, but nothing special like I was expecting.

Hello Grimaldi’s! Too bad you weren’t open and had a line around the block. :/

TIme to walk the bridge!

Per Derek’s request we headed to Kats Deli for lunch.

Derek knows Katz from his beloved Man v Food, but it was also made famous in the “I’ll have what she’s having” scene from When Harry Met Sally.

The place was packed!

You were handed a ticket when you walked in the door then sent to a sprawled out deli counter where you ordered your sandwich straight from the meat cutter.

The choices were simple meat, meat, and more meat served on rye with a side of pickles and a little mustard if you so wished.

When in Rome you must do what the Romans do and when in a deli full of fresh cut sandwiches, you must order what the locals do. Go big or go home, right? )

I had 1/2 of a Beef Brisket Sandwich on Rye with Mustard.

The meat was served hot and overflowing. I poured half of the meat off and followed Bo’s lead by adding a generous portion of coleslaw to the sandwich. The results were amazing. When in Rome, right? Because those Romans are pretty damn smart!

My half of a sandwich was served with Pickles and a Side Salad.

Fresh pickles are my favorite. So crispy with just the right amount of salty brine.

Thick cut french fries are another favorite of mine.

I had samples of the boy’s corn beef and pastrami and both were fabulous. This is definitely a place I know my Dad would love!

The great NYC Cupcake hunt of 2010 proceeded after lunch. Apparently all the really good local cupcake places are closed on labor day.

After a couple of failed attempts at various cupcake places around the city, we found success at Magnolia Bakery and snagged a couple of cupcakes for the plane.

Then our trip had to come to an end.

I first met Ashley back in February when we instantly clicked over a freezing 5k around Central Park. Since then I’ve had the distinct pleasure of seeing her again in Washington DC and in Chicago.

Ashley is fun, out going, and can chat it up with just about anybody – we’re basically two peas in a pods! – so when she offered an open invitation to visit when ever we wanted, I knew it was an invitation we could not turn down.

This weekend has been amazing! Ashley and Bo have officially turned into my two favorite people. They showed us a side of the city we could only see from two residents and showed us a good time while doing so. I already miss them!

Thanks again Ashley and Bo for being our hosts! I promise this will not be the last time we see each other!

Derek and I boarded the bus to the airport and I promptly passed out in the surprisingly comfy seat. The word exhausted doesn’t even begin to cover it.

I was hoping to grab a salad for dinner, but our terminal was seriously lacking any place that carried a fresh looking salad.

Instead I hit up Jamba Juice and had a Passion Fruit Tea.

And a Mediterranean Flatbread.

Continental sort of redeemed itself from our last flight by offering up free in seat entertainment this time around.

Letters to Juliet was cute, but definitely a movie I’m happy I didn’t pay for.

Cupcakes!

I love Magnolia’s icing!

Then it was home sweet home!

I slept like a rock last night!

Now, a new work day is upon us. Let’s hope it’s an easy one.