Due to the fact the Engineer and I lived in New York for a little under two years, three years ago - I am the supreme professional when it comes to New York.
Yeah right.
We like to make fun of ourselves and pretend we were <actual> true New Yorkers. For example, when watching a sketch on SNL or a particular scene in
30 Rock that displays a particular nuance of New York, we'll say "That's
sooooo New York. We know because we lived there."
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| The Engineer and I in NYC |
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| Our apartment in Brooklyn |
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| Even after we left, Mr. Mop remembers the purple door |
But really, in the short time we were there I feel we hardly put a dent in what true New York living was.
And now for the purpose of this entry.
I get asked all the time for my reccommendations of what to do/see/eat in NYC and thought it was time to put them all together so I can just send people a link.
However, this is by no means a comprehensive list as things open/change on a daily basis in New York. And there are still so many places I have yet to try and explore.
Firstly, I am a big fan of Brooklyn. When asked if I miss living in New York or if we want to go back to New York, the answer is a resounding YES. But not to or for Manhattan, it's for Brooklyn. Heck, I named my dog after the borough I love it so much! If you want to read my ode to Brooklyn, you can do so
here.
So if you are heading to New York and want to stay somewhere that is less expensive - BK would be it. Aim for areas like Park Slope, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill or Brooklyn Heights (just to name a few areas that I enjoy). All are near a subway station that is just a few short stops to Manhattan. Sometimes the energy of Manhattan can be overwhelming and a tad too much for me. Brooklyn offers a lovely haven of 'quiet' (there are still lots of sirens, honking horns and shouting people).
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| Brooklyn Heights |
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| Leafy streets of Cobble Hill |
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| Subway from Boerum Hill to Manhattan |
Brooklyn also offers up a wonderful variety of incredible restaurants (cheaper than their Manhattan counterparts) and boutiques.
One of my most favorites is a restaurant on Court Street called
Fragole. This Italian haven has a classic NYC feel: exposed brick and street to ceiling windows that open fully in the summer heat so you literally spill onto the sidewalk. They have the best bolognese I have tasted this side of Rome and on Tuesdays they offer half-price bottles of wine!
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| Incredible bolognese |
Next, on Court Street, are some incredibly yummy places to grab something sweet.
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| Court Street |
The Chocolate Room offers up two Brooklyn locations and the MOST DIVINE CHOCOLATE CAKE you will ever eat!! In fact, it makes the list of Oprah's favorites. So if you don't believe me, believe Oprah. It's also such a cool cafe to have some dessert and a glass of wine - you'll think you're in Paris!
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| Award-winning, Oprah-loving Chocolate Layer Cake |
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| Snuggled in on Court Street |
Then over to
Blue Marble Ice Cream for what I believe to be the BEST ice cream ever. It's locally sourced and made from free-range milk. The chocolate ice cream is the creamiest, yummiest cone EVER!!
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| Creamy Chocolate Ice Cream |
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| Two locations in BK: Court Street and Atlantic Ave |
Moving away from sweet things,
Hanco's offers up one of the yummiest Vietnamese subs I have ever tasted. Their Banh Mi is legendary - hence the frequent line-ups. My mouth is literally watering thinking of these delicious sandwiches. The Engineer is also a huge fan and this is our first stop when we go to Brooklyn. Fun fact: if you eat it on the subway no one will sit near you. HA! They also make really yummy iced tea that is perfectly refreshing during the hot hot summer.
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| Get it spicy! So yummy |
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| Nothing beats lemon iced-tea on a HOT NYC day |
Just down the street from Hanco's, is another unique restaurant:
Bartabac. They serve delicious burgers and monocos (pink beer) and again in the summer, the fun spills onto the sidewalk. I love sitting here, drinking a glass of wine or a monaco, and watching Brooklyn walk by.
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| Fantastic burger |
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| Friends visiting and champagne |
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| Bartabac at Night |
For a nightcap, you can then head to
The Brooklyn Inn where Heath Ledger used to sit and drink (his old home and current home of Michelle Williams is around the corner). It's dark and romantic in here, plus they serve amazing cocktails that are <rather> strong. I had my first (and last) Old Fashioned here.
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| The Brooklyn Inn |
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| Inside the Brooklyn Inn |
As for shopping, just walk down Court Street. I promise this is BETTER than Manhattan! Especially with boutiques like
Neda that offere absolutely gorgeous and unique clothing with super stylish staff that always dress me better than I can dress myself.
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| Neda window |
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| Neda Window |
Or
Goldy + Mac which always has ridiculously cute clothes and bags at surprisingly low prices! Further down Court, near Fragole, is a fabulous store called
Lee Lee's Valise that has gorgeous clothes for women sizes 10 and up. Everyone always looks hot in these store. Plus she has fantastic accessories and they fit any size (adorable patent leather red purse with bow anyone?).
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| Lee Lee's Valise |
Now if you go to Brooklyn for only one thing, let it be the
Brooklyn Heights Promenade. This is by far one of my most favorite walks ever. Once I discovered it, the dogs and I used to walk here for hours.
You know how you watch movies that take place in NYC and you see them sitting in a park looking over to Manhattan? Well this is where they sit. At the end (or beginning) of the promenade is a huge park and where you can find DUMBO - which offers cute shops and cafes. If you walk the entire promenade, you will see some gorgeous old apartment buildings with the best views ever (uh, Statue of Liberty anyone?). Then stroll through Brooklyn Heights to see the adorable brownstones we all wish we lived in.
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| The Promenade |
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| Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights |
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| Apartments along the Promenade - view is fantastic! |
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| Brownstones I want to live in |
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| Brownstones |
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| The park near Brooklyn Bridge |
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| The Engineer and I under the BK bridge on our 1st year anniversary |
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| Sunset at BK bridge |
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| You must walk over the bridge! |
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View of Statue of Liberty from the Promenade
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Brooklyn is huge. If it wasn't a borough of NYC, it would be the 4th largest city in the United States. And I explored only a teeny tiny tip of it.
I realize so many people don't head to the other boroughs when they visit New York - but I hope you reconsider and hop over to Brooklyn!
Brooklyn also has less-busy outposts of Havana Cafe, TKTS (don't wait in line in Manhattan!) and the Shake Shack. Just sayin . . . .
- Mrs. Law
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