New York Eats

My Family and I recently went to New York. My main focus was to spend time with family, celebrate my little girl's first birthday, and EAT! 

New York did not really disappoint me. I have to say they didn't have a lot of places "right in your face" to eat like they do in the south. Things were pretty spaced out, but if you ask the locals and the concierge at the hotels, they will definitely lead you in the right direction. 

As soon as we checked in at the hotel, we were starving. We asked the front desk where a good pizza place was and she pointed us in the right direction. We went to Ray's Pizza and it did not disappoint. I ordered a pepperoni and mushroom slice and a vegetarian slice. It was super fresh and just what we needed to welcome us to New York. 

The next day Mom, GG, and I decided to get up early for breakfast. We walked to the local Pret A Manger for some organic coffee, burritos, and breakfast sandwiches. I had the burrito with a coffee and it was delicious. The burrito was filled with black beans, onions, red bell peppers and eggs. The coffee was divine and just what I needed to wake me up and start my first full day in NYC. 

On our way back we stopped at Magnolia Bakery (pic). Y'ALL!!! I want to take a bath in their icing. It is sooo good. It's a buttercream icing and it is to die for. I bought 2 red velvet cupcakes, a chocolate cupcake and a vanilla cupcake with pink icing and sprinkles. 

After walking the city a bit we decided to stop in to The Plaza Hotel and eat at the Todd English Food Hall. This place was recommended to me by a friend to try out. We ended up eating her for lunch and dinner....it was that good. For lunch I ordered a green monster juice with extra ginger, which I paired with a cupcake from Magnolia Bakery. I figured it equaled out.

They Hubby ordered the lobster roll. It was a little on the small side but it was really good. I had a bite and had to stop myself from asking for more and devouring his. He did let me have his pickle though. Ha! 

Lunch for me! 

After lunch at The Plaza we walked through Central Park and took GG to the Central Park Zoo. 

On our way out I saw a Wafles and Dinges and I had to try. This my friends is my Belgian Waffle with Nutella, fresh strawberries, and vanilla ice cream.....Life Changing. GG loved it. 

Later for dinner we went back to The Plaza and had dinner. I forgot to take pictures but we had salmon sandwiches and shared a bento box of chicken teriyaki with a seaweed salad. 

The next day we decided on something small for breakfast and some coffee. We knew we were headed to Little Italy for dinner and we didn't want to get too stuffed. We decided on Angelo's after reading a few great reviews. It was great! 

We ordered the Antipasto Italiano plate with sardines and endive. It was perfection. Mr. Lovely ordered the pasta with shrimp and crab. I opted for the Cannelloni filled with meat, spinach, and cheese. Mom had the chicken marsala. All of the dishes were delicious. 

Pasta with Shrimp and Crab

Cannelloni with Spinach, Beef, and Cheese

Chicken Marsala

We walked around Little Italy for a while and had dessert at one of the oldest restaurants there Ferrara. We ordered some classic Cannolis and ate them on a bench in front of a local deli. Perfect way to end the day. 

The next day we headed to Eataly to check out Mario Battali's wonderful Italian Market. 

We went to La Pizza and La Pasta and had a yummy lunch. I ordered the Tagliatelle with a short rib ragu. Mr. Lovely ordered the pizza with sausage and pepperoni, Mom ordered a pizza with sausage and mushroom. Best pizza we have ever had in our lives!!! Authentic.....or as close to Italian cuisine as I have heard it should taste. 

Yummy foccacia bread with different toppings.

This was quite a popular one!

The deli that has some of the best sausage I have ever tasted....even better,,,,,you can order any of the meats and have it shipped to you. 

They have a Nutella Bar......YES....A NUTELLA BAR!!! 

People!!!!! I was sooo full from lunch at the pizza and pasta restaurant, but I knew I could not leave this place without ordering something. I had the Fior Di Latte (sweet milk) gelato, in a waffle cone with nutella drizzled on top. Dying!! 

Our final night in NYC we ate outside at a quaint Italian restaurant. I had the salmon with spinach, tomatoes, and cauliflower. 

Mr. Lovely had the Pasta Diablo with shrimp. 

For dessert we walked to Junior's Cheesecake and I had the best strawberry cheesecake EVER!!!! 

We shared one slice, as it was so rich and delicious. 

I was so proud of GG. She ate all of the foods we had the whole time we were in NYC. She is turning into quite the foodie and I want her to try and taste everything. 

Obviously we ate more than this, but these are just some of the highlights. It was an amazing trip. I fell in love with this city, just like how I fell in love with NOLA. You can read about those adventures here: Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3, 

I definitely plan to visit NYC in the near future. 

H-Town...It's Goin' Down!

I was born in Houston and raised all over the United States mostly in Pennsylvania. I always claimed my Texas (Houston) nativeness (is that a word?) but Mr. Lovely says that it doesn't count because I left when I was around 3. I tell him that I was created and born in Houston and he is just jealous because he secretly wishes he was born in Houston rather than a state that is referred to as an object on ones foot!

I always liked Houston but I am kind of sad that I didn't get a chance to be raised there. I secretly dream that had I stayed I would have been a part of Destiny's Child. Beyonce and I would have been best friends and Kellie would have been hatin'. This would have never occurred though 'cause I lived close to Sugarland and Beyonce is from Third Ward. My parents divorce is the reason that my dreams of being rich, powerful, and running the world (GIRLS!) were crushed and Beyonce lost out on having the most spectacular friend ever!!! Oh the things that go through my head. I digress......

We took a little mini-vacay to Houston a few weeks ago and I really enjoyed myself. Mr. Lovely's cousin lives there and he took us on a super tour of the city. I mean this guy should have his own tour guide business because he knows Houston! Here are some pics......

I sooooo wish I would have went to this university. It is so beautiful!

Casa De Knowles.....Beyonce's house is a diamond in the rough. There is literally a strip club and drug deals goin' down right around the corner.

This is one of the most famous cupcake shops in Houston. Crave Cupcakes. They were delicious. I like the little decorations on top. Unlike Sprinkles, you can actually eat this fondant piece and still have all of your teeth in tact. I will tear up a Sprinkles cupcake so I am not complaining. I got the strawberry cupcake and ate it at midnight in the hotel room. Bad, bad girl.

Goode Co. has some really great BBQ. They are very similar to Pappas and the different varieties of restaurants. They have BBQ, Seafood, and Mexican spots. Pappas has a greek restaurant that I am dying to go to next time I visit. We have all of the Pappas restaurants here in Dallas but the greek.

Here is Mr. Lovely's rib plate with sides of jambalaya and potato salad. He is definitely not missing out on carbs.

Mr. Lovely's cousin had a HUGE BBQ stuffed baked potato.

We hit up the night life at a really cool outdoor park and shopping area.

Enough Said

This was a really cool pool and lounge area on top of a hotel.

This is the view from the lounge area. It overlooked the shops and outdoor park.

Beyonce's Best Friend!

The restaurant next to the lounge with an impressive wine and appetizer menu.

This is the line to get into one of the absolute best brunch spots in Houston. The Breakfast Klub. If you are ever in the Houston area PLEASE GO! It is soul food at its best!!

The line was RIDICULOUS but of course we waited...You didn't think I was going to miss out on this! 

It was a really fun trip and only 3 1/2 hours away makes it even better. I like the shopping and beautiful scenery that Houston has to offer. We visited a few more places like the Museum district, Medical district, Katy, the Galleria, and a few more spots. Houston is very similar to Dallas in what they offer but I do like the diversity and openness of Houston. Dallas can get a little stuffy and uppity, but I do love my city.