I had to catch my flight to London out of New York so I decided to stay for a couple of days to meet up with friends, see some sights and just enjoy summertime in the city. After 4 days, 4 nights and probably about a combined total of 16 hours of sleep, I am on my way to London with nothing to show for my time in New York except a couple of mysterious bruises and a huge dent in my savings. While I didn’t venture above Union Square, forgot to check out the new High Line Park, never caught a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty or Central Park, and couldn’t even consider a visit to The Met or MoMA…I still had the best time ever. Here were some of the highlights:
Sosauce & Matador Network’s Garden Party
It was such perfect timing that Sosauce and Matador decided to have their summer party while I was in town. The setup was great (what a cool spot Greene Garden was) and I’m so glad I got to meet some people who up until now I only knew through email and Sosauce comments, as well as a few new travel industry buddies who I’m sure I will be staying in touch with.
Dancing with a tranny at Beauty Bar
I am a fan of the Beauty Bar in Hollywood but never had a chance to try out the New York one until now. Cheap and fast drinks, good music, manicures and transvestites…that pretty much sums it up so I don’t think I need to go into much more detail. See for yourself.
Feeling Williamsburg
I lived in New York for five months this past fall/winter and it is a sad story that my only experience with Brooklyn was taking the ferry to the Ikea in Red Hook a few times. I’d heard so many good things about Williamsburg so I was excited to hear that a good friend of mine I would be staying with for a night had just moved there. We walked to Roebling Tea Room (which I highly recommend!) and on the way had the chance to catch some member’s of a marching band performing Michael Jackson’s Thriller on the corner of Bedford and Metropolitan. It was so random, but typical New York.
Reconnecting with Chinatown
It’s dirty, it’s smelly (like really smelly) and the rats there are bigger than some dogs I know. But it was home for me during the few months I spent living in New York, so I have to give it some credit and I had to embrace it once again since I found myself staying with my old roommates for a couple of nights. You can walk anywhere you want from Chinatown…the Lower East Side, Nolita, Soho, Greenwich Village, Meatpacking District, East Village, Battery Park…it’s so central. I got to hit up my favorite Vietnamese place Pho Grand which was a nice treat. My old apartment has an awesome view from its rooftop which is the perfect place to be when the sun it going down. Ahhh, New York.
Chillin’ in front of L’asso
L’asso to me is what Cheers is to Norm. Where everybody knows your name and they’re always glad you came. This is the coolest pizza place in New York and a perfect place to spend an hour or five using their free Wi-Fi, eating some of their delicious D.O.C. style pizza or just sitting out front watching the city go by. It was also used as a canvas for one of “this generation’s most illusive and notable street artists” (I think they meant elusive). You must stop by to check out the tagging Mr. Brainwash did on its exterior if you are a fan of street art.
Next stop is London–my home away from home. It will be interesting to see what has changed since I was last there (approximately one year ago). Until then, stay classy Sosauce.
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So great to finally meet one of my fave Sosaucers, enjoy London!