NYC Diaries #6 Everything I did in October and it's worth sharing
A post with 10 personal recs of things and places in New York City (and other random tips) that wouldn't make it to Google search results.
Between my trip to Tokyo and Seoul, I was in NYC unpacking from a previous trips an packing for my next adventure, so I had time to do a few things. Here are some highlights from this month.
1. Our Town on Broadway
"Our Town" by Thornton Wilder is a classic American play that explores the beauty of ordinary life in a small town. This play first premiered in 1938 and you can now check its revival at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. What is special about this play is the fact the production is minimalistic, with almost no set or props, and is narrated by a character known as the Stage Manager, who directly addresses the audience and guides them through the events and the characters.
This revival has some famous names in the cast, such as Katie Holmes (hello Dawson's Creek fans!) and Jim Parsons (Big Bang Theory).
What I loved about it - besides the lack of prompts and the amazing cast - is how the "ordinary" story speaks with us in so many beautiful ways…
2. Empanada Mama
Ok, I love attending a Broadway musical or play, but I hate that most of the dining options in Times Square are restaurant chains. But if you are open to a short walk - I mean, come on, we are in New York City, we are used to that! - I highly suggest Empanada Mama in Hell's Kitchen. It never disappoints. My favorite empanada flavor is Viagra, which is filled with seafood. Delicious. And yep, I forgot to take a picture.
3. A delicious brunch at Twenty Three Grand
Right after getting back from Tokyo, I met my friends for a brunch at Twenty Three Grand. This restaurant has such a beautiful decor, with glass ceilings, which provides nice vibes during the brunch. The highlight of our meal was definitely the 9-Grain Pancake with Banana Butter. Very different from the traditional pancakes and super yummy. We loved it! Make sure to check my Instagram post to see all the pics.
4. A Middle Eastern Restaurant in the Upper East Side
This was my second time dining at Al Badawi in the Upper East Side and my husband and I had such a positive experience. They have a cozy outdoor dining setting where they allow dogs and their food is absolutely delicious. Highly recommend the hummus, baba ganoush and falafel. And the main dishes are huge portions, enough for two people. Plus, they are BYOB - meaning you can bring your own wine.
Address: 1725 2nd Ave.
5. Levain bakery inspired cookies
My friends were asking me to host a little “cooking class” for a while, so we finally gathered and made some Levain style cookies! Their caramel coconut chocolate chip cookie is my favorite - and since I've already had tried the recipe, we decided to got with that. Sharing here to inspire you to recreate favorite dishes and treats at home. It can be fun - and delicious!
6. A K-beauty pop-up store in NYC
Got back from Seoul just in time to check Song of Skin pop-up shop, that took place in Soho last weekend. Although is a past event, I would like to take the opportunity to recommend the website if you are into K-beauty. I was happy to see that a lot of the trending brands and products in South Korea are available on Song of Skin website!
7. A ride-sharing app that not everyone knows about
A friendly reminder that besides Uber and Lyft, you can also take a Revel for your rides from and to the airports in the city!
Use my code to get discounted rides: LAURAP5496
8. Maybe Happy Ending - A beautiful and emotional musical
Didn't have a lot of expectations about Maybe Happy Ending but now I can tell that it's one of the most beautiful and sensitive musicals I've ever seen. First of all, the storyline is so unique! Set in near-future Seoul, this musical tells the story of two obsolete helper robots, Oliver and Claire, who have been abandoned by their human owners. Originally designed to serve and help, these robots now have to navigate life alone - and they embark on a journey of self-discovery, companionship, and emotional awakening. Not only the dialogues and songs are so deep and meaningful - I cried at the end - but the way they transform the stage is impressive, and I love how there's a third singer who makes some appearances. The firefly scene was one of the most beautiful scenes I've seen in a Broadway musical. Definitely recommend it!
9. An Izakaya restaurant in NYC
After our trip to Tokyo, I decided to look for some Izakaya restaurants in New York City. In case you are not familiar with it, an Izakaya is a traditional Japanese gastropub that offers a relaxed, casual dining experience. It reminded me of the concept of Spanish tapas. The idea is around small Plates and sharing and their typical offerings include skewers (yakitori), sashimi, tempura, gyoza, grilled fish, and unique regional specialties.
Izakaya Toribar is exactly that vibe, with a menu featuring a lot of skewers options (veggies, chicken, pork, beef, seafood) and a lot of other small plates. We loved the food here!
Address: 164 E 56th St.
10. My trip to Tokyo - and Seoul
Couldn't end this round of tips without mentioning this amazing trip. While I'm still working on Seoul's post, Tokyo's content is live on my blog with all the things we did, where we stayed and some useful tips!
And that's it for today! Hope you are enjoying these monthly recs!
We are very connected! I just entered the platform to check if you already had posted and there it is ☺️