Friday, September 11, 2009
Sarah's Travel Blog
My friend Sarah and her husband Rob decided to take advantage of the Jet Blue Fly for a Month promotion and are currently traveling all over the U.S. To find out about their adventures you can read her blog here: http://www.robandsarahgo.blogspot.com/
New York City
So I could actually write a whole blog on just New York, but here are some of my favorites and some things I am looking forward to doing next time. There will be many more New York recommendations to follow...
Risotteria
Gluten-free and you’d never know. Their ceasar salad has a dressing so amazing that we asked if we could buy it. Plus, its on a great section of Bleeker and up the side street are a bunch of other amazing restaurants. Look up their address just so you can be in an awesome section of town if nothing else. But seriously, the salad and the gluten-free breadsticks are amazing!
http://www.risotteria.com/
Magnolia Bakery
Yes, yes, I’m sure you’ve been. I will say they have now opened multiple locations and the new one by Rockefeller Center is great. I now get the Banana Pudding. It’s better than any cupcake. Seriously. I loved it so much I went back the day we left to order it just one more time.
Northern Central Park
Okay, I didn’t do this, but I think you should. At the top of Central Park there is this beautiful garden I never knew existed. I saw it in a book when we were there last time and I was sad it was just too late in the day to trek it up there. It looks gorgeous! Go and tell me how fabulous it is!
John’s Pizza
I still say this is the best pizza in NY. And though the Bleecker location is the original, I still think the 44th St. location is the better one. Great architecture and right in the heart of all the theaters.
Risotteria
Gluten-free and you’d never know. Their ceasar salad has a dressing so amazing that we asked if we could buy it. Plus, its on a great section of Bleeker and up the side street are a bunch of other amazing restaurants. Look up their address just so you can be in an awesome section of town if nothing else. But seriously, the salad and the gluten-free breadsticks are amazing!
http://www.risotteria.com/
Magnolia Bakery
Yes, yes, I’m sure you’ve been. I will say they have now opened multiple locations and the new one by Rockefeller Center is great. I now get the Banana Pudding. It’s better than any cupcake. Seriously. I loved it so much I went back the day we left to order it just one more time.
Northern Central Park
Okay, I didn’t do this, but I think you should. At the top of Central Park there is this beautiful garden I never knew existed. I saw it in a book when we were there last time and I was sad it was just too late in the day to trek it up there. It looks gorgeous! Go and tell me how fabulous it is!
John’s Pizza
I still say this is the best pizza in NY. And though the Bleecker location is the original, I still think the 44th St. location is the better one. Great architecture and right in the heart of all the theaters.
Boston
Stephanie’s on Newbury Street
Newbury Street in general is just fun to walk up and down, but Stephanie’s is THE lunch place. Really nice outdoor seating. Great lobster roll. Ignore the Euro-Trash and know that the service can be slightly slow.
www.stephaniesonnewbury.com
Flour Bakery
Known for their Sticky Buns. The owner beat Bobby Flay in a “throwdown” with it. I’ve had it and it is really good. Everything at the bakery looked good, but that’s the only thing I tried.
http://www.flourbakery.com/
Beacon Hill
This is the really nice part of Boston. Kind of their Beverly Hills. Really pretty brownstones and cobblestone streets. It looks very much like what you expect Boston to look like. Charles St. is the main street in this area and has great restaurants. I ate at Todd English's restaurant Figs. It was good, but there are so many great looking spots on the street you could probably go anywhere and it would be good. But, I say just walk the street if nothing else. It’s just really pretty. Cool market on the corner too.
Boston Commons
It’s their Central Park if you will. If you walk Newbury St. you end at the garden side of the Commons and it’s really pretty. And they have a pond with those cheesy swan boats. PLEASE take a ride in one of those cheesy swan boats! Send me a picture!
Other tips
The airport is anywhere from 10-30 min. from the city depending on what part of the city you are entering at. Oh, and there is NO SALES TAX on clothes. They count them a necessity. They really are smarter in Boston.
Newbury Street in general is just fun to walk up and down, but Stephanie’s is THE lunch place. Really nice outdoor seating. Great lobster roll. Ignore the Euro-Trash and know that the service can be slightly slow.
www.stephaniesonnewbury.com
Flour Bakery
Known for their Sticky Buns. The owner beat Bobby Flay in a “throwdown” with it. I’ve had it and it is really good. Everything at the bakery looked good, but that’s the only thing I tried.
http://www.flourbakery.com/
Beacon Hill
This is the really nice part of Boston. Kind of their Beverly Hills. Really pretty brownstones and cobblestone streets. It looks very much like what you expect Boston to look like. Charles St. is the main street in this area and has great restaurants. I ate at Todd English's restaurant Figs. It was good, but there are so many great looking spots on the street you could probably go anywhere and it would be good. But, I say just walk the street if nothing else. It’s just really pretty. Cool market on the corner too.
Boston Commons
It’s their Central Park if you will. If you walk Newbury St. you end at the garden side of the Commons and it’s really pretty. And they have a pond with those cheesy swan boats. PLEASE take a ride in one of those cheesy swan boats! Send me a picture!
Other tips
The airport is anywhere from 10-30 min. from the city depending on what part of the city you are entering at. Oh, and there is NO SALES TAX on clothes. They count them a necessity. They really are smarter in Boston.
Chicago
For anyone headed to Chicago anytime soon, these are my favorite things...
Magnificent Mile
Yes, its basically just a bunch of stores, but it’s a pretty street and much is located off of it, so I’m suggesting you see it. In fact, most of what I will reference is nearby.
Giordano’s Pizza
GO! There is no questioning. Do not listen to those who say Uno, or Gino’s, or any of the other deep dish establishments is better. They are not. I have done taste tests. This is THE best, quintessentially Chicago deep dish pizza. Their thin crust is actually good too, but get the deep dish. We have no deep dish in L.A. that is like this.
I They have many locations but I suggest this one:
RUSH STREET(312) 951-0747730 N RUSH ST.
www.giordanos.com
Garret’s Popcorn
If you feel like a snack I recommend Garrett’s. They make this amazing combo of cheddar and caramel popcorn which sounds disgusting, but is phenomenal. Even there plain, buttered is good. Oh, and they’ll let you sample before you make a decision.
Neighborhood: The Loop4 E Madison St(between Holden Ct & State St) Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 263-1108
www.garrettpopcorn.com
As for things to do, I love the Art Institute. I highly recommend it. It’s honestly one of my favorites. And look at their schedule because I think one night a week it’s free; although I paid and it was totally worth it.
Also, the John Hancock building. Oh and here’s my cheap-o tip. Don’t pay for the trip to the top, just go to the lounge that’s one floor beneath it and order a drink. That’s what we did. And use the women’s restroom. It’s ridiculous because it next to the gigantic windows. We went and came out and were freaking (especially me with the fear of heights, who had purposely avoided being close to the edge all night long) and we thought it was just us who thought it was strange. I come home and tell my friend Adam I went to the Hancock Building and he goes, “Did you go in the women’s bathroom?” Then I read in Real Simple magazine that they suggest exactly what we did (going to the lounge instead of paying to go to the top) and they too say, “Make sure to check out the women’s restroom.” So, check out the women’s restroom.
Lastly, my hotel there, The Palmer House, has the most amazing lobby I’ve ever seen. Seriously, not even going to describe it. Google if you wish, but if you need a place to just rest for awhile, go to The Palmer House and sit in the lobby. They also do tea in the afternoons, and I want to say it’s close to the Art Institute.
Magnificent Mile
Yes, its basically just a bunch of stores, but it’s a pretty street and much is located off of it, so I’m suggesting you see it. In fact, most of what I will reference is nearby.
Giordano’s Pizza
GO! There is no questioning. Do not listen to those who say Uno, or Gino’s, or any of the other deep dish establishments is better. They are not. I have done taste tests. This is THE best, quintessentially Chicago deep dish pizza. Their thin crust is actually good too, but get the deep dish. We have no deep dish in L.A. that is like this.
I They have many locations but I suggest this one:
RUSH STREET(312) 951-0747730 N RUSH ST.
www.giordanos.com
Garret’s Popcorn
If you feel like a snack I recommend Garrett’s. They make this amazing combo of cheddar and caramel popcorn which sounds disgusting, but is phenomenal. Even there plain, buttered is good. Oh, and they’ll let you sample before you make a decision.
Neighborhood: The Loop4 E Madison St(between Holden Ct & State St) Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 263-1108
www.garrettpopcorn.com
As for things to do, I love the Art Institute. I highly recommend it. It’s honestly one of my favorites. And look at their schedule because I think one night a week it’s free; although I paid and it was totally worth it.
Also, the John Hancock building. Oh and here’s my cheap-o tip. Don’t pay for the trip to the top, just go to the lounge that’s one floor beneath it and order a drink. That’s what we did. And use the women’s restroom. It’s ridiculous because it next to the gigantic windows. We went and came out and were freaking (especially me with the fear of heights, who had purposely avoided being close to the edge all night long) and we thought it was just us who thought it was strange. I come home and tell my friend Adam I went to the Hancock Building and he goes, “Did you go in the women’s bathroom?” Then I read in Real Simple magazine that they suggest exactly what we did (going to the lounge instead of paying to go to the top) and they too say, “Make sure to check out the women’s restroom.” So, check out the women’s restroom.
Lastly, my hotel there, The Palmer House, has the most amazing lobby I’ve ever seen. Seriously, not even going to describe it. Google if you wish, but if you need a place to just rest for awhile, go to The Palmer House and sit in the lobby. They also do tea in the afternoons, and I want to say it’s close to the Art Institute.
New Orleans
It's been a while, but here are my suggestions for New Orleans...
First, downtown New Orleans is about 30-45 min. from the airport. Just an FYI. Now, for what to do:
Go to Bourbon Street just to say you went. Its totally overrated, but Pat O’Brien’s does have a cool dueling pianos/sing-along thing at night which is kind of fun.
Eat beignets at Café du Monde. Eat at the original in the French Quarter. Order Chicory coffee to go with it. You are now officially a New Orleanan. (Is that even correct?)
http://www.cafedumonde.com/main.html
Oh, and when you fall in love with the wonder that is the original beignet, just know that the takeout counter at the Jazz Kitchen at Downtown Disney makes the EXACT same ones, so it’s only a 45 min car ride away if you live in L.A. or go buy the mix. But still, go to the original.
Brennan’s
Here’s the thing with Brennan’s; they are the creator of the greatest dessert to ever be created-the Bananas Foster. BUT, we went and had a very pricey, but so-so meal. The Bananas Foster though is everything everyone says it will be and more so I highly suggest going late and just getting dessert. It is spectacular and they make it tableside. DO NOT however order a Mint Julep. Gross, gross, gross. I learned this lesson the hard way.
Oh, and lastly, their brunch is rated best in the city, but I did not eat brunch there, so if you are there on a brunch day, maybe do that if you feel like splurging.
http://www.brennansneworleans.com/
Mother’s Restaurant
This is where you go for Po’ Boys. It is a New Orleans institution. If you are going to eat a Po’Boy this is where you go. Just DON’T ask for anything to be taken off or substituted. They get a little cranky. And DON’T ask what they mean when they ask if you want your sandwiched “dressed”. My friend got the biggest eye roll of all time to this question.
http://www.mothersrestaurant.net/
Lastly, I hear the Garden District is gorgeous so take a walk there if you can!
First, downtown New Orleans is about 30-45 min. from the airport. Just an FYI. Now, for what to do:
Go to Bourbon Street just to say you went. Its totally overrated, but Pat O’Brien’s does have a cool dueling pianos/sing-along thing at night which is kind of fun.
Eat beignets at Café du Monde. Eat at the original in the French Quarter. Order Chicory coffee to go with it. You are now officially a New Orleanan. (Is that even correct?)
http://www.cafedumonde.com/main.html
Oh, and when you fall in love with the wonder that is the original beignet, just know that the takeout counter at the Jazz Kitchen at Downtown Disney makes the EXACT same ones, so it’s only a 45 min car ride away if you live in L.A. or go buy the mix. But still, go to the original.
Brennan’s
Here’s the thing with Brennan’s; they are the creator of the greatest dessert to ever be created-the Bananas Foster. BUT, we went and had a very pricey, but so-so meal. The Bananas Foster though is everything everyone says it will be and more so I highly suggest going late and just getting dessert. It is spectacular and they make it tableside. DO NOT however order a Mint Julep. Gross, gross, gross. I learned this lesson the hard way.
Oh, and lastly, their brunch is rated best in the city, but I did not eat brunch there, so if you are there on a brunch day, maybe do that if you feel like splurging.
http://www.brennansneworleans.com/
Mother’s Restaurant
This is where you go for Po’ Boys. It is a New Orleans institution. If you are going to eat a Po’Boy this is where you go. Just DON’T ask for anything to be taken off or substituted. They get a little cranky. And DON’T ask what they mean when they ask if you want your sandwiched “dressed”. My friend got the biggest eye roll of all time to this question.
http://www.mothersrestaurant.net/
Lastly, I hear the Garden District is gorgeous so take a walk there if you can!
My travel Blog!
My friend Sarah has encouraged me to start a blog about my travels, so here it is. Some info will be from recent trips and some are suggestions and stories from past trips. The majority of my trips are for one night only, so I'm constantly looking for either the best thing to do in town, the most quintessentially related to the city, or the most iconic. Please enjoy!
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