New Year - New York

 

NEW YEAR - NEW YORK

So, it’s the New Year, January, that month that seems to go on for ever, cold, damp, dark.

Time to indulge in a couple of my favourite pastimes, travel, and food.

I’ve been to the Big Apple on numerous occasions before, so why go back? New York has a place in my heart from my previous career as a Firefighter and following the tragic events of 9/11 where so many innocent people perished, I was lucky to visit and play my part with other colleagues from the emergency services, the memories will stay with for me for ever - I love going back, it’s familiar but ever changing.

New York for me is everything you’d imagine if you closed your eyes, yellow taxi cabs everywhere beeping their horns, traffic , the Iconic locations, Big American trucks, steam from the sidewalks and roads, bright lights 24/7, voices in every Language, street carts selling food of every description on every corner, riding the subway with people engrossed in their music, talking loudly to their colleagues, every fashion imaginable – it’s an assault on the senses, I love it !

So down to Business, we’ve got here, it’s 9 o’clock at night, the city is in full flow, and I’m hungry! I could just go to bed, but that would be crazy right? I’m staying just off Times Square (47^th street) for anyone wanting to get around Central NY, the street numbering is a dream once you get used to it, travel up a block and you’re on 48^th street and so on. So I know I’ll pay slightly higher prices but I don’t venture too far and find a little Burger joint (I say little, but the choices go on and on…)

It's a classic (double)Cheeseburger for me – extra pickles of course!

My wife sticks to the single, and we share some cheese fries (enough to feed a small army) Suffice to say we’re full. After a quick wander around the locale, we both agree that the day has caught up with us (5-hour time difference from home) and it’s time for bed

Up at a decent time, unusually the hotel does a full breakfast, rude not to right? Fill up for the day ahead, I like to walk around whenever possible as there’s so much you miss otherwise. We don’t need to do the all the big sights as we’ve done them before, but today amongst others it’s the highline and some new architecture at Hudson’s Yard, then Macys, (I’d get lynched by the other half if we didn’t stop in this NY shopping Icon) then Central Parc, interspersed with numerous watering holes, coffees, lunch – you get the picture!

My App on my watch is telling me we’ve walked a long way, it’s just as well it’s not counting the calories! The sun is well over the yard arm, as the famous saying goes, we decide it’s time to go back to the hotel for a little power nap.

Suitably refreshed it’s time to venture back out to the  Yardhouse which we walked past a couple of times it looked inviting with plenty of people inside  and it’s mix of great food, a huge selection of beers and classic rock.

“Yard House, the modern American gathering place where beer and food lovers unite, is an upscale, casual eatery known for great food, classic rock music, an energetic vibe and endless fleet of tap handles featuring the best American craft and import beers”

In case you are wondering -  a lovely hazy IPA “ sloop juice bomb “ accompanied by a Philly cheesesteak sandwich, pickles, crispy onions and of course - fries

After a few more tastings from the extensive beer taps, the events of the day have caught up with us, so we wander the few blocks back to the hotel, and we’re in ”the land of nod” fairly swiftly.

The phone alarm rouses us, we’re off to the 9/11 museum today amongst other places, something that is dear to my heart and very moving every time I go as I alluded to earlier in this blog. Tickets for most of the “ attractions” are easily booked nowadays on your phone or device, so no queueing for tickets anymore. NY seems quieter than I remember, something which is borne out with our various conversations with waiters, servers, and hotel staff. Covid, recession (global) who knows, but no queues and walking into restaurants without reservations is certainly a new thing for me in NY!

Time for a bit more walking, through the financial district (Wall Street) then skirting the Hudson river, to walk over the famous Brooklyn Bridge.

What no food? Oh yes - We wander back to just off the World Trade Centre site, to re visit a restaurant we came to the last time we were here. bluesmoke  “Blue Smoke serves up mouth-watering barbecue, sides, and homestyle baked goods alongside delicious cocktails, local and Southern beers, and a wide range of American whiskies”.

Beef Brisket, Corn Bread and Pit Beans. Sticky Spare Ribs, Pickles, Corn Bread and Fries.

Washed down with a local IPA.

With full bellies, we decide the tube is the only option, we head back “uptown” to Penn Station and we get off to walk around moynihan train hall  with great architecture and of course food hall ( too full to eat anymore at this stage) but great just walking around soaking up the sights and smells.

Time once again to go back to the hotel for a break before heading out into the nightlife, we were going to see a show ( you can get last minute tickets from the booth at Times Square ) but apathy got the better of us ! (And the prices !!) Is New York cheap? NO is the resounding answer, but isn’t every city?

The evening sees us back at Yardhouse, watching the world outside dash by as it’s raining.

Last day, late check out, but the flight isn’t until later in the day so a few hours to kill before making our way to the airport.

Bagel time…..

 So it'soff to Liberty Bagels, the home of the rainbow bagel!

,So our NY journey is over, It’s been a blast, I hope you’ve enjoyed my little insight, Where next? – wait and see, but it won’t be long that’s for sure, and I’m sure they’ll be some more foody bits.  – until next time!

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