My friend C was lucky to have her name picked to join the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon last March 19th. Supporting our friend and finding an excuse to fly back to the City that Never Sleeps J, my husband, and I decided to go to New York for the weekend.
Sadly the fluctuating temperature, stress, and lack of sleep took a toll on me and I was pretty much under the weather (aka my asthma was triggered) a few days after that.
Nevertheless, NYC is doable in 48 hours, provided you know where you are going and ready to face some subway line closures. Also made me realize that I really like NYC (I first visited in 2012), grit and all, so I am definitely coming back.
Day 1 (March 19) – arriving with J from an 8:20 am Toronto flight. After arriving at LaGuardia, we went to the right side of Terminal B arrivals and bought our 7-day MetroCard (there is a dispenser but only accepts credit card payment) since we’ll be taking the subway for the most part.
Approximately 10:30 am – met up with K (who took the bus the night before) and C (who flew the night before) and pig out at our childhood nostalgic fast food, Jollibee (62-29 Roosevelt Ave.) Took bus Q70 from LaGuardia and head down to Woodside.
Around past 12 pm – we took the subway heading to Times Square to The Row (700 8th Ave) where C was staying. Re-grouped and split up, agreeing to meet back at the hotel later around 4 pm.
C and I headed to Rubin Museum of Art (150 W 17th St) to check out Steve McCurry‘s India project. My husband K and J went to Uniqlo and did their shopping. Role-reversal? :p
I personally thought that I am lucky to see some of his works up close. Worth the trip.
Around 4:30-5:00 pm after meeting back at C’s room we then headed to Hilton Garden Inn Long Island (29-21 41st Ave) to check in to our room. Re-grouped (again) and freshened up before meeting K’s friend LR for dinner.
Running late, figuring out which was the fastest way to go. Only to have our plans trampled by encountering a subway closure.
Arrived at Jeepney Filipino Gastropub (201 1st Avenue) really late (a ‘classic’ Filipino trait that I certainly dislike). Had our orders taken and somehow felt that one of our servers are trying to upsell us. Not a very good impression.
left: banana ketchup ribs; right: sisig tacos.
left: K ordered Red Horse beer; right: chicharong bulaklak
left: calamari (?); right: deconstructed bicol express
left: pork buns; right: bistek kalbi. My main picks are the kalbi and the ribs, although in general I found the taste was underwhelming and the price tag was not justified. I’ve been to a couple of Filipino restaurants that ‘modernizes’ or ‘decontructs’ classic dishes but they’ve been better experiences.
J, K, and L. 🙂
Headed back to Times Square past 9:30-10:00 in the evening as K and I wanted something sweet. L recommended Amorino (721 8th Ave) which is right across C’s hotel.
We’re fans of gelato and Amorino did not disappoint. 🙂
L ordered their famous gelato flower. Cute!
Hello from A & K!
Sadly I left my Rolleiflex at the hotel so I wasn’t able to take some film photos at night. Sigh.
left: sneaking a few more photos to ease my disappointment about not bringing my Rolleiflex; right: Day 2 – March 20 sunrise while we slowly move to get ready for C’s run.
Around 7 am: met up with C at Times Square and sent her off at Central Park. Surprised her with a funny banner with some of her running photos.
Snuck in a few early morning photos at Central park before we headed out for a quick breakfast.
After re-grouping, K went to pick-up C (as she finished early that we/she thought, while J accompanied me to Ladurée Upper East Side (864 Madison Ave.) to buy macarons for myself and my manager.
Our group met up past 11 am at Katz’s Delicatessen (205 E Houston St) for lunch. Katz’s is a classic pilgrimage for movie afficionados as it’s a place where When Harry Met Sally shot one of their popular scenes.
The line-up isn’t too bad outside but as it’s a popular place it could be really crowded inside. You get a ticket upon entrance and you are told to keep it. You line up for your food and servers will take the ticket to list the amount you have to pay. Use this ticket at the cashier to pay for your food and drinks. Cash only.
K and I had the double meat sandwich – I selected pastrami and beef brisket. Yum.
Katz’s photo wall of famous customers
C showing off her half-marathon medal!
J and I left NYC around 7:30 pm and arrived in Toronto about an hour. Four rolls out of that 48-hour trip. Can’t wait to show these to you (still waiting for my slide film to be developed).