The Big Apple

My morning flight to Shanghai was the next day, so just one abbreviated night in NYC this time. There was once a time, I didn't particularly like New York City, but that's definitely changed the past few years.

After landing in LaGuardia and with Google Maps for the iPhone in-hand, I successfully hopped a bus and subway to midtown. Never flew into LaGuardia before and was a little surprised how small the airport seemed to be.

It's mad tourisy I know but I like the lights and energy of Times Square. I emerged from the 42nd street metro stop on a nice comfortable cool summer evening. (Contrast that to the hot, humid, summer afternoon I left in Minneapolis). Had some time to kill, so walked a bit committing to memory the new Broadway shows and stores I want to check out for next time.

I met my college friend Esther at Bobby Flay's Bar Americain on 52nd street. I didn't have much time to research food joints in the city and I recall BA being on my list from my last visit. New American food with a warm modern decor. Nice digs - what you'd expect from a celebrity chef in that part of town. The menu showed hints of Flay's Southwestern preferences. The food was really good. I'd recommend BA and come again for sure. I ordered the duck.

My hotel was adjacent to the World Trade Center site (thanks Hotwire). New and nice place, but distance from midtown sucked.

Esther and I met another college friend Erin at Ava Lounge, a roof top danceroom/lounge atop the Dream Hotel. I've been to better roof top places in NYC, but I was tired and it was easy to get a drink. Music was nearly too loud for conversation, and we didn't discover some of the outdoor patio areas until later. Good times seeing some old friends I hadn't seen in over 7 years. After a quick McDonald's stop (not for me), I called it a night to get a couple hours of shuteye.