day three- still enjoying the terrace

I know you will think that all we did on this trip was eat - and sit on the terrace drinking and you would be somewhat correct but we did walk each day at least one way to or form our meals and we got outside-

I have written before about the numerous times I and we have been to NYC even before the kids both lived there- so we really rarely do touristy things and we often just walk the city- I was struck as I took some of the photos contained in this post by how similar my subjects are here to those of when I am traveling- store windows and markets - interesting buildings or little things that catch my eye along the way-

I have long since stopped carrying a camera to NYC but that doesn't stop me from taking photos (thanks to smart phones) and so it is easy to share the experience of the city (really THE city- when it comes to the US) -

so this day we headed south to one of our very favorite spots- Gotham Bar & Grill for their lunch- they have a nice prix fixe there as well-

Phil ordered from the regular menu and started with the always fab tuna tartare-

I did the prix fixe and started with the gazpacho of heirloom tomatoes

Phil had the duck and I had a second starter of the chopped salad- although it just looks like a jumble in the photo it was very good...

Phil's Clafoutis and my chocolate cake (intense flavor but light texture)

then on to some outside time on another glorious day-

 

our view of the water tower sea...

 

this evening- we entertain Maryanne and Jeremy stops by as well-  before our 8:45 reservation at Degustation!

the entire restaurant is a sushi bar style dining experience - maybe seats 16 people max- we met Jeremy's friend Jenna at the restaurant and waited a brief time and took our places- before the incredible dining experience began- a truly worthy meal- small plates but amazing flavors packed into small packages!

ooops- I lied about the oyster at NoMad - that one had mignonette granite -  this was the one with the mignonette foam!

fluke crudo-

shrimp

risotto

the char which they graciously substituted for me and Jeremy and Jenna instead of the lamb-

the lamb-

cheese course-

palate cleanser of pop rocks (yes you read it correctly) and a berry-

the amazing dessert of French toast brulee (I will come back for this a thousand times- oh yum yum yum!) oh and the best thing- it was served with smoked maple syrup - kind of a bacon-y sort of flavor- OMG!

you can't see so much in this photo but the three chefs prepared everything right in front of us- the grill chef was at our end of the "bar" and the sous chef was just down a bit and the guy who worked the fresh stuff beyond him-  they worked with an incredible focus and it was like a ballet to see them prepare the meal for us... really great dinner!

so back "home" tomorrow is another day- good weather predicted and good food continues....

day two - we leave our terrace

but not for all that long- LOL-

we start our day at Hakkasan for the prix fixe lunch - food there is really fab- we have been before and it is worth a repeat visit- the décor is stunning and the lunch crowd runs the gamut of ages and types of visitors (business, social, tourists)

 

steamed dim sum-

the wagyu beef chow fun

fried dim sum-

duck spring rolls- excellent - all duck no filler- a must order as an addition to the prix fixe set lunch -

the meal comes with the dumpling course a main (here the beef and below that the shrimp) and rice and bok choy along with dessert- we added the chow fun and duck course to round out...

house made and very fresh macarons!

below the menu choices:

 

from there we walked across town- the weather was perfect and so we sat in Bryant Park for a while just people watching and relaxing after lunch- in the late afternoon we headed back to our terrace as daughter Angela and friend Maryanne were coming for wine on the terrace- our plastic cups were not exactly luxe but the view satisfied everyone!

the above signage from the horror that is 42nd street near Times Square- what an awful area- if you could believe it we saw people actually eating at APPLEBEE'S!!!!
- all I can say is OMG- what are/were they thinking?

we were not the only ones with the idea of sitting outside on a beautiful autumn day-

back to our home away from home and terrace happy hour and then we headed north for dinner with Angela and Lee to Caravaggio-

the king crab salad was fab- both Lee and I ordered it and we were happy campers-

Phil and I shared a white truffle risotto special as a middle course- it may not look like much but it tasted like heaven-

Phil ordered lamb for his main and I ordered the chicken meatballs from the appetizer menu - knowing the meal was going to be numerous courses-

my espresso panna cotta was very good but didn't make it to the "to die for" category-

the service was excellent- extremely professional but still warm and welcoming- 

we had nice Nebbiolo for wine and Angela and I had "girl" cocktails (LOL)

it was a lovely evening - all the food was good but the company was what made the night- both Angela and Lee were relaxed and happy and it made me think of something my old boss once said to me in relation to his own kids

"they say (the famous THEY) that you are only as happy as your least happy child" - and that evening I think we could say Phil was happy (LOL)