Ice Skating
On Thursday morning we returned to the friendly staff at the Upper East Side Tompkins Square Bagels. This time Steve had the Beyond Delight—Just egg, Beyond meat, Stockeld cheddar & drizzled Sriracha on an everything bagel. This became Steve and Karina’s absolute favorite!
Descending back into the subway on our way to the East 90th St ferry terminal.
The ferry is a true bargain at only $4.50 to ride from 90th to Lower Manhattan. Here is Karina nearing the south end of Roosevelt Island and the Queensboro Bridge, inspiring me to sing the opening theme to The King of Queens.
The Eagle + West apartments in Brooklyn look like stacks of moving boxes, haphazardly jumbled in two big piles.
The Empire State Building from East River.
Unfazed by the freezing wind, Karina was the only person on the boat’s deck who was not bundled under layers of clothing.
After passing under the famous Brooklyn Bridge.
Amanda and the Brooklyn Bridge
Steve and the Brooklyn Bridge
Nearing the end of our journey at Pier 11/Wall St.
The waterside promenade was closed for construction, so views of the Statue of Liberty were limited.
Lady Liberty in the distance.
From the southern tip of the island, we took the subway north to 66 Perry St in the West Village, better known as Carrie Bradshaw's Upper East Side apartment in Sex and the City.
Carrie wasn’t home, so we walked to Washington Square Park in nearby Greenwich Village—a favorite filming location from Karina’s favorite Law & Order: SVU.
City workers were busy putting up a Christmas tree in front of Washington Arch.
Will watching skateboarders inside the empty Washington Square Fountain.
From the park we walked two blocks to Third Rail Coffee for a yummy afternoon pick-me-up.
An evening view of World Trade Center (aka Freedom Tower)—the main building of the rebuilt World Trade Center complex and the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. We happened to pass REI on Lafayette St, so we had to pop in.
Instagram influencer Remy from Veggiekins and owner of Frauth Matcha recommended Matchaful on Mulberry St, so this was high on Amanda’s list of places to visit.
Our two iced matcha lattes were delicious, but Karina tried the Winter Special Mindful Mint and that ended up being the real hit. (4g Hikari Ceremonial Matcha, peppermint extract, coconut butter, Madagascar vanilla bean, housemade oat milk, & maple syrup)
Amanda was craving her own warm Winter Special Mindful Mint matcha. Here she is inside the Spring St subway station on our way to dinner.
John Pucciatti, an immigrant from Umbria, Italy, opened John’s of 12th Street. in 1908, making it the oldest Italian restaurant in the East Village.
These famous candles were used to alert customers of police presence when the restaurant served as a prohibition-era speakeasy. Those candles are still lit every night at John’s and have burned up almost a century’s worth of wax—a metaphor for the long history of John’s.
Ready to tuck in!
Will had homemade lasagna. Karina had this vegan ravioli with fire-roasted tomatoes, spinach & tofu in a vegan alfredo sauce.
Amanda had seitan parmigiana with vegan cheese.
Steve had John’s Vegan Ragu over housemade vegan pappardelle.
The vegan tiramisu!, served in the traditional non-baked style, was phenomenal! After dinner we took the 6 Train north to Bryant Park.
The blue-lit spire of One Bryant Park—better known as the Bank of America Tower—soars above the entrance to Bryant Park.
Will enjoying a hot chocolate with Baileys at the Winter Village at Bryant Park.
With almost an hour to spare before our ice-skating reservation, escaping the cold at Connolly’s Irish Pub (121 W 45th St) was irresistible. Here’s Will showing off his new Yankees cap and a Christmas present for Lauren.
Nearing 11 p.m., we arrived at Rockefeller Center and the astonishing Christmas tree. Amanda found a Loft just outside a subway station and bought a sparkly sweater.
Half way around The Rink At Rockefeller Center in front of Prometheus.
On the ice under the gorgeous Christmas tree.
Looking up from The Rink.
Bucket List ✅
The wide-angle lens distorts things a bit, but the perspective is fantastic.
Walking past Macy’s on 34th St on our way back to our hotel after a wonderful day filled with delicious bagels, beautiful sites, & lovely matcha and an evening filled with tasty food, warming drinks, and an amazing night of ice skating under the world’s most magnificent Christmas tree! ❤️ U NYC!
