Some days on vacation are smooth with everything going according to your itinerary, and some days start off like this one. 

The plan was simple enough – wake early, subway to the Staten Island Ferry, walk back to a scheduled tour of the New York Federal Reserve Bank, then take a tour of Brooklyn.   We woke early enough, but the timing in my mind wasn’t working well enough.  When we got to the Staten Island Ferry dock, we realized we wouldn’t have enough time to get over and back before our Fed tour.  So we call audible 1 – let’s do a walking tour past the WTC site and then on to Wall Street before our tour:

The “Bull” in lower Manhattan:

WTC site under construction:

Jodi in front of the New York Stock Exchange:

Next it was on to a tour of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.  Some interesting exhibits and coin displays (including a rare 1933 Double Eagle coin worth millions) preceded a tour into their gold vault holding over $335 billion worth of gold bars.  No photography was permitted, but I got to touch a stack of gold bars worth just north of $3b. 

Leaving the Fed, we realized we had only one of our two tour tickets for Brooklyn, so audible 2 was called – a ferry ride to see the Statue of Liberty and the lower Manhattan skyline:

After a quick stop at a gluten free bakery for some mini cupcakes (we’ve tried some of the best GF bakeries in NY and Chicago, and still nothing compares to Halifax’s own Susie’s Shortbreads GF cupcakes), cookies and a surprisingly good gluten-free muffin, we’re on to Les Halles for a late lunch.  The steak frites are outstanding.

On the way back to the hotel to rest our feet, we make a quick stop at Grand Central Station.  It is a remarkable building and the main hall is awe inspiring.  You can imagine the number of people through here in a day and all the greetings and good-byes that have happened here over the years:

The evening sees us taking in a Broadway play – Billy Elliot at the Imperial Theatre.   It’s spectacular – the music, dancing and acting is first rate.  Even if you’re not a fan of the theatre, it’s something you can’t miss here.  A Broadway play is unlike anything else you’ve ever seen.

Times Square at night wraps up our day.  Here we are together taking in the sights:

Two days in, and I’ve got the subway system down (after a bumpy start) and starting to walk like a New Yorker (ignoring traffic signals, elbows up).   Years from now, I know what I hope I remember today for – the day the Philadelphia Eagles signed Nnamdi Asomugha, the missing defensive piece that finally got them a long-awaited Super Bowl:

The travel day routine is pretty straightforward now.  Wake early.  Drive out to Sackville to pick up my Dad who will keep our car (and wash it!) while we’re away.  Head to the airport.  

Today, we’re through security and US customs quickly and settle in until flight time.  As the NFL as opened for business, we’re both scanning Twitter and news feeds for the latest news.   The flight leaves on time and arrives on time in New York. 

We can’t check-in at our lovely boutique hotel, but a quick change of clothes and we’re off to take a tour of upper Manhattan and Harlem.  You can almost feel the disgust of the locals as they look up at you on top of the big red tour buses, but for a first day in a new city, this is a good way to get oriented.

After the tour, we’ve off for lunch at Bar Americain, a Bobby Flay restaurant.  In the middle of a business lunch crowd, we’re very under dressed, but I hardly notice once my burger shows up.  It’s hands down the best burger I’ve ever had.  On the side are the best fries I’ve had since Belgium a few years ago.  Crispy outside, fluffy insides – perfection.   A Dogfish Head 60 minute IPA is the perfect beverage accompaniment.

After much more than the daily recommended serving of red meat, we’re off to check into our hotel.  Spectacular room, modern design and outstanding staff, it’s the perfect home away from home for the next 4 nights.

After a wee bit of wandering around in the late afternoon, dinner is a short subway ride away at Pure Food and Wine close to the Union Square area.   The restaurant serves raw vegan food.  Nothing is heated above 118F in the preparation process.  The meal was an eye opening experience and one of the most uniquely pleasurable meals I’ve ever had.  Jodi and I kept sharing parts of our meal back and forth completely taken with the flavours and textures.  Although a difficult selection from a spectacular menu, here’s what I settled on:

Drinks: I start with a mojito made with sake (very fresh and crisp) and it sets a great tone for the meal.  A glass of Oregon pinot noir went well with the meal.

Starter (see below): Niwa Maki of Avocado, Enoki Mushrooms, Pickled Heirloom Baby Carrots with asparagus, mango, scallions, spicy aioli:

Main: Sweet Corn and Cashew Tamales with Chili Spiced Portabella with salsa verde, cashew coconut sour cream, avocado, raw cacao mole – the mole was outstanding, the tamales had a delicate flavour and I could drink buckets of the cashew coconut sour cream. 

Dessert: Salted Chocolate Caramel Tart with pecan caramel, dark chocolate ganache, maldon sea salt and vanilla cream (split with Jodi as I was well on my way into a food coma by this point in the evening)

Probably among the top all-time meals for me (and there’s some good competition for that list).  It’s a great end to our first day in New York.