Amedama on the Go Go

Bargain Hunter's NYC

It will come to no one's surprise when I say that NYC is a great place to shop for clothing and accessories.  Barney's, Bergdorf Goodman, and Henri Bendel are all close to each other and offer beautiful and exclusive items.  Just be warned, you could do some serious damage to your bank account at any of these three uber shops.

Over on 59th and Lexington Bloomingdale's always has a couple of sale racks in each department.  Their selection of dresses is extensive and there's always a bargain to be found (don't neglect the smaller Bloomies downtown in Soho either, it has more of a boutique feel and is the hip younger sister of the two outlets).  Macy's is completely overwhelming with its vast stock but if you are looking for shoes their selection is pretty impressive.  They have several shoe stores worth.

But bargain hunting is where New York comes into its own.

Iconic Landmarks

This vintage Pepsi-Cola sign is one of my favorite sights in New York.  I didn't find out until afterwards but in 2003 the sign was in danger of being taken down for good.  Pepsi sold their old bottling factory in Queens to a property development firm. 

Luckily, I'm not the only one who loves it.  New York's Landmark Preservation Committee supported Pepsi Co's decision to move the sign 300 feet south of where it originally was in order to erect it on its own 60x200 ft plot of land (Pepsi sold the rest of the land but kept this piece for the sign).  The view from Manhattan over the East River to Queens just wouldn't be the same without it.

New Classics

Pizza is a beloved type of food across most of the westernized world but for something that is so ubiquitous, there aren't many Great pizzas.  NYC has one of these.  It's only a few years old but wow, the pizza is sensational.  Created from freshly made dough, sparklingly great ingredients - san marzano's and buffalo mozzarella from Italy, and a wood fired oven, the Pizzaiolo only makes four kinds that he's perfected.  There is a Margherita, Bianca, Filetti, and a Marinara.  Owner/Pizzaiolo Anthony Mangieri is serious about his pizza (he's a New Jersey boy but the technique was honed in Naples) And boy, you know it must be good because for a place that is the cause of such a passionate following the restaurant is not convenient to get into.

Una Pizza Napoletana is only open Wed-Sunday, they start service at 5:00pm and stop when they run out of dough.  They don't take reservations so you'll have to show up at their east side establishment and get in line.  And there will be a line.  If there is a way for me to plan a meal during my trips to New York at Una Pizza, I do but on other occasions, when I'm more pressed for time, there is another pizza place just a few years old in New York whose pizzas aren't quite as good but has also become a new classic.

New York Classics

When you live in a city there are often famous things about the city that you never get around to doing.  The thought behind this is that you live there, no hurry.  Then, before you know it, you move away and never get around to doing them.

Sushi Yasuda

I woke up this morning craving my sushi meal at Yasuda-san's last week.  It was so good that I immediately made another reservation to have dinner there again before I left New York. 

The Royalton

Midway through my stay in New York I changed hotels to The Royalton.  Nothing wrong with the Millenium UN Plaza but its not on my company's approved list of hotels and half of my trip to New York was work related.

I like The Royalton and have stayed there quite a few times when I've come into New York for work.  The rooms are comfortable and a decent size and the service is pretty good.  They also have a 24 hour gym and the lounge in the lobby is great for casual meetings.  The location in midtown is very convenient.

   

I love the white palette decor.  Very soothing.  Exactly what you need after long days of meetings in New York.

This particular room also had a tiny room just before the shower that was entirely mirorred and bizarrely, held an exercise bike.  For someone who likes to workout on an exercise bike, that room is probably very convenient but they also better not be claustrophobic.  I used the room to put my makeup on, all those mirrors and the bright light came in very handy.

The Royalton, 44 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036 (between 5th and 6th ave), (212) 869-4400

Where be Sullivan Street Bakery?

During the years I lived in New York, Sullivan St. was visited quite frequently by me.  Originally, it was to visit the Sullivan Street Bakery but along the way a yogurt maker from the outer boroughs opened a shop next door and then the street became one of my favorite snack spots in the city.

One Fine Day

Beautiful New York days in late November/early December aren't rare but the weather hit 60F last week and walking around with no coat on in the sunshine was really enjoyable. 

ADNY - Alain Ducasse at Essex House

That image was the cause of huge excitement for me on Thanksgiving day.  I'd been to ADNY exactly one time before, the first year they opened and the meal has remained in my memory ever since.  Not only was the meal and service itself spectacular but I have fond memories of the sweet cart they roll around to you at the end of the meal.  After cheeses, after dessert, and after petit fours, you also get to choose candies to your heart's content.  Call me childish, but something about being able to take home shirley temple-esque swirled lollipops and jewel colored candies made me very happy (and as if that wasn't enough they also gave us goody bags with a brioche each... just in case we could eat anything else that day).

But six years has passed and a lot has changed since that first visit and will continue to change at ADNY.  When I was there the first time in 2000, Didier Elena was the Exec Chef but the Exec Chef now is Tony Esnault.  ADNY is also due to move location at the end of the year.  But I wasn't worried, I'd heard great things about the current food and those in the know assured me, there was no way Tony would take his eye of the ball just because they were due to move location soon.

They were right.

Winter Season in NYC

I'll have to come clean and let you know that when it comes to New York City I'm more than a little biased.  This is one of my favorite cities in the world and Manhattan was also my home for several years.  But I don't feel I'm being biased when I say that New York is one of the best cities to be celebrating the winter holidays in.  Thanksgiving all the way through to December is an incredibly festive and happy time to be in New York (actually, anytime is a good time to be in New York but this time of year is extra special).