Categories
New York Travel

It’s official: I’m leaving New York

It’s been a while since I’ve posted on here. As you know, the past year has had me questioning the next step in my life—with my career, my travels, and Just Visiting. After some serious soul searching, drinking, and location scouting, I finally uncovered the only “before I turn 30” path that felt right. So I began putting a plan in motion to become a location-independent freelance writer. But I also decided to continue to pursue the current plan of living in NYC and working in advertising. I figured whichever one just “works out” on its own is the route I will follow.

But before I dive into my future, let me talk a bit about the past.

This past spring I could sense things were shifting at my job. There were tense conversations, layoffs, rumors, and team shifts that gave me the distinct feeling that I was on my way out. Not only that, but my workload had changed tremendously and I was no longer doing anything that I was proud of. It was depressing to spend so much time and energy working on projects that seemed so trivial. I began to despise work.

Over the summer, things remained weird. And I remained miserable. So I updated my portfolio and LinkedIn. I responded to recruiters. I didn’t turn down a single opportunity that came my way—and oddly enough they were pouring in. I had conversations with about 15 ad agencies in New York and California. I got offers, some offering $10,000 more than my current income, and perks like regular trips to Los Angeles. But none of them felt right, or like I’d be any happier than where I was currently working. I didn’t want to leave my job for the sake of leaving, I wanted to leave to make the right move forward.

At the same time I also began searching for freelance projects and planning this adventure into travel writing by kicking off with a big trip. But three major freelance projects fell through, leaving me a bit hopeless.

So far both routes were a dead end, but I kept moving forward with both.

I spent August tying up loose ends and paying off old bills so that I could save every penny towards my adventure. I continued to interview for shitty jobs and continued to long more and more for pursuing my passion. I pushed my lease from Aug 31 to Oct so that I could have two more months to save before moving in with my parents during the holidays, and leaving on a one-way ticket at the first of the year.

Then two weeks ago I finally landed a freelance gig to last through the end of the year. To me it was a sign that freelance just might be the right direction. So I knew it was time to kick my ass into high gear and start acting on my plans of leaving New York. I spent Sunday taking pictures of the things I wanted to sell and getting moving quotes from NYC to Ohio on October 31st. Then I started questioning whether or not this was the right decision—to give it all up after eight years of busting my ass to get it. My apartment truly felt like home. I’d finally developed some close friendships and local neighborhood hangouts that I love. I realized maybe it wasn’t New York that sucked, it was just my job. Life was good aside from work.

I started second guessing my decision. For the first time in my life I was actually scared of going after what I wanted. I was up until 4am on Sunday, mind racing, confused as hell, and hoping and wishing for some sort of sign to point me in the right direction and make this easy.


Apt

Then on Monday, I lost my job. Me and a handful of others were laid off without notice.

Sure it caught me a little off guard, but my first concern was that I would no longer be able to afford my dream plan. But I quickly realized that I’m only 46 short days shy of my planned move-out date anyway, and I’ve already begun doing small things to prepare for this. I was actually ahead of the game.

In true problem-solving manner, I immediately started to think about different ways I could save money, and the first thing that I thought of was breaking my lease a month early. I emailed my landlord and within an hour of being laid off, my apartment was on the market. I was taking pictures and sending over for the listing, and scheduling viewing times for the next day.

So here I sit, after roughly 30 hours of being unemployed. As of 645pm my apartment has been rented for October 1st, and I’m moving out of my beloved city in a week and a half. It’s crazy soon, and crazy fast, but this is exactly what I needed. I needed things to just happen so that I could react and get things done without thinking. Gone are the sentimental feelings of leaving this city and selling off all of my belongings. Instead they’re replaced by the excitement of refocusing my life, my attitude, and my direction. I feel more free than I’ve ever felt in my life, and everything just feels right. I couldn’t be happier.

I don’t know where I will end up in the next year, but I can tell you that the journey is going to be amazing. I’m not going to reveal too many details about what’s next until I book a flight, but I’ve taken this as the biggest kick in the ass sign I could have received, and definitely the ultimate ending to my summer-long quest.

I’ve left it to fate and it’s never been more clear: go pursue what you truly love; you can always come back.

Categories
New York

What’s Next After Making It In NYC?

For the past twelve years I’ve been working towards one massive life goal— move to New York City, finish school, get a good job, and get my own apartment in Manhattan. Last September I finally achieved the last thing on that checklist. And ever since, I’ve been asking myself, “now what?”

Over those twelve years, planning and working towards something was all that I’ve known. Now that I don’t have that, I’ll admit I feel a bit lost. Kind of like I’m just moving through life everyday on autopilot, sinking into this monotonous routine that most people would call stability. I call it boredom.

I’m ready for a big change. But I also know how long it can take to get on your feet after making such a life-changing switch. Now that I’m finally stable, in New York of all places, do I really want to abandon all that I’ve worked so long and so hard for and start over, just because of my restless curiosity? It’s a question I ask myself every single day.

When I first thought about leaving New York, I couldn’t help but feel like a failure. I didn’t want to feel like I was leaving because I couldn’t make it here. It took a couple of years and finally getting my own place before I realized that it wasn’t that at all. The problem was that I had made it here, and I was ready to challenge myself to move on to what’s next. Sadly, what’s next in New York usually means moving up the corporate ladder to higher-paying, more stressful jobs, with more of a lavish social life and a bigger apartment in a better part of town. But that path doesn’t interest me, because mo money, mo problems, amiright?

This realization left me wondering—what do I want now? Unlike most chicks who might have thought that by 29 they’d be married with kids, I always thought that I’d be a pretty well-established writer by now. Well, I’m not. So this leaves me questioning yet another aspect of my current situation. Things like, while I enjoy it, why am I spending so much time and brainpower in advertising, writing for brands that already have millions of dollars and don’t really help to make the world a better place? Wouldn’t that time be better spent writing for myself? Or at least writing for organizations that actually help people and improve their lives? Something I can be proud of? Does that mean I should change careers, or just clients?

I guess I’m just not the person I was when I first moved here eight years ago. Hell, I think I’ve changed more in the past year of my life than I have in the previous 27 years combined. I no longer want to become an award-winning creative director working 60 hours a week coming up with campaigns. I want to be outdoors more. I want to help others, not just myself. I no longer want all of my social activities to revolve around drinking. I no longer want to waste the cost of a round-trip flight to Asia on one month’s rent.

So for the past eight months I’ve been trying to figure out exactly what it is I want out of my life now that I’ve proven to myself that I can make it here. This has left me with all sorts of questions and uncertainties. But I don’t want to plan for the next twelve years, or even the next two years. I just want to take one leap and see where that leads me, one day at a time. I’ve been exploring a few different possibilities, hoping that something would come up and lead me in a certain direction. But it hasn’t, so I’m left to pull the trigger.

All I know is I’m in a world of trouble when I receive my lease renewal papers in the mail (any day  now).

Has anybody else felt this way, like you’re not living up to your full potential? What did you do? It’s not that I’m afraid to make a change, it’s just that I really can’t decide on what I need to change and what I want to tackle next. Maybe it is something as simple as getting involved with different organizations here in New York, or maybe it’s more drastic like a complete change of scenery, or taking an extended break from city life to live out of a backpack and see where I end up.

Stay tuned as I figure this shit out.

Categories
Adventure Biking New York Outdoor

Biking Through NYC On The Five Boro Bike Tour

This afternoon I completed the Five Boro Bike Tour in NYC. This evening my Jell-o-like limbs are confined to the couch.

The Five Boro Bike Tour is an annual cycling tour of NYC, and it’s the largest recreational cycling event in the US. This year there were 32,000 riders, as they closed off a bike-only route through Manhattan, The Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and finally Staten Island, while crossing over five bridges.

I woke up this morning at 545AM and seriously considered staying in bed. After a hot shower to wake me up I layered on my giant diaper (aka biking shorts) and workout clothes. I was still full from last night’s Chipotle burrito, but I forced myself to fuel up with a peanut buttered bagel, a banana, string cheese, and a Sambazon Mocha Java drink. I was ready to do this.

I met the rest of the group I was riding with down at my office before we biked over to Sixth Avenue to join the first group of riders slightly ahead of the starting point. NOTE TO ANYONE THINKING OF DOING THIS RIDE: drop in slightly ahead of the starting point so you don’t have to deal with getting delayed from the massive hoards of people backed up for blocks.

We made our way up a car-free Sixth Avenue easily. Along the way there were live bands on the sidewalks, and small groups of people either cheering us on or pissed that they couldn’t cross the street. The air was brisk and the sun nonexistent behind thick grey clouds. I didn’t mind the goosebumps on my arms as I passed the first two ad agencies I worked at, the NHL store where I used to work in college, and Radio City where I walked at my graduation. It was kind of like a greatest hits tour for me. Plus it was nice riding on the city streets without the constant horn-honking traffic.

We entered Central Park at 59th Street and got our first taste of uphill riding. It didn’t take very long before we were on 110th moving into Harlem. It was still smooth, effortless sailing and we trekked across our first bridge, the Madison Avenue Bridge. From there the ride only went about two miles in the Bronx before we were crossing back over into Manhattan and onto the FDR, a road I’d so often feared for my life in the back of many, many cars, yet I was now biking in the center lane with no worries at all. The dark tunnel under Gracie Mansion echoed with loud cheers as we entered, and when we finally emerged back into the daylight the daunting Queensboro Bridge (sorry, I refuse to call it the 59th Street Bridge) began to peek out.

I was a little intimidated on the ramp, but I switched gears, stopped talking, and started pedaling. Before I knew it I was past the ramp and only a little sweaty. A few people got off and walked their bikes, but the rest of us pushed on and right over. Just like that, we were in our third borough, Queens.

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Clowning around at the first rest stop in Astoria Park

 

The first rest stop was at around mile 19 in Astoria Park and was basically mandatory, so we dismounted and grabbed a quick snack. By now the wind was really whipping, and I longed for a long-sleeved shirt. We all agreed we were warmer while cycling so we jumped back on and kept going. I had been 100% unfazed by the ride until the moment I got back on my bike and realized my thighs were definitely getting weaker.

After Queens we found ourselves riding through Greenpoint, Brooklyn and eventually Williamsburg along Kent Avenue. This is where the wind really began to pick up, so much that it was bringing my bike to a complete halt as I continued pedaling. This is also where I fell in love with DUMBO and for the first time ever imagined myself living in Brooklyn. I know, I even shocked myself.

Somewhere along the way right before we stopped so I could take a quick pee (which as it turns out I didn’t really have to take, my girly bits were just being fooled by the bike seat) Suzannah thought she’d channel her inner biker and throw some hand signals so those behind her knew to stop—and she wiped out. I felt bad that we didn’t even noticed and continued pedaling on without her, but she gracefully rejoined us with hardly a scratch.

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ESB from the BQE

We were about halfway through Brooklyn when I took on the daunting task of simple math, calculating how many more miles until the finish line. The wind was really difficult to pedal against, I was freezing cold, and my lungs hurt from breathing in the cold air. But we kept going, and going, and going, right onto the BQE Expressway. A man at the entrance ramp cheered us on, shouting only “nine more miles to go!” That would’ve been great had most of those nine miles not felt like an onramp.

After I was thoroughly exhausted, tinkering along slowly against the wind, three of us girls who had managed to stick together came to a common realization at the same time. We were all in agreement that we’d be walking over the Verrazano Bridge together.

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Riding on the BQE
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I can’t even believe this ad. In what world would a person who’s doing or considering doing drugs turn to rugs instead?
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Thanks MTA

 

Before we got to the Verrazano Bridge there was a tempting drop out point in which a good amount of people were actually taking to be driven over. But we continued onward.

The Verrazano is the massive bridge connecting Brooklyn and Staten Island. Its central span is 4,260 feet long, which is 60 feet longer than the Golden Gate Bridge, giving it the longest bridge span in the Americas. It also has no bike paths, so the only time you can ride across it on a bike is during the Five Boro Bike Tour each year.

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So close, yet still so far away

 

I chugged some water, took some deep breaths, gave myself a little pep talk in my head, and started pushing harder. Now that I was there, I didn’t want to stop and walk. I wanted to power through. As I pedaled my way slowly up the on ramp I looked to see just how far until the middle point where we would begin to descend. It didn’t  seem THAT far. I kept going.

 

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I sure as hell did own this bridge!
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It doesn’t look THAT bad…

One by one people started to jump off their bikes and walk. I kept going. The wind picked up and the impossible climb got even more difficult. By now I’d lost everyone in my group once I watched the last girl dismount her bike.

There were all kinds of motivational quotes on the ground in bright paint, people on loudspeakers giving words of encouragement along the sidelines, and I could hear music up ahead. The higher I got, the more the wind picked up and the more I swerved. I could feel my bike moving perpendicular to the direction I was riding with each gust of wind, skidding me a few inches to the left each time it blew. The incline seemed endless and felt even worse than it looked. I got close enough to hear the song playing at the finish line, Empire State of Mind, and my mind started to reminisce about how far I’ve come living in New York for the past (almost) eight years. (Yes I’m a nerd.)

It only took a few verses and I passed the rather lackluster finish line.

Finally, I’d made it! I was done! Time to throw my bike and my body onto the grass and relax!

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Almost there!
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Finish!

Not really.

I don’t really understand how they determined where to place the finish line, but it was deceiving. I figured it was all downhill from there, but the wind was so strong we were still pedaling at a snail’s pace for another 5-10 minutes or so before reaching the bottom of the bridge.

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For a second I questioned whether or not they put this side here specifically for the bike tour
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View of Manhattan from the Verrazano Bridge

 

We made it to the park at the end where they were holding a festival full of free cheese and chocolate milk, fun music, and pricey food. We only sat down for like two minutes before realizing it was freezing ass cold, and we’d be much happier to just get on the ferry and back to the city ahead of the crowds (since we were still at the front-ish of the pack).

 

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Glory gates
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The whole group reunited at the end
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We stopped on the way to the ferry for a quick shot of lower Manhattan from Staten Island

Well after the finish line and the festival we had to get back on our bikes and ride about another 3 miles to the ferry, complete with a few more hills. By now all of our butts, thighs, wrists, hands, and backs were telling us to take a break.

Luckily they moved us swiftly right onto a ferry and immediately to Manhattan where we arrived near my old apartment on Wall Street. I led the group back to our office to drop off our bikes on my old bicycle route underneath the FDR, when suddenly I felt my back wheel completely drop out. It only took 40+ miles, but I got a flat tire and was riding on the rim. Ironically we were about 25 steps from a bike rental shop, so they let me use their pump after our group’s handheld one failed. Thankfully my tire held the air so I could finish the ride.

SHOULD YOU DO IT?

Yes! It’s so awesome to see the city from a bike in so many areas where they’re usually prohibited! And no, you don’t have to be overly active or in awesome shape to complete it, but it couldn’t hurt. It really wasn’t as brutal as I thought it was going to be, and though I struggled a bit for the last 10 miles or so, I didn’t have to quit.

Just make sure to ride a good bike, wear padded biking shorts, and perhaps most importantly START EARLY. If you’re in the front of the group you’re much, much more likely to have a better time. We only experienced congestion once while merging in Central Park and once at the mandatory rest stop, but the rest of the ride we were comfortably distanced from other riders. I’d heard about other groups being so backed up they had to get off and walk for like an hour. Also remember, it’s not a race so you can stop however often you need to refuel and hydrate along the way.

The ride takes place on the first Sunday in May every year, and tickets go on sale in January so be sure to keep an eye on the site well in advance as they do tend to sell out. I paid $90 for my general registration pass, but I think it was definitely worth it. The ride itself took about four hours for us to complete, including two stops (totaling about 30 minutes), but after the festival and ferry, it took about 5 1/2 hours total.

Oh, and it’s a killer workout.

Categories
New York

HOW TO NOT PISS OFF A NEW YORKER

It’s March. The temperature’s finally above freezing (even if only for a couple of days), which means it’s almost tourist season in New York. So if you’re planning a trip while hoping to avoid “the angry New Yorker,” you might want to brush up on the laws of the land and catch up to the speed of the city.

Disclaimer: I’m not one of those self-righteous assholes who think the whole world revolves around New York, but I do understand the feeling of traveling somewhere and wanting to understand and respect the local culture, wherever that may be. And somewhere along the line, New York City became one of those places where many people want to fit right in.


LEARN HOW TO WALK
Our sidewalks are like our highways. And most New Yorkers walk in the fast lane. It’s preferable you keep up, but if you have to walk slowly, don’t do it arms linked with your friends so that no one can pass. Just move to the right and give us room to pass.


PREVENT SWIPE ANXIETY
To get around the city you’ll need to purchase a MetroCard unless you’re loaded with cab fare. For your own sake, it’s best you learn how to use it BEFORE you walk up to the turnstile, train waiting, during rush hour.

So have your card out and ready before you enter the turnstile. Know how to hold it properly (black strip facing inward, arrows pointing forward) and swipe in one decisive motion forward just like a credit card. There’s a little screen that’ll let you know whether it’s “OK” to pass through, or if you need to swipe again.


LEARN HOW TO USE THE TRAIN
Use the subway whenever possible and you’ll save a fortune on cabs. But for your own good, do a bit of research beforehand and learn how the trains work so that you know how to tell if it’s an express (white circles on the map) or local train (black circles), and learn that Uptown trains [essentially] run to any stops North from where you’re at in Manhattan, and Downtown trains run South. Each train line runs in two directions, so if you see a station name such as “Pelham Bay Park” or “Coney Island,” you’ll know that’s the direction the train is heading. Just look at a map and see what end of the line that station is, and you’ll be sure that’s the way the train is headed. If you want to go in the opposite direction, just look for signs to that platform, which can sometimes be across the street.

Hopstop is a good app for that, but so is Google Maps. Just plug in where you want to go and choose the public transportation icon for easy step-by-step directions. But do that above ground, because you won’t get reception in most stations underground. Or you can just ask a New Yorker, because more often than not they’ll happily give you directions. It’s up to you to judge whether or not those directions are accurate.


LEARN PROPER SUBWAY ETIQUETTE
Once you’re actually on the train, using common sense should get you by. But just in case you’re still worried, let’s discuss some of these.

– Wait for people to get off the train before you get on.

– Once you get on, move out of the doorway.

– If you get a seat, only take up the room necessary for one person. Pile your bags on your lap if you have to, don’t set them on the seat next to you.

– Don’t try and squeeze your XL ass into an XS space.

– Even if you’re good at balancing, hold onto something so you don’t go flying when the train suddenly jerks or stops.

– Clipping your nails can wait until you get back to the hotel room.

– Don’t lean on a subway pole, especially clenching it with your butt cheeks on a crowded subway. There’s only so much space people can grab onto, so please be considerate.

– Similarly, if you’re a guy and a girl (or anyone) has her hands far down on a pole, don’t lean your junk on her hand and think it’s okay.

– Sometimes you have to pack in and get super friendly with people. These also tend to be the times the train stalls between stations and the lights flicker. It’s normal. Just avoid eye contact and silently curse in your head like the rest of us.


SAVE THE SMALL TALK
Reaching a food/drink counter to place an order is not the time for friendly chitchat. Know what you want, and be ready to pay for it—often times just like that Visa check card commercial where it’s like an assembly line and that one asshole pulls out cash to pay and screws everything up. This still throws me off when I leave New York and I start talking to the counter staff. I just feel guilty even when no one is waiting.


GET USED TO SMALL SPACES
New York apartments are small. And if you’re staying with a friend who lives in a studio apartment, do not belittle it by constantly pointing out how small, old, etc. it is. We work hard and pay a lot to live in our apartments, and we’re kind enough to let you stay there rather than shelling out $200 a night for a hotel room, so shut up and enjoy it.

 

It’s a living room, dining room, bedroom, and home office in one!
At least the dinner table is never far from bed.


GET OUT OF THE WAY
Be mindful of where you stop and gawk. Taking photos is great, double checking your GPS, go for it. But just like you wouldn’t stop your car in the middle of the freeway to snap a picture of an exit sign, don’t do it in the middle of our sidewalks. Take a look at your surroundings then step off to the side so you’re out of the way.


GET THE HELL OUT OF MIDTOWN
Don’t associate New Yorkers with the overcrowded chaos of Times Square and then bitch about how rude New Yorkers are. Times Square is nothing but tourists, so naturally, when you’ve got a bunch of different cultures and languages all moving around in one spot, shit’s about to be annoying.

Actually on second thought, maybe it’s a good idea to corral all the tourists in Midtown…


BRING MONEY
Or at least a credit card that’s not maxed out. NYC is fucking expensive so be prepared to spend more on basically everything while you’re here. And don’t bitch about it to us or the cashier every time you pull out your wallet, because we already know. We deal with those prices every day while usually never making nearly enough money and paying three times your mortgage to rent out a closet. You’re on vacation, spend a little. And if you’re super cheap like me, supplement it with lots of free activities like walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, or going to the Crocodile Lounge and getting a free pizza with every drink you purchase.


MIND CYCLISTS, AND STAY OUT OF THE BIKE LANE
New York is a city with increasing bike traffic. And honestly, I never really paid much attention to cyclists until I became one myself. It’s unbelievable how many people completely ignore their right of way and then complain at how rude they are when they yell out “bike lane” to avoid a collision. So call them hipsters, delivery guys, douchebags, messengers, or whatever you want, but do them all a favor and stick to the sidewalks. Don’t walk or stop in the bike path, because despite what you may think, it’s not just another piece of pavement for you to roam freely. When you have to cross a green path, just give a quick look to make sure no cyclists are coming. And yes, you’ll definitely see parked cars, joggers, construction barrels, and oblivious texting pedestrians using the bike lane like their own private driveway, but don’t join them as one of those jerks.

 

Biking NYC


DON’T BE A DICK ON A SHITI BIKE
Speaking of bikes, if you’re going to rent a Citi Bike at least spend few minutes researching the bike rules and be prepared to be shit talked by those hardcore spandex-clad Lance Armstrong looking mother fuckers. Citi Bikes are part of a bike share program, intended for people to get from point A to point B within about 30-45 minutes. So no matter how many trips you take on your day pass, it’s not for you to rent out, go the wrong direction and completely fuck up the flow of NYC commuting. Just obey normal traffic laws, don’t ride even two wide on a narrow path, and well, if I were you I’d wear a helmet if you’re going to brave the streets. But I’m sure any New Yorker couldn’t care less if you go sans helmet.


IF YOU’RE LAZY, STAND TO THE RIGHT
I feel like you’ve probably learned this one at your local mall by now. Some subway stations and buildings have escalators because otherwise you’d be hoofing it up approximately 4 million stairs. But unfortunately these things don’t move quick enough for the oh-so-busy New Yorker who knows that their strategic race up the stairs will get them to their next train right before the doors close. So if you’re just along for the ride, stand to the right. If the escalator isn’t wide enough for someone to pass you, make sure the people behind you aren’t walking up. If they are, then sorry you are now too, or you’re an asshole.


DON’T BRING A TON OF SHIT
New York is a city of public transportation and walking, not one for lugging around your entire shoe collection for a weekend trip. And remember you’ll likely have to lug that thing up a few flights of stairs at some point or another. If you’re a chick or just a bit older or frail looking, a friendly man will more than likely offer to help lug your size ridiculous bag up or down the subway stairs. But wouldn’t we all just be much better off if you packed your shit in a small enough bag that can move freely along with you without clogging up the stairwell?

 

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I think after visiting you’ll quickly realize that not all of us are self-deserving assholes who think the whole world revolves around us. Our lack of outgoing friendliness just comes down to the sheer amount of people we deal with every day. Personally I move through the city in my own little bubble, headphones on, completely lost in my own thought. I don’t even notice most of the faces I encounter every single day, and if I were to say hello or flash a quick smile to each of them I’d never get anywhere. But I do notice those who get in my way and mess up my flow.

It goes without saying that some people are just irrationally angry or giant assholes—the same can be said about any place. But in a city with such an enormous population, small spaces, and a live-to-work mentality, you’re bound to encounter some tightly wound people from time to time so just deal with it and move on. After all, most of us were tourists at some point or another anyway.

But perhaps the best way to fit in is to do whatever the hell you want and not be at all sorry about it. Your indecisiveness is holding up that super important suited up d-bag from making it to his meeting on time? Maybe he should’ve left earlier. Your Citi bike joy ride going the wrong way down Allen Street briefly jolted those riding the right way? Well maybe you should respond to them the way my old roommate did, yelling out a loud “FUCK YOU!” and continuing on your way.

If you can’t beat them, join them, right?

 

 

Categories
New York Outdoor

27 PHOTOS OF FALL FOLIAGE IN CENTRAL PARK

Earlier this week I was walking across East 72nd Street when I noticed yellow leaves on the ground—something that’s easy to miss considering how few trees there are and how quickly the doormen of the fancy Upper East Side apartments spray the sidewalk clean first thing every morning. Even though it was 65 degrees that day, it finally hit me that it was fall. It also hit me that I’ve been in New York for eight autumns and have yet to make it up to New England to see the leaves change color. Hell, I haven’t even made it to Central Park to see the leaves until it was too late and the trees were already bare. So I decided right then and there that this was the year, and this was the weekend. I only live six blocks from one of the most scenic areas in the park, so I was going to grab my camera and set out for an afternoon exploring my neighborhood park, rather than continue taking it for granted.

I entered at 72nd and Fifth Ave and walked across to the Mall, Bethesda Terrace, and then the lake to snap some pictures of the Bow Bridge before making my way to Strawberry Fields. It smelled like decaying leaves and wet grass which was like a breath of fresh air compared to the city streets. Thankfully it rained for about 10 minutes which sent a bunch of tourists scrambling for cover and out of my shots. I struggled not to take a photo with every step, but it was even more colorful than I imagined, and further proof that fall is the best season in New York.

Let’s face it, neither words nor pictures can do any justice for actually experiencing it yourself, but here are some of the better shots I took. Enjoy!

Fall in Central Park

Fall in Central Park

Fall in Central Park

Fall in Central Park

Fall in Central Park

Fall in Central Park

Fall in Central Park

Fall in Central Park

Fall in Central Park

Fall in Central Park

Down came the rain and washed the tourists out (or in?)

Fall in Central Park

Fall in Central Park

Rowboats in Central Park

Fall in Central Park

Fall in Central Park

Fall in Central Park

Fall in Central Park

Fall in Central Park

Fall in Central Park

Fall in Central Park

Fall in Central Park

Fall in Central Park

Fall in Central Park

Fall in Central Park

Fall in Central Park

Fall in Central Park

Fall in Central Park

 

Categories
New York

LOST IN NYC: WHAT TO DO ONCE YOU’VE MADE IT HERE

I have so many European tales, photos, and videos to share, yet I’ve been procrastinating. Big time. Mostly because of the bullshit “I’m too busy” excuse. When you’re slammed at work writing well over eight hours a day, the last thing you want to do when you get home is write some more. Also my lease was up September 1st so I had to deal with a bit of an unplanned move. If you’ve ever moved in NYC you know just how overwhelming, time consuming, and stressful that can be.

But it all worked out for the best and I’ve since moved from my three-roommate share to my very own studio apartment. Finally, my own place, a good job, a pretty active social life, and the ability to travel a decent amount. I’ve officially got everything I ever wanted since I set out to New York City seven years ago.

My new teeny tiny studio apartment in New York City

 

Despite all of this, I’ve never felt more unfulfilled, and therefore uninspired to write. So I’m in the long and confusing process of trying to figure out what’s next.

A little backstory; I set my sights on New York when I was only 16. It took me five years of saving and busting my ass with work and school, and when I moved here I was hardly living the New York life I’d always dreamed of. I was struggling in every sense of the word, but I was making progress on my dreams and that was the best feeling in the world. Throughout several ups and downs, wins and losses, I continued to struggle. But I was always optimistic that some day it would all pay off.

Then in February 2011 I landed the job that I have now and everything started to get better. I was working at a great place with great people, doing work I’d always wanted to do, and I had the opportunity of working abroad from our London office on the horizon. In a sense, my professional life was flourishing—finally. And as a result, I was financially able to leave the crumbling relationship I’d been trapped in and move into a luxury building on Wall Street. Sure my friends made fun of me for living amongst “the suits,” but at the end of the day I was 26 and living in a fancy building on Wall Street. For a girl from Ohio, I was doing pretty damn good on paper.

Being able to say I lived on Wall Street was a great conversation piece as I traveled around the world. It made me feel like maybe I had finally made it, though I still cringed when I had to admit that I was 26 or 27 and had two roommates. Plus I didn’t like the prejudice associated with living on the same street as some of the most corrupt, money-hungry assholes in America. After all, I’m a t-shirt and jeans kinda gal.

Lower Manhattan, my old neighborhood when I lived on Wall Street

 

So when I moved into my own place it was a very proud moment. A milestone some would say. This is all I’ve ever wanted in New York City, to be financially stable enough to sign my own lease—just me, no roommates, no guarantors or cosigners— and just have my own little slice of one of the greatest cities in the world.

And now here I sit in my studio knowing that “I’ve made it,” but feeling completely detached from everything here. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t regret any decision I’ve ever made and I’m very grateful and proud that I’ve come this far. But I keep wondering what’s next now that I’ve accomplished everything I’ve been working towards for the last 12 years. Clearly I’ve grown a lot over the past twelve years, and this older, supposedly wiser me doesn’t want the same things that a younger me of even just a few years ago wanted.

Especially since I’ve gotten back from London in May, I’ve found myself regularly questioning things like:

— Why am I still in New York? The whole “I live in New York” novelty has lost its appeal. I could care less about parties, celebrities, or fashion. I don’t have money to eat at any of the world-class restaurants or buy designer clothes, and I absolutely despise the 4AM nightlife and clubs. Not to mention I’ve been here for seven years and while I have made many acquaintances, I definitely don’t feel like I’ve acquired many lasting relationships.

— Is it New York that’s pissing me off, or is it my career choice? Sure there’s never a dull moment in advertising which certainly fits my easily-bored ADD-like personality, but is this really what I should be doing with my writing talents? Or should I be using my creativity to solve real problems and help people in need, or at the very least write about something a bit more meaningful?

— Why do I keep convincing myself that it’s okay to fork over this much money each month to rent a studio apartment, just because it’s in New York City? I could fly to the other side of the world once a month for the price I pay in rent here.

— Why do I own a couch? Okay this is a weird one because sure I need it to fill the space, but it’s just a random clunky thing that’s going to be a pain in the ass when it comes time to move again. I guess I don’t like the idea of owning anything other than a computer and a camera because then things feel more permanent, and well, I don’t want that.

— Am I going to be like this forever, constantly pushing myself to find “what’s next?” Or will I eventually grow out of this and find myself happy and content with what I’ve got? Because if not, I could see this shit being really exhausting.

While these questions keep racing through my mind, I can be grateful that the “I want to settle down and start a family” bug hasn’t hit me like it has most of my friends (and hopefully it never will). But in recent years I have started to notice the lack of meaningful relationships I have in my life. I know that’s partially my fault, but it also has to do with the fact that I feel like I’m not meeting very many people with similar upbringings, values, interests, or goals, so it’s hard to relate or get too close to anyone. I guess it’s a good thing because that makes it even easier to pack up and go, but I’m still convinced it’s a bad sign when you’ve lived in a place for seven years and still haven’t developed (m)any meaningful relationships.

The bottom line is that I’ve spent a lot of time and hard work to get to where I am and as a result I think I’m burnt out. It’s making me lazy and I’m losing some of my ambition. I wish that I could postpone my student loan payments, pay off my credit card debts, sell everything I own, and travel the globe for like a year. Maybe that would lead me to somewhere else with an actual purpose for being there. And if not I’d come back and settle down on the West Coast like I’ve always dreamed of doing “once I got older.” I know that if I did it’d be a huge risk, and while I definitely wouldn’t look back and regret my decision, would it ruin my credit, put me further in debt, and make me worse off upon my return to the US? Probably.

So here I am, lost in New York City. As far as I’m concerned I’ve made it here, so now I can make it anywhere, right? But where? And more importantly, why there? The world is mine to choose from, I guess it’s just a matter of finding a place that’ll give me what I want next. Now I’ve just got to figure that out.

Have you ever been in a situation like this? What did you do? I’ve always been the type to plan things out and work towards them, but now it just seems like a waste of time. I just want to go somewhere and deal with things as they happen. But I’ve signed this lease until September 2014, so I’ve got some time to figure it out.

 

Categories
Afternoon Adventures New York

Popping My Pilot Cherry: Flying a Plane Over Long Island

I’m a doer. If there’s a way to do something I want to do, then I’m doing it.

My whole life I’ve wanted to fly an airplane but I never thought it was possible without spending like $10,000 on flight lessons or training to become a pilot. Or losing a ton of weight and undergoing plastic surgery to become some old rich dude’s trophy wife and taking his private jet for a spin while vacationing in the Caribbean. So you can imagine how stoked I was to see a $179 Living Social deal for a one hour beginner flight lesson out in Long Island. Once I read the words “…you will actually get to take off, land, and fly the airplane for one hour…” I was filling out my debit card information.

A couple of weeks ago I cashed in on this deal, convincing my friend/work partner Marcus to tag along as my official photographer. I thought maybe the world could benefit from some glorious shots of our plane going down in a rain of fire and metal. We took the LIRR for about an hour from Penn Station to Farmingdale, then walked 40 minutes through suburbia to Republic Airport.

What kind of beads are we talking here?

Faced with the possibility of failed aeronautics, we stopped at an awful choice for our possible last meal—Chili’s. Then we trekked onward towards the watch tower but there was this massive obstruction called Walmart in the way. They had their entire property fenced off for as far as we could see, but just a few yards past that fence was the airport. We only had ten minutes to get over there so we started calculating our fence height to climbing skills ratio. Luckily this nice stranger, Jimmy, overheard us and offered to drive us around this Western Wall of China. I was hesitant about getting into a car with a complete stranger, but I was with a guy so I figured we’d be okay, right? Then I looked in the car and saw a car seat. Ahh, he had kids! He had to be a genuinely kind stranger just helping us out, right? That or he’s an expert kidnapper with a keen eye to detail.

We gave him the benefit of the doubt and got into the car. But I had a plan just in case he was trying to kill us. Before Marcus even opened the passenger door I jumped in the back and pretended that my jacket was caught in the door, so I opened it again just to make sure it didn’t have child-proof locks so that I could tuck and roll at a moment’s notice in case he did try to kidnap us. Thanks Mom for embedding paranoia into my brain for the past 26 years of my life. But you should feel proud that I at least have a plan B when taking chances, and know that we got to the airport unharmed AND untouched.

I was late for my lesson because I stopped to take pictures
The Piper PA-28 Warrior I flew, isn’t she a beaut?

We were a few minutes late so we went right out to the plane to get started. I turned the key to what felt like an airplane prototype—the single engine roared as the entire thing rumbled and shook. Then the instructor had me run through a checklist of buckling up, checking the fuel gauges, basically making sure everything was in working order. Honestly I had no idea what I was checking but I was having a blast playing with all of the buttons.

What idiot trusted me in charge of this thing?
Marcus and I pre-flight
One last Facebook update before hitting the air

After a few minutes of flipping switches and pressing buttons, it was time to drive the plane out to the runway. There was a yellow line I was supposed to keep the nose of the plane centered with. But on this plane there was no steering wheel. Instead I used foot pedals to accelerate, brake, and steer. It was weird getting used to it because unlike a car the pedals are big, you use both feet, and each pedal has two controls for each side of the plane. For instance, if you press on the bottom of the right pedal, the plane will turn right, but if you press on the top of the right pedal, the right side of the plane will brake. And the same goes for the left side.

Some twists and turns later we found ourselves waiting in line behind several planes, listening to all of the ATC correspondence on the headset. We pulled up behind a significantly larger plane and the instructor started talking about catching the backdraft, which made me start to wonder “am I going to be following this huge plane into the air?” and I started having visions of being sucked into the engine Canadian Goose style.

Before long we were sitting first in line, and at this point there were about 6 small airplanes in line behind us. The instructor told me to turn left around the corner to the runway, and then push the throttle as far as it can go. Then once we hit 60 knots, pull back on the steering and we’ll lift right off the ground. It all seemed far too easy, but just like that we were in the air.

The lineup of planes waiting for me to take off
Me trying to reassure Marcus that I’m not going to kill him. Yet.

The ascent. Talk about an amazing feeling. I could hardly see over the dash, but the nose of the plane was pointed to the sky so I knew we were going in the right direction. The feeling of the ground disappearing below was even stronger in the pilot’s seat, and every tiny wind or air pocket threw us several feet and shook us just enough to remind me that I’m only partially in control. Finally it was time to pull the throttle back and level out. Then I had to arm wrestle this giant lever attached to a heavy wheel between the seats to get it to click into place to adjust the trim and maintain a more level flight without having to sit with my hands on the wheel. After that it was smooth sailing, and there were definitely a few moments that I was so fascinated with the scenery that I forgot I was the pilot. Marcus on the other hand, well let’s just say that he suffers from anxiety.

Me straining to see over the dashboard
Marcus having a minor anxiety attack in the back seat

We flew over the Long Island Expressway and headed up towards Connecticut, then we turned out over Fire Island when I finally realized what the compass did. The instructor would turn this dial and a yellow triangle would move to a coordinate on this numbered gauge that I hadn’t even looked at until now. Apparently this is where the plane is guided to, so every time it started turning automatically I kept thinking we were flying crooked and I needed to level out. So essentially I was steering against the plane this whole time.

I should’ve stunt-landed on the beach

Landing was probably the most challenging part because it was slightly unnerving to pull the throttle back and decrease the speed so quickly. Suddenly it was like we were in slow motion, and that was the first point where I realized just how fast we were going in the air. Before long we were aiming down over the Long Island Expressway with the runway in sight which was pretty amazing. It looks just like in the videogames. The lights on the runway signaled that I was coming in a bit high, so we continued to descend quickly until eventually we were hovering above the runway, then boom—contact. The wheels hit the ground and I think we all breathed a sigh of relief.

Coming in for a landing
Touchdown!

Overall I was very comfortable with the whole experience, if not completely enthralled. My mind began to race a bit while trying to level out because I couldn’t help but wonder if those jolts and drops were just turbulence. I began to think about how small the plane was, and noticed how easily the wind seemed to move us. But the feeling of being in control that high off the ground, looking down on tiny New York below us made me feel extremely at peace.

As a bonus, these lessons are good for life and I’m now one class closer to earning my pilot’s license. Maybe one day I’ll be “Pilot Kim,” galavanting the globe one maxed out credit card worth of fuel at a time!

Categories
Money Saving Tips New York

NYTTS: 9 Tips to Spend Less and Travel Like a Pro

This past weekend I attended the New York Times Travel Show at the Javits Center in New York City. I planned on attending both Saturday and Sunday, but the 8 hours of intense deal-hunting on Saturday was more than enough. The main floor was packed with all kinds of travelers, shirtless men, Jets cheerleaders, food, drinks, dancing, and a stuffed moose. What better way to enjoy a taste of the world without spending the money to step foot on a plane, right?

Barbados Girls
Festive dancing of Central & South America
Winning booth: Antigua and Barbuda

I sat in on hours of seminars led by travel writers and experts (such as Seth Kugel, Andrew Evans, Robert Reid, and Beth Whitman), and spent another couple of hours “window shopping” past the countless booths of paper flyers and cultural gimmicks. I may have been a little too excited at first, grabbing flyers for every intriguing destination that was almost within my price range. And yes, my shoulders are still sore three days later.

One of two bags of travel information I gathered

Since I’m recovering from about 17 paper cuts, I haven’t been able to sift through this massive heap of brochures yet to find the best deals. If you’re looking for some good deals from the show you may want to head over to the NYTimes Frugal Traveler. Instead I figured I’d share some tips on how the experts say you can travel smarter and cheaper in the future.

NYTimes travel staff, including Seth Kugel of The Frugal Traveler
Beth Whitman of Wanderlust and Lipstick, Max Hartshorne of GoNomad, and Kent St. John

From the New York Times Travel Show, 9 Tips to Spend Less and Travel Like a Pro

1. Reach out to your social media community for advice on places to go, things to see, and places to eat for wherever you’ll be that day. You’re likely to find a cheaper (and possibly better) experience than any search engine or guidebook will give you.

2. Look at exchange rates when searching for bargain destinations.

3. If you’re looking to travel right now, the NYTimes travel crew recommends these destinations for budget travel: Greece, Portugal, Libya, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Bolivia, Iceland, Equador, and Colombia. Just be careful if you’re visiting a place that’s been in the news a lot lately!

4. Things that are never worth splurging on (are obviously personal preferences, but Seth Kugel has two major ones): airport food, and taxis when there is public transportation available. I’d also like to throw in bottled water when the local tap is just fine. You can’t be a diva when you’re trying to save a buck.

5. Major chain hotels are much cheaper on Priceline and Hotwire. This is something I’ve never tried out because I’m a bit of a control freak, but Seth was relentless about how many great deals he’s gotten in the US from bidding sites. You can find help on how to master the skill on betterbidding.com and biddingfortravel.com.

6. Stay away from big hotels by using sites like eurocheapo.com and hostelworld.com for cheaper bed & breakfast style accommodations. And no, they’re not all youth hostels.

7. Sniqueaway.com and Tripalerts.com are two Groupon-style websites offering up deals on a daily basis, the former being invite only. They’re not entirely budget friendly, but depending upon your finances, you can certainly stumble upon a good deal from time to time.

8. Lately I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about Yapta.com, and at the travel show was no exception. It lets you track flights before you purchase, sending you a notification when prices drop and advising you on when to purchase. Then if the price drops after you’ve purchased, it helps you to get a refund for the difference.

9. Sign up for all the travel deal newsletters that you can. When it comes time to book, do a quick inbox search for your destination and see if anything pops up. You never know when an airline has a deal for your dream destination!

Good luck using these tips to find yourself an affordable getaway! Happy travels!


Categories
Food + Drinks New York

How to Enjoy a Rainy NYC Day for Under $20

Temperatures could hit nearly 60 degrees this Friday in New York City, but winter isn’t quite over yet. All of those faux-spring days also bring plenty of grey skies and puddles galore. Whether you’re a tourist or a local, what better way is there to spend a rainy New York day than exploring one of the many world-famous museums? Since most of them have suggested admissions prices (which basically means you can pay whatever you want), it’s the perfect idea for anyone on a budget. Note to tourists: if you buy tickets for the American Museum of Natural History online, for example, you’ll pay the recommended general admission price of $16 plus a $4 fee (certain exhibits cost an additional fee). Just wait to buy tickets at the museum for a better deal. I paid $5 on a Saturday, and one of the girls I was with only paid a nickel; talk about a steal! Spend your money on a fabulous brunch instead. In fact, here’s a game plan for you to enjoy a perfect New York Saturday, rain or shine, in the Upper West Side for under $20.

If you’re looking for a cheap but classy and cozy brunch experience, Alice’s Tea Cup (Chapter 1) is the perfect fairytale prelude to a day at the museum. We were attracted by their extensive list of teas, but were pleasantly surprised at the quality of our meals.

Alice’s Tea Cup Chapter 1

Alice’s Tea Cup is a small restaurant and bakery with three locations in the Upper East and West Sides of Manhattan (chapters 1, 2, and 3, naturally). We visited Chapter 1 at 102 West 73rd Street since it’s only a few blocks from the American Museum of Natural History. Upon entering you’re deliciously teased with baked goods and specialty teas, and just a short walk to the back finds a few tables tucked away for dining.

The entryway lures you in with cookies, cakes, teas, and fairytale paraphernalia
The dining area and key-lock doors to the kitchen
Their great policy on cell phones

You might encounter a bit of a wait on the weekends so make sure to arrive early, leaving plenty of time for the museum afterwards. In the event that they tell you it could be an hour wait, just give them your phone number (they’ll call you!), and head around the corner for some window shopping on Columbus Ave. (In our experience a 60 minute wait playing dress-up in Betsey Johnson turned out to be more like 20, FYI). The tea isn’t more than a few bucks and the meals generally run between $8-$13, so you can enjoy a more healthy, gourmet meal than most places in that price range. Plus you get enough tea to last your entire meal, not just one tiny cup.

Poached eggs with smoked salmon and a rosemary hollandaise sauce
on top of buttermilk scones, with asparagus and pears
Croque Monsieur and mixed greens
Fresh berries for the yogurt and granola dish
Nutella and fresh blackberry crepes

I won’t give too much away about the AMNH in case you’re planning to see it for yourself. But before this trip, I’d never seen dinosaur bones in person (or if I did, I was far too young to remember). Needless to say I was ecstatic, pretty much like a 9 year old in a Baskin Robbins. Memories of my geeky grade school science books came pouring into my head as I rattled off random facts about the massive beings.We all enjoyed every last bit of our delicious meals and left feeling satisfied and fully energized to make our way through the museum.

Right when you enter the lobby, there are three overwhelmingly large dinosaurs just waiting to come to life and attack the hundreds of people below. We stopped dead in our tracks, jaws on the floor and cameras clicking away when we heard “you can’t stop here,” to which my friend Stephanie brilliantly snapped back “if you don’t want us stopping, don’t put awesome dinosaurs right there!”

A spectacular welcome to the American Museum of Natural History

The dinosaurs were amazing! I couldn’t help but think more than once that these “bones” looked more like petrified wood carved into silly shapes and sharp teeth. But it’s hard to believe that these things walked the same earth that us humans do.

Kimbosaurus creepin’
Pterodactyl skeletons are ridiculously creepy
Whoever said the Triceratops never existed?

Stegosaurus plates. Definitely one of my favorite dinosaurs as a child

I must forewarn you about one thing. I usually start museums on the top floor and work my way down to the bottom. The AMNH is huge. Not only that, but the dinosaurs are on the top floor. Once you see the dinosaurs—these massive, intriguing, extinct creatures—the other exhibits might not excite you all that much. Particularly the New York State Environment wing. We even passed the African wildlife area after seeing the dinosaurs and I just was not impressed. It’s almost  like, “Psh. I can see those elephants at the zoo any day. I’ll come back when they’re extinct.”

But there’s still plenty of intriguing exhibits at the AMNH. We took so long with the dinosaurs that we didn’t have much time to view too much more, but we did make it a point to take a glance at the meteorites, gems, ocean life, and of course, the giant Blue Whale.

A large iron meteorite that fell onto Earth with these pre-exisiting perfectly drilled holes
Gems and minerals
The ocean is an entire world in itself

You’ll be navigating your way through 25 interconnected buildings, so you’d better wear comfortable walking shoes. In theory, it sounds like an easygoing day, but as I left I heard one mom sum up the experience perfectly to her son: “I’m exhausted. I’m exhausted to my core. We’re going home.”

If you’re craving some dinosaur action and can’t make it to the AMNH any time soon, check out some more photographs on Flickr. And if you are planning a trip, be sure to download one of the the AMNH apps for your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad.

Categories
Food + Drinks New York

The Stanton Social: Tapas, NYC Style

If you’re looking for a unique dining experience in New York City, you’ll want to head down to the Lower East Side. The Stanton Social is a tapas-style restaurant serving up food that is intended to be shared amongst a group—hence the word “social.”  With a full raw bar and 40 additional items to choose from, you’ll probably have a hard time narrowing your selections down to just a few. I’m not usually one to share food, but ordering 13 different dishes certainly made me feel more generous.

The Stanton Social is a fantastic (though slightly expensive) way to try new foods of several different ethnicities. It’s hidden on the South side of Stanton (we walked past it twice), but the reward is well worth the search. The decor is very sleek for the Lower East Side—a bit of 1940s swank with intimate leather booths tucked along the walls, and a row of tables down the middle on the first floor. The far wall glows with a gigantic display boasting over 2,000 bottles of wine.

After being seated we started off with a complimentary Pumpkin Puree and Ricotta Crostini, which was a surprisingly tasty blend of two of my favorite flavors—pumpkin and cheese—served on a crispy round of bread. Being the frugal gal that I am, the idea of a “free” dish was so exciting I scarfed it down without taking a photo. For the other foods you’ll have to excuse the blurry photos. I was going to a concert after dinner so the only camera I had on me was my iPhone. Plus, it’s one thing to photograph your own food before eating, but telling three others to “hold on” while trying to get the perfect shot doesn’t always go over so well.

Shortly after placing our orders the plates began to come one by one. The continuous flow kept the meal moving, giving us little time to wonder what was coming next. We always had 1-3 dishes in front of us, but they were replaced just as quickly as we finished to keep the flow going.

Maryland Jumbo Lump Crabcake “Corn Dogs” $13

I’m not a huge fan of seafood, but these were probably the best of the seafood dishes that we ordered. The crab cake was 10x better than those I’ve had at the Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco.

French Onion Soup Dumplings $12

If you’re a fan of the Food Network you’ve probably seen these on “The Best Thing I Ever Ate.” These bite-sized dumplings are served in an escargot dish, melted with a layer of Gruyère cheese, and skewered with croutons. These weren’t as brothy as I thought they would be, but the flavors were all there. Plus I’m a sucker for anything with Gruyère on it.

Potato & Goat Cheese Pierogies w/ caramelized onions & truffle crème fraîche $9

This soft blend of creamy flavor worked perfectly together with just a dab of the dipping sauce (and I’m usually a scooper, not a dipper).

 

Barbecue Duck Confit & Black Bean Empanadas w/ smoked tomato & blood orange jam $10

I was a little nervous about the blood orange jam as a sauce, but the flavors mixed incredibly well, and really moistened the black bean filling to a more enjoyable taste and texture.

Sweet & Sour Chicken & Cashew Spring Rolls $9

I didn’t care for the spring rolls, probably because I don’t have the taste buds for anything sweet & sour. Everyone else enjoyed them, so they must’ve been good.

Warm Piquillo Pepper ‘Bruschetta’ stuffed with roasted garlic-goat cheese $7

These. Were. Amazing. The red pepper was somehow prepared into a strangely smooth, soft, and flexible texture that felt weird to touch but tasted great. The flavors in the garlic goat cheese stuffing paired perfectly with the pepper and the crispy bread.

Sliders: ‘Kobe Philly’ w/ truffle & goat cheese fondue $9; Kobe Beef Burger $7; Rhode Island Style Lobster Roll $9

I ordered the Kobe Philly and enjoyed a different take on the Philadelphia Cheesesteak. I’ve only had one Philly Cheesesteak in my life so I don’t have much to compare it to, but the quality of this miniature sandwich FAR surpassed the one I had in a Midtown deli. That truffle and melted goat cheese concoction should be used on every dish that I order from now on. Everywhere.

Social Mac & Cheese with chorizo & oven dried tomato $12

I licked the dish clean with this macaroni and cheese. It was a perfect mixture of gooey cheese and crunchy, toasted bread crumbs. The little bits of tomatoes added a new, juicy taste to this gourmet macaroni and cheese.

Creekstone Farms Natural Hanger Steak w/ tomato chorizo sauce, truffle salt, & crispy tater tots $21

Ohhh the hanger steak. Had I not been so full, I would’ve wanted this to be an 8 ouncer. Both the red and the green sauces rocked my world.

Butter poached Lobster Pizzetta w/ caramelized shallots, smoked bacon & truffle mascarpone $18

Again, not a huge fan of seafood, so the lobster pizzetta was probably my least favorite. I tried one piece but the medley of flavors was almost too much for me.

Red Velvet Twinkie w/ cream cheese & crème fraîche filling, $4 each

The red velvet twinkies were satisfying and moist, but nowhere comparable to some of the best red velvet cakes in New York City.

Apple Pie Sundae w/ caramel-cinnamon ice cream, pie crust nuggets, caramel apples & whipped cream $10

Do NOT buy this dessert unless you definitely intend on sharing. It’s huge! I thought it would have been better with vanilla ice cream (but then again I don’t like caramel), but otherwise it was an interesting change to apple pie à la mode.

Chai Crème Brulée with spiced ‘misfortune’ cookies $9

This was phenomenal. The “misfortunes” inside of the cookies were slightly depressing, but one bite of the perfectly cooked custard certainly made my night.

If you’re planning to visit The Stanton Social, I definitely recommend making a reservation. Arrive hungry and preferably with someone else’s credit card. Depending on how many people in your party, most of these things are literally priced per bite. My guess is you’ll be so overwhelmed with choices you’ll start spending ferociously like we did. For four people they say 7-8 dishes are usually enough. But 13 selections and $215 worth of food later, we all left happy.

The Stanton Social
99 Stanton Street between Orchard & Ludlow
Lower East Side, NY 10002
Brunch 1130a-3p
Dinner Sun-Weds 5p-2a; Thurs-Sun 5p-3a