West Village Date Night
📍 Madison Square Park, NYC

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Nothing makes me feel luckier than being able to visit New York twice in one summer. The last trip was only back in June for an extraordinary 30th birthday. This most recent trip was a bit more last minute, but sometimes those are the best ones! Our dear friends invited us to spend a long weekend at their Hampton’s house. When you get asked that kind of question, the answer is always yes! To make the absolute most of our trip, we spent a night in Manhattan and had dinner with Sydney and her boyfriend downtown. Date nights are always better in the West Village, right? 

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Walking Along 5th Avenue

For the evening, we opted to stay at The Evelyn, a charming boutique hotel in the heart of NoMad. This neighborhood has become my go-to for visiting the city because of its central location. I can hope on the 6 train and be at my favorite destination in the Upper East Side or Downtown in a flash. There’s also so much to see within walking distance. On this particular evening, it was warm without being too stifling. So, we opted to stroll down Fifth Avenue all the way to Washington Square Park. Take your time to enjoy the exquisite architecture and the even better window shopping.

Pre-Dinner Drinks at Rosemary’s

Before we met for dinner, we had just enough time for a quick cocktail. There are so many places to choose from, but we settled on Rosemary’s. When we lived in the city, we had walked by this place a handful of times. Even though we were always intrigued, we never visited. All I can say is that I’m so sorry I put this off for so long. Once inside, I felt transported to a Tuscan cafe with incredible sights and smells to match. After finding a spot at the bar, David and I enjoyed a cocktail or two, relishing over how great it feels to be in New York.

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Dinner at American Bar

After drinks, we literally crossed the street for the main event. I was so happy to have snagged dinner reservations for four at American Bar. This is one of the hottest restaurants, but the rattan chairs and effortless decor instantly sold me. The fact that they also had a stellar cocktail list certainly didn’t hurt either. While I loved my Chopped Salad, the time with good friends stole the show!

Bar Hop in the West Village

After dinner (and a few more cocktails), we continued the party by doing some light bar-hopping in the West Village. The next stop was The Happiest Hour. When we lived in the city, this was one of my absolute favorite bars. Its kitschy and tacky souvenir decor oddly reminded me of Florida, but I loved their ‘Pick Your Own Spirit’ cocktail menu. After a few more rounds and location changes, I happily collapsed into my plush hotel bed. I felt so fulfilled after a fun night out with friends.

The moral of the story: Always take advantage of any trip that presents itself. Those are often the most rewarding, especially when you can spend them with good food, cocktails, and even better people! I’m already daydreaming of my next trip to Manhattan. See you soon, NYC!

Love from NYC,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

An Upper East Side Day
📍 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan

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To ring in my 30th year around the sun, David and I flew up to NYC for a magical long weekend. While late-night cocktails at Bemelman’s were the highlight, revisiting our former neighborhood in the Upper East Side was a very close second. Since I had the pleasure of calling this slice of Manhattan home for two years, we came in with a long list of local favorites that we just had to see. We couldn’t make it to every destination in just a short weekend, but we’re already planning on being back very soon. With travel quickly opening up again, you may just find yourself in the pristine streets of New York’s chicest neighborhood. Here’s what not to mix while spending a day in the Upper East Side. 

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Have a Fashionable Morning Coffee

Each New York neighborhood has a long list of coffee shops, and the Upper East Side is no exception. You have everything from corner vendors to chains and a few pricier European bistros. My favorite will forever and always be Ralph’s Coffee at the corner of Madison Avenue and East 72nd Street. For starters, when you can dine inside, you are surrounded by quintessential Americana fashion straight from Ralph Lauren himself. When I was a daily regular, it served as the ultimate source of inspiration. Grab your coffee drink of choice (mine is their Orange Espresso Tonic) and croissant to go to stroll through Central Park. From here, Bethesda Terrace and the Conservatory are just a quick walk away.

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Explore The MET

After a refreshing walk through Central Park, make your way to The Met. You can’t miss it, but just in case, it’s the sweeping building right on Fifth Avenue. For my Gossip Girl lovers, this needs no introduction. The MET is the largest art museum in the United States and is where I’m happiest. I could spend hours upon hours aimlessly exploring the different wings, which serves as the closest thing to time travel I’ll ever experience. While some of the most famous works of art in the world are in the European Section, I like to turn right and make my way through the American Wing. If you arrive early enough, you can have it all to yourself. Your own personal art collection!

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Continue Getting Lost at The MET

If your feet start getting sore in the MET, keep going! After all, it covers over 600,000 square feet of space. At some points, it can feel like a maze, but that only adds the allure. How many priceless works of art can you name? Monet, Van Gogh, and Dumas are always favorites, but it’s the ancient art that speaks to me. I always admire the well-preserved artifacts from Central Asia, the Middle East, Greece, and Rome. As you wander through the museum, be sure not to skip the exhibitions for what is sure to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

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Toast with Bellinis, Bloody Bulls, and Burgers

After you make it out of the MET, toast with a bellini. You deserve it! The Madison Avenue icon that is Sant Ambroeus is only a few blocks away and worth the visit! While you can opt for indoor or outdoor dining, I always prefer standing at the espresso bar for a quick pick-me-up or morning cocktail. Do some people watching because you never know who will walk through the door. You also never know who will stand next to you. Each time I practice this ritual, I begin talking with whoever is next to me, always having the most exciting and engaging conversation. All great minds go to Sant Ambroeus.

For something that will really fill you up, walk a few more blocks towards Lexington Avenue. J.G. Melon is an NYC mainstay and happens to have the best burgers in town. If you can, sit at the bar. You’ll feel like a regular, whether it’s your first or one-hundredth visit. For another morning cocktail, order the Bloody Bull. It’s their take on a Bloody Mary, with just a splash of beef broth. I know it sounds bizarre, but somehow it works. For food, it’s always and forever a cheeseburger with cottage fries. Honestly, need I say more? Word of caution, the Upper East Side location is strictly cash only, so plan accordingly.

Only Upper East Side, how I missed you! While in the old neighborhood, we even got to pop into our old building. It was so lovely to catch up with our doormen and know that everyone is doing well. We’ve missed them terribly! While this was a long lapse between visits to NYC, we certainly won’t let it happen again. Know that I’ll be back very soon!

Love from NYC,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

Turning 30 in Manhattan
📍 Upper East Side, NYC

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After a quick break from social media, I’m feeling equal parts recharged and inspired. We’re still in Vermont for the rest of the week, but I’m still gushing over our recent long weekend in New York City. The number one order of business was to celebrate my 30th birthday. Months earlier, David and I were chatting about potential gifts, and I was *this close to a stunning Chanel handbag. After some deep soul-searching, I knew I would much rather have an incredible experience instead. We quickly picked NYC on our way to visit family and excitedly planned, making a list of all our favorite spots in the city. While the whole weekend was a treat, June 25th will always stand out!

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Flight to NYC

My 30th began how every day should, an early wakeup to catch a flight! This was our first visit back to Manhattan since we moved in November 2019, making the experience feel more like a homecoming than a birthday celebration. To say that I was a little emotional is a severe understatement. We were even treated to beautiful views of the city skyline as we landed, making the whole moment feel so special.

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Lunch at Dante

After a quick check-in at hour home base for the weekend, the Arlo NoMad, we took the subway to MacDougal Street for a lunch reservation at Dante. This cafe always tops the list of restaurant recommendations, and it has never disappointed! Even in St. Pete, I’ve been able to get their signature cocktails shipped directly to me for the winter holidays. We were seated at our “usual” table, and I quickly realized that this was the last restaurant we ate before moving away. The significance did not escape me. David and I dined on flatbreads and burrata, sipping on craft cocktails that I swear taste better in the city. As a special birthday treat, we ended the meal with a very healthy slice of tiramisu.  

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Dinner at Brasserie Cognac

After a quick disco nap at the hotel, I was so happy to join friends for pre-dinner cocktails. The location was a random bar in NoMad and didn’t really matter. Instead, we were much more focused on catching up, having many laughs, and toasting on new opportunities. I honestly wished it could have lasted longer, but we had reservations uptown. Off we went to the Upper East Side for dinner at Brasserie Cognac. Stepping up from the subway, I felt a wave of nostalgia for our once neighborhood and this corner bistro. Our meal was incredible, and they gave us complimentary champagne to help celebrate my birthday. 

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Drinks at Bemelmans

The final stop of the night is probably the most important! I was beyond fortunate to snag drink reservations at the institution that is Bemelmans Bar. If these walls could talk, the stories they would tell! As soon as you walk in, you feel the history from the murals handpainted by Ludwig Bemelmans to the book of classic cocktails. This bar is Old New York. Making the occasion even sweeter was the company we were able to keep. I’m so honored to have been joined by my friend Sydney and her boyfriend. Since leaving NYC, I’m so happy that our friendship has continued to grow, despite distances and quarantine. Our hours of drinking and revelry passed in the blink of an eye, but it is something I will always cherish—the perfect way to cap off a milestone birthday. 

It’s another year around the sun, and a new decade for me is on the horizon. I’m so thankful for my husband, family, and wonderful friends who made my 30th birthday in Manhattan feel so special. No matter what year you’re celebrating, I hope your next fête can feel just as noteworthy.

Love from NYC,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.