re: My NYC Dining Vacation (Warning: Pic Heavy)

Day 4 Nov 15
Murray’s Bagels
I love this place. Fast and tons of options. I got the Cinnamon Raisin Bagel with Maple Raisin Cream Cheese. It was more like the cream cheese with a side of bagel. I loved it.

Wandered around the city a bit then hit a late lunch with some friends. At Jolly Monk a few nights before we were told where the best burgers in the city were so we figured we better get them.
Umami Burger
Cool little place that seems to be constantly packed but moves people in and out pretty well. As soon as you walk in you are slapped in the face with the smell of Truffle. It was a great thing. My original plan was to order the Truffle Burger, but once given a menu I saw their special was the Duck Burger. I couldn’t pass it up. But I should have. It was decent, a very good burger, but not amazing. One friend got the truffle burger, which he said was phenomenal. We also ordered sides (not pictured) of sweet potato fries, fried pickles, truffle fries, and cheesy tots. All were above average sides especially the fries and tots.

It was then dessert time so we walked a few blocks to our next stop
Big Gay Ice Cream
I had seen this place featured on the Food Network and Travel Channel I believe. Small little ice cream shop but be warned, the only bathroom around, besides bars, is in the Starbucks across the street. The line was probably 10 people deep when I walked in and the workers at BGIC said it’s always like that. Anyway I got the Salted Pimp. Cone with Caramel on the inside, vanilla ice cream, caramel drizzled on top, some salt, then dipped in chocolate. Very good soft serve, perfect sweetness, great flavors. We asked why the place was called what it was, our guess was that the cows where the milk is gathered were gay. We were wrong. They said it’s just a random name.

My final food experience in NYC wasn’t until that night. And was sort of an accident.
Tao Downtown
This place is massive. Another Club/Dining experience. I have a picture of the inside however it’s too dark to make out a good representation of what I was trying to capture. I’ve never seen so many tables full of people. Our original plan was to just have a few drinks here and enjoy the atmosphere before heading out, however as we stood in the bar area sipping on round 1, a bouncer removed a rope from a roped off section of tables with Reserved signs on them. After a table of 2 were seated in that area, we decided we’d try our luck. We sat at one of the tables, placed the Reserved sign on the ground, and waited. Within a minute a very nice waitress came up to our table and asked if we’d like anything to drink. From there we ordered a few rounds of drinks then an order of Inside Out Soup Dumplings, which were very very good. Another round of drinks were ordered and 2 more random apps. The drinks came out but food didn’t. Soon it was almost 2 AM and we were informed the kitchen was closing soon. I asked about our order and turns out it was never put it. Waitress apologized a million times and told us her Manager would take care of it since it was too late for the kitchen to make our original order. A few minutes later she returns with 2 plates of giant desserts. 6 Mochi balls and a massive cream filled Fortune cookie with fruit. The desserts and a round of drinks ended up being on the house. Not a bad night for not meaning to eat there. I’d like to go back for an actual dinner next time. Menu looked fantastic.






We left Tao and headed a few blocks to Marquee nightclub where we had our names on the list for instant free entrance. Drinks were had. Dancing was done. Headed to Brooklyn at 4 AM to another club. No drinks were had. Left at 5 AM. In bed for 6 AM. Night done
Day 5 Nov 16. Final Day
Slept until 10. Packed. Ate a slice of pizza from the fridge. Then headed to the Airport. Made it just in time for boarding and had a quick minute to get my final taste of NYC.
Chicken cob wrap and turkey jerky stick


Overall this was an extremely successful vacation. Ate some good things, saw some good things, partied, and enjoyed myself.
Until next time.