Springtime in New York

Happy hump day! As promised, here are a few photos and highlights from my recent trip to NYC. I have to warn you...after seeing the following pictures you just might want to schedule a trip to the big apple next spring.

Favorite Venue

I know, when you think of New York, you think of bustling streets, busy subways and towering sky scrapers...right? Depending on where you go, it can look like this. I give you the incredible Brooklyn Botanic Gardens.

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A blooming magnolia grove. It was like walking through a dream. Could you imagine taking your wedding pictures here?

The Palm Court Terrace, the site for a fabulous cocktail hour when the Palm Court (the glorious glass structure right) is rented for the reception.

I realize that from this perspective, this cherry tree looks rather average, but in person it looked like Ewa from Avatar. The blooms of this massive 50' tall tree dripped so low that it nearly skimmed our heads as we walked beneath it.

Favorite Professional

You may remember, a while back I blogged about Bernard Maisner...one of my industry idol's. During this trip back east, I had the pleasure of meeting up with him at his gorgeous Bay Head, NJ home to look through his IMPRESSIVE portfolio of magnificent work. A note on Bay Head, think the Hamptons or Martha's Vineyard...not MTV's Jersey Shore.

Here are are couple examples of Bernard's custom invitation work.

Image Source: www.BernardMaisner.com

Anyway, Bernard and his wife Bonnie are a delightfully hospitable duo, who've built their home around their passions. For Bernard...calligraphy and fine art lettering. For Bonnie, ballet and violin. To experience how they live their passions was truly inspiring.

OK, enough with all of this frilly prettiness. Being married to an ultra feminine event planner means that husband has to put up endless venue tours and vendor meetings whenever we travel. To reward Joey for being my proverbial rock, I arranged for us to have an incredible dinner at Aureole (rated an impressive 29 out of 30 for food according to Zagat's) the final night of our trip.

Since our reservation was for 6, we were able to order off of their fabulous pre-theater 3 course menu (available from 5-6pm).

Here's what we were offered:

First Course
FARMED BABY GREEN SALAD GOAT CHEESE, AUTUMN VEGETABLES, SHERRY DIJON VINAIGRETTE (I ordered this starter)

LOUISIANA CRAYFISH BISQUE DIRTY RICE, OKRA, SWEET YELLOW CORN, JALAPEÑO OIL (Joey ordered this starter)

PASTA PAPPARDELLE BRAISED SHORT RIB, ENGLISH PEAS, CIPOLLINI ONIONS, PARMIGIANO-REGGIANO

Main Course

HERB CRUSTED SCOTTISH SALMON GREEN ASPARAGUS, HEIRLOOM CHERRY TOMATOES, WARM WHITE GAZPACHO SAUCE

FARM RAISED CHICKEN BREAST FAVA BEANS, CIPOLLINI ONIONS, RED BLISS POTATOES, TOMATO CAPER SAUCE

BEEF TENDERLOIN HARICOT VERT, PARSNIP PURÉE, PEARL ONIONS, HORSERADISH BEEF JUS (we both ordered this entree)

Dessert
ROASTED PINEAPPLE VACHERIN FROZEN YOGURT, BASIL, RED CURRANT ( I ordered this for dessert)

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE GANACHE TART ESPRESSO CARAMEL, VANILLA CHANTILLY, HAZELNUT (Joey ordered this for dessert)

$55 per person

Considering how amazing the food and service are at Aureole, this is an incredible deal. The unexpected pre-dinner amuse bouche, warm post dessert mini churros and post post dessert favor, made the experience an over-the-top pleasure.

Having gone to school in NYC, I'd never really done any of the typical touristy things. However this time, after our fabulously chic dinner at Aureole, Joey and I capped the night off with ultra touristy activities. That's right tours of Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum and Ripley's Believe It or Not.

Here's a picture of Joey with his childhood idol, Michael Jordan. Funny, Mike always looked so much taller on TV.

All in all, we had a fabulous trip.
We wish we could have stayed even longer. Thankfully, we're back east often for business and to visit with family, so it wont be long before we return.
What are some of your favorite things to do, see or eat in NYC?