New York

My colleague Mark and I had to go in to New York for work last Thursday and Friday. I decided to spend the weekend there and Lane came up on Friday.

David, who is addicted to Kebab Palace had been talking up his new favorite Afghan restaurant, which is only a couple blocks from his apartment. Since Mark was the one who introduced us both to the Afghan madness, we decided to let David introduce us to Ariana and judge for ourselves whether it was better than Kebab Palace. In fact, in preparation Lane and I ate at Kebab Palace on Wednesday night with our new neighbors. The waiter there thanked us for bringing our friends and said we were now ambassadors to Kebab Palace.

As we walked in the door with my brother, the owner Rafi loudly greeted him (by name). He gave us menus only to take them away and serve us what he thought we should eat. We had delectable samosas - meat, spinach, and pumpkin ones, another lovely appetizer, a plate of kebab madness, basmati rice with raisins, pistachios, and carrot slivers, salad, and wine. Hands down, it was fresher, less greasy, and more delicious than our local place. I also had the chance to meet some of the ladies David works with over dinner. They were really fun, and I understand why David has such a crazy time in the office. They are just as wild as he is!

David tried to convince us to go Mangia e Bevi afterwards, this is the restaurant where people dance on their chairs and use tambourines, etc. We were all tired and protesting a little. So we walked in, only to turn around and head back out. We crossed the street and started walking home when we heard this really loud whistle. The waiter was standing outside, cupping his hands and yelling that William, the manager, wanted to buy us drinks. How can you refuse that offer?! So we turned around and went back, chatted with William, and danced a little before heading home for the night.

A typical night at Mangia e Bevi

Totally random strangers at Mangia E Bevi:
Friday evening, David and I went to Bryant Park where they had Christmas songs, an ice rink, and all sorts of booths for artisan crafts and Christmas ornaments. I bought some hot apple cider, got a super warm winter hat for myself, and a present for Grandma Grover. I was hoping to find something for Grandma Chaney also, but I didn't find anything calling her name. David and I decided to cook dinner for Lane so we made one of his favorites - green curry. mmm. It was delicious!

We did more christmas shopping and even braved the ridiculous crowds on fifth avenue on Saturday and had a late lunch at this INSANE barbeque place. When we walked in, it was like we were transported to Texas, and nowhere near NYC! You order meat and sides at these counters and they give you the meat wrapped in butcher paper. David ordered us jalapeno sausage, brisket, ribs, chicken, and more. We also had side dishes of this amazing sweet corn pudding, green bean casserole, and black bean salad. We ate and ate until we could hardly move out of the chairs. I was sound asleep in the cab home, and promptly took a THREE HOUR nap. That was some serious food coma.
Before:

After:
Thank goodness we rested up because later that evening we went out for Chrissie's b-day party. We hit up this cute sushi place on the lower east side. Hours after our late lunch none of us were hungry in the slightest, but we gladly downed a spider roll, dragon roll, and this delicious shitake mushroom and pumpkin roll. mmmm. This was followed by cake and drinks at a nearby dive bar, which was then followed by karaoke bar madness. There was lots of singing/yelling, in all sorts of keys at the same time, and it was a total blast. We got home around 3:30, at which time we decided to feast (again) on curry leftovers and the boys stayed up playing the guitar until 5 in the am!!

We had a lovely weekend in NYC with David, as usual. He introduced us to some wonderful new places. Although I got in trouble for not waiting for Lane to go to Afghani (but now we have a good excuse to go back). Best of all, David has a huge Christmas tree and is very excited about starting up an ornament collection. I brought him a DC ornament to get him started :)

Thanks for an awesome weekend!!