Spring in Central Park

After a long, harsh winter, as is the case in so much of the country, it's exhilarating to see the first sign of Spring. Growing up, I didn't love Spring that much. It usually didn't last very long and it was just a waiting game between the last of the snow melting and summer starting... But Spring in New York City is different. It lasts just a little bit longer, and the flowering trees all over the city and especially in Central Park are breathtaking. 

If you are visiting New York City, you must visit Central Park in the next week or two. Or if you live in the city and don't get out to the park much (like those living downtown), it's worth the trip! The reservoir in the middle of the park is surrounded by an arching pathway of magnificent cherry blossoms and in other parts of the park, you can find magnolia trees, tulips, lilies of the valley, daffodils, violets, forsythia and bunches of wisteria hanging from the pergolas... 

Here are some pictures from the last couple of weeks as the weather has gotten warmer, flowers have bloomed and trees have begin to bud.

 Sheep Meadow

Cherry Blossoms along the running path around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir

Magnolia tree

A duck pair taking a nap

Forsythia near a bridge

Tulips outside my apartment building

Pó - Italian restaurant in the West Village

One of my favorite Italian restaurants is Pó. I tend to order only pasta at Italian restaurants because that's what they do best! Po' has a few staples, such as white bean ravioli and orecchiette with sweet sausage ragu and broccoli rabe, that stay on the menu year-round. Otherwise, the menu changes by season. Currently for Spring, they are serving seasonal pastas including the two I tried this week: pappardelle with green peas, red onion and mint and gnocchi with rabbit ragu (pictured below). Simply divine! The pappardelle especially could be the best pasta I've had in the city. Fresh spring peas are my favorite vegetable! I simply couldn't get enough. 

Pó was originally opened by Mario Batali. It's a wonderful place -- small, bustling, a great place for a date with great ambience.

Pó

31 Cornelia Street between Bleecker St and 6th Avenue

New York, NY 10014

212-645-2189

www.porestaurant.com

Pappardelle with green peas, red onion and mint

Gnocchi (made fresh daily) with rabbit ragu

Great brunch spots in NYC

In my opinion, brunch may be the perfect meal. It’s the only meal where you can have pretty much anything off the menu. Sweet or savory. Omelet or hamburger. French toast or salad. Granola or pasta. Plus, brunch makes it socially acceptable to have a cocktail before noon! Really, who doesn’t love brunch?


Now that summer is almost here and it’s warmer outside, the sidewalk cafés in New York City are set up and full of brunchers chatting, tossing back mimosas, and people watching.


Brunch is an event in NYC. In fact it's a verb: brunching. And sometimes it takes all day. There are lots of great places in the city but here are just a few of my favorites.


Public in Nolita (210 Elizabeth between Prince and Spring): a GREAT brunch scene and a beautiful restaurant where all of the décor has been taken from places like libraries, warehouses, schools. Entrees include Coconut Pancakes and Grilled Venison Burger. http://public-nyc.com

(Photos of food courtesy of www.public-nyc.com)

Market Table in the West Village (54 Carmine Street at Bedford Street): Opened by executive chefs Mikey Price and Joey Campanaro (both from Little Owl), this beautiful and simple restaurant features equally beautiful and simple entrees made of fresh, local and seasonal ingredients. Occasional elbow-rubbing with celebrities (literally as the tables are placed close to one another). http://www.markettablenyc.com/

 (Inside Market Table)

Bar Boulud on the Upper West Side (1900 Broadway at 64^th Street): Daniel Boulud’s more casual (and affordable) restaurant that features a lovely, tasty French menu like Croque Monsieur, Eggs Florentine and “Cuisse de Canard” – duck confit, potato and onion hash, soft boiled egg and watercress. Great wine menu as well. http://www.barboulud.com


Extra Virgin in the West Village (259 W. 4^th Street between Perry and Charles): great people watching and the Banana French Toast with caramelized bananas and whipped mascarpone is to-die-for! Go early and worth the wait for an outdoor table. http://www.extravirginrestaurant.com/

 (Outdoor tables at Extra Virgin)

Freeman’s on the Lower East Side (Freeman Alley off Rivington between Bowery and Chrystie Streets): tucked away at the end of an alley, a bustling rustic restaurant with taxidermy as décor (very cool and interesting!). Plus great Bloody Marys and delicious food, like Smoked Trout or Asparagus, Cauliflower, Leek Hash, that focuses on wild game, sustainable seafood and local produce. http://freemansrestaurant.com/ 

 (photos of food, drink, inside courtesy of freemansrestaurant.com)

Prune in the East Village (54 E. 1^st Street between 1^st and 2^nd Avenues): good, innovative food like Sausages & Oysters, Egg “En Concotte” (coddled egg with savory chicken) and Dutch Style Pancake. http://www.prunerestaurant.com 

Felix in SoHo (340 340 W. Broadway at Grand Street): an (all-day) experience in itself. Food is OK but the scene is unique! A mix of French transplants, Euros, and local New Yorkers. All socializing loudly and drinking heavily until the early evening when they clear the tables and start the dancing! A great place to watch soccer too! http://felixnyc.com

Bar Marche in Nolita (14 Spring at Elizabeth Street): fun, cute little spot that is reasonably priced – all entrees are under $15.  http://barmarche.com

Tell me: What's your favorite brunch spot??