New to New York

Last weekend Mandy turned to me and asked if I was keeping track of all the places we ate and explored in NYC.  Huh, I really should.  Especially with my memory!

But we want to do more then just remember - we want to share our new experiences with our friends and family all over the county.  Share pictures and stories that we wouldn't put on facebook, but don't have time to email.  And so the blog is born!

Let's begin by recapping the last month...

June 2 - Candle Room

This Upper East vegan restaurant is not short on popularity or taste.  I had a meatless, cheese lasagna and tell you what - totally yummy! 

June 3 - Otto & Ill Canetenore

Three cheers for Mary and Pam taking us to dinner here!  First we started with a large, delicious cheese plate and bottle of white wine at Otto.  

Then, onto Ill Canetenore for real Italian.  I don't remember what I ate because the company was so much fun.  Lovely conversation and wine...  Great catching up with the Richmond ladies!

May 9 - Spring Street Natural

I've had take out at post houses from this place plenty, but it's always better when you can dine in.  We watched a huge thunderstorm, then walked down the street to the cutest little coffee shop.  Not sure it gets much sweeter then sitting outside under the awning when it's spinkling raindrops.  All while enjoying a cappuccino and sharing a cheesecake.

June 11 - Mississippi Day in Central Park

This is starting to become a tradition in the Knight household.  It's the second year Shane and I have been, and one of the most random things I've heard of in NYC.  Basically a bunch of Mississippians gather in the park to eat fried catfish and hush puppies, drink SWEET tea and listen to some real Mississippi music.  There's also craft and university vendors set up in case you need a souvenir.  And NOTHING can stop Southerns from celebrating - not even the cold rain this year.  That's right. It was cold in June.  

Shane's childhood friend, Coolie May, was manning the Highway 61 table, handing out hand fans.  They were awesome.  Looked just like the street sign (like below).  Soon his wife, Jenny, and little girl, Leland, joined us.  Pretty great name right?!  Check out the awesome music and folks dancing in the video.

Shane and Coolie

After enjoying our fried meal, Mandy, Jenny, Leland and I headed to their place to escape the rain and cold.  We'd had enough.  Mandy even relented into sporting a free Mississippi Day T-shirt.  It was a SUPER great color.  But at least she'll always have her souvenir!

June 12 - Big Apple BBQ Block Party in Madison Square Park

We may have waited in line for nearly an hour, but it's hard to argue when Southern BBQ is filling the air. 

June 18 - Walking the Brooklyn Bridge & the Mermaid Festival at Coney Island

We started the day with a leisurely walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.  Definitely on our city bucket list and it was a beautiful day.  We took our time and got plenty of tourist shots of ourselves along the way.

From the bridge we walked through downtown Brooklyn, not an ideal walk but OK, to the Green Point Flea Market.  There were many great food stands and lots of hand made art.  Totally inspired me to pick up my knitting again! 

We were planning to call it a day, but Shane and a couple of his friends decided to head to the Mermaid Festival in Coney Island.  So we got out our trusty google map to help us find a subway that would take us there. We knew it would be crowded and pretty crazy, but it was on our city bucket list and a once in a lifetime experience.  Seriously.  Neither of us ever plan to return!  We'll let the photos speak for themselves.