Monday, December 6, 2010

The Weekend Report: A Day in NYC

The day started off with a cookie and a cup of coffee (as all days should).

But this wasn’t just any cookie. It was a Levain’s chocolate chip walnut cookie, and from the moment I took a bite I knew that cookies would never be the same again.

These monsters look like a scone on the outside, but reveal a dense and soft inside. They taste like everything a cookie should taste like, vanilla and chocolate and nuts and just straight-up goodness to the max. We took our time, breaking off pieces, and carefully considering every bite.

“You know, I have a new life goal,” I mused. “I think I need to train for a marathon while living in New York.”

LLC looked up from the morsel of heaven she was contemplating. “So wait, your goal is to run a marathon here?”

“No, that’s not the point. I don’t care about actually running a marathon, I just want to train for one so I can so I can reasonably eat one of these every day. Once I get up to 80 miles a week, these suckers are totally fair game!”

From there our day went from good to better. We stumbled upon the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade at Columbus Circle! Well, sort of. A film crew was recreating the parade for a movie, so we saw some floats, some balloons, and a truck bash through a marching band.

While walking down 5th Avenue, we paused to listen to a choir of carolers and enjoy a cup of apple cider (it was wintery cold out!).

We walked and walked and walked and walked. The Newbie and LLC, despite about a 1-foot height differential, can move. Sister1 and I had to hustle to keep up!

We meandered around the Met after we paid the entrance fee in the interest of seeing their Christmas tree (no pictures allowed). Upon my insistence we saw the Impressionists, Picasso, and ancient Egypt - love me some mummies!

By about 4 o’clock we a little hangry, a little desperate, and needed a break. We went to Chelsea Market and contemplated getting sandwiches or crepes, but decided instead to go to Elephant and Castle to see if they were still serving brunch.

We walked in the door, not quite knowing what to expect, and were greeted by a warm and cozy restaurant tastefully decorated with garlands and Christmas lights. There were a surprising number of people considering the weird time, but everyone seemed very relaxed, just hanging out and enjoying their food or coffee.

Ooh, I think this was a good call.

We split 2 brunches. Eggs and Apples Benedict on French Toast with Maple Syrup was absolutely fantastic. Usually I don’t like mixing my savory and sweet, but the thick slices of brioche French toast topped with thinly sliced apples, a drizzle of maple syrup, and then a poached egg and hollandaise may be the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

The Pureed Spinach with Poached Eggs, Melted Cheese and Potato Pancakes was equally good. The flavors were bright and the potato pancake was nice and crispy on the outside. We took our time, enjoying the rest and warmth and deliciousness.

Pure happiness.

LLC looked up from her latte, “Mollie, this is the best breakfast I’ve ever had. And I’m a little bit upset about it, because nothing in DC will ever come close. We’re going to have to come back to New York.”

Agreed.