Spotlight: Fishtail by David Burke

Located on 135 East 62nd street is Fishtail by David Burke.

He is a name in the food world with restaurants in downtown, midtown and uptown Manhattan. Why did I choose this place when I don't eat fish? It was for a birthday party. But I was super excited to go and I had a great time.

What did I have? I had the chicken ( I tried an oyster... never again). Most of the people who came here come in town cars (not cabs). The restaurant is a townhouse. And it's very cozy and perfect for a party atmosphere.

We had cheesecake lollipops (delicious) and I felt like the New York City housewives could walk in at any minute. That was the crowd. It is expensive, but for those who love seafood it is worth it.

Spotlight: Affaire

Last night I took the 6 train downtown to the East Village. I went with my friend Tami to Affaire.

It's located on 50 Avenue B (btwn 3rd and 4th street).

It's a tapas place - french cuisine. Very affordable. Very cool atmosphere. I did not love the food, but I liked it.

I tried frog legs (tastes like chicken). And the mac & cheese. If you're in the area I would recommend it, but it wouldn't be a first choice (or a place I'd rush back too).

I think it would be cool place just to sit and grab a drink in.

Where to go on vacation?

Just when you think it's spring - the cold comes back like the bitch we named Barbara. Or did the cold ever leave? (Maybe for a day). This winter needs to end. Now.

I want to go away - any suggestions?
France, London, Amsterdam, Mexico, Hawaii are my top choices.

But I'd also love to revisit Seattle. And maybe do Malibu. If you've been on vacation recently and had a great (or even a horrible time) please write in the comment section. I want to hear all about it. We promise we don't bite (well maybe we do on vacation).

This is Mark. Where is Lindsay? She's back at work. Feel for her.

Yeh're a Wizard Lindsay!

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Universal Studios, Orlando

Wednesday

March 2, 2011

Along with my mother I flew to Florida to visit my Grandma. We were planning on driving to Orlando to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (or as my mom likes to call it, Harry Potter World). It took no convincing for my Grandma to join us, as she loves to spend time with us. I mean what can I say? We are cool people. On Wednesday of our week long visit we filled up her car and started the three hour trek to Universal Studios in Orlando. The drive wasn't bad at all and we made it in no time flat.

Upon entering Universal Studios Islands of Adventure (where WWoHP is located) I immediately jumped in line for The Hulk rollercoaster while my Mom and Grandma sat and waited. It was as much fun as I had remembered. What's better than being shot out from 0-70 in 4 seconds? I'll tell you what -- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!!!!!

After walking through the entire Islands of Adventure park we FINALLY arrived. Right there to our left was Hogwarts Castle. It was so incredible and so realistic. Immediately the excitement butterflies started flapping their wings throughout my body. I knew it was going to be a good day. Once we passed Hogwarts we saw the entrance to Hogsmeade, including the snow covered houses and welcome sign. It was as if I was actually in the town of Hogsmeade so clearly and brilliantly described by J.K. Rowling and shown in the Harry Potter films. I was beyond myself. The smile on my face was from ear to ear. We continued past the sign and into Hogsmeade, immediately noticing the Butterbeer cart ahead. As my Mom purchased one Butterbeer I took pictures of my incredible surroundings.

When I tell you it looked just like the movies, I am not lying. It would have been really cool to have the brick wall that opened with the touch of a magic umbrella, but how would they really do that? We walke around a bit, enjoying ourselves immensly. We noticed some storefronts, with crooked chimneys and roofs, a SnowHarry and SnowHedwig, and many witches and wizards milling around town. Again, I was in my absolute glory.

We then got in line for Ollivanders...where there was going to be a ten minute presentation where a wand would choose the wizard. When we all stepped inside I was blown away, the inside looked like a smaller version of the Ollivanders Wand Shop in the movie. I stood in the front row and the Wizard running the presentation chose me as the volunteer, ME!!!!!!!!!!!!! My little heart melted and I was so excited. Yes I am a dork! There were two young boys next to me and I wanted to say 'SUCKAS!' to them, but that would have been just plain mean. So I did what the nice Wizard told me to do, and it was just like in the scene in The Sorcerer's Stone when Harry's wand chooses him. Needless to say I had to purchase the wand that chose me...as well as Snape's replica wand, and a Slytherin notebook, and a Pygmy Puff, and a Chocolate Frog, and a Maurader's Map.

After Ollivanders we ate lunch at the Three Broomsticks (teehee) and then went into Honeydukes and Zonko's Joke Shop. Following that we did a walk through tour of Hogwarts. Because of the fact my mom and Grandma don't like rides, I went back into Hogwarts and waited in the single riders line to do the Hogwarts ride, which was half simulator and half not. All I have to say about that, is TOTALLY WORTH IT! Such a fun ride, especially when the Dementors come at you!!! :D

All in all, that was the best day I've had in a very long time...and I need to go back there. I mean, seriously...SOOOO COOOL! I felt like a kid again and it was the best.

California

So I really want to move to California. I have loved it there ever since I was seventeen and went to visit family. I had wanted to go to UCSB for college but didn't even apply. Sometimes my mind prevents me from following my dreams. Then after college I planned a road trip with a friend and we drove from Massachusetts to California, with the ultimate goal of me moving there. The road trip was fun but once I got there I started missing my family. My mom flew out and stayed a week and then I went home for a couple of weeks. Then I went back and stayed the rest of the summer. But in September I was home again.

I have been yearning to move there for a while now and have given myself a two year plan (this was six months ago) so hopefully I will follow through. I have thought to write to Ellen to request a job...and move to LA or closeby. My theory is if I give myself one year there then I'll see how I manage. If I like it after one year i'll fully move. Here's to hoping.

WHERE TO GO IN NEW YORK CITY

I've lived in this city for nine years. I get this question a lot. I eat out a lot. It's one of the many great things about this city, but remembering the what and the where and the when. The food begins to all blend into each other. So, I've made a list (mainly of where to eat, but also where to shop/sightsee). Some of it's obvious (but not too obvious like saying visit Central Park or Empire State Building). And hopefully some of it's helpful. The city is constantly changing. There's always a new place to eat. The majority of these places are located in Manhattan, but had to include some of Brooklyn. Because if you're a real New Yorker, you know Brooklyn is just as cool and great as Manhattan (and sometimes even better). Below is a list of the top places I would visit. I will continue to add throughout the year.

A
ABC Kitchen - 35 E. 18th Street

B
BES (Boutique Eat Shop) - 559 West 22nd Street
Blockheads - 322 W. 50th Street
Bubby's Pie Company - 120 Hudson Street
Burger Joint - 119 W. 56th Street (in Le Parker Meridien Hotel)

C
Cosi - 257 Park Avenue South
City Bakery - 3 W. 18th Street
Candle 79 - 154 E. 79th Street

D
Doughnut Plant - 379 Grand Street
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que - 700 W. 125th Street
Doma Cafe - 17 Perry Street
DUMBO'S - boundaries are Hudson Avenue to Fulton St.; Prospect Street to John Street/East River. However, some would argue that anywhere east of Bridge Street is considered Vinegar Hill. Located in Brooklyn.
Don Giovianni - 358 W44th st

F
Ferrara Bakery & Cafe - 195 Grand Street

G
Grimaldi's Pizzeria - 19 Old Fulton St. - Brooklyn
Gemma - 335 Bowery at 3rd Street

H
Hill Country Barbecue - 30 W. 26th Street
Hudson River Cafe - 697 West 133rd Street
The High Line is an old railway track which is situated on an elevated path that winds along the west side of Manhattan, roughly from 34th Street down to 12th street. Nowadays, parts of the South have been converted to a promenade.

I
Island Burgers & Shakes - 766 9th Avenue

K
Keko Cafe - 121 Madison Avenue

L
Loheman's - 101 7th Avenue (btwn 16th and 17th Street) - Shopping
Little Cheese Pub - 362 1/2 W. 23rd Street
Lombardi's - 32 Spring Street
Lula's Sweet Apothecary - 516 E. 6th Street (btwn Avenue A & B)

M
Magnolia Bakery - 401 Bleecker Street
Milk & Cookies Bakery - 19 Commerce Street
Mercer Kitchen - 99 Prince Street
Markt - 676 6th Avenue (at 21 St.)
MUD - 307 E. 9th Street

N
Norma's - 118 W. 57th Street
Nathan's Famous - Surf and Stillwell Avenues - Brooklyn

O
Odeon - 145 W. Broadway
Old Homestead Steakhouse - 56th and 9th Avenue

P
Peter Luger Steakhouse - 178 Broadway - Brooklyn
Popover Cafe - 551 Amsterdam Avenue
Peking Duck House - 236 53rd Street (btwn 2nd and 3rd Avenue)

R
Rub BBQ - 208 W. 23rd Street
RubiRosa - 235 Mulberry Street
Roasting Plant Coffee Company - 81 Orchard Street

S
Smith & Wollensky - 797 3rd Avenue
Spotted Pig - 314 W. 11th Street
Sweetiepie - 19 Greenwich Avenue
Sweet Revenge - 62 Carmine Street
Shake Shack - Madison Square Park

T
Tribeca Grill - 375 Greenwich Street

V
Vesuvio Bakery - 160 W. Broadway
Vynl - 754 9th Avenue

230 Fifth - 230 Fifth Avenue
The Best Street Meat - SW corner of 53rd and 6th Avenue (Halal Cart)

Tattoo

Mark has been constantly telling me I should blog about my tattoo. So yes. I did it, I bit the bullet and finally got a tattoo. I have been wanting one for a while, but my courage kept dwindling whenever thinking about it or making plans to get one. About eight months ago I had made an appointment at a parlor in providence and chickened out the last minute. The fear of the pain overcame me.

So I decided for my 31st birthday I would do it. I told only Mark and a couple of my other friends; JWU Carrie, Amy and Dave. Nobody in my family knew, and Amy and Dave didn't think I could do it, even betting me $20 I wouldn't go through with it.

I made an appointment at a place down the street from my house for the day of my birthday. I was set. Luckily Mark came to visit that weekend and came with me for moral support. The tattoo artist (and owner of Inkognito) led me to the chair and prepped my ankle for the artwork. As he was getting the needles ready I started to slightly freak out. But I didn't back out. The worst part was definitely the anticipation. The tattoo itself was not bad at all. And from the many people who have told me that the ankle is the worst part because there's not a lot of fat to cushion the needle...well I wasn't in any pain. Or much I should say. As he got lower it hurt a tad, but easy peasy!

I love it. It's the deathly hallows symbol from harry potter with the breast cancer ribbon entwined around it. It's a symbol that means a great deal to me. The ribbon representing my Aunt and the symbol (which is a combination of the Elder wand, Resurrection stone and Invisibility cloak) basically means the owner of all three is the master of death. I changed it to mean 'master of breast cancer' with the addition of the ribbon. So to me, the tattoo means my aunt is the master of the disease.