Sunday Brunch: The Park NYC

Another weekend. Another opportunity for brunching with friends.

Have I mentioned before that brunch is my favorite meal ever?

Yes, I think I have.

There is something about this lazy weekend meal, served up with some fruity cocktails and spending a few hours munching and sipping with friends that warms my heart.

Maybe it's the bubbly-induced babble about life that makes us feel like budding philosophers.

Maybe it's the fact that no one is {usually} rushing you through the meal. It's the accepted practice that this is the time to sit back, enjoy what you're eating, and take advantage of catching up with the people that busy schedules prevent you from talking to during the work week. One thing about Paris that I absolutely love is that all meals are expected to be hours long.

Brunching has turned into a generational norm in the US. And it looks like it's been taking over Europe little by little too.

In honor of my trip to NYC this week, I thought I'd share a little from my brunch at The Park last summer.

This is easily in my top 5 bunch meals to date. A big statement to make, I know, but it's true.

Take some spicy pulled pork, some sweet potato hash, perfectly poached eggs, a side of avocado and mix it all together. Y'all, this is the meal that dreams are made of. I'm certain.

Not to mention there were so many other scrumptious dishes on their menu that I'm sure are equally delicions. Not pictured: my dear friend Kimberly's mascarpone stuffed French toast. Hello, heaven.

I'm already dreaming of brunch next Sunday before I hop back over to Paris!

Bon dimanche, mes amis.

Bedford and Grove

You all know Bedford and Grove.

AKA the place I've spent many a night with Monica, Chandler, Rachel, Ross, Phoebe and Joey. 

Oh wait, I think that might have been make believe.

Nah, real enough for me.

Little did you know these Friends {see what I did there?} lived in a New York oasis of tree-lined streets, charming gardens, and brownstones with street numbers that include "1/2" in them. 

I spent a solid 45 minutes over two days just wandering Grove and Bedford streets.

Also, please tell me another place where I can find such a happy light coming through the trees and buildings. As if this place isn't perfect enough, it likes to give off that fuzzy, perfect glow that convinces you that it's all a dream.

New York, as always, I just love you.

High Line {Part 2}

More pictures of a positively lovely morning spent at the High Line last summer. Seems like it was just yesterday, although this winter feels like it is many years old.

Time is a funny thing. Depending on the moment, day or even week, our perception of time and when things happened can shift. 

I found myself looking at these photos and thinking how it feels like it was maybe last month that I wandered through this lovely park on a hot and humid city day. But then in the next second, I think that it was 8 months ago, and so much has happened since then. Is 8 months a long time in the grand scheme of things? No, not really. But it is a lot of time for all the business, occasions and time spent living life. Many a change can happen in 8 months. 

And while I can still vividly smell the beautiful flowers and remember the bright sunlight of this day so clearly that my eyes squint just thinking about it, it feels although a lifetime has been lived since the summertime.

High Line {Part 1}

The High Line Park in NYC is one of those places that needs two posts to do it justice. Or I just take way too many pictures. I'll let you decide.

This particular Friday in June that I strolled above the city streets below, it was 90 degrees and that special kind of humid that only cities seem to achieve in the dead of summer. At the time, I wished there was a little more of a breeze off the water and that I had been smart enough to save some of my iced tea and water for the end of the walk. Live and learn. And this winter, I've learned that I should never, ever be upset with humid summer days again. 

I am still trying to wish away winter by sharing all the summer goodness I can find. 

Can you tell? 

In any case, you should know the High Line is one of my favorite spots in NYC. I wish more cities would find beautiful ways such as this to transform abandoned relics into something that everyone can enjoy.