I always love sharing my travel highlights / recapping my stays here as a way to document and share my favorite spots with you!
This past weekend I flew to New York to spend the long holiday weekend with my girlfriend Meghan. I never have enough time when I’m in New York to do all of the things I want to / properly catch-up with all of my friends so I planned this trip specifically around crashing at her place for a couple nights in Brooklyn to ensure plenty of quality time. Her neighborhood is just THE MOST charming and was such a nice quiet escape from the city.
And so fun to catch a snow day while in Brooklyn this weekend too!
Charming neighborhood BH spot… pasta and a bottle of wine and I’m so happy. Cozy ambiance with an Ethan Hawke sighting which felt even more of a welcome back to NY.
Adorable for a date or to meet girlfriends with delicious sharable plates. Meghan (my dessert connoisseur gf) made us order the yellow cake with chocolate frosting and omg! ~ talk about my ideal slice of birthday cake. With sea salt sprinkled on top too?!
And of course, waking up to the magical snow day on Sunday morning!
After a couple of days in Brooklyn I ventured into the West Village and this time I stayed at The Marlton Hotel. This was my first time staying at The Marlton (I know many of you have recommended it to me over the years!)… and I had been before for drinks but I agree with you all, it was a total gem and perfect for solo travel. I’ll definitely book it again for future solo trips… maybe not with my husband as the rooms are tiny but it’s a great location. I also loved that Stumptown Coffee is on the block and I was just a few minutes walking distance from my old street! So it truly made me feel like being back in the neighborhood.
Another always just so delicious WV spot! I snagged a seat at the bar by myself on my last night and I was in heaven. I ordered the pasta special and brussel sprout salad which I now want to recreate at home (with brussel sprouts, finely chopped apples, parmesan cheese and walnuts).
I’ve gone back to Raf’s the past three times I’ve been in New York and just love the vibe (more so for dinner but breakfast is delicious too and easier to snag a resie). I grabbed brunch this time with a girlfriend before doing a long walk through Nolita, Soho, Greenwich Village and into the West Village. *
* A favorite walk! I like to start around Elizabeth Street in Nolita and make my way through the shops around Noho and the Bowery / down Spring Street through Soho and into the West Village (up Bleecker Street). I try to avoid Soho on the weekends but if it’s during the week I’ll pop into a few stores on the way.
This wine bar had been on my list and I loved the casual East Village vibe. It actually felt very California to me… like I was back home. Also so simple but the bread and butter is a must! *
* Walk along Orchard Street (pop into Kallmeyer, Desert Vintage, and Shin Gallery to see Andreas Emenius: Näste gorgeous pieces) before heading over to Gem.
When traveling I’m a big fan of packing minimally — if you’re headed somewhere cold especially — one very warm winter coat that you continually rewear is key. It’s truly all you need!… then you can layer up your basics underneath. And you’re easy breezy (carry-on = carefree!) for your trip.
I lucked out and borrowed boots from Meghan for our walk to breakfast in the snow Sunday morning… but if you’re heading to New York this winter season (obviously check the forecast beforehand) but I think you’re good with just sneakers!
