the chunglunds: i *heart* ny

2017-2018 is a big year ... Chunglunds turned 10, I turned 40. What better way to celebrate than a little getaway? So, we decided on New York City for President's Day. And yes, it has taken me a couple months to blog about it. Don't judge.

In 2000, my mom flew with me to New York and left me at my apartment in lower Manhattan---the heart of the financial district. Fresh out of college, I was certain that I was an adult. Looking back, I really had no clue what I was doing. Late night cab rides, takeout margaritas, eating PB&J to afford your regular sushi fix, dinner parties, dates with men you met at the bar the night before---the kind of things that you now realize as a 40-year old mother are not really "adulting," and you really hope your children someday have more sense than you did ... except they probably won't and you will cringe at home and try not to think of them falling asleep on the subway and somehow ending up at the end of the line of the 456. Just kidding. That didn't really happen ... I don't think?

THEN

So, our little trip down memory lane last month was an entirely different experience.

NOW

The thing that was the same? How much I love the urban grit, the subway, the tall buildings, the rows of brownstones, the coffee shops, the West Village. I could go on. On this trip, we definitively determined that we were East Coast people.

But we wined and dined like you don't do as a poor grad student. We saw a Broadway Show that I didn't get student rush tickets for. We walked and walked and walked some more.

On the High Line.

NOT through the MOMA, but the Sackler Wing at the Met (thanks Karin) and Central Park

Through the snow in Times Square

I even saw some potential Minnesotans, or at least friends of Minnesota.

And we ate and ate and ate some more too. Momofuku Noodle Bar, where the kimchi pales in comparison to my mother-in-law's---but the noodles were bomb. Plus, the pickled mushrooms were the perfect addition.

I finally got to try out my friend Jake's restaurant in Brooklyn. Was cool to see him doing his thing and being successful. Always happy to support a fellow Carl and a fellow swammer.

I had probably the best meal of my life at Blue Hill, where I didn't take any food photos because it seemed like not the place to do so, so sorry. It is cozy and intimate. The food is innovative, fresh, delicious---I can literally not say enough good things about this. Just go there. You will NOT be disappointed, unless you lack tastebuds. Oh and the service was impeccable, if you're into that sort of thing. Let's be honest. Who isn't?

And a trip to NYC wouldn't be complete without seeing Julia in a no-name bar that plays excellent 90s music. There was no Madonna and we kept our shirts on. In fact, I think we were both wearing dresses, so that could have gotten interesting.