This travel ninja needs Panama sun, which, unfortunately for the kids, is not super Christmasy. So…the compromise was giving the kids a super duper Christmasy cold experience and then we surf, sun, and sandia-smoothie it up in Panama.
Fair is fair. Plus…I don’t do gifts. I do gifting experiences. Hello. Enneagram 7 here.
New York never gets old for me. The only thing OLD around here is ME. But, I’m not that old that I can’t take on a travel challenge. Here are all the Christmasy New York things to do in less than 48 hours.
Take the 6:00am flight Friday morning. Spend one night. Get back at midnight Saturday.
We did all the things and it was such a blast we want to make it a tradition!
A visit to Lillie’s Victorian Establishment and we didn’t wanna leave! If you need to find the Christmas cheer.. it’s right here, my dear!
We kept going back and forth on what show to watch. We finally decided on Phantom again even tho we’d all seen it. It’s just one of those shows we’ve watched during Christmas time a few years back and it just felt right to see it again! No regrets!
You know we did all the food.
Then one last stop, new to all of us.. was a stop at the Vanderbilt One. THIS was awesome!! Except for all the long lines… forget the lines. The views were fabulous!!
And just like that, it is definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
All I’m saying is… Watch out Big Dom’s…Cause Big Chanti made a dozen bagels and they were a huge hit! I promised a few of you the recipe. Please share if you enjoyed them as much as we did!
Just going to drop the NY STYLE BAGEL recipe here!
Follow it! I was a bit impatient, so, they’re not super pretty but they were super delicious!
Daaaang, Chanti!
Toppings:
Eggwash/Salt/Pepper/Garlic
Eggwash/Cinnimon/Sugar/Butter
Eggwash/Salt/Pepper/CheddarCheese/ParmesanCheese
Butter/Salt
Salt and Pepper & The CheesesCrunchy Chewy Cinnimon Sugar
Our busy schedules resurrected this week! We had everything from a travel gymnastics meet to an inauguration! There was some stress eating and some pleasure eating. Overall, an amazing foodie week!
Pizza Stops
As my ninja turtle friends would say, “truth, justice and a slice of pizza”. The inauguration brought some truth and justice (issues) to the forefront, and I ate pizza 4 times this week.
I accidentally left my wallet at home when we went out for lunch one day, so that led us to plan B… an online order from Pizzeria Faulisi in Cary. There is nothing but love for this wood fired pizza. With a mix of local Raleigh and authentic Italian ingredients..the flavor is fantastic. You’re going for more of a Neapolitan pizza here, and it is definitely worth the try!
The next pizza stop occurred when I almost ran out of gas (this would the 4th time running out of gas in this Jeep) and I noticed we were close to a pizza joint called Vicinos in Morrisville. You can’t just pass by a place that has a 4.8 google rating. We savored the crust and the NY pizza style. I’ll definitely have to do a side by side comparison of a couple pies with this one included.
Another night this week, I didn’t feel like cooking because of a massive headache, so the kids picked up a pie from our go-to place, Ricci‘s. Ricci’s is a mile away from our house and it really is top notch. We are so lucky to have it… from service to food, you can’t go wrong. Their garlic rolls (with cheese) are on another level. Ricci’s is an at least once a week stop.
The last pizza stop was at Trophy in Raleigh. I was passing by from Wye Hill and I thought… Why not? This pizza is the epitome of great bar pizza-feel good, crunchy, gooey, and cheesy!
Cary got some love this week! I was excited to start some readings for my grad class and nothing goes better with readings, than a hot cup of coffee to accompany. Brew, is an all time favorite and the place I stop at before hitting up Dom’s Bagels. DoNUT underestimate their doughnuts either. I order a dozen bagels each week because I just can’t go very long without Dom’s!
With drives back and forth to Stretch Lab and gymnastics this week, I discovered Esteamed Coffee’s location and it was the highlight of my week. I fell in love with their mission to support those with disabilities as they seek employment. Such a great place with great hot chocolate!
Sometimes, when you’re in Cary, you just have to stop at the old soda fountain shop for ice cream. Ashworth Drugs is our little old town pharmacy and is known for it’s hotdogs too. I can’t do hot-dogs tho. You know, the whole vegetarian thing and all.
Speaking of vegetarian, my all time favorite Apex restaurant is Provincial because NO one does a better vegetable plate. I was so happy to make it here this week. The veggie plate is superb every single time I have it. The plate is seasonal and rotating! It has been over a year and it was so good to be home! Be sure to order the kid’s Mac n Cheese. No shame.
Brew, Vanilla Latte with Almond MilkDom’s upside down donuts, Cinnimon Sugar and Asiago bagels with cream cheese… and always a plain bagel with butter Esteamed Coffee: 4 hot chocolates please!Mint Chip from Ashworth DrugsProvincial: Broccoli, Whipped Potatoes, Zucchini, Brussel Sprouts, Rice, Carrots, and Kids Mac N Cheese 😋
Raleigh Rants
The best food I had this week was at Wye Hill Kitchen and Brewing. I kid you not, you must go for the most delicious BBQ fries and beer cheese you will ever have. I know, you’re suppose to go for the beer and the views, but I urge you, ALSO go for the fries and their amazing sangria too. The outdoor seating was impeccable, with several heaters, so this cold wimp, was just fine. I can’t wait to go back again! Maybe I’ll get my Raleigh Beer Trail passport stamped next time!
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Thanks to my daughter’s gymnastics meet, I got to travel to a South Carolina beach, in January! I have to admit, my Covid fears are mostly centered around being in an inclosed space, CLOSE to many unknown people not wearing masks. Being a spectator to this meet gave me the chills. Fortunately for me, I was encouraged to drop her immuned-self off with her coach, while I kept a virtual eye on her from the hotel. This is the kind of gym mom I was meant to be. She had a great time, receiving several medals, and I provided donuts and views. This cute donut shop called Peace, Love and Little Donuts had really funky fun toppings.
North Myrtle, SCPeace, Love, and Little Donuts (oreo, salted pretzel, fruity pebbles, chocolate sprinkles, Banana split, m&ms, strawberry cheesecake, coffee cake, Reeses, Samoa, apple pie, s’mores)
That was quite a foodie week! Now, I have to detox…but Triangle Restaurant Week is upon us! I better get to running laps!
Travel Ninja 