IT'S ALWAYS CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK CITY

Yesterday was our first of two holiday trips to New York City.  Weather was overcast and a little colder than I had expected which resulted in the purchase of a $9 scarf from a street vendor.  Asking price was $10, but I have a rule that I will walk away before paying full price.  Last year I got my Burberry knock-off scarf for $8, but this year I just wasn't in full negotiating mode.

Did the usual touristy stuff:  Went to see the tree at Rockefeller Center, checked out the skaters, (surprisingly light holiday crowd), then off to Bryant Park.

Salvation Army bell ringers were out in full force, but it was very disappointing to see that not many folks were putting anything in the buckets.  Those bell ringers work very hard entertaining the tourists, so please remember to donate a buck or two.

Every year I try to get a really good picture of the tree, but with the gray skies this was the best I could do.  Maybe when we go back on the 12th, I can get a better shot.

On the way to Bryant Park to check out the Holiday Shops, I stopped at Cafe Metro for a slice.  Was craving spinach and ricotta and had to wait 10 minutes (which felt like 20 because I was hungry) for the pie to come out of the oven.  Unfortunately, the pizza was bland and pretty much tasteless and if there was ricotta in it, I sure couldn't find it.  Hate to waste food, but ended up tossing half of it out.  For $4.99 a [small] slice, I expected much better.  Getting ready to call Gus' Pizzeria in Pennsville to satisfy my craving.  Can't find better spinach and ricotta pizza anywhere!

Stopped in the New York Public Library to check out their tree which is always beautiful, but wasn't able to get a good photo.  This just wasn't my day for picture taking.  

Headed over to the free Lion King exhibit across from the park.  Very crowded and, as you would expect, LOTS of kids everywhere so it was challenging to see the different exhibits up close.  Kudos to the show for offering such a fantastic opportunity to the public.  

Coincidentally, I happen to have The Lion King on my trip schedule for next year at a great price of only $154 for the show AND transportation!  Sure would make the perfect holiday gift for someone special...

As always, there were plenty of unique shops at Bryant Park.  I always enjoy seeing the new and creative items that the artists have to offer.  The downside to the holiday shops is that the prices are on the high side.  I actually prefer my $9 scarf to the $25 ones that I saw.  

I stopped by Daisy's Grits to get some hot apple cider and watched the super-friendly owner create a "grits masterpiece" for the customer ahead of me.  Who knew there were so many flavors and add-on options?  

By far, the absolute best find of the day was Raaka Virgin Chocolate.  Trust me when I tell you, their 71% dark chocolate with sea salt will cure whatever ails you.  Wishing I had purchased the larger size bar (my $5 "nibbler" bar is already history) but happily they have a website and they do sell in some locations around NYC.  This is definitely "special occasion" chocolate and would be an amazing gift for the chocolate lover on your holiday list. On top of making fantastic chocolate, the company's mission statement is "...to make the most delicious chocolate possible while building and maintaining healthy and valuable relationships with our global community, our planet, and each other."  Doesn't get much better than that!

Was excited to be seeing Al Pacino on Broadway again, this time in Glengarry Glen Ross.  Wish I could say that I enjoyed the show, but...  To begin with, it was difficult to hear Mr. Pacino and I wasn't that far from the stage.  Of course, the two very VERY rude women behind me who insisted on loudly whispering during the entire performance didn't help matters (you know who you are, rude ladies in right orchestra Row L).  And while I'm no prude and I swear like a truck driver when I'm angry, the number of times that the F-bomb was dropped was way more than necessary to the story and actually became an annoying distraction.  

Ended the day by going to--you guessed it--Frankie & Johnnie's.  And obviously Mr. Pacino knew that I would be there because he walked in shortly after I did.  (I did not share my review of his performance though.)  Enjoyed seeing all my friends and relaxing in the bar with a glass of Prosecco.  Plan to go back on the 12th for some of their delicious salmon.  

Off to the White House on Wednesday for a holiday tour, followed by the Kennedy Center, and the National Cathedral.  Until then, I leave you with these words of wisdom that I saw in one of the Bryant Park shops: