New Year, New York

Well hello! It’s been a while since you’ve heard from me. I took some much needed time off blogging towards the end of the year to spend some time celebratin’, relaxin’ and preppin’ for my trip to America!

It was so great to get back to NYC on the first leg of this journey. It was dope to revisit some old favourites, while also hitting some new spots that I didn’t get to last time (or they didn’t exist yet!)

This time around, I kicked my trip off in the East Village in an awesomely located Airbnb. This place was super close to so many vegan joints, coffee joints, parks, shops and subway stops and made getting to stuff in the sub-zero temps a lot easier. It was great value but located above a bar so was very loud and the inside was a little run-down. I would consider staying there again but I reckon you could find better!

I arrived pretty late at night on the first day, so kept the evening pretty chill with a couple of drinks at Doc Holliday’s, followed by some late-night dogs at Crif Dogs. Their veggie dog is vegan so you can customise any of the hot dogs on the menu (just be wary of the usual non-vegan suspects). I grabbed the Veggie Special with some Tots and together they made a perfectly authentic welcome to NYC meal.

For this leg of the trip, breakfast was usually a bagel with fillings I grabbed from Whole Foods and local delis, so after a quick at-home breakfast, it was time to hit the subway and head towards the Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal. The SI Ferry is a great way to see the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty FOR FREE, with ferries leaving every 30 minutes or so. Keep in mind that once you reach the other side, you will need to jump off the ferry and onto the one coming back – there’s no round trip.

That night I finally got to visit an NYC institution; John’s of 12th Street. This place has been open since 1908 (srsly) and offers a vegan menu alongside their traditional menu, so it’s a great spot if you’re looking for a restaurant with meat and vegan options. I chowed down on the Vegan Garlic Bread (obvs) and the Vegan Ravioli with Vegan Alfredo Sauce before somehow managing to find room for the Vegan Chocolate Cannoli. Guys, you simply HAVE to eat here, I won’t allow you to miss it.

And guess what I woke up to the next day? SNOW, baby! So of course my crew and I hit Central Park to grab some snaps and make some memories, followed by every Seinfeld fan’s dream – a visit to Tom’s Restaurant! You won’t get much to eat beyond some fries but it’s a must-see photo opp.

Dinner meant a trip back to one of my old faves – Champs Diner! This all-vegan diner has been renovated since I last visited and looks amazing (although the lighting doesn’t really allow for great snaps like most of the eateries I’ve visited). It was as delish as I had remembered too – eating a Country-Fried Seitan Sandwich and Cream Soda Float. After that, it was time to see one of my teen favourites play live at the Music Hall of Williamsburg – They Might Be Giants!

Just when I thought it couldn’t get any colder, it bloody did on NYE but it was worth braving the chill to finally visit the Glossier Showroom! This place is a dream; partly due to the amazing decor, partly due to the fact we can’t effing get this stuff in Aus (yet). Stay tuned for a post about my Glossier Showroom experience and product review soon!

After shopping up a storm, I hit LuAnne’s Wild Ginger for lunch. Another fave (I had visited the Brooklyn spot on my last visit), I was stoked to warm up with some healthy and wholesome food. I grabbed the Deep Fried Wontons and OMG they were a dream with their mango puree dipping sauce, followed by the Scallion Pancake (also amazing) and the Sweet and Sour Sesame Soy Protein (double amazing).

In an attempt to avoid NYE crowds in the city, we opted for a low-key night in our Airbnb, ordering a couple of pies from Two Boots (I got the Vegan Larry Tate and it was dope) before heading back to Doc Holliday’s for the countdown. It was the perfect way to say seeya to 2017 and hello to 2018.

New Year’s Day started with a Tru Homer doughnut from Dun-Well Doughnuts. These doughnuts are in my top 2 faves (the other is Voodoo Doughnut in Portland!) After that, it was time to visit by CHLOE. for the first time, at the Bleecker Street location. I chowed down on the Pesto Meatball Sandwich and mixed Air Baked Fries with the unbelievably tasty Chipotle Aioli and Beet Ketchup.

I also got to finally visit Sephora for the first time in yonks and dropped a coupla hunge on some fun vegan cosmetics (there’ll be a post about that too) before getting ready to watch the Brooklyn Nets beat Orlando Magic at Barclays Center in Brooklyn (I did see vegan tacos available there too, FYI).

On my last day in Manhattan, I was long overdue for a history fix and boy did I get it at Ellis Island. I hopped on a ferry at Battery Park (buy tickets online and prepare for long lines and security checks) and copped a sweet view of the Statue of Liberty before reaching Ellis Island. This place is full of history, capturing the arduous process of immigrating to the United States. Entry to the island and museum itself is free, but will cost you around 20 bucks for the ferry. I even managed to find a vegan kale salad and cookies in the food hall!

We had a late night planned, so I ordered in an incredible vegan Chicken and Corn Soup and Lemon Chicken from Buddha Vegetarian Kosher Kitchen before we headed out to the Comedy Cellar! You may not know that I am a massive comedy fan, so it was great to see the line up of Wil Sylvince, Rory Albanese, Kevin Brennan, Joe List, Adrienne Iapalucci, Matteo Lane and finally, Godfrey!

Next, it was time to hit Brooklyn for my last couple of nights in NYC and boy was I stoked when I saw that my hotel, Pod BK was literally next door to by CHLOE. Williamsburg and around the corner from Whole Foods. I was overdue for a rest day, so I hit up by CHLOE. for the Air Baked Fries and Mac N’ Cheese before having a wander around the area. After a little nap, I lazily went back to by CHLOE. for a healthy dinner of the Kale Caesar (OMG) and Mushroom Barley Soup (also OMG) followed by a non-healthy dessert of a Birthday Cake Push Pop ice cream!

After that, my trip was very chill (literally) as the blizzard rolled in! I finally got to meet up with Keren from Passionately Keren for lunch at Champs! I had the Mozzarella Sticks and the Chicken & Waffles and later that evening caught up with fellow Newy gal Sophie for drinks at The Wythe before heading back to by CHLOE. for a late night snack. I had planned on visiting Modern Love but was devastated that they were closed due to the storm (pretty fair tho, tbh.)

And that’s it for this NYC visit. Who knows when I’ll be back but hopefully it’ll be v soon!

Where We Ate

Doc Holliday’s | 141 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009

Crif Dogs | 113 St. Marks Place, New York, NY 10009

John’s of 12th Street | 302 E 12th Street, New York, NY 10003 | Website

Tom’s Restaurant | 2880 Broadway, New York, NY 10025 | Website

Champs Diner | 197 Meserole Street, Brooklyn, NY 11206 | Website

LuAnne’s Wild Ginger | 380 Broome Street, New York, NY 10013 | Website

Two Boots | 42 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009 | Website

Dun-Well Doughnuts | 102 St Marks Place, New York, NY 10009 | Website

by CHLOE. Bleecker Street | 185 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10012 | Website

Buddha Vegetarian Kosher Kitchen | 77 Mulberry Street, New York, NY 10013 | Website

by CHLOE. Williamsburg | 171 N 3rd Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211 | Website

The Wythe | 80 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11249 | Website

What We Did

Staten Island Ferry | 4 Whitehall Street, New York, NY 10004 | Website

Music Hall of Williamsburg | 66 N 6th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211 | Website

Glossier Showroom | 123 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10013 | Website

Sephora | 45 E 17th Street, New York, NY 10003 | Website

Barclays Center | 620 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217 | Website

Comedy Cellar | 117 Macdougal Street, New York, NY 1o012 | Website

Where We Stayed

Airbnb | East Village | Website

Pod BK | 247 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 112211 | Website