Strange in NYC Again...

Folks, Teddy Miller is 18. My little brother, the kid whoI told was actually my son when he was 9 to terrify him because I am so much older, is now a man. For such a monumental occasion, I HAD to return to NYC. I mean, look at this precious dude, just getting himself a waffle at the Wafels & Dinges truck (http://www.wafelsanddinges.com/) on Sunday:

I love him. Anyway, New York decided to put the full-court press on me while I was there and by that I mean the weather was gorgeous, perfect New York Fall and my friends and family were gorgeous, perfect friends and family. Friday I stopped into the NYC branch of my office (all the people are delightful there) and then had lunch with two friends at ABC Kitchen (http://www.abckitchennyc.com/) and holy goats, was it delicious. I suggest the crab toast, radish toast, and heirloom tomato toasts (okay, the toasts are good), the shaved squash salad, and the mushroom/Parmesan pizza (it has an egg on it; you know my emotions about this practice). We also split the incredible zucchini cake for dessert. Oh, and I had a really zesty bloody Mary, judge me.

Then I briefly met up with another friend and we did this:

We did all of this. The macaroons are from Bouchon Bakery (http://www.bouchonbakery.com/) and they're fantastic (the blueberry lemon one on the right knocked my socks off). Then I went to Teddy's soccer game (he's the captain! He scored! They won!) and then the whole fam plus Teddy's wonderful girlfriend Amelia (seriously, she had this awesome sweater with on-purpose holes in it and is like 70 times more mature than I am) went to Kin Shop (http://www.kinshopnyc.com/). Kin Shop is Top Chef season 1 winner Harold Dieterle's place and it's this super-tasty, super-spicy Thai fusion flavor explosion. We shared squid ink soup, melt-in-your-mouth goat, red snapper, skate, fluke and beef with heirloom tomatoes. I also had the best beer I've had in a long time, and I love a nice beer, called Beerlao. It is from LAOS. I know, who knew? It's a dark lager, but not heavy. Anyway then I went and met friends for drinks at Gottino (http://www.yelp.com/biz/gottino-new-york) and it was GREAT.

Saturday I met my friend for brunch at Arte Cafe in my parents' hood (http://www.artecafenyc.com/) and had a tasty mushroom and herb omelet and then later went downtown and had a glass of rose with friends at Corsino (http://www.corsinocantina.com/). Can you tell this trip was food and drink-based? No? Well that night I had dinner at Empellon (http://empellon.com/), which was SO GOOD (queso fundido, lobster tacos, need I say more?) and cute, then had a marvelous cocktail at Employees Only (http://www.employeesonlynyc.com/), which really cool inside but SO CROWDED, stared at some handsome gentlemen at Kingswood (http://www.kingswoodnyc.com/), and then finished the night with my favorite burger at Corner Bistro (http://cornerbistrony.com/). It was 3AM, so like, at least 4 hours had past since I'd eaten last. But, um, that's a lot of food and drink.

Sunday, I had bagels and lox (yeah, more food...WHAT?) at my grandparents' apartment overlooking the East river, did some shopping with my mom downtown and then met my dad and Teddy at the Columbus Ave. street fair (I am telling you, NYC was SEDUCING me) for Waffles and love. Look how cute the hood looks:

I don't know those people, but I dig that long-haired man's style. Oh, and I stopped by the flea market with my mom; look at her hunting for goods:

She was on a mission. Anyway, the weekend was pretty much perfect. Happy to be back in Silverlake but missing Manhattan always in my heart. Also by now you should know how unabashedly cheesy I am.