I just returned home to Los Angeles after 9 days in New York City.  Of those 9 days, 8 were rainy - but luckily I took full advantage of the one glorious day of sun - a day of such perfection that it literally took my breath away.

I thought I would share a few of my favorite things from New York....

1) Amy's Bread.  I've been carb-loading at Amy's Bread for years.  In fact, I always choose my hotels based on their proximity to Amy's.  There are 3 locations (9th Avenue & 47th, Bleecker Street and Chelsea Market).  I can't even begin to describe how I feel about their sourdough chocolate twist or the holy grail: the almond brioche toast.  Heaven!

You may find me here several times throughout the day

Don't miss the sourdough chocolate twist

The almond brioche toast - carb heaven

2) Central Park.  On the one perfect sunny day I decided to head to The Met - via Central Park.  On the right day (which it was) it can take your breath away (which happened when I came across these azaleas and tulips)....

Central Park

3) Alexander McQueen exhibit.  So I finally got to The Metropolitan Museum of Art.  While heading towards the ancient egyptian wing I overheard somebody mentioning an Alexander McQueen exhibit.  Hmmm, I thought.  That could be interesting.  So I navigated the maze of The Met and discovered the McQueen exhibit - called "Savage Beauty".  I was expecting to see some mannequins with interesting dresses......

......but instead entered one of the most powerful, moving, exciting, beautiful, haunting experiences of my life.  It's actually difficult to describe - but I can tell you this....if at all possible....YOU MUST SEE THIS EXHIBIT.  It is worth taking planes, trains and automobiles.

I have always had a mild interest in fashion, and I haven't missed a season of Project Runway - but nothing prepared me for the impact this would have on me - and the tremendous appreciation for art and fashion that it ignited.  Who knows - perhaps I will become a couturier now!  The exhibit runs through July 31st.

I snapped a few photos - which may give you a small glimpse of what I'm talking about....

4) Indian Food.  Somehow I spent the first 4 decades of my life without indian food.  It was just a few years ago that I was introduced to The Ghandi Cafe (7th Avenue and Bleecker) - a tiny hole in the wall restaurant which gave me my first taste of Chicken Tikka Masala.  Since then, I have searched high and low for an identical indian culinary experience, visiting nearly every indian restaurant in LA (as well as others in New York).  I have not found anything that can even remotely approach the delicious nirvana that is The Ghandi Cafe. It is food so scumptious - you'll never want the meal to end.  Each bite is better than the bite before.  Afterwards I felt embraced in a warm glow for hours.  You can trust me on this one.  

Chicken Korma and naan - 2 of my favorite things....

5) Raoul's.  Each time I visit New York my clump of best friends and I always have a special dinner at Raoul's (180 Prince Street).  It's been around for years and years - and as far as I am concerned - it is perfection.  Casual, elegant, relaxed, cool, understated and absolutely delish.  It's a splurge - but I find that their steak au poivre with frites is well worth the investment.  It just so happened that it was my birthday - and I was surprised with this chocolate cake underneath a cloche of melted sugar.  Magnificent!

notice the profiteroles in the background....YUM!

Next time you are in NYC I hope you'll investigate a few of my suggestions.  Let me know!

Cheers,

R. Nichols