CIPRIANI DOWNTOWN, NEW YORK

This is my last New York post for now. I wanted to take you to another one of my favourite New York restaurants, Cipriani on West Broadway. We had lunch there before heading back to JFK and London. The sunglasses indoors were a necessity that day... These eyes were not a pretty sight after the severe lack of sleep over the weekend!

We shared a few starters with the table. One of them being delicious calamari. Sharing is caring, my favourite way of eating! I love getting to taste more than just one dish.

And here, presenting the Cipriani burger. Looks delicious, right?

But what tops it all is this veal chop. Cipriani is known for it and for a reason. It totally melts in your mouth. It's the size of your head (not my head though, my head is exceptionally large but you get the picture) so finishing is a task and a half but I was happy to take on the challenge.

Their desserts are delicious too. Especially the lemon meringue cake.

We had done some shopping earlier in the day too. One of the ladies got these super cool trainers for her son. Not sure my girls could pull them off so they had to settle for some more girly stuff.

This weekend will be rather different than last weekend in New York. We're just about to head off to a zoo outside London for a family day out. I think I'm more excited than the kids. Going away with friends is so much fun and as a stay-at-home mum I certainly need my time off but nothing beats coming back home to your little ones! 

Happy weekend!

Minna x

CROSBY STREET HOTEL, NEW YORK

One of my favourite New York spots is The Crosby Street Hotel in Soho. Out of all the Manhattan hotels I've stayed at it's my favourite one. I love their restaurant and bar too for lunch or drinks. The atmosphere is cosy and relaxed and the decor fun and colourful.

My celeb spotting continued when I had lunch there. Emma Stone sat in my direct view as I was sipping this Diet Coke and having my lunch for one. On another day when we had drinks at the bar Katie Holmes was enjoying a drink in a corner table and so was James Franco!

Crosby Street do the best tuna tartar ever. I'm not sure what makes it stand out from all the other tuna tartars... maybe the crunchy bits of cashew nuts they've thrown in the mix.

This is their spinach salad that normally comes with prawns but I swapped it to salmon paillard. So delicious. I really recommend if you need ideas for lunch around Soho!

Minna x

HEN PARTYING

The rest of the group arrived in New York the day after I did. The main hen party celebrations took place over Saturday lunch in a restaurant called Bagatelle. From what I've heard Bagatelle is actually a rather civilised and nice restaurant at night but during Saturday lunch time it's a different story...  Perfect for the occasion. Let's be nice and describe it as cheesy but fun ;-) Let the pictures do the talking!

With the stunning hen.

Most of the crew.

And back at the hotel, safely tucked away in our room it was time to take a couple of more "traditional" hen pictures.

So much immature fun!

Minna x

ALONE IN NEW YORK

Hiya! So let me tell you more about my weekend in New York... Let's start from the first day. I woke up to this view. All on my own, excited about having a full day of me time. 

This is what I wore. Super simple yet again.

I took a stroll towards Soho, through the pretty streets of West Village. 

On Mercer Street in Soho I couldn't resist but taking a snap of the paps. Not sure who they were stalking, gathered outside The Mercer Hotel. Minutes earlier I had walk past a very understated looking (but stunning, and tiny!) Julianne Moore.

After having a lunch for one and browsing through a few shops in Soho I walked back and popped onto Washington Square.

There were free hugs on offer. I politely declined, maybe next time.

This dude was rather talented. Definitely earned his tip.

After a quick change at the hotel I was back out on the streets of Meatpacking District wearing another simple outfit and doing another stupid pose.

I finally had a friend too. Me time is nice but friend time kind of beats it. We enjoyed a couple of drinks at the lovely Standard Grill whilst waiting for the rest of the party to arrive. 

To be continued... 

Minna x

BOULEY, NEW YORK

Hi from New York! I spent a lovely 10 hours on the plane here last night... You know one of those delays when they get you all boarded and then make you wait for two hours before taking off. With no phone coverage either so that you could tell your friends at your destination that you're going to be late.  Then at the other end they taxi for about 40 minutes and then at the gate take about 20 minutes to open the doors. So a bit of frustration but got here in the end! And there was still time for dinner too, just! My friend had booked us a table at a super chic and French restaurant called Bouley. It's downtown but has a very uptown feel.

These iPhone pictures are just rubbish, I apologise! But the dining room is beautiful. Very romantic, would be a lovely spot for a date night.

First we were served some amuse bouche in the format of lobster in blood orange mousse. On the side of it they served a home made cracker with black truffle and goats cheese. To die for!

We shared some pan fried foies gras as a starter. I never used to be able to taste a difference between different foies gras but this one has got to be the best I had ever had. Delicously salty.

A lovely man serving us home made (or should I say house made) bread in lots of different variety. 

As a main course I had a fillet of cod with a thin, crunchy layer of mini potatoes on top... say no more, absolutely delicious.

My companion was delicious too. The other hens get here today, we had a head start.

Look at that dessert menu! Doesn't it look amazing!? But I resisted apart from a piece of chocolate... Trying to shake my sugar habit. They give you cake to take home too! My hotel receptionist was very happy to receive it as a little gift from me. Otherwise by now I would have already had a huge piece of cake as breakfast. 

Talking of breakfast I'm going to head out to the sunshine and find a good spot for some. Have a great Friday everyone! 

Minna x

NEW YORK AGAIN

I'm quite excited about the next few days ahead of me. I'm about to fly off to New York for a very good friend's hen weekend. Kids are safely at their grandmother's house (yep, I am beyond lucky to have that option). I'm all packed and looking forward to even the flight! Total peace for seven hours. No phones, no emails, nobody needing me for anything. Blissful.

By the way this is not THAT kind of hen... there'll be no male strippers and nobody will be wearing a tiara. Just girls having a great time! Watch this space... :-)

Minna x