After a deep sleep, we were up around 7 to start our second day of travels around NYC! We lucked out with the weather once again with sunny skies and highs expected to reach 20C. After getting ready, we headed to a nearby breakfast & lunch place called Le Pain Quotidien.
Le Pain Quotidien features fresh artisan breads and other wholesome breakfast options made from mostly organic ingredients.
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We absolutely fell in love with the atmosphere and the food! Everything was fresh, wholesome, and delicious.
We were brought out a vegan Apple and Cranberry Cannele, compliments of the chef because there was a bit of a wait. It has a lovely apple and cranberry custard-like filling with a crispy exterior. Excellent!!
I had the steel-cut oatmeal with almond milk and fresh berries. I loved that they indicated vegan options on their menu too. The steel-cut oatmeal was perfect- nice and chewy like it should be!
We also shared a bowl of fruit.
Eric had two boiled eggs with a fresh bread selection.
After breakfast, we walked all over Manhattan to explore the sights! We went to the Rockefeller Center first.
Lots of people out taking advantage of the nice morning weather!
We heard from a friend that the Top of the Rock Observation Deck was a great place to see views of the entire city, so we took advantage of our early morning and beat the line ups.
Awesome views!!! And a great morning to go up.
Soon after we were headed to the World Trade Center Memorial.
This was a very sombre part of the trip and I didn’t feel inclined to snap a bunch of pictures, but I did take a picture of the new WTC buildings that are going up right now. They are truly breathtaking. After that, we went to see the 9/11 memorial. It was a really beautiful tribute to those lives lost and quite emotional.
This tribute wall was from another part of town (can’t remember where).
After walking around for a few hours, our appetites returned with a vengeance. We headed to Blossom Restaurant, the sister restaurant of Cafe Blossom, for a bite to eat.
To start, I ordered Blossom Greens with cherry tomatoes, jicama, carrot, pumpkin and sunflower seeds in ginger teriyaki dressing. It was excellent.
With mint tea.
Eric ordered the BLT – Crispy southern fried tofu, tempeh bacon, lettuce, and tomato on ciabatta. He said it was good, but just a bit bland. I took a bite and agreed with him. It just needed a pop of heat to it.
For my main, I ordered the Blossom Burrito – Black beans, rice, avocado and vegan cheese, served with field greens. It was good, but not the best vegan burrito I’ve had. The flavours were a bit off to me.
Overall the meal was quite good, but compared to Cafe Blossom, we both preferred our meals at the cafe much more.
After lunch, we headed to the Chelsea Market, which I already blogged about (thanks for your amazing enthusiasm for the giveaway by the way!!)
Eric gobbled up a Gelato!
We made it back to our room around 6pm, rested our legs, and headed out for dinner not long after. Eric was craving pizza, so we walked to John’s Pizzeria, one of the rumoured “Best” pizza spots in NYC. Maybe some of you native NYCers can chime in on this debate? ;)
heh those pictures look nerdy.
John’s has a beautiful atmosphere located in an old church!
Wine & beer to start.
We ordered a veggie pizza with one half with cheese and the other without. Only when it came, Eric’s cheese side had no veggies.
They brought us a new pizza for Eric and then we stuffed ourselves to the brim. Excellent pizza!
JOHN’S is located right near Times Square, so it was a great time to explore!!
We just stood in the middle of Times Square for a while and took it all in!
Absolute madness!
Of course we saw the Naked Cowboy and other interesting characters. heh
For those of you who asked, yes, The Naked Cowboy wears underwear….Tight Whiteys… which leave little room for the imagination if you know what I mean. Truly, two examples of a healthy body image. Let’s all be Naked Cowboys in our own minds, mmm kay?
Lol on the naked cowboy and other characters :)
The vegan Apple and Cranberry Cannele looks…unreal crazy good!
And the pizza and everything else…leave it to NYC to always have stellar grub.
So happy you two had this time together and time away…yay for lil getaways!
You always have the best looking meals out! I wish Charleston had more vegan friendly restaurants!
I’d have to say that John’s of Bleeker Street is the best pizza! http://www.johnsbrickovenpizza.com/
If you get a craving for pizza again before you leave, I HIGHLY suggest it! It’s brick oven and absolutely AMAZING.
So jealous you went to Blossom…. I have wanted to go for so long!
Top contenders for authentic NYC pizza is Grimaldi’s in DUMBO, Lombardi’s, or Defara’s in Brooklyn. New Yorkers tend to avoid restaurants near Times Square because they are less authentic and chain. But the most important thing is if you really enjoy your food, thats all that matters!
Ha! Love the last bit! Looks like you got in all the “necessary” visit stuff, and it sounds like you enjoyed it which makes me happy :D And you’re so lucky with the weather! Come to Chicago next! It’s got some pretty awesome vegan goodness going on I’ve discovered!
This looks great Ange! I’ve never even heard of a cannele but the one you got looks pretty good! And how cool that you went to Times Square. You look gorgeous in that photo by the way – green is a good colour on you!
Both of your lunches look so good! That’s a bummer they didn’t taste as good as they look.
Also, go try Angelica Kitchen and Tiam Falafel and Smoothie Bar. Angelica is old school vegan/vegetarian food—great vegan mashed potatoes!!!
And Taim has great falafel pita sandwiches–all vegan choices except some of the sauces have dairy!!!!! Yum! Nothing beats NYC!!!
Yea we made it to Angelica…it was incredible…..withdrawal symptoms!
Glad you made it. I think AK and Candle 79 are my fav vegan restaurants in NYC!
It looks like you guys are enjoying the most amazing food!! Keep it up! :)
These pictures really are making me want to take a trip to NYC soon!
I’ve been to johns!!! So yummy! And the building was amazing!!! Definitely wasn’t expecting it to be in a church. My parents are there now seeing most of the same sites.
I’ll have to keep referring to these posts for amazing places to check out in NYC someday! And I have to say that’s the most beautiful pizzeria I’ve ever seen!
looks like a wonderful trip! I hope you all enjoyed the city!
Wow, I need to got to NY soon. Your pictures are great and I love that NYC embraces all and any way that someone might want to eat.
As a midtown regular I try to avoid Times Square but since it’s directly in the line of the most convenient path between my yoga studio and my boyfriend’s office, I occasionally speed through. The other day I was going through when I spotted Mr Naked Cowboy and for some reason was shocked and appalled when I noticed he’s not the same guy who was the Naked Cowboy when I was in high school (six plus years ago, mind you). I couldn’t help but mutter, “You’re not the Naked Cowboy!!” to which he responded, “Whaaaaaaa…?”
Ha. I adore the TSq pic of you and Eric. My man and i like to go up to Top of the Rock for dates sometimes, there’s a great bar with all the view. So awesome.
Angela,
I was in NYC the middle part of the this week. Took in Times Square (twice) a few nice restaurants and Rockefeller Centre. Unfortunately I was there on business so only the evenings to play. An amazing city. Enjoy. Thank-you for your articles I will use the advice for my trip next year.
Your pictures helped me make the final decision that I’m going back to New York next year! I’m thinking for a white Christmas.
I remembered seeing those titles. I think they were called Tiles for America.
Nerdy pics are the best! Looks like you’re having a fab time in NY! =)
I’m so glad you like Le Pain. We have a buch in LA, too! It’s interesting to here you don’t have them back home, but it sounds like you get by. ;) Glad to know you’re having a blast!