NYC Day 14 (Part 2): Thrift Shops In East Village, The Sunset at the Highline, & Dinner At A Diner

On our way back to the house to meet friends and family for dinner we decided to jump off the subway line for a bit and check out East Village. It is a cool little area of Manhattan that has a lived in, thrift shop at every corner, kinda feel- we like this feel.

We didn’t spend a lot time there but liked what we saw which was mainly the cool little shops in the basements of old early 19^th century homes. Most of the shops were either little bistros and restaurants, thrift or specialty shops, or coffee shops… we like these things.

We did a loop of the area then hopped back on the train in the direction of our place. When we got there we had a few beers before finally going out.

Rick had been researching a classic diner, Manhattan Diner, to take friends Mike & Maureen so we headed there for a late dinner.

As we walked to the meatpacking district dark rain clouds were approaching over the setting sun. A beautiful sight. We thought we would take a detour on the Highline to catch the natural spectacle unfolding.

Set up on the highline was a group of amateur astronomers, apparently tonight was some special night where three planets were visible by the naked eye. Matt was the envy of the gang of expensive telescope wielding nerds when he spotted the first planet, without a telescope.

When we got to the diner we ordered some classics, a chicken wrap for Alissa and Mac & Cheese for Matt, we shared a strawberry shake- it was alright. It wasn’t until half-way through the meal that we realized that we weren’t even in the classical diner but instead were in “The Diner” in the Meatpacking District.

Our conclusion: there are too many restaurants in NYC!

NYC Day 14 (Part 1): Shopping & Eating In Brooklyn

We woke up early a took the subway to Brooklyn. We walked down Nassau St and peaked in the cool shops in this old warehouse district. Our place of interest was Beacon’s Closet, a popular thrift shop recommended to us. It just happened to be across from Brooklyn Brewery, too bad it was closed to the public today. The area was very chill though with patriotic urban art littering century old warehouses, some of which have been converted in the niche shops.

After picking up a few items we had lunch at festive LoKal Mediterranean Restaurant and Bistro. It was sunny and hot and the patio was calling our names. We grabbed Americanos across the street at the classic vintage storefront of Five Leaves NY.

With coffee in hand on this hot spring day we strutted down the historic Green Point Ave and loved the Little Poland feel of the place.

Back to the NYC Posts: NYC Day 13 (Part 2): Art, Soul Food, and Czech Cafes

We got out a bit late then made our way down to the Met Museum of Art. When we got there we found that it is closed on Mondays. They recommended the famous Guggenhiem Art Museum, we went there. The line up wrapped around the famous snail-shaped building like the head emerging from the shell. The line up moved quickly and before we knew it we were admiring some renowned cubic works which formed the genre, Picassos (there is no lack of Picasso in NYC), a touching Canadian photography exhibition by a Manitoba artist, among many other amazing pieces.

After the museum we went for a stroll through Central Park and then back to Harlem for, what could have been our favourite meal on the trip- soul food at Manna's Soul Food. We finished our plates almost licked them clean at the weigh your plate buffet.

With our gycymic index through the roof we decided to break that shit up with some Americanos in a very hip, artsy, Czech café and a Greenwich village favourite, Doma.

Later that night we view NYC from the Empire State Bld and finished the night off with pints and burgers at Corner Bistro.

The Moss Street (TD) Paint-In

Our new place is only one block from the Victoria Art Gallery on Moss Street. This past Saturday was the free annual Moss Street Paint-In where famous local, national, and even some international artist had booths from one end of Moss to the other. To give you an idea of the enormity of the event, the booths spanned about 14 city blocks!

What makes this even special is that the artists actually work on their art right in front of you! Of course they also have their art displayed to sell as well.

The above picture is of probably the most famous living Canadian Painters, Ted Harrison. He is one of Matt's favourites. To see this 85 year old in action was truly amazing!

Of course, we also loved the Japanese ceramicists and their tea related pieces.

A Smashed Window & Our Move

We arrived home from Regina to glass scattered on the floor and a rock on our end table. Apparently someone hucked a rock through our window. Because we have made no enemies in Victoria (only friends), we suspect a random act of violence.

Kinda scary but no damage besides the window. No worries, we were moving at the end of June.

The last few weeks have been busy with Alissa working doubles, Matt working full time with school, and a move. Our new place is in the study of an old Victorian mansion on top of the hill. We are settling in nicely.

As we write this post we sip wine watching the old growth pine in the front yard swaying slowly in the slight summer breeze as the sun in the distance sets behind the rooftops of old houses.