Good morning and happy, happy, happy Monday to you!
Mal and I had a great time in New York City, but it was definitely a quick trip. We arrived in the Big Apple pretty late on Friday night and then headed home first thing Sunday morning, so our whole NYC weekend was over before we knew it. Even still, it was a nice little getaway and who knows how many of these we will have in the future. Gotta take advantage while we can!
Some highlights from the weekendāĀ¦
Early morning wake-up call from Culture Espresso.
I let Mal sleep in while I went in search of coffee.
Saturday morning, pre-workout fuel: plain donuts from the hotel’s continental breakfast.
A pit-stop for green juice at Terri while exploring the city.
Lunch with friends at The Spotted Pig.
While waiting for our table, we saw Mario Batali enjoying a meal with friends. (FYI: This is just a picture of Mal waiting at the bar. Mario Batali was sitting in the corner over my left shoulderāĀ¦ wearing orange Crocs and all!)
Lunch: An extra spicy virgin Bloody MaryāĀ¦
And scrambled eggs with bacon and a biscuit. I <3 breakfast.
Mal and I had a fabulous dinner at Citrus. I ordered (non-raw) sushi and was in heaven!
Dessert at 16 Handles! Loved it!
Early-morning Sunday breakfast at the hotel. I couldn’t decide what I wanted, so I had a little bit of everything.
A 4-hour train ride home, which actually went by a lot quicker than expected.
Cascadian Farms Giveaway
Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway to win some goodies from Cascadian Farms! Here is your winner:
Nicole M.
I’m all about trail mix! And usually quest bars, but any snack sort of bars definitely grab my attention.
Congrats, Nicole! Please email me at tina@carrotsncake.com with your full name and mailing address to claim your prize.
Questions of the Day
When you travel, what’s your biggest challenge when it comes to sticking to your healthy habits?
Have you ever met a celebrity chef?
What celebrity chef would you most like to meet?
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to meet Tom Colicchio,Ā Buddy Valastro (āThe Cake BossāĀ), Joanne Chang, Todd English, Tal Ronnen, interview Richard Blais, make pasta with Rocco Dispirito, eat lunch with Ellie Krieger, and chat with Giada DeLaurentiis over the phone.
62 Comments
eating out is definitely a challenge during travels! love those continental breakfasts where you can have a bite of it all! š š
I ate lunch at The Spotted Pig last weekend! No Mario Batali sightings, but it was delicious!
It sounds like a perfect weekend getaway! Had you been to The Spotted Pig before? The food looks AMAZING!
Yep, a few years ago for an event with The Cake Boss! š
@Tina: that is SO COOL! I am definitely going to give it a try next time I am in NYC. Thanks!
I love NYC! My best friend lives there and just as soon as the weather warms up, my husband and I will go and visit here. It’s not so fun walking around the City in the cold!
Ah, it’s so awesome that Mario Batali was in the same restaurant as you! I love his recipes!
Looks like fun! I haven’t been to NYC since I was sixteen, I’d love to go back!
SO cool that you saw Mario Batalli! We were pretty close to seeing one of Paula Dean’s sons when we were at their restaurant in Savannah- but the place was mobbed so we didn’t actually see him. but it was cool knowing that he was so close to us!
I try and pick fresh foods, but sometimes you need to taste a special treat that you may never get another chance to while traveling.
I have actually met Mario several times. I am from Traverse City, MI where he lives part time and he is very active in the community and comes out to all of the food and wine festivals. He’s super down to earth and always rocks the orange Crocks!
Oh those scrambled eggs look so perfect!!! Finding healthy food on the move in Ireland can be incredibly hard!
Such a fun little getaway! I love staying in hotels where the breakfast comes free, they typically have healthy options and unhealthy options and I am always so tempted to go with the unhealthy since “I’m on vacation!”
I would love to meet Giada!!
I absolutely adore NYC. I need to get back their asap.
Me too! It’s one of my favorite cites! š
Sounds like an amazing weekend filled with yummy food!
I travel a lot for work and my biggest challenge is trying to plan ahead. I’m usually running from meeting to meeting and if I don’t schedule times to eat or pack healthy snacks then I usually end up grabbing something quick and not so healthy.
Mmmm loving all the yummy looking breakfast foods! Breakfast is my favorite too. My biggest challenge when traveling is probably not drinking enough water and eating TOO much. We tend to go out to eat quite a bit when traveling, and all the food is just so darn delicious, I don’t want to stop eating. š
I don’t find it too hard to stick to healthy habits until dessert time rolls around. I am a frozen yogurt queen so if you stick that in front of me it is REALLY hard to say no! š
Looks like you all had a great weekend!!
Ditto! I was pretty full from dinner on Saturday night, but still managed to fit in some froyo! š
I’ve met Kristen Kish! And Joanne Chang. Being in the restaurant world, a lot of chefs that I consider famous, other people may not even know. Haha
Looks like a great weekend!! When I travel it’s so hard to not be tempted to just eat whatever I want “because I’m on vacation” I’d say snacking while actually traveling, like when we’re just in the car or on the plane, huge temptation to eat bad stuff!
Can you please do a quick post on your outfits/shoes that you wore in NY. I’m on my way there from TX on Thursday morning and I am so scared of the cold weather!!! Definitely will check out Spotted Pig — sounds like a great place!
Thanks!
I have actually met several celebrity chefs. I live in NY and as a Director of Marketing and Communications for a food service company I have actually coordinated several celebrity chef series. I coordinated events with Iron Chef Morimoto, Jamie and Bobby Deen, Anthony Bourdain and Martin Yan. I also have been to live taping’s of Iron Chef America and the Emeril Lagasse Show. Plus some other encounters. They are lots of fun to hangout with.
I would love to meet Rachel Ray, the Cake Boss or Giada. I’ve been to the cake boss bakery in NYC and sampled everything of course š
I’d really like to meet Rachel Ray too. I feel like she’d be fun!
Looks like you made the most of the short trip!
Looks like a fun weekend. I can’t wait until my trip to NYC in April. I love the West Village – So many fun shops and restaurants. I think I’d like to meet Tyler Florence. He just seems like a really nice guy, not to mention he’s adorable! š
When I travel, I feel like my health habits go out the window! It’s definitely something I need to work on, but it’s not easy choosing healthy options when going out to eat a lot.
I’m so glad I read that Mario was not in that picture fairly quickly. I was beginning to see it as a Where’s Waldo hunt and I was determined to find him! š It’s awesome that you live so close to NYC. So many of the restaurants are amazing!
On vacation, I always have a healthy and hearty breakfast then a smaller lunch so I can indulge at dinner if I want to.
How fun! I have had The Spotted Pig on my list for a while now. Cannot wait to go. It would be so cool to see Mario Batali.
All your breakfasts look delicious! It’s definitely the best meal of the day š
Tina! You look beautiful in the last photo. Pregnancy glow is real!
Aww, thanks! š
Haha I like your style – a little bit of everything is my go-to solution š I would LOVE to meet Giada. Looks like your weekend in NYC was filled with some delicious eats!
Thanks for the food reviews – one thing I love about living in NYC is the food! I’m definitely going to have to plan a trip to The Spotted Pig soon.
PS: No mention of 14.1 – did you try it unofficially? Or are double-unders out due to pregnancy?
I was away all weekend, so I haven’t had a chance. I was going to do it today, but my box is giving priority to people who are registered for the Open. If I can slip in a heat tonight, I will definitely give it a try!
Gah. I love Mario Batali and The Chew!
I always try and do some research before I go anywhere on my hols so I know where restaurants and food options might be. That way we are never stuck for somewhere good and more to our liking!
when I was younger my parents and I were walking the beach in Gloucester in the fall and Mary Ann Esposito was walking the beach. We talked with her and she was just the sweetest nicest person. my mother being full Italian we always have watched her show and love her. you know if Mario Batali is at a restaurant then it must be good!
I will admit that I go to 16 Handles because they have the best spoons and I like to take them home…
I think food is the biggest culprit when I travel. I try to eat healthy but I do leave room to try something new and super yummy! My husband and I are planning a trip to NY in April and now I know a few restaurants to go to. Thank you! I would love to meet Giada!
Love your photos! Makes me miss living in NYC…. love that city!
Since we started eating primarily Paleo and Primal, it’s so hard to say no when the waiter brings bread to the table. It always smells so wonderful! Even if your trip was quick it looks like it was fabulous! I would love to meet Giada. I want to know how she cooks such delicious food and stays so fit =)
I think Id like to meet any of the major faces in the cupcake game.
Certainly short but seems like you guys took full advantage of the weekend!
I’d love to meet Carla Hall. She looks like so much fun and down to earth.
I want to meet Mario Batali and Giada and Ina.
@RunEatRepeat: I met Giada and she’s a sweetheart! She did a book signing in my area for her children’s books last year. And she would only sign cookbooks or take pictures with the children to really get them interested in book and make them feel special which was so sweet.
I love that last picture of you and Mal, so sweet! Looks like it was a fun trip. š
I think I’d most like to meet Giada (still jealous that you did)!! As far as staying on track, I think it’s the extra indulging in more caloric foods than I’m used to.
I try not to stress too much about eating healthy while traveling. I like to enjoy myself, so I just make sure to stay active during my trips (lots of walking, hotel workout, etc.). That way, I don’t feel guilty when I order that second (or third) margarita!
America’s Test Kitchen- (are they considered celebrities?) I’m a food geek and love them!
P.s. I’ve been loving the baby bump. Ah pregnancy such a crazy and unique time for women. I’m so excited to watch you experience it!
I LOVE The Spotted Pig for brunch… and for cocktails in the afternoon! By far my favorite spot.
My issue with staying healthy during trips is knowing that I may not get back to that city/restaurant/area for a while or EVER and I may miss out on an awesome dessert/burger/other normally “bad for me” food and I just need to try it. If I ever get to Europe, I not going to even try eating healthy because I may never go again and I want to just try everything! A few bad meals can be made up for when we get home but I can’t always redo that trip!
Like I said to Monica above, I’ve met Giada at a book signing and she was lovely!
Typically if i’m traveling i’m on vacation, so i tend to indulge a little and eat a lot of the local food. When i went to Mexico i had one too many desserts (and tacos!), so i would make sure to swim and walk around a lot during the day to make up for it.
I’d love to meet Bobby Flay, Giada & Ina. My aunt & uncle actually did meet Bobby – stood in line for hours to get me a signed cookbook š
wondering where did you stay? i love NY and went to grad school there, just booked a hotel for st patricks day with my daughter, it has a gym so we will either work out there or run in Central Park, our first choice, we both love 16 handles, will probably do that, have a beer and shop plus see the parade :).
I want to visit America’s Test Kitchen! That’s by you, isn’t it? I think it’s filmed in Boston. Chris Kimball and the rest of the ATK crew would be pretty fun. Plus, I’d love to be one of their taste testers!