Living up to our name (blog name, that is). Part II

From Atlanta, we headed straight to the Big Apple where we were meeting our friends Ron & Lynne V. (from Tallahassee).

After our visit to NYC last year, and turning down Hilton's invitation to buy into a 'fractional ownership' (read that as "timeshare"), they wanted to give us one more chance to say yes.

For about six months, we've had the trip planned and coordinated things with Ron & Lynne to meet us up there.  They really enjoy spending time in NY!   Shows, eating, tours, eating and more eating were in the works!

Nearly two hours past our original arrival time, we were finally at the hotel.  We met up with the V's  and enjoyed a leisurely stroll through Central Park.  It is amazing how once you get off the street, it is pretty quiet in the park.

A big event in NYC the evening we arrived was the premier of "Sex in the City 2".  I was convinced the helicopters had a bird's eye view of the red carpet and all the celebrities.  (Unfortunately, my invitation must have gotten lost in the mail.)

The V's had friends who came into the City to see them and Ron made arrangements at Carmine's.  If anyone left hungry (after veal scallopini, shrimp parmesan and pasta with broccoli, warm bread and cannolies), it was their own fault!  Everything was delicious.

The next morning, we attended (endured) another sales pitch from Hilton.  And they still got the same answer.

After escaping the sales office, we met up with Ron & Lynne for the food tour.  We had such a good time with The Enthusiastic Gourmet (Susan Rosenbaum) last year, that we wanted to go again with Ron & Lynne.  Susan is so much fun, knowledgeable and even added a few different stops from last year.  (Who knew chocolate covered deep fried bacon would be so delicious?!?!)

Of course when in New York, you have to see a show!  Jersey Boys was great!  The music was terrific and told the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. (Thanks, Ron.)  We rounded out the evening with a stop for the obligatory slice of cheesecake before calling it a day.

Wednesday was a little less structured and we were expecting it to be a very warm (ok HOT) day.  90 degrees in the City is not pleasant. 

We had H-U-G-E pastrami and corned beef sandwiches at Carnegie Deli for lunch.  And what better way to spend a hot day with a full belly than in an airconditioned theater seeing a matinee performance.  This time it was Promises, Promises.  The understudy filled in for Kristen Chenowith, but Sean Hayes was fantastic!  We had wonderful seats (Thanks Ron) and got out of the heat for well over 2 hours.

Our last dinner together in the city was Italian at Remi.  Unfortunately, we didn't have coordinating flights so we bid farewell to the V's and they went off to Tallahassee and us to Tampa.

We had a fun time with Ron & Lynne!  Think we'll be able to wait a few years before another trip to NYC.   'Tis good to be back in familiar surroundings.