I follow a few musicians on Facebook, one of them being Harry Connick, Jr. Back in September, he posted that he would be doing a tribute concert to Cole Porter; however, this concert would be in New York. When I mentioned this to Stephen, his response was immediate and unwavering: "Buy the tickets." I hesitated for a moment, "You know this concert is in New York, right?" He simply smiled and said, "So, buy the tickets." So I bought the tickets that very day for a show in February… in New York!
New York holds a special place in our hearts. We have visited in the spring, fall, and winter, and each trip has given us unforgettable memories. At one point, we almost moved there in 2015 due to a potential job opportunity, but life led us to Alabama and then Texas instead. Still, every time we return, it feels like a home away from home. The food, the energy, the endless adventures—it's all so intoxicating. We always seek out new experiences, but there is one constant in our visits: a stop at Librae Bakery, a place that feels like a cozy embrace in the midst of the bustling city.
Our journey began in the early hours of the morning, catching a 6 AM flight and landing in New York around 10:30 AM. We travel light, just one backpack and two carry-ons, which makes navigating the bus and subway so much easier—and cheaper! This time, I felt a special kind of gratitude. My health has improved, and I was able to help with our luggage, a simple task that reminded me of how far I have come. Our trip began on a perfect note when our hotel graciously allowed us an early check-in. After settling in, we took a moment to soak in the excitement before heading out into the city.
Our first stop? Librae Bakery, of course. As we sipped our coffee and indulged in their exquisite pastries, we let the city begin to weave its magic around us. Next, we ventured out for some shopping. Stephen found a beautiful wool winter coat—and to our delight, it was on sale! Back home, we had searched for the perfect coat but had come up empty-handed. This serendipitous find felt like a small victory, a sign that this trip was going to be something special.
That evening, we dressed up for a night out in the city. Our dinner reservations were at Thai Villa, a restaurant I had discovered through one of my New York Facebook groups. It exceeded all expectations. Their espresso martinis were heavenly, and we put our trust in the waiter to choose our dishes. Every bite was divine. As we left the restaurant, a soft rain began to fall, making the city streets glisten under the lights. We hurried to the subway, eager not to be late for our next adventure.
"Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" was playing on Broadway, and we had scored half-price tickets. The special effects were breathtaking, and the story transported us to another world. For those few hours, we were spellbound, caught in the magic of the performance.
The next morning, we set out in search of breakfast and coffee. We found ourselves at the Central Park Diner, a charming little spot with a nostalgic feel. Their French toast didn't quite match the picture, but it was still comforting in its own way. I have high standards when it comes to French toast, but the real star of the morning was the coffee, which was simply perfect.
With coffee in hand, we set out to explore the city. We love looking at the old buildings and the fascinating architecture. We headed back to the hotel to change for our concert. We were seeing Harry Connick Jr at The Metropolitan Opera. As expected, Harry did not disappoint. His music and storytelling were mesmerizing. We learned a lot about Cole Porter and all of his accomplishments. After the show, we headed back to the hotel to rest up before our dinner reservations. For dinner, we decided to return to a restaurant that we had discovered last Spring with Taylor and Kendeal. It is called the Red Onion and has the best Indian food. We ordered the samosa chaat, butter chicken, garlic naan, and masala chai tea. The best thing of the evening is the owner remembered Stephen from our previous visit. We then took a stroll up the street for dessert, and had a strawberry Nutella crepe. I wanted to head in to the tattoo shop next door, In Due Time, for my NY tattoo; however, since my surgery was in less than a week, it was not advisable. I will be back and I will get that tattoo!
Sunday morning we tried Carnegie Diner and Cafe - Stephen had the egg and pastrami sandwich while I had their eggs benedict, another one of my favorites! This restaurant did not disappoint. We had found a little coffee shop down the block and headed there after breakfast for another cup of coffee and headed out to the Grand Bazaar for a little flea market shopping. I saw a few items that I would definitely add to my collection IF we lived in New York. However, I settled for just browsing at this time. For lunch we grabbed a hot dog from a street vendor and ended up at Atlantic Grill for dinner. It was a quiet little place and had delicious sushi and filet mignon.
On our last day, we again went back to the Carnegie Diner and Cafe for breakfast where I tried the Nutella French Toast and Stephen had the omelet. The table next to us was celebrating a birthday, and had the brownie milkshake - it was crazy huge! We then made our way to this little pottery shop I found and of course I had to buy the spoons and a mixing bowl (IYKYK) to bring back home. Our last stop before heading to the airport was trying to locate the pizza place in Brooklyn we had found back in 2018. A little google sleuthing, and I was victorious. We took the subway and headed to Brooklyn. The pizza and garlic knots were exactly as we remembered them.
I am grateful for all of the exercising and walking I do every day, as it has made this trip much easier. As I reflect on our time in New York, my heart feels full. It wasn’t just about the concert, the food, or the city itself—it was about the joy of experiencing it all with Stephen by my side. Life is made up of these moments, the ones that make you pause and feel profoundly grateful. And this trip? It was one of those moments I will always cherish.
