my manhattan

mom comes to nyc, part II (also...WHAT TO DO IN NYC)

in

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brooklyn flea
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i had such a lovely time with my mom here in town.

we mostly just walked everywhere and ate a lot and talked about all those things that mothers and daughter talk about (but can't necessarily say over the phone).

it felt so special. and sacred.

and it was the little things--always the little things: getting to show her this space. buying a bedskirt and new pot and cutting board (helloooo, adult life). setting up my computer in such a way so that we could fall asleep watching pbs' zen (my mother and i share a deep and profound love for rufus sewell). snacking on almond biscotti and peppermint tea. dinner with the dearest and best friends of my life. and a good, solid amount of some really robust laughter.

i won't take you through the day-by-day breakdown of our adventures, but i would like to provide a few suggestions:

(to do) cobble hill cinemas--an old-school movie theatre where the tickets are much cheaper than in manhattan (only 7 bucks on thursday nights).

(to eat) frankies spuntino--italian food has never been my go-to, but i'm madly in love with this spot on court street. the food is fresh and light, the decor is the right amount of rustic, and the outdoor garden is endlessly charming. order the sweet potato ravioli.

(to see) greenwood cemetery--a massive and historic cemetery here in brooklyn that's home of one of the revolutionary war's first battles. it is quiet, expansive, and something to see. i'm planning on heading there in late october for a guided tour of the place.

(to eat) buttermilk channel--this was a big hit with my mom. it's an unassuming place that i love because i feel like i'm somewhere in the south (my mom felt as though she was in boston, go figure). we suggest the jalepeno corn bread and cheese plate.

(to eat) alta--my good friend kim works the greenmarket in union square and so has gotten to know alta's chef harrison mosher and has nothing but kind words for him. he oh so graciously sent quite a bit of food to our table and we gobbled up every last morsel. i've only been twice now, but already this is one of my favorite restaurants and the first place that comes to mind when someone asks for a suggestion. do know that if you order "the egg" for dessert, it really is the size of an egg, which is to say quite small, but quite good. also, know that the restaurant can be hard to find (no sign out front).

(to eat {treat})) blue marble ice cream--i say get the pretzel cone (game-changer) and my mom says  the strawberry sorbet.

(to see) jefferson market garden--a lush space right in the heart of greenwich village. on the wednesday night we wandered past the place was filled with some stunning live music.

(to do) where to walk--the brooklyn bridge is not to be underestimated. on a beautiful day you must, must, must do this. the brooklyn promenade (right along the water). dumbo and brooklyn bridge park.

(to do) brooklyn flea--fun to walk around and look at jewelry and shoes and sample all the foods.

(to eat {treat}) marquet patisserie--sweets and treats and bread and coffee galore. my mother declared the man behind the counter "very french" which she roughly translated to less than obliging. but the cookies were delightful nonetheless.