My childhood friend Peter is now my neighbor again after 34 years

It is really exciting to be living in the same area again only 8 blocks away from my childhood friend Peter. I went to visit him this week during my week in the city. As I am sitting in his living room I discover that his view from his livingroom window is actually looking right at my building! I mean what our the odds of that happening??? He didn't even know until I pointed it out. Now we are going to see if he can figure out which one is my apartment one night. He will call me and I will blink the lights on and off!

Heartland Brewery Times Square

Had the Red Rooster Ale and like it alot, looking forward to going back to try some of the other beers. I was a little leery about going to a restaurant in Port Authority (about the only area I hate being around in NYC so far) but when inside you really have no idea where you are other than "Heartland Brewery".

Thanksgiving Dinner at Cookshop in Chelsea

We went for Thanksgiving. I know the restaurant can be so different when it is not a holiday. It was pre-fixed at 65.00 per person, which I thought was high but if the food is excellent I would be ok with that. We were VERY happy with our appetizer choices, so we felt the experience was going to be great. We both ordered the Turkey since it was Thanksgiving. The turkey was VERY fatty and not good. I thought the sweet potatoes were good, but then I started to taste something crunchy in it during one mouthful and then a second and third mouthful and I gave up. I like creative and different but the Stuffing sticks were just not good. Oh well. Bummed because it was recommended to me to go there. I am thinking it is a good place just not on a holiday.

The only "Perfect Crime" was how they stole our money

Went to see the "Perfect Crime" longest running play in NYC. We left confused and not really sure of the story line. The lead character has been the original actress since the play started, but I think only because she couldn't find work anywhere else. Let's just say, we feel the Perfect Crime was stealing peoples money to see this play.

La Cage - Loved it!

REALLY enjoyed seeing La Cage, though Kelsey Grammer's singing voice is pretty darn bad.

I dream of owning a Bed and Breakfast

In 1990 when my son was born and I left working in the Jewelery business, I decided I needed a job that I could work from home and still raise my son. So this is when I started as a "Travel Agent". It was so very different helping clients back than, the internet was not so popular yet, so you still relied on hotel brochures. It was much different when I left the travel business in 2010. In 2010, now all hotels had websites and there was social media for marketing. Times really changed. During those years is when my love of travel and the hotel business.

The Bed and Breakfast business was always interesting to me. I have stayed in many over the years I traveled. I enjoyed the concept on how different and more hands on they are to make the guest happy with all the extras of breakfast, wine/cheese hours, or evening snacks. I thought it was great how the owners really got to know the guests from all over the world. Well it has always been a dream of mine to own one someday. My only issue is that I still could never decide on a location of where this bed and Breakfast should be. It is something I still think about.

So when I saw this fun nifty game today to see if I have what it takes to own a B&B I wanted to share it. Have fun!


Blogmyway Play Games

RAIN A Tribute to the Beatles

I was feeling a bit under the weather, but when I saw RAIN it brought some happiness in my heart. A great Tribute to the Beatles.

BB Kings and my buddy Peter's Birthday!

I grew up in Glendale Queens. It was a great childhood, I couldn't ask for better. Since I can remember I have been friends with Peter who is two years younger than me, and Gina his sister 4 years younger than me

There is nothing better than having friendships last that long. They are more than friends they are family.

So for Peter's birthday he wanted to go to BB Kings to see a singer "Basia" and his family and my husband and I came along. I never heard of "Basia" and was pretty impressed with her voice and lovely music. It was a fun great evening out celebrating!

We ate dinner there too, a bit pricey for sure, but the food was delicious. Getting to BB Kings at 6pm for a 8pm show is recommended if you want to get a good seat, so you mine as well eat there then too.

Korean Way...and why that block has sentimental meaning to me

This past weekend I went to Korean Way, located on 32nd Street between 5th and Broadway . From 1984 to 1990 I worked at 6 West 32nd Street between 5th and Broadway. No it was not Korean way in the 80's though there was a hotel across the street that seemed to cater to Asian clientele and at corner of Bway and 32nd there was a restaurant serving Sushi (not as popular in the 80's yet)

Well this past weekend I went back there to try Korean food for the first time (and most likely my LAST time) and see my old work block and 6 West 32nd Street. I worked on the 12 A floor, I guess who ever owned the building was superstitious and could not bring themselves to call it what it was 13. The company I worked for "Austern & Paul" manufacturer of fine jewelry. Now this building is a hotel.


I did not like the Korean food, thought I am glad I experienced it. I can not review the restaurant I went too, because I do not think it would be fair since I had no idea what I was eating and did not really enjoy what I was eating.


One last word, if it was not for 32nd street, I would never have had my wonderful son Ryan. I met my ex husband there on 32nd Street at Austern and Paul. My son is my world and I thank that street which is now called "Korean Way"!

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas!! MACYS!!

Walking around over the weekend, stopped at Macy's and they are getting ready for the Holiday and it really put me in the Christmas spirit. I use to live in Chelsea and work on 32nd during the 80's and that area has always still been in my heart. I miss places like Gimbles!! Thank goodness Macy's is still there and it warms my heart walking in there. I am always excited to go down to "The Cellar" on those old wooden escalators.

Diners in NYC

I was always a fan of the Empire Diner, and was very sad when it closed. Yes I know it was limited menu and expensive, but the history and atmosephere was what made me keep coming back since the mid 80's from when I lived in Chelsea. Well after it closed I have tried a few new diners near by Skyline Diner on 34th St and Market Diner on 11th Ave in Hells Kitchen. But now my vote is in for my new favorite diner "Tick Tock Diner" near Penn Station. They have a great variety on thier menu and very reasonable prices. They have healthier choices and vegeterian dishes which makes me even happier.

So from now on when I need my diner fix I will be headed to "Tick Tock"!!

Tick Tock Diner
location: Corner of 34th Street & 8th Avenue
481 8th Ave. New York N.Y.
OPEN 24 Hours, 7 Days a Week

http://www.ticktockdinerny.com/Home.html

Top deals and things to do in NYC this week

Thank you to my NYC Real Estate agent

Last year around this time we set off to explore neighborhoods of NYC and luxury rentals. We would stay at hotels in different neighborhoods in Manhattan to get a feel of what they were all about. After months and months of doing this we decided on "Hell's Kitchen" in NYC.

So by April of 2010, I felt that it would be important to get a professionals opinion now on the rental market. I did my homework with finding the neighborhood we wanted and now it was time to get some help and find a Real Estate agent. I was lucky enough to find the best New York Real Estate agent! Social Media is great, I found "Brandon Debok" on Twitter and then followed him on Facebook. After seeing some of his great posts I had the confidence that he was trustworthy and honest and I gave him a call. I had called a couple of other agents over the months and was put off by the way they handled the call. Not Brandon, he was exactly what I thought. Hardworking, honest, trustworthy, knowledgeable....oh I could go on and on. So in May of 2010, we met with Brandon and found our "Pied-a-terre" in NYC.

Brandon recommended that we go see a great new luxury rental apartment building with all the amenities we were looking for in the neighborhood we we wanted. He was right on the money! So now we spend our weekends in Manhattan and weekdays in Long Island.

Roof top deck with awesome Empire State Building views!

Brandon now has become a friend and we invited him over for wine and to check out the apartment finished and decorated. I can not believe we are soon going on our 4th month here. When we are ready to purchase an apartment in the future, no doubt Brandon is our go to man. Thank you Brandon!!

Brandon stays on the cutting edge of social media and Real Estate in NYC. You can follow him on his blog http://www.rentorownny.com/

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-York-NY/Brandon-G-DeBok-NY-State-Realtor/360262269593

Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/NYCrentaldeals

Shake Shack vs Carvel - Shakes

One night wondering around Time Square we ran into Shake Shack for one of thier Shakes. To our suprise we get this tiny little cup shake that cost us 5.25. I can get an exta large HUMONGOUS Thick Shake Float at Carvel for less than that and in my opinion much better. I do have to admit I have never been to Carvel in NYC, only Long Island. So maybe my price comparision is not fair. Either way I will drink my shakes, which does not happen much, but when it does at Carvel on Long Island!