The journey of a lifetime – Highlights from our first US trip

01-11-2017 Local Black Book#travellinkup, America, journey, New York, travel, USA8 Comments

Any visitor to the U.S.A. knows that, no matter their final destination, there’s a state or two you’re sure to find yourself in.

Fascination. Excitement. Eyes-wide-open bewilderment.

A visit to the land of Stars and Stripes will always be a memorable journey.

A journey through complex history and diverse culture, of culinary delights and incredible street food, of one-of-a-kind experiences, building memories that will last a lifetime.

Below are the moments from my first all-American journey that remain firmly etched in my memory.

Hope it inspires some future US travel, or brings back some happy memories!

New York

1. The sky opening up the second we stepped out of the Subway from the airport, leaving us soaked to the bones within a couple of minutes.

2. Feeling insect-small when walking down the streets.

3. The views of the city from the ferries.

4. Eating the most epic sandwich of my entire life (the pastrami on rye) at Kazt’s Deli.

5. Seeing all the iconic buildings in real life.

6. Admitting New Yorkers’ bagel bragging rights after one bite of Ess-A-Bagel’s sensational lox & cream cheese bagel.

7. The fascinating madness of Times Square.

8. $1 pizza.

9. Finding the cutest stationery store in Brooklyn.

10. Walking the Highline.

11. Witnessing the Gay Pride.

Washington D.C.

12. Waiting out a flood warning with the locals and chili fries at Ben’s Chili Bowl.

13. The sheer scale of the city – the timed street crossings give you two whole minutes to cross and they’re barely enough!!

14. My first ever visit to a Shake Shack restaurant.

Philadelphia

15. Late night grocery runs – American supermarkets are FUN!

16. Getting caught in the 4th of July madness.

New Orleans

17. Jazz at the Preservation Hall.

18. Classic cocktails at the beauuuuutiful Carousel Bar.

19. Coffee and beignets with a local at Café du Monde.

20. The incredible colonial architecture.

21. Mufulettas at Grocery Central.

22. The journey itself

Despite the horror stories you might read about in the press, travelling across the USA is actually quite enjoyable.

Thumbs up to fast-moving security lines. A big fat YES to not having to take your liquids or laptop out of your over-stuffed bag. My deepest gratefulness to all the comfortable cab and coach seats.

After all, it’s the little things that allow you to enjoy the journey, as well as the destination!

This post was written as part of this month’s #travellinkup, all about journeys – figurative, literal, metaphysical, down the road for a PSL… If you want to join in the #travellinkup fun, pop your post up over the first week of the month (the 1st – 7th Oct.), then add it to the link up widget found on Follow Your Sunshine, SilverSpoon London, Adventures of a London Kiwi or Eppie‘s.

NYC Day 4 – A day by the water [Brooklyn + Financial District + Statue of Liberty]

27-07-201526-07-2015 Local Black BookBrooklyn, Financial District, Grimaldi's, iconic, New York, NYC, One World Trade Center, pizza, Restaurant, review, Staten Island Ferry, Statue of Liberty, travel, travel guide, USA, World Trade Center Memorial1 Comment

We spend our last day in New York on the water.
We found out about the East River Ferry just as we were about to head to the Subway. But, well, as it happens, a cruise to Brooklyn was a lot more appealing than getting down into a smelly, stuffy tube station…So up on the boat we went, leaving Manhattan and the UN Headquarters behind.Not only was the boat a much more weather-appropriate mode of transportation, but you truly get a hell of a view for your buck!Bridge after bridge, the waves slowly led us towards the financial district. Soon after, we landed in Brooklyn, where we walked along Brooklyn Bridge Park until we got hungry and raced off to the legendary Grimaldi’s.
The queues testify of how famous this family-run restaurant is with locals and tourists alike. But considering they served us that beauty of a pizza, can you really blame them? Fuelled up, we walked up and down the street, in and out of shops (including the more than adorable Dabney Lee stationary store!) while chattering happily.After beating around the ~~bush~~ bridge for hours, we finally decided to cross it. It was on my ultimate New York bucket list (just like every other first time tourist to New York) and I must say it did not disappoint. Feeling as small as insects, we wandered around the financial district, marvelling at each of those giants of iron and glass.The World Trade Center Memorial was probably the most emotional part of this whole trip. The contrast between the towering skyscrappers and the two massive hollow fountains marquing the locations of the two World Trade Center Towers is truly heartbreaking.
We topped the day with another cruise aboard the Staten Island Ferry.A first trip to New York wouldn’t really have been complete without a look at the Statue of Liberty, would it?

NYC Day 3 – Central Park, The Upper East Side and Times Square

23-07-201523-07-2015 Local Black BookCentral Park, Gray's Papaya, Guggenheim, hotdog, iconic, NYC, NYC guide, Times Square, travel, travel guide, Upper East Side, USA11 Comments

Early birds will be rewarded if they visit New York in the Summer. Because it tends to get so hot in the afternoon, you can’t really beat an early stroll around the city.
NYC UN Headquarters | Cake + Whisky We started off our day reviving some elementary school memories in the form of flag guessing at the UN Headquarters…
We then strolled through the streets and over to the Rockfeller Plaza for a bit of early morning shopping.
We strolled through the streets, pointing at every single building and taking in as much as possible.
After a quick pit stop at Ess-A-Bagel (831 3rd Ave between 50th and 51st Street) to pick up food for an improvised lunch, we marched straight up to Central Park to find a quiet spot to tuck in.Fuelled up, we continued our exploration and quickly stumbled upon Conservatory Water, where kids and parents alike gather to sail miniature boats. NYC Central Park | Cake + Whisky We sat to rest our poor worn feet and observed the boats dancing and racing on the pond…
… before leaving Wonderland behind to continue our journey.We headed North to the New York Public Library…… where we met this reading-addicted gent!We were taking a quick look at the Guggenheim‘s quirky architecture when we heard our stomachs grumbling in unison.We raced back to Broadway for a taste of the city’s best hotdogs at Gray’s Papaya (2090 Broadway), which is another of those New York cheap food gems you don’t want to miss out on. Certainly not the healthiest of meals, but that’s what holidays are for… right? NYC travel guide | Cake + Whisky NYC city guide | The Hearst Tower | Cake + Whisky After lunch, we zigzagged through the street to burn off some of the calories and tick some more iconic buildings off our to-see list.
As the sun set and fell behind the horizon, we reached Times Square.With our eyes wide open, we took as much in as possible until our head spinned, at which time we decided to beat a hasty retreat (or, as most people call it, dinner!)

NYC Day 2 – Walking the Highline (+ Pride Parade 2015)

21-07-201521-07-2015 Local Black Bookarchitecture, Dos Caminos, ice cream, New York, NYC, NYC Pride, park, Pride Parade, Restaurant, review, street food, The Highline, travel, travel guide, USA4 Comments

After having spent much of the morning going through airport security and sitting in planes and buses, we were keen to explore more of New York. As soon as we arrived, we ditched our bags and we were off again!We started our exploration with a taste of the day’s big event: the Pride Parade!Taking place on the day following the countrywide legalisation of same-sex marriage, the atmosphere was cheerful to say the least! Following crowds of rainbow-dressed people, we slowly made our way south and to the Highline.A popular destination for families and friends alike, the 1.45 mile-long linear park is build on a former railway of the New York Central Railroad. With trees and flowers all around, it’s the perfect place to take a much needed nature break!
… But you can also choose to marvel at the views… New York skyline to the East…… and the Hudson river to the West!… Not to mention some of the coolest buildings in the whole of New York! (here the ICA building, which reminds me of Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum)!
After a little while, we came accross a small street food market, where we treated ourselves to the most delicious of ice cream sandwiches.Fuelled up, we continued our exploration… After a bit more walking and a lot more chatting, we reached the end of the Highline. And found ourselves at the very centre of the trendy Meatpacking District.
… just like every single person who took part in the parade earlier! We left the tempting sweet treats and devilishly long queues behind and went for a walk through the small streets of the Village instead.
We zigzagged through the area for a long while but we failed to find the Friends buildings despite all of the efforts we put into this quest.

As the sky tuned pink, we decided to call it a day and were considering our dining options when we came accross Dos Caminos. We managed to get a table on the sun-filled terrace and admired the light go from white to golden while perusing the menu. We started things off on a high with the Bacon and jalapeno guacamole.Did I mention there was pork crackling onthere as well? #BorderlineGenius
From then on, it only when from good to best with the Chorizo Mac n’ Cheese (a personal favourite). More cheese than mac, just as it should be! We also shared a plate of the goat taccos which were the juiciest taccos I’ve ever eaten in my whole life. The accompagnying rice & beans were delicious as well but made us achieve satiety a bit quicker than we had expected.

We skipped dessert and walked home with very full bellies and a big smile on our face, chatting happily about the great day we had just had and how excited we were for the next one… before falling in a food-induced coma the second we passed the doors!

Dinner at Ben’s Chili Bowl | Washington DC

20-07-201520-07-2015 Local Black BookBen's Chili Bowl, cheap, diner, food, hot dogs, Restaurant, review, USA, Washington DC7 Comments

On our only night in Washington D.C., it didn’t take us long to decide where to go for dinner.

When we did our pre-trip research, there was a place that kept popping up as the must-visit restaurant. So after a day of exploring in the rain, we made a beeline for a true local gem, Ben’s Chili Bowl.Home of the best chili dog in the country and well worth trying.It’s a classic American diner sort of affair – very low-key and nothing fancy about it at all, but if the locals love it so much, there must be a reason for it, and we were very much in the mood to see it for ourselves. We perched on one of the bar stools and sipped on sweet tea (served in cups bigger than my head of course!) while perusing the all-American menu.
Minutes later, the most delicious chili dogs were placed in front of us.And those babies are well worth their reputation: sausage grilled to perfection, moist and with just enough kick from the chili topping… Perfection in a bun! Even better (if that’s even possible) were the chili fries: Crispy fries, cheese sauce and the most balanced chili sauce EVER… so good I almost ordered a second serving!For those of you who are not as dedicated to the cheese fries cause as I am, I’d definitely recommend the chili bowl. Basically the best chili I’ve ever eaten (I’m going to try and make this at home soon!) with loads of fresh toppings on top… Summer comfort food at its very best if you ask me.

Meanwhile on the outside, another summer storm had started and with every drop of rain, more people found shelter into the small diner, which was filling up by the minute with table after table of regulars chatting happily with the lovely waiters and creating the most enjoyable of atmospheres.

I could have happily stayed there forever, but by the time we were finished eating, the storm had calmed down so we sayed our goodbyes and raced to our home for the night to pack and try to catch some sleep before getting up before the sun to fly back to New York in the morning.

Washington DC | Shake Shack epic burgers and the Smithonian museums

17-07-2015 Local Black BookAir & Space Museum, Albert Einstein, memorial, Natural History Museum, Shake Shack, Smithonian museum, travel, travel guide, USA, Washington DC7 Comments

On our way back to New York, we made a small pit stop in Washington DC.

The plan was to walk up and down the National Mall, see all the important buildings and maybe pop into a museum or two on the way.

But the weather had decided otherwise and when we arrived downtown, it was raining cats and dogs.

So we did the only sensible thing there is to do in such situations and treated ourselves to one of those fast food feasts America is famous for. Luckily enough, we stumbbled on Shake Shack, which we had been told was a must-visit when in the US. We ducked inside and got our hands on some of the most epic-looking burgers I had seen in quite a while.After reading about it for MONTH, I finally got my hands on Shake Shack’s Shroom burger…While my Mr settled for the Smoke Stack and its layers of cheese and chopped chilies.With cheese fries all round, obviously. Isn’t that what rainy days are for?

Fuelled up and with the storm seeming to have stopped, we came back to our initial exploration plans……only to see them defeated a few minutes after by the return of the rain, so we took shelter in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. Cake + Whisky | Washington DC | Smithsonian Air & Space Museum Holding the largest collection of aircraft and spacecraft in the world, it’s a must-visit for any plane aficionado.
…Which might explain why somebody was a very happy bunny! We strolled through the museum, marvelling at weird flying machines and war planes’ perfect designs alike. The Wright Flyer (which is the ancestor of all planes) is also on display at the museum and well worth taking a look at. I still can’t quite get my head around the fact that this enormous assembly of wood and cloth can actually fly. The same obviously goes for the Mongolfier first hot air balloon, but I might have been to busy admiring the delicate prints to think about it at the time…Having seen pretty much everything the Air & Space museum had to offer, we headed next door to the Natural History museum… where every single tourist in Washington seemed to have decided to meet that day. … which is why we decided to shorten our visit to the diplodocus and jump in a cab to pay one to Albert instead.

Only afterwards did we realise that we could have used the Circulator and save money… ahem…

We raced in the rain to take a quick look at the Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam War Memorial before we decided to call it a day and head to dinner at one of the city’s institutions.

… but more on that tomorrow! Come hungry!

The Carousel, New Orleans

16-07-201515-07-2015 Local Black Bookbar, cocktails, luxury, New Orleans, quirky, review, The Carousel, USA6 Comments

Cocktails were definitely on the list when in New Orleans. We had a few obligatory Hurricanes, but when we tasted one of those vile grape-flavoured Voodoo-slushie thing, we realised it was time to up our cocktail game.

And that (and my obsession for Pinterest) is how we found the prettiest bar on Earth.
A classy carousel for adults, where you can sit, drink the best cocktails and see the world (or at least the bar) unfold in front of your eyes. It was everything I was longing for.
I could have just stayed there in the doorway staring at this spinning carousel for hours.
Good thing it was rather busy so I get plenty of time to do so! Soon enough, a couple of seats became available and jumped on them!The cocktails are the perfect mix of classic and local. Vieux Carré, Old Fashioned, Sazerac… Taking their roots in old-school, traditional American cocktails, they’re mixed to perfection by the ace bar team. A classy hotel bar without being too stuffy, The Carousel bar was the perfect start to our evening, before we tumbled down to The Preservation Hall for the best of jazz concerts. I don’t have any pictures or videos, but take my word on it and go, go, GO!!

What’s your favourite cocktail bar? Any I should add to my list?

New Orleans Day 2 – Muffuletta, Voodoo and more pretty houses

15-07-201514-07-2015 Local Black BookCentral Grocery, French Quarter, K Paul's restaurant, Muffuletta, New Orleans, pralines, Presbytere museum, travel, travel guide, USA, voodoo museum8 Comments

The best days start with sandwiches. Which in New Orleans means a trip to Central Grocery, home of the original Muffuletta. Italian ciabatta, stuffed with layers upon layers of ham, salami, cheese and olive salad.There are a few seats at the back of the store, from where you can eat your Muffuletta while reading messages left by those before you who did the exact same thing.If you look closely enough, I garantee you’ll find something you can relate to!After this, we were stuffed, but this did not stop us from trying the pralines at the French Market… I mean, we have a different stomach for fudge, don’t we? Wandering back into the French Quarter, we spotted a few more pretty houses, and loads of tiny horses!We made a pit-stop at the Presbytere museum, which had a fascinating exibition on hurricanes and other natural disasters. As well as an entire floor dedicated to the Carnival and associated traditions.After hours roaming the museum, we were back on the (very pretty) street and starting to get hungry…Luckily, we made to K Paul’s right in time!If dinner there can be a rather pricy affair, lunch is a lot more casual and affordable. And very filling indeed!

Having had more than our fair share of fried chicken, gumbo and bread pudding, we were in the mood for some more cultural discoveries so headed to the Voodoo museum.Being just a few rooms big, it’s a fairly small affair, but I discovered a completely new world, full of ghosts and spirits. Spooky!

We topped the day off with more wandering around in the lookout for yet more pretty houses/doors/streets…
We might have considered getting some cake, but settled for cocktails in the most beautiful bar EVER instead… but more on this tomorrow!

Arriving in New Orleans – Beignets, Cocktails and Jazz on Frenchman Street

13-07-201513-07-2015 Local Black BookCafé du Monde, jazz, lafitte, Louisiana, New Orleans, St Louis Cathedral, travel, travel guide, USA6 Comments

We had just arrived in NYC and it was already time for us to pack our bags and head to our next adventure…

Which was all fine by me as we were heading to New Orleans with the firm intention to try all the Creole & Cajun food, drink the best cocktails the city had to offer and listen to the best jazz concerts. Which is pretty much exactly what we did!

We jumped off the plane and onto a bus, and off to Café du Monde we went! Everyone raves about it and I can definitely see why! There isn’t any place better for beignets and café au lait!After dusting the sugar off our clothes, we carried on our way to explore more of the city.Passing by hundred of houses, each as stunning as the next. Stopping by Jackson Square to take a look at St Louis Cathedral…Doesn’t it look like something straight out of a fairytale? The same goes for pretty much every balcony…And the art galleries are not bad either!Having wandered for a little while, we made our way to Bourbon Street, which is the centre of New Orleans’ nightlife. Boozy nightlife, that is. It would just have been rude not to, wouldn’t it?Before staggering (those cocktails are STRONG!) to a night of jazz on Frenchman Street… Not a bad day, New Orleans, not a bad day!

NYC Day 1 – Midtown Manhattan & its iconic skyline

10-07-201510-07-2015 Local Black BookChrystler Building, Empire State Building, Flatiron Building, Manhattan, NYC, skyline, skyscrapers, travel, travel guide, USA6 Comments

Manhattan’s skyline is one of New York City’s most iconic features and was probably one of the things I was most excited about when we started planning our trip.

New York is often presented as a city of skyscrapers, and I can’t really say my experience changed this impression. It truly is all about the heights! So much so that after my first day there, my neck ached from looking up so much!

But when there are so many cute details to see, you don’t really have much of a choice do you?The iconic Flatiron building is one of my personal favourites. Despite it being triangular, it seems flat due to skewed perspective. Pretty mouldings + optical illusion, how could I not be in love? Metal and glass giants everywhere…And some smaller, older buildings that are just as fascinating!You know what else is everywhere? Flags!From time to time, you’ll find one of those perfect spots where you can admire both & new mixing up together. No matter what city I’m in, I always find those juxtapositions fascinating. More flags (and some eye-shapped windows…)The iconic Empire State building (aka tourist hell)… I must say I’m not sure I get what the fuss is all about. Yes, it is a very tall building, but there’s really not much that’s so special about it, is there?Another passion of mine: reflections! I could stand there for hours watching stuff reflect in those bright, shiny buildings!Grand Central Terminal looking rather nice both from the outside…And from the inside!But my favourite of them all has to be the Chrystler building, with its elegant Art Deco roof!A bit of a shame we were not hungry while walking through Koreatown… I would have loved to try the dumplings those two lovely ladies were making!After a day of walking, we took a well deserved break on the roof of 230 Fifth, which prooved itself to be an ideal observation deck to admire the sun setting on that skyline we had been looking up at all day!
The Empire State doing its illuminated trick (a bit of a shame I didn’t have my camera the day of Pride Parade, as it was all rainbow-like!)
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend… and I’ll take mine in the form of buildings, thank you very much!And last but not least, the Chrystler building at its very best… My friend says it’s every New-Yorker’s favourite building, and once you’ve seen it at sunset, I suppose there’s no way back.