Well well well.
Hey everyone!
I am back with the final installment chronicling our trip to New York ALLLLLLL the way back in December to celebrate my mom’s 80th birthday.
I know.
The last post.
But.
We must be strong, guys. We must go on. There’ll be other posts. There’ll be other trips.
Come on.
Hey.
Buck up, little camper.
There you go.
Maybe this gif will help.
So random.
Let’s go!
Our 2023 “Happy 80th Mom!!” New York City Christmas 2023 trip: Day 3
So yeah, Day 3 was our last day in New York City. But not to worry folks. We still have something very expensive special left to do.
Yes. Special. That’s the word.
To start off the day, we all got our rooms all packed up and brought our luggage down to Bell Services to hold for us while we headed back into those mean streets.
And man – I wish I had both a picture of the luggage pile built from 23 guests AND a picture of face of the staff member who naively asked if he could help us, not knowing what kind of luggage situation he was in for.
But alas. I hadn’t had my coffee yet so my human misery alert system was a little laggy this morning.
Our destination today was brunch at Tavern on the Green in Central Park. Which was a bit of a walk, around 30 minutes. Sooooo…we split into groups. Some walked. Some Ubered.
And some.
Were never to be seen again. Forced to live on the mean streets of New York with only their wits to see them through.
…
Ha, kidding. Everyone actually ended up making it. Wait. Except.
Oh. NVM. Kevin couldn’t make the trip. We’re all good.
The five of us – me, Nickie, Owen, Myles, and Hannah – walked over with the stroller crew (Steph, Mikey, Sophia, Scarlett, Brad, and Teddy).
Sophia was PUMPED.
Wait. I think Brad and Teddy were there. Oh wait, there he is.
Brad!
Brad – wait up!
Braddddddd!!!!
Yeesh.
Dude walked real fast and real far ahead.
Is what I am saying to you now.
As I mentioned earlier, I hadn’t had coffee yet so I suggested a stop in Starbuck’s on the way to pick up some much needed caffeine. Hannah, Myles, and Owen joined me while Nickie and the Pittmans walked on ahead.
Brad, meanwhile, had already reached the restaurant, ordered, and finished his brunch.
Cuz he was far ahead. Get it?
Anyway, yeah. Starbucks.
I went in for a Sugar Cookie Latte with Almond Milk.
The kids all got some drinks as well. AND Nickie had me grab her a Decaf Sugar Cookie Latte.
But I mean, as mentioned? She walked on while we waited in line at Starbucks. Which resulted in me basically carrying her latte all the way to Central Park before we caught up with them.
Not like – the BEST plan ever. But eh. Not the worst either I guess. The worst plan was probably the one when Terri enrolled as a boy in high school in Just One of the Guys so she could get her article published or, like, an internship at a newspaper?
I dunno. I mean, it worked and everything in the end. But she almost lost Rick. AND she pissed of William Zabka.
Cindy LAO-per.
But hey look at this. Disney silhouettes at Nordstrom.
I think that hits our necessary Disney quota in order to be featured on a website called weheartdisney.
So back off, fanboys.
Wait. Actually don’t. I need you guys. I have a very fragile ego.
We reached Central Park at 9:30.
And the walk from the park entrance to Tavern on the Green was about 9 minutes or so. Which made for a nice little adventure through the park.
Erm, I guess “adventure” is a bit of a stretch. It was a 9-minute walk on paved roads with some trees. Lewis & Clark we weren’t.
Still though. Central Park.
By 9:40, all of us we were at the restaurant.
Exciting stuff. Plus, they had this Christmas tree out in their courtyard.
Tree-mendous.
I wonder if we are gonna take a picture in front of that tree at some point.
…
…
We do.
Sorry. I’ve never been one for suspense.
But first, let’s head inside.
The Christmas btw? It was also on the inside you guys.
Now, a little background. When we first booked this meal, we were told since we were such a large group, we could not get a table together without booking a private event basically. A private event came with a minimum and would require us to order from a prix fixe type menu. So, we decided to just book three different tables. While this would mean we’d risk not being near one another, we wanted everyone to be able to order whatever they wanted and avoid the whole minimum situation.
When we checked in today, the hostess informed us we would not be seated in the same room. Which was a bummer. But, well, when we were actually led back to our tables, we still had three separate tables but we all ended up in the same section of the restaurant – the igloo-looking section in the back with views from every angle of the park.
Which so yeah. Score obviously.
But.
BUT.
BUTTTTTT.
Since we were so close to Christmas? There was a prix fixe holiday menu happening.
Each of us got an appetizer, entree, and dessert from the menu above for $95 per person.
I’m just saying Tavern on the Green, if we knew there would be a prix fixe anyways, we would have probz squad done the private room thing you guys.
Annnnnnnyways.
Each table was started with a Pastry Basket.
Which is, like, in my top 2 baskets.
The other basket? The show Baskets starring Zach Galifianakis and Louie Anderson.
I should also mention the music playing in the restaurant was pretty stellar stuff. It was an instrumental mix of Christmas and non-Christmas songs with a good dose of Disney in there as well. Pfft, and here we were thinking we already hit our Disney quota for the post.
Since we were out for vacation breakfast, I started off my meal with a breakfast beer – a nice, easy lager.
I wish breakfast beer was more socially acceptable on the reg.
Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to stick with vodka.
Being it was the season, Egg Nog (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) was a popular choice.
Mikey was feeling that whole fancypantz Tavern on the Green vibe and went in for some champagne.
Scarlett and her prehistoric friend stuck with water.
Oh also – I mean I also got a coffee. I mean, it was morning so I didn’t wanna look like some sort of weirdo.
The dish that stood out last time we visited Tavern on the Green was the Tavern Maple Brown Sugar Bacon so thankfully, that was still offered as an appetizer on the Holiday Menu.
And since we all had to order our own appetizer, that meant I didn’t have to share ANY of this.
Which really is what the holidays are all about.
This was once again an incredible dish. That’s some thick bacon and the maple brown sugar glaze made for a whole sweet, smoky bit of wonderful.
In between our app and entree, we had some visitors to our table.
But I don’t care how cute you guys are.
Don’t touch my bacon. Merry Christmas.
For my main, I went with the Eggs Benedict with Fingerling Potatoes. But I substituted Smoked Salmon in place of the Canadian Bacon.
And this was a very good situation. The eggs were the right amount of runny, the hollandaise was tangy and creamy, and the salmon added a nice amount of smoke to the dish. The potatoes also had a nice pop to them.
I also grabbed some pics of a couple other dishes, like Shannon’s Brioche French Toast (with Strawberries, Candied Almonds, and Vanilla Whipped Cream).
And Owen’s Steak and Eggs (Sliced Sirloin, Fingerling Potatoes, Au Jus).
Now, at this point, everyone was feeling pretty full but being this was prix fixe, each of us ordered dessert.
I mean, if we have to.
Nickie and I were both split between two different desserts so we each ordered one and went splitsies. I know. We are geniuses.
One of those desserts was the Spiced Eggnog Creme Brulee (with a Gingerbread Cookie). Look how cute with this thing.
And not only was this thing delicious, but it also afforded this whole bit of hilarity.
See, it’s Hannah but she…haha.
She looks like…hahahaha.
She looks like a gingerbread man.
Ahem.
The other dessert Nickie and I split was the Brioche Bread Pudding (with Bourbon Butterscotch Sauce, Caramel Whipped Cream, and Blackberries).
Both of these were great, honestly. But gun to my head, I’d go with the creme brulee. But I love creme brulee so I mean. This one though was especially well-done. The custard was well-set, the top had a nice burn to it, and the egg nog taste was present without being overpowering.
Oh also? My mom wasn’t the only one with a birthday to celebrate here. Shannon’s birthday was coming up only a couple days after this brunch. So our waiter brought out her Pumpkin Cheesecake (with Raisin Caramel Sauce and Cinnamon Whipped Cream) with a candle in it.
Aw, happy birthday Shan! We love you and are so proud of you and everything you are.
Also? Birthdays was the worst days. Now Mikey sips champagne when he thirstay.
Hey guys. Remember when I promised you guys some pictures in front of that tree?
Welp. Strap in. Because here we go.
Now, I bet you’re wondering how we got a picture of all of us in front of the tree. I mean, who was holding the phone? Whaaaa? “This is insanity,” you’re most likely screaming right now.
Well, it was all thanks to this guy.
I don’t know his name, but I’m sure glad I met him.
He took a great picture and was wearing shorts in New York in December.
Dude was a miracle and I’m glad to have met him.
Also, I don’t know if you guys noticed this or not but there was a rocking horse under the tree. So of course, the kids rode it.
That horse rocked.
And I mean all that horseplay? It really got our minds racing.
So we – all of us – galloped over to this situation.
When we got there, Steph and Mikey poneyed up the money for everyone.
Despite us saying neigh.
OK, ok…enough with the equine puns, right?
Don’t wanna beat a dead…
…
You: Just STOP, Wayne.
What?
I was gonna say, um. Pig. I was gonna say “Don’t wanna beat a dead pig.”
Shows what you know.
But yeah, the Central Park Merry-Go-Round folks.
Let’s have a, uh, go-round? I guess?
I mean, look at the good times being had by all in those pictures.
It’s legit criminal the New York Board of Tourism hasn’t called us yet.
Seriously, lookitus.
We can even do impressions. Here we are being the Fonz.
Seriously New York. Call us.
At this point, it was a little past 1PM and those of us heading back to Boston had a 3PM train to catch. So we had to start heading back to the hotel so we could get our luggage and make it to Moynihan in time. Jeff, Sheila, and Shannon had a plane heading out of Newark later that day but they also wanted to get back and get their stuff because they were hopping on a train out of Penn Station with Myles and Hannah (who were heading back to school in New Jersey).
Scott, Carrie, Gwen, and Matilda were staying in the city a little longer because Scott had a meeting the next day. So – womptown – we had to start saying our goodbyes at this point to the Michigan Goodys. Always sad when things like this start to come to an end but it was so great spending this time with them. Defo a trip to remember.
After we said our goodbyes to them, the rest of us split up – some were ordering up an Uber while the rest of us walked back.
Oh I mean. Of course it was in the rain.
Along the way we discovered Sheila is like a bloodhound. But for ironing boards. Because she once again found this situation on the street. The ironing board from Day 2.
Seriously. If any law enforcement are dealing with an uptick in missing ironing boards, call her in. She gets things done.
Because of the absolute mental amount of traffic today, the Uber people and the walking people basically made it back to the hotel at around the same time – a little bit before 2PM, which meant we had to quickly get our bags and head back out into the rain for the walk to the station.
Along the way we discovered that while Sheila is obvs squad an ironing board prodigy, properly attaching a hood to a jacket was a bridge too far.
Ah well. I mean. You can’t be good at EVERYTHING. Don’t go chasing winter coats. Please stick to the ironing boards you’re used to.
We made it to Moynihan by around 2:20 and, blergh, the goodbyes continued because we had to say goodbye to Jeff, Sheila, and Shannon AND Myles and Hannah. Blergh-town. It was hard to see our group getting smaller and smaller, but our hearts were full of wonderful memories for sure. Legit love every one of these people.
Plus, in the case of Myles? I was literally driving back down to New Jersey like two days from now to pick him up for winter break.
We were down on the platform at 2:51, ready to board for the trip home.
Choo-choo!
The ride back is always less fun than the ride there, obvs squad. And this one even moreso since we weren’t all able to sit in our own little “Goodreau” section. We had to split up a bit. Still though – as we made our way back to Boston, we did sneak in some visits and musical chairs.
Weirdly, I sat with Nickie and yet there are no pictures of us together? So odd.
I mean we were really tired
Oh also, I mean. Remember when I talked about winning all that money playing BlackJack on DraftKings when we rode through Connecticut since it’s legal there? Yeah, the ride back had the opposite effect. It was like some sort of rebalancing of the universe.
Nickie and I did end up getting some food from the cafe car. I had a Dogfish Head and this like turkey and brie sandwich and Nickie had a grilled cheese and a Michelob Ultra.
Well, I originally had this turkey and brie sandwich and Nickie had a grilled cheese. Turned out the grilled cheese was kind of disgusting so we swapped.
On account of I’ll eat anything and am also some sort of hero.
Please, no applause.
We ended up getting in 30 minutes later than originally anticipated due to us having to stop for a little bit for some maintenance.
And I mean, living in Boston, unexpected train maintenance is something we’ve all become very used to.
Like, this could be a conversation one might overhear on the streets of Boston:
Man: So did ya heah about the Green Line?
Woman: No, is it wicked bad?
Man: Oh yah dude. It’s down for maintenance. Which is like not wicked pissah.
Woman: Pfft, maintenance on a train? Yeah. That tracks.
Man: Dunkin’ Donuts.
…
Wait, what was the joke there? I think initially it was supposed be the whole “that tracks” pun but I got lost along the way and settled for cheap Boston stereotyping.
I’m the worst.
So yeah, we made it back and did our last round of goodbyes as everyone got their rides and Ubers and what not back from South Station. Actually, Chris, Paulette, Jeremie, and my mom ended up having to come back to our house to get their cars so the utter sadness was needlessly prolonged.
And yeah, that’s it you guys. What a fantastic trip, right? New York at Christmastime is something everyone should experience at least once in their life. And we all got to experience it together. To celebrate the woman who started this whole thing. And there many moments throughout this trip where I had to stop, take a look around, and take stock of how truly lucky we all are to have each other. And I mean, we all have my mom to thank for that. Because of her example, her love and support, we are the family we are. So thanks Mom and I hope you had a wonderful birthday. We love you.
They say you can’t choose your family. But honestly, if I were able to, I’d choose these guys.
Thanks everyone for following along. I enjoyed writing this series so I hope you enjoyed reading it. Last post – Day 2
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