I have a couple more things to share about NYC before I get to the weekend recipe…
If you haven’t been to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, I’d highly recommend it next time you’re in NYC. The memorial pools are located at the footprint of the original twin towers and have the names of every person who died in the terrorist attacks on February 1993 and September 11, 2001 inscribed around the perimeter. You can find the location of a someone you knew here…and also at the memorial itself. It is quite a moving and beautiful remembrance of those lost…and there’s no cost.
I had been to the memorial pools in the past, but not to the Museum, which opened on September 2011, the ten year anniversary of the terrorist attacks. To say it is overwhelming is an understatement. I had no idea what to expect and thought we’d be there an hour or so. We were there for more than two hours and could have seen more short films, etc…but, again, it was overwhelming.
After an emotional morning at the memorial we walked around lower Manhattan a bit, saw the Statue of Liberty in the distance and I finally, after having it on my list since the 90’s, went for a meal at Fraunces Tavern. Fraunces Tavern was one of my dad’s favorite restaurants in NYC due to it’s place in American history (he was like a walking encyclopedia of American history). It opened as a tavern in 1762, was the first office of the Department of Foreign Affairs after the Revolutionary War, and, most famously, the place where George Washington shared a meal and bade farewell to his officers after the British retreated, all but winning the Revolutionary war. His words to the troops…” “[w]ith a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take leave of you. I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable.” It’s a pretty cool, & large, place with numerous historical rooms and a nice American menu. I’d recommend it if you’re down near Wall St and lower Manhattan. 
We rounded out the afternoon with a walk through Chelsea Market and the High-Line before heading back to Brooklyn and an EatWith dinner that evening.
An EatWith dinner…what’s that? It’s a different, awesome dining experience where you buy tickets for dinner in someone’s home. Austin, Kate, Val and I dined with 12 strangers at some guys apartment in Brooklyn and it was one of the highlights of the trip. Omar was our host and he made an amazing meal for all of us. It’s BYOB and the dinners vary in price…this one was $42.00…so reasonable and SO MUCH FUN!!
Our final day in the Big Apple involved more sight-seeing with a visit to Eataly, Canal Street, finally seeing Fun Home (matinee) and back to Brooklyn for our three-bar date night with A&K and friend’s Doug and Peggy.
….and now a Chinese food recipe to try this weekend that’s been in my recipe repertoire for years
Almond Chicken
1 cups whole or sliced almonds (I use sliced, but they cook faster so watch them)
1-1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast…cubed or on the diagonal for thinner pieces
1 bag of snow peas or @ 1/2 lb
optional…sometimes I throw in a can of mini corn or another vegie
mix together…
1 tsp dried ginger
2 tsp sugar|
1 TBS cornstarch
3 TBS water
3 TBS soy sauce
1/3 cup sherry…or any dry white wine (I, of course, usually just use chardonnay)
Heat some oil up in the wok (or a non-stick pan will do). add almonds and brown, add chicken and cook until meat turns white, pour in the sherry mixture and cook until it starts to thicken. add snow peas (& mini corn) and cook for about a minute or so.
Serve over rice…& don’t forget the fortune cookie…voila!
To all my peeps in the East, stay warm & stay inside…and to all my peeps here in the West, let’s pray we get a drizzle or two this weekend!
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
#nyc, #eatwith, #eataly, #timegan, #dodsworth
I’m a native but I still want to do NY with you someday! “Eats With” sounds so cool…thanks for the vicarious trip!
Let’s make that happen, Beth!!
Had a similar morning in NYC last February with Bruce and Bernie at the 911 Museum (coldest I’ve ever been in my life!) We had reserved tickets on-line and were able to walk right past all the people in line. I highly recommend doing that. Then lunched at the Fraunces Tavern just as you did. It was too cold to walk around, plus I had to catch a plane home, so it was a fairly short visit to Lower Manhattan. The 911 Museum is heart wrenching, but so incredibly well done. I plan to visit again one day.
I like your post today, especially the pictures of Fraunce’s Tavern. That was our neighborhood restaurant when we lived in NYC, it was our cozy place where we dined often. We lived right there on the same street (25 Broad St.) just two blocks down when walking toward the NYSE.
We know the owners, a really cute Irish couple, who took us inside the restaurant the day after hurricane Sandy to show us the damage. It smelled of petroleum (as the whole area did) and was nearly destroyed, as it had filled up with about 6′ of water throughout the entire bottom floor. They had recently installed new woood flooring which, they got through her father, which came from an old church in Ireland; that of course had to be replaced. After having to close sown for about six weeks or so they reopened the bar portion of the restaurant, but it smelled unpleasantly of mildew, but we tried to keep going there anyway since we wanted to give them the business. I’m a native CA girl but I really miss living in NYC!
Love this story Lulu! Thanks for sharing. I didn’t realize the Irish connection and it makes this restaurant even more special.
So love this posting. I smiled as you identified some of my favorite on my “must do’s” when going back home. I may have left NYC 30+ years ago, it will always be home. Old friends and family keep us going back at least once a year. Also love brunch at the Boathouse.
was so much fun having you visit!
Awesome post, thank you! I’m taking notes!