Oh boooy where do we even begin?!
This past (long) weekend I traveled to New York City to work on some exciting new projects for the BGB Community with my best friend and blogging & business partner Christina. It was quite a whirl wind but we managed to get a lot accomplished but more importantly it reinvigorated my passion and enthusiasm for all of the things we have planned and the purpose behind why we do what we do.
Something I noticed along my travels was that, while we had long, long days with tons of new faces (something as an introvert I sometimes struggle with) I felt happier and more energized than I have in months. I don’t know whether to blame this on the sun coming out, being on a blogging high or maybe the fact that my current job as a barista means I’m constantly focusing on making other people’s days a little brighter. Anywhoo, it reminded me how important it has been to push outside my comfort zone when it comes to meeting people, small talk and being “interested not interesting” (an important lesson my boss has really reinforced).
The reason I wanted to share this nugget is because, as someone who struggles with being “on” around new people and often feels drained after a lot of social engagement, I’m learning that I can improve this skill just like any other muscle. It just takes constantly pushing that comfort zone and feeling “awkward” … until you don’t.
In classic Wednesday fashion I wanted to share some highlights of our delicious eats from the city. I hit up a couple of my favorite spots and stopped at a few new places I’ve been dying to try.
Black Seed Bagel – Whole Wheat Bagel with Ricotta, Honey & Apple
This was quite enjoyable and a good size for a hearty sweet breakfast, but if we’re being honest I had total bagel envy for Christina’s avocado, cheese tomato bagel sandwich
Butcher’s Daughter – Vegan Grilled Cheese with Avocado and Veggie Bacon
The bread was so fluffy and crispy (vegan) buttery. I didn’t love love the “cheese” but the veggie bacon and avocado more than made up for it.
Chalait – Avocado Toast with a Poached Egg & Pepitas & Iced Matcha Latte with Almond Milk
I don’t remember this well because I think I blacked out when I saw how perfect it looked. Kidding, kinda. It was a little tricky to eat because we had it to go on a bench in Washington Square park, but I was eating delicious avocado so there are ZERO complaints.
By Chloe – Vegan Pesto Meatball Sub with Cashew Cheese
Probably the best thing I ate the entire weekend, you know what, make that this year. Seriously. The pesto: on point. The lentil meatballs: crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. The bun: damn good, perfect balance of light and crispy. The cashew cheese: icing on the “meat”ball. If you’re in NYC and like veggie food or heck even if you just like food, byChloe is worth the wait and lives up to the hype.
Coffee
Ok, we hit up a TON of coffee shops, so many in fact, you might be worried for my health (or maybe just my wallet) but I’ll blame this on professional research, I am a barista after all. Here’s the rundown
1.) Gimme! – I might be bias because this is my favorite coffee shop from my college town (Ithaca NY) but I absolutely love gimme. Great great espresso, and super friendly baristas which is always a huge plus in my book. I had an iced almond milk latte but I would recommend any drink on thier menu. Whenever I’m there I always buy a bag of their Leftist blend too.
2.) Stumptown – 3 words: Nitro Cold Brew. Omg. This trendy roaster/coffee shop serves up nitrogenated cold brew on tap, think coffee meets Guinness. This brew needs no ice nor milk and is deliciously creamy due to the nitrogen bubbles. I would like to swim in a sea of this.
3.) Pushcart Coffee – I’ve always really enjoyed their espresso, this was another one of my regular stops when I was interning in New York a couple summers ago. I enjoyed a soy latte from Pushcart and Christina had a cappuccino.
4.) Birch – This is one of my favorite stops for coffee in NYC. I especially have a soft spot for the one on 27th and 5th because I used to go there after my internship all the time. I had a soy cortado and Christina had a shot of espresso.
5.) Culture Espresso – Christina and I both got soy flat whites which were very enjoyable. They have great decor, coffee, but are on the small side so not great if you’re looking to sit down for a while.
6.) Cafe Grumpy – Somehow this gem is conveniently located near the Port Authority bus station aka a sea of gnarly mid-town chains and semi chaos. It’s on 39th and 7th so perfect if you’re switching between Penn Station and the bus.
7.) ThinkCoffee – Perfect if you need great coffee but plenty of space to spread out. They have free wifi and tons of room.
8.) Gregory’s Coffee – If you’re in midtown and in search of a solid alternative to Starbucks this is definitely my go-to.
This trip also reminded me how amazing it is to meet up with bloggers in real life. I got to see quite a few Insta-friends as well as members of the #BGBCommunity including the my old boss, the oat queen Rachel from RachLmansfield, the insanely talented Ashley of Fit Mitten Kitchen and the vegan goddess Leah of Love Me, Feed Me. Basically the moral of this story is whether you’re a blogger or a reader I want to find more ways to meet you <3
Thank you New York for the amazing weekend.
[Tweet “Find out what food bloggers eat when they go to NYC”]
Your Turn:
- What’s your go-to drink at a coffee shop?
- Have you ever been to NYC? What’s your favorite place to eat?
I just finished my post for trivago yesterday and it was seriously making me nostalgic. I already miss our foodventures!!!
I have only been to NYC once right after I graduated high school but I can’t wait to go back and visit sometime in the future!
Oh NYC food…especially bagels with all the cream cheese, lox, and delicious coffee, and OMG I could go on forever! I am so happy that you had such a wonderful trip to that awesome city. It is great to get away from the island and explore and get creative and energized! XOXO
Wow, you guys really went for it in the coffee department! 😉 I go to NYC often but I rreeeealllyyy wanna go to By Chloe, I’m so jealous you did! My brother lives right by the Highline so we always hit up Chelsea Market and it’s the BESTTT. So many options!
I’ve never been to NYC, but this makes me want to! I feel like yall were there for such a short stay, I seriously can’t believe how much you ate, drank, and accomplished! I always always order an Americano and would do anything for an espresso machine so I could make me one every morning, but I love the coffee shop experience too!
I think I blacked out a bit looking at all of these amazing pictures. DANG! Also, I think you should come up with a recipe for that avocado toast because it looks AMAZING and I need to try it asap.
Ah I could cry I need another meetup ASAP. Meeting you girls was just what I needed over the weekend as well. And I totally know what you mean about flexing those introvert muscles. 😉 I love that you’re approaching it with mindfulness though.
So jealous of all of your coffee shop adventures! There was a Stumptown in Portland but I didn’t get to check it out when I was there.
So many coffee shops I need to try <3 Love your tidbit about being an introvert, it's definitely a 'muscle' I've improved since I moved here. So so so grateful to have gotten to meet up with you! A BGB meet up will happen one day 😉
Technically you were on my turf, but even though I’ve had some of those amazing coffees, I haven’t been to a single one of those restaurants because I’m such an uptown girl and SO lazy on weekends! You’re inspiring me to branch out in the warmer weather…
Oh my goodness you guys crushed it! I have been on an avocado toast kick and have to check those places out!
IM SO CONFUSED ABOUT THE BEER/COFFEE DRINK. I want it! But do i want it in the mornings, or after work? So hard to say…
Looks like a great trip, i’m so glad that you had such an awesome time. Hopefully we can meet up one day soon
Okay I am super impressed by the number of coffee shops you went to! I’ve never been to NYC but my best friend just moved there so I hope to visit her there soon! And I sooo feel you with having to be “on” in social situations too. Over the past few years I’ve come to accept and like the fact that I’m an introvert but also there’s always ways for me to step out of my comfort zone. It looks like you guys had a blast!
Looks like you guys had SO much fun! I love seeing all of the cute coffee shops and restaurants. Hoping to make a trip out to NYC soon 🙂 I just tried Nutella Cold Brew for the first time this weekend and it was awesome! I usually enjoy coffee with a little half & half and some stevia but if I’m going to splurge I’ll try some specialty lattes or cold brews!
So jealous of all the fabulous NYC eats and blogging love! Makes me want to take the midnight train to NY stat. 😀
Okay, I LOVE how you got to so many gems in NYC. NYC is a beautiful city, and I LOVE seeing all the cultures that God’s brought into one BIG huge city. It’s awesome, and I’m so thankful for you and Christina getting together and being the beautiful masterminds behind BGB and really emphasizing the relationships that are the foundation of blogging. <3 ya Georgie!
I am so jealous of all of the delicious food you guys ate last weekend! I was literally drooling at your instagrams. Those bagels look amazing. Gotta take a trip to NYC soon!
vegan pesto meatball sub with cashew cheese? OMG I would have died and gone to heaven right then and there. All this food looks incredible 🙂
And this is why I’ll never be able to leave Manhattan 🙂 Currently reading this while eating a salad from byChloe. It’s literally the best thing that happened to my neighborhood.
I need to go back to NYC simply to eat….. When I went there last, when I was like 16, I was not as obsessed or interesting in unique cuisines as I am now!
I want it all. The food. The trip. The coffee. The memories!!! It looks like you guys had an amazing time!!!
byChloe is SRSLY on my bucket list. Ugh. All that coffee!!! I’m itching to go to NYC so baaaaad – I’m so tired of being in a small town because, let’s be honest, the food options are just not there. Need to plan a trip ASAP. Can’t wait to hear what you two are planning!!! <3
I just moved in NYC on Monday so this new list of places to check out is awesome! I’m also an introvert so I have to be sure to recharge by scheduling off some time for myself, it can be so tempting to make too many plans and overcommit. I have been wanting to try By Chloe for so long, I’ve heard it’s incredible… I’m hoping to make it there this weekend!
i love NYC…so naturally absolutely enjoyed every single photo here and of course EATS.
This is my actual dream NYC itinerary! We visited this past fall, but because my husband and I were traveling with friends, my 12 coffee stops and vegan restaurant suggestions got the ax reaaallly quick (although I did get to try the Butcher’s Daughter and Jack’s Wife Frieda- both were awesome!). Sounds like a girls trip is in order to try all these places!
Totally loving everything you guys ate! Glad you had such a fantastic time in NYC! 🙂
that’s so much fun! i love NYC <3 My favorites are Candle and Chelsea Market (specifically Beyond Sushi, and the gelato & sit down italian place that i cant remember), but i really want to go to byChloe!! love that you went to so many coffee shops, haha. i'd really like to try that nitrogen "brew"!