Around Town Archives - Closet Confections

The Meatball Shop

True story: I’m addicted to meatballs!

Yes, you read that correctly. If I had to pick the perfect food, a meatball just might be it. I’ll take them in just about any variety: beef, chicken, pork, venison… whatever. I’ve even dragged my husband all the way out to the Ikea in New Jersey under the guise of needing a new throw rug or coffee table. But in reality, all I wanted was a plate of Swedish meatballs and a side of ligonberries. Yep, I’ve got it bad!

So now that you’re aware of my condition, I’ll let you in on another little secret. You can catch me almost every other week at one of my favorite casual dining spots in the city: Meatball Shop. My husband and I have been regular fixtures pretty much since the day opened their first location on the Lower East Side years ago. We’ve tried just about every combo (including chicken with mushroom sauce, beef with classic tomato, pork with parmesan cream sauce, etc…), and it’s hard to choose a favorite because they’re all SO GOOD.

I was recently invited to the Greenwich Village location to try our their all-new menu and was instantly impressed. They’ve expanded their offering to include vegan and gluten-free options, seafood balls, and even more great salad combinations. My friends and I like to dine out together, so it’s awesome that one of my favorite restaurants can suit just about everyone’s dietary needs. On this visit, Eric and I made it a family affair and brought Christian along. The restaurant staff were very accomodating – allowing us to bring in the stroller and offering a high chair. Right now, we just give Christian tiny nibbles off our plates to sample, but I can’t wait for him to try the kids menu when he’s older.

On this visit, we tried the Thanksgiving Platter with turkey meatballs, stuffing, mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts and cranberry sauce. It was everything a comfort meal should be. We also got a few appetizers, including mozz balls, risotto balls, and mini buffallo balls (hubby’s favorite). Meatball Shop has a great selection of craft cocktails, and my personal favs are the Devil’s Juice Sangria (pictured above) and Fool-Aid Punch.

Oh, and did I mention they serve custom ice cream sandwiches for dessert? My all-time favorite combo is one chocolate chip cookie and one peanut butter cookie with caramel icecream in the middle.

If you’re ever in the mood delicious food in a warm and friendly atmosphere, I highly recommend checking them out. Meatball Shop has locations throughout NYC and recently opened a new spot in DC. And if you can’t make it in person, you’re still in luck because they have a cookbook available for purchase on their site. I got mine a few years back, and it makes a great holiday gift for folks who know their way around the kitchen.

Around Town Travel

3 Jaw-Dropping Fall Foliage Escapes from NYC!

Hey Peeps!

The days are rapidly getting shorter, and I’m gearing up for my favorite time of year – FALL!

Besides celebrating my birthday and breaking out my favorite sweaters and boots, what I look forward to the most each autumn is watching the gorgeous fall foliage displays we get up here in the Northeast. It’s enough to make even a city-slicker like me want to break out my hiking boots and head for the hills. And that’s why I’ve rounded up my favorite leaf-peeping treks outside of New York City.

1. Circle Line Cruise to Bear Mountain

For the past two years, we’ve hopped on a Circle Line Cruise and sailed our way up to Bear Mountain to celebrate Oktoberfest. The scenic ride along the Hudson River is so peaceful as you get to enjoy 360-degree views of the leaves changing along the Palisades. And the best part is that you can also guzzle all the beer you want to help wash down your bratwurst and pretzels since your transportation back to the city is already taken care of.

2. Adirondack Train to Montreal

This trip has been on my bucket list for a while, and I’m hoping to finally cross it off this season. The #69 Adirondack Amtrak is named one of the Top 10 most scenic routes in the world! The train leaves from Penn Station and whisks passengers away on a 10-hour journey to Montreal. Just be sure you’re one of the first passengers to scurry off the train in Albany to nab a seat on the special Dome Car that offers stunning panoramic views. Once you reach Montreal, stick around for a night or two to soak up a bit of romantic French-flair before heading back to the city.

3. Road Trip to the Finger Lakes Region

If a good old-fashioned road trip is more your speed, then might I suggest heading up to the Finger Lakes region and following the Wine & Cheese Trail for your leaf-peeping pleasure? We did this for my birthday one year, and it was absolutely spectacular. There’s so much to see and explore during the drive to that area, including Watkins Glen, the Corning Glass Museum, Cornell University and more. It’s a trip worth taking even without the foliage – but that’s absolutely breathtaking too!

And there you have it folks – my top 3 fall foliage escapes from New York City.

Happy Leaf-Peeping!

Around Town Everyday Outfits My Style

Around Town: Exploring Washington Heights

{Zara Trench (also love this one), Comme Des Garçons Play Tee, Levi’s High-Rise Skinny Jeans, Salvatore Ferragamo Sunglasses, Cambridge Satchel Crossbody, Burberry Sneakers}

It’s been almost three months so far in our new neighborhood, and we’re still loving it just as much as when we first moved in. Over the weekend, we went exploring a few blocks north to Fort Tryon Park for a a bite to eat at New Leaf Restaurant (a hidden gem that’s quickly becoming one of our favorite brunch spots) and to explore the beautiful Met Cloisters museum (definitely worth the trek uptown if you’re ever in the city). Afterwards, we meandered down to the waterfront to walk the banks of the Hudson and get an up close view of the George Washington Bridge and the Little Red Lighthouse.

There was only a slight chill in the air, so I just tossed on my trench coat from Zara before heading out. This is hands-down one of my favorite purchases of the season. You really can’t go wrong with a classic trench coat, and this one is polished enough to wear to the office but works just as well for my weekend excursions. It’s also water-resistant which is a huge plus. My Comme Des Garçons Play tee is another treasured piece in my wardrobe. I’ll be honest, I initially balked at the price, but I’ve had it for several years, and it still looks and feels as good as new with regular wearing. From a cost-per-wear standpoint, I’ve definitely gotten my money’s worth.

Speaking of cost-per-wear… let’s talk about these Burberry sneakers. They’ve been in my possession closet to 5 years and have gone with me on countless adventures. Seriously, I’ve taken them on pretty much every vacation from strolling along the canals of Venice to exploring caves and forests in the Adirondacks. Somehow they manage to just go with everything. Once these wear out, I have no doubt that I’ll pony up the funds for a replacement.

Lastly, this Cambridge Satchel crossbody bag is another workhorse in my wardrobe. I love the fact that I can fit my laptop inside, so it’s perfect for those days when I’m running to client meetings and events al over the city. On the weekends, I can pack my camera and a spare lens with room to spare.

All-in-all, I’m completely smitten with the Washington Heights area. And I know there’s still tons more ground for us to cover over the coming months. I can’t wait to share my new discoveries with you all, so thanks for stopping by!

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