I’m becoming increasingly terrible at making time to blog.
I’m well and truly in my saving era, which means my usual scope of travel, eating out, and exploring is getting harder and harder to budget for.
So, I’ve decided to switch things up.
No more restricting what I write about. This is now officially a weekly (please don’t hold me to that) mind dump, filled with the latest and greatest from the humble life of Gen. There will still be recommendations along the way, don’t panic, but the dedicated posts for every restaurant, bar, or art exhibition are officially being phased out.
This is a new chapter for Calendar Girl.
Chapter One
To be frank, the past week in my life has been especially humble. So, I’m going to reserve my right to creative license here and travel back in time slightly.
Recent highlights include watching Hamilton, going to see Hamnet, thinking far too much about the world of advertising and the Super Bowl, and getting increasingly excited about my upcoming trip to NYC.
To kick things off, let’s start with Hamilton, which was honestly so far from what I was expecting.
I’ve never been one to look up a show ahead of time, so I went in completely blind. It was genuinely such a new, incredible experience. I haven’t seen a theatre production since The Book of Mormon a few years back (another highly recommended outing), and I’ve been craving some old-fashioned theatre ever since.
It didn’t disappoint.
The acting was great, the music was ridiculously cool, and the set was stunning. It was a little fast-paced and difficult to keep up with at times, but I think I got the gist.
Ice cream in the interval, pasta at Harry’s Victoria beforehand. It was the most cliché night out imaginable. I felt like a tourist and loved it.
Next up was a cinema outing to Hamnet, which my boyfriend (otherwise known as Will from now on) treated me to, cute.
I studied English at university, so anything Shakespeare-adjacent is completely up my street. We headed to the East Dulwich Picturehouse, a lovely vintage-style cinema with comfy reclining chairs, plenty of leg room, and smaller, intimate screening rooms. It was charming, relaxed, perfect.
I grabbed a small salted popcorn, Will went for a large sweet. Bliss. Truly the ideal way to end a Sunday evening.
And the film itself? Phenomenal.
That said, not everyone we know who’s seen it has shared our level of love for it. Will and I were in tears by the end. I personally enjoyed it, and thought it was a touching story about love, family, grief, and absence. Equal parts heartbreaking and heartwarming.
It gets a solid 4.5/5 from me, self-acclaimed critic of all things.
On to The Super Bowl
One of the most insane perks of my job is being able to travel. It’s something I genuinely cannot imagine ever tiring of, and I feel so lucky to have the opportunity.
Because I work in ad testing, the Super Bowl is one of the biggest moments in my working calendar. It involves months of comms prep, blogging, research, and tracking the latest news in adland. Then eventually, we head over to New York to draft insights live, pull off a webinar overnight, and finally attend our live event. We fill a room with some of the world’s biggest advertisers.
It’s pretty cool if I do say so myself.
But to put into perspective just how terrible my blog discipline has been, I have now been to New York four times. Not one blog post. So I guess it’s your lucky day, because you’re about to get four trips worth of bagels, pizza, and Big Apple fun wrapped into one.
Before I give you the ultimate list of recommendations though, I should caveat why we head to NYC rather than the Super Bowl itself. The simple answer is that we have an office there. Getting our very small marketing team (which includes me) onto a US time zone makes preparing insights far more efficient.
I’ll build the PowerPoint overnight on New York time, send it to our UK-based designer, and when we wake up the next day it’s beautiful, polished, and ready to go. I’m not here to ask questions. I’m just happy I get to be there.
This year does mark a significant shift in my work travel chapter, though. I won’t be joined by my colleague and running partner, Beth, and honestly, I’m devastated.
Last year, jet-lagged and fuelled entirely by bagels, we somehow managed to go for a run every day we were in New York, even when it snowed. It was hands down the highlight. We even continued the tradition on a work trip to Cannes.
She’s in Japan at the moment, so she’s probably not feeling my same pain. Fortunately, my trusty travel partner Freddie will be there this time to keep me company. Poor guy.
But enough about me. Here’s what I can do for you. Below is my working list of New York recommendations to save for your next trip.
The Foodie’s Guide to NYC (Gen Approved)
As a former less-frugal foodie, I’ve done my fair share of greedy gandering in New York, so I’ve got plenty to offer in the recommendations department. Here is everything I’ve tried and would 100% recommend.
- Magnolia Bakery – Famous for their banana pudding, which is honestly worth the hype. Creamy, nostalgic, a bit like banoffee pie, and easy to find in Grand Central Station. The perfect sweet treat.
- Katz’s Deli – Possibly the most iconic deli in New York. As seen in that scene with Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally. They serve the most outrageous pastrami sandwich, with meat so tender it practically falls apart. A classic, untouched NYC diner experience. Iconic and a must-do.
- Levain – Easily the best cookie I’ve ever had in my life. And I am a cookie connoisseur by trade (self-employed). Dream-worthy ooey-gooey discs of delight. Go classic, don’t mess about.
- Los Tacos – When will these make their way to London? I go here without hesitation every single trip. The pork is my favourite, always on a flour tortilla, with chips and guacamole on the side. Don’t hold back, and get a Mexican soda too. The green apple is elite.
- Tucci – We went here as a team last year, and it felt like walking into an industrial wine cellar. Uber cool, intimate, almost like a prohibition speakeasy. The food and cocktails were amazing, and the vibes were perfect.
- Gelso & Grand – I had the best pesto pasta of my life here and I am desperate to go back. Exposed brick, industrial vibe, hefty portions in true American style. Simple, classic, no-nonsense Italian food.
- Joe’s Pizza – An iconic spot that appears on nearly every New York recommendation list, and for good reason. Massive slices, thin, cheesy, and if you’re a pepperoni lover like me, they are not stingy.
- L’Industrie Pizza – Full transparency, I haven’t actually been yet, but I’ve heard so much about it that it almost feels like I have. Apparently, this is the best pizza in New York, even more so than Joe’s. This has come from many reliable sources.
- Culture Coffee – A great little spot for breakfast pastries and coffee. It’s quite difficult to find bad coffee in NYC, but I especially love the aesthetic here. Bonus points for funky merch.
- Good Thanks Café – A lovely brunch spot in Manhattan. I ordered a deliciously plump slice of banana bread and a matcha. Simple, wholesome, perfect.
- Ellen’s Stardust Diner – Another truly iconic spot, but don’t go for the food. This one is all about the experience. Aspiring actors and singers work here and give you a five-star Broadway performance while you eat. Waiters break into song mid-meal, dance on the bar, and provide one of the most unique dining experiences ever.
- Ess-a-Bagel – There’s a queue for good reason. Conveniently located near my office, too. Hungover, I went for sausage, bacon, egg, and cheese, the epitome of health. Great bagels, absolutely stuffed, so bring an appetite.
- Madmen Espresso – Right next to my hotel last year, and I’m not ashamed to admit I went daily. My favourite was cream cheese and jalapeño. No hype, just the exact kind of low-key NYC bagel joint you want, plus one of the biggest coffees I’ve ever had.
- Cava – A chain recommendation, and definitely a 9-to-5 office-goer hotspot, but honestly, I dream about the salad bowls here. We don’t have Cava in the UK, so it has that novelty allure. Huge portions, endless topping options, and a very reliable lunch spot.
The Foodie List Continued (To be Gen Approved)
At the end of the day, I’m just one person, and while I wish I could try it all in a single trip, I quite like keeping a few spots on the bench for next time.
As a global company, I’ve also picked up some brilliant local recommendations from my NYC-based colleagues, and I’ve been collecting suggestions from friends and family who have been before.
So, here’s what’s currently on my roster, and soon to be in my belly.
- Moonrise Bagels – A fairly new spot that’s already making waves online for their stuffed bagels. And not stuffed in the classical sense, the filling is literally inside the bagel, not sliced open. How they do it, I have no idea, but I’m desperate to try.
- Leon’s – I’ve seen nothing but rave reviews for this place, with many calling it the best bagel in New York. I guess I’ll have to go and find out for myself.
- Liberty Bagels – Another strong contender for best NYC bagel, known for traditional cooking methods and seriously packed fillings.
- The Commerce Inn – This cosy restaurant looks like it belongs in the Cotswolds rather than Manhattan. A praised brunch spot, especially for the pancakes and vintage interior.
- Tompkin’s Square Bagels – Famous for hand-rolled, kettle-boiled bagels, homemade spreads, and an excellent reputation. Looks authentic, I trust it already.
- H&H Bagels – Fresh, handmade, traditional, and an iconic New York destination. Honestly, you’re in very safe hands in NYC when it comes to bagels, but these feel like a guaranteed win.
- John’s of Bleeker Street – Pretty unassuming from the outside, but it gets constant rave reviews. Bad pizza is hard to come by in New York, but it’s always good to have the crowd favourites up your sleeve.
- Roman’s Italian – My first Brooklyn recommendation, straight from a local colleague. I love Italian food, and I’m yet to properly explore Brooklyn, so obviously I’m on board.
- Super Taste Chinese – Asian cuisine is huge in NYC, with endless options. This has been recommended to me by a few friends, so I’m optimistic it’ll be amazing.
- Hometown Bar-B-Que – Another Brooklyn spot, and one for the meat lovers. I’m desperate to try proper American barbecue, and this gets great reviews all round.
- Hamburger America – I’m not usually a burger girl, but smash burgers look like they’d be right up my street. Even just looking at photos makes me drool. Google at your own peril.
- Tomi Jazz – Apparently a hidden gem. Jazz bar meets speakeasy meets Japanese food? The concoction for a good time indeed. Sign me up.
- Hani’s Bakery – People come here for the cinnamon roll, which looks pretty unreal. Portions are generous, and the cookies also get a big thumbs up.
- Lenwich – I see chicken Caesar wraps all over my Instagram feed, and despite endless searching in London, I’m not convinced they exist here. This is the most recommended one I’ve seen, and you bet I’m heading there as soon as I can.
In an attempt not to cognitively overload you all, I’m going to call it a day.
Plus, Will is currently slow-cooking a ragù as I write this, so I should probably go and stir the pot, and give him a break while I’m at it.
I’ll be back next week with updates on all things New York, as I’m heading over at the end of the week. Wish me luck!
Calendar Girl 