By Genevieve Norris
The in-flight entertainment is currently down on my flight back from New York, so I have 7 hours to kill and a lot to catch you up on. Sit tight.
The past few days have been a concoction of cream cheese, minimal sleep, pizza and advertising; a recipe for a good time, but definitely not a long one. We landed at JFK on Friday evening into what can only be described as polar conditions. I’ve never felt cold like it. Trust me to optimistically pack a thin wool coat.
At one point, temperatures dropped to -12 degrees. A humbling moment was when my fingers and toes went numb after a 20-minute walk, and I tearily started to panic that frost bite had taken my toes. They’re safe and sound you’ll be happy to hear.
While NYC was indeed a work trip, we did manage to squeeze in some touristy activities along the way, and I’m pleased to report that I managed to tick off some of my saved list. Here’s the full breakdown.
Sights, Slices & Sub-Zero Survival
Ahead of Super Bowl Sunday, a 5pm-2am shift of testing, coding and charting ads for our annual webinar the following day and a live event on Tuesday, we did get a day of downtime. Our offices are located by Grand Central, so we stayed at the Fitzpatrick Hotel nearby. Conveniently located next to a top-tier yet understated bagel shop, Madman Espresso. Great food, great coffee, no queues. We started our day here.
Portions in NYC are not for the weak. You’ll get a tub of cream cheese in your bagel, pizza slices the size of your head, pint size coffee cups and 6 rashers of bacon with your pancakes. And prices match this too. It was expensive.
We then hopped on the subway, headed to Hudson-Yards and walked along the riverside to Arte Museum. From Hudson Yards, you can join the highline to reach the same destination, which typically I’d highly recommend, but tornado-like winds and arctic temperatures meant that it was closed on this occasion.
In hindsight, the weather was hilarious. Me and my colleague Freddie zipped up our coats, pulled up our hoods and braced the outdoors, only to be physically battered by the wind. The streets were eerily empty. The few New Yorkers safely cocooned inside their cars gave us looks that felt somewhere between confusion and concern. By the time we reached Arte, I could not feel my ears and my nose was so red I looked like Noddy.
Still, it was worth it. Blue skies and powdery snow made the city feel extra magical. The cold also makes you deeply appreciate life’s simple pleasures, such as central heating. Stepping into Arte felt like a warm hug, albeit one that cost $65 each.
The gallery itself is beautiful but wildly overpriced. I would have happily paid half the entry fee. The rooms are immersive and you can easily spend a few hours here, but ultimately, it is just a display of projections and mirrored spaces. The experience did not justify the cost. The highlight was the final room, which felt more like a full show, and the deep-sea whale installation was calming. The biggest disappointment, however, was the gift shop. A brutal ending. Hideously overpriced and surprisingly uninspiring for an art museum. Overall, it earns a solid 5 out of 10. Great for a freezing day if you have already ticked off the main attractions, but not something I would go out of my way for or return to.
Bracing ourselves once more, we headed towards Chelsea Market, stopping first at Little Island, a location TikTok has been marketing to me for over a year. It is an impressive structure and I have no doubt it is a fantastic summer spot. In winter, not so much. We were more captivated by the frozen Hudson than the island itself. I have not written it off entirely though. I will be back for a sunset one summer’s day.
Chelsea Market, on the other hand, is absolutely worth a visit. Cute stalls, boutique shops and plenty of excellent places to eat. That said, three stickers to decorate my suitcase set me back $30, not an exaggeration, which left me questioning my life choices.
We browsed the food but, truthfully, our hearts had been set on lunch long before we even landed in NYC. L’industrie Pizza was calling.
So off we went. Back into the cold. On a mission to secure what has repeatedly been titled New York’s best slice.
The upside of sub-zero temperatures is a shorter queue than expected. No one is as determined as a hungry Brit abroad. After a speedy five-minute wait, we squeezed into a chaotic and gloriously rowdy pizzeria where customers were packed like sardines. I ordered the New Yorker slice, topped with ricotta, pepperoni and sausage, which arrived steaming and satisfyingly greasy in under five minutes.
And it was worth it. Worth standing in the cold for. Worth the elbow-to-elbow chaos. Worth having to inhale it in approximately 30 seconds.
I am generally a harsh critic of New York pizza, which I often find too greasy. This was an exception. Indulgent but balanced. A thin, crispy base with creamy ricotta that elevated the whole thing. The only thing I would change is that the sausage was unnecessary.
Otherwise, exceptional.
I cannot wait to bring my boyfriend here one day. He is an unapologetic pizza fiend, and this slice would win him over instantly.
Keep Calm, Chicken Parm
Admittedly, by about 2pm the jet lag began to hit, and the cold had become unbearable. We also had evening plans with our local colleague Mel and her boyfriend James, so we headed back to our humble abode for a kip and a quick refresh.
That evening, Mel took us to one of her local favourites, Parm, on the Upper West Side. A family-friendly Italian serving, as the name suggests, a mighty amount of chicken parm, alongside all the other hearty classics you would hope for.
It was a great spot. Proper American diner style, which I love, buzzing atmosphere, leather booths, generous portions and that comforting, slightly chaotic energy that makes you feel like you’re in a New York sitcom. The food did not disappoint either. I ordered spaghetti and meatballs, and we shared a plate of gloriously oozy mozzarella sticks to start. It was the perfect way to round off our very all-American day in New York. Comfort food, good company and a welcome escape from the arctic winds outside.
Super Bowl Sunday
Before heading to the office for Super Bowl ad testing chaos, kicking off at 5pm, we had some time to kill. Naturally, we decided there was only one appropriate breakfast choice. A classic New York diner. Luckily for us, the highly rated John’s Coffee Shop was just around the corner.
Part of me is convinced the stars aligned for us on this trip. When we arrived, no queue. Within seconds of being seated, a crowd gathered and people were waiting outside. The exact same thing happened at L’industrie the day before. We walk in, straight to the counter. Moments later, a queue forms. Coincidence? I think not.
John’s was exactly what you want from a vintage diner. Proper old-school feel, lovely staff, booths, chatter, and plates piled high. I ordered maple French toast with bacon and let me tell you, there was a concerning amount of bacon. Not a complaint. Just an observation. It was everything I had hoped for in a classic New York diner experience. Highly recommend.
If you thought we were done ticking off the tourist checklist, think again. Next stop, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, on the hunt for peaches and cream Olipop, my personal favourite, goldfish crackers and some delightfully questionable US snacks to take home. En route, we even spotted the Roosevelt Island cable car, which I hear is a beautiful commute at sunset.
Goods secured and morning checklist completed, we mentally prepared ourselves for the Super Bowl shift ahead. But that chaos deserves a blog of its own.
I will NYC you all again in the next one, where you can expect the latest and greatest from the Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day in London.
Bye for now.
Calendar Girl 
Is there such a thing as a concerning amount of bacon?!
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