Detour: Angela bounces to Brooklyn

by Angela on May 12, 2012 · 8 comments

Mama got to redeem some getaway credits! I took a break from Lion King tour life and spent almost five days away from my two guys. My best friend from college, Anita, got married in a courthouse in Brooklyn, and I flew up to bear witness. It was so fun to see all the New York City characters on hand at the Marriage Bureau. It was a true New York scene, and I felt so at home. Here, they are queued up to get their papers signed. Check out the couples in line!

The little ceremony was perfect. There is truly nothing better than seeing someone you love happy and cared for.

Prospect Height’s Vanderbilt Avenue

Returning to New York, I felt revived, creative, and so relieved to see my dear friends. My heart was so full… and so was my belly.  Boy, did I eat!  The night before the ceremony, back in my old neighborhood of Prospect Heights, we hit Cornelius for some happy hour $1 Blue Point oysters. I almost shed a tear.

After we slurped down two dozen of these briny bivalves and knocked down a few pints of Six Point Sweet Action, Anita took me across the street to have ramen at a new joint called Chuko. It was hipster heaven — entirely trendy and packed on a Thursday night. Was it as good as the hype? Yesssssss… I was too entranced and overwhelmed by the pork bone ramen and spicy miso ramen we split, that I forgot to take photos of the meal. You’ll just have to take my word for it.

To cap off the night, we stopped at a decadent new ice cream shoppe that opened after I moved away, called Ample Hills Creamery, where I got the bride-to-be a celebratory scoop. One thing (of many) that I miss very much about Brooklyn is the personal customer service.  I know that goes against what you might assume is the stereotypical Brooklyn attitude and brashness, but New Yorkers actually have a great need for human connection — and success — and it really shows in the way businesses are run. And the sense of community in Brooklyn is unmatched. Here, the manager at Ample Hills was friendly and helpful, let us in even though they were technically closed, and even gave us a taste of an exclusive flavor that they had just created that morning that they were contemplating selling.

I don’t necessarily have a sweet tooth, but when a cake or pastry is made JUST RIGHT, I become fanatical. And nothing makes me swoon more than the French macaroons at Joyce Bakery. They are made with the perfect amount of airy crunch that melts into a swoozy chewiness. It’s severe artistry, and I savor every little crumb of it.  I have tried macaroons far and wide — even those at the famed Bouchon Bakery — and you know what? Joyce Bakery just kills it. I almost don’t want to talk about it. I don’t want their prices to go up (right now, it’s $1.75 a macaroon, a STEAL) so please don’t go and eat all those macaroons. Especially these raspberry and cappuccino ones.

To cap off Anita’s marriage ceremony, a small group of us headed to my old stomping grounds, The Vanderbilt, for dinner. I helped open this restaurant back in 2009, with Michelin-starred chef Saul Bolton as my boss. It’s an amazing gastropub, and I still fantasize about the blistered shishito peppers, golden pickled egg, and crispy pork belly. The menu got me through my first trimester! When I bartended here, I shook up some seriously tasty artisanal cocktails, all dreamed up by my bar manager Brian Floyd — including a Pimm’s with basil, and the “Glyda Rose” (named after his grandma), made with gin, Campari, blood orange, and champagne. But above all, Floyd’s side charity organization The Barman’s Fund has been doing some wonderful things in the New York City community. I’m so proud to know this guy.

I only spent 36 hours total in Brooklyn before I jetted out across the country to Portland, to see my other college best friend Alicia who had been catsitting Turkey for us. Stay tuned for those details!

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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }

Mr B May 12, 2012 at 8:41 pm

Wow! I’m heading to visit Danny in a couple of weeks and have taken notes on all those great eateries. Thanks Angie

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Angela May 13, 2012 at 4:00 pm

I am hoping we’ll one day be in town at the same time and I get to hang out with all the Barrys!! Have fun and give that adorable grandson a kiss for me!

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Jenny May 12, 2012 at 10:39 pm

Hi Hollicks!I just stumbled on this wonderful blog and have loved reading about your travels. You have just the right combination of information, storytelling, and sentimentality. And who doesn’t love looking behind the scenes at the Lion King, my favorite show of all time!!

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Angela May 13, 2012 at 4:01 pm

Jenny, thanks for following us! We try our best to paint a full picture of our travels… sometimes hard to find time with being a parent and all, but we do what we can 🙂

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ANGELIQUE May 13, 2012 at 4:48 am

SOOOOOO FUN! I LOVE BROOKLYN MY COUSIN LIVES THERE AND HE’S THE BEST!!!!

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Angela May 13, 2012 at 4:01 pm

Hahaha Angelique! I think everyone has a cousin that lives in Brooklyn! xoxo

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June Han May 13, 2012 at 4:50 am

Chuko is da bomb 🙂 Prospect Heights is blowing up!

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Angela May 13, 2012 at 4:02 pm

It sure is… the faces are changing rapidly in the shops and restaurants… I’m not complaining about all the new places to eat. Super yum 😉 Thanks for commenting June!

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