Recap of My Recent Trip to New York

July 22, 2024
Denise Righetti
Cocktails, cruising, Culinary Event, food, Food Hall, food resources, Food Tours, foodies, local cuisine, New York, Restaurants

Hello Foodie Friends,

I recently traveled to New York on business to arrange a charter boat for a corporate group of 200 people who wanted to see the city’s iconic sights from the water. We set sail from one of the marinas in Brooklyn, and the highlight of the trip was the breathtaking view of the Statue of Liberty.

During my stay, I lodged at the Sonesta Shelbourne in a lovely suite with a great view of Midtown East. The hotel’s adjacent restaurant, Take Care, an IGC (In Good Company) Hospitality restaurant, served up a delightful lunch. The crispy artichokes and truffle mushroom pizza were particularly memorable!

Next-Level Fun at Puttery

Have you been to a Puttery? This is next-level mini-golf. I was so impressed that I dedicated an entire post to it.

Read more about my Puttery experience here.

Exploring New York’s Food Halls

As a food hall enthusiast, I had the chance to visit three amazing food halls during this trip.

Chelsea Market

I explored the downstairs floor of this iconic food hall for the first time, which seemed to be the preferred shopping area for locals, unlike the bustling main floor. I particularly liked the Italian market & the Asian market.

Time Out Market in Dumbo

After enjoying the views of the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges from Brooklyn Park, I headed to Time Out Market. The array of food stalls was impressive, and I opted for an arepa that was simply delicious.

Preview of A Taste of Harlem

I met with our new local tour guides for a preview of an upcoming tour I’m working on: A Taste of Harlem. We sampled food and drinks from three restaurants owned and operated by the Lido Group, each with its own distinct atmosphere. I loved them all!

Plant-Based Dining at Anixi

Curious about plant-based cuisine, I dined at Chef Guy Vaknin’s Anixi, a 100% vegan restaurant. Chef Vaknin’s culinary creations are nothing short of genius. Even though I’m not vegan, I’m always eager to try the masterpieces of talented chefs. He has several restaurants in the city, each with a unique concept, all 100% vegan. I had a couple of their signature cocktails (the Crystal Clear and Off the Coast) along with a labneh appetizer which were all outstanding. Check out this incredible piece of “meat.”

Upcoming Tour in Little Italy and Chinatown

I wrapped up my trip with a visit to Little Italy and Chinatown, where we will soon be offering a tour and cooking class. Stay tuned for more details in a future newsletter.