The Big 2-7

Not only did I want to celebrate the great results of my finals (and Flag Day, ha), but also my birthday! I had a great day full of cards, gifts, and the biggest surprise: my favorite birthday cake from TooJay’s in Florida! Jen somehow had it shipped here and it arrived in perfect condition and still frozen, on dry ice.  I just had to eat around the frozen parts. On a side note, I find it kind of ironic that a cake shipped here from a deli in FL has the motto, “A New York deli, Florida style". Anyway, the Banana Dream Cake was even better than I remembered. Jen and I had to take some to work with us because it’s like crack and I’ve been known to get out of control and eat the whole thing. Ha. As expected, our coworkers were pretty amazed by it too.

Friday, the day after my actual birthday, Jen and I had the day off together. We kept the celebration going and decided to spend the day at the King and Grove (Williamsburg) Hotel in Brooklyn. My friend Erin (from Bourbon Street) just got a job there cocktailing the pool and lounge area so she gave us the scoop on the new boutique hotel and free access to the saltwater pool.  She hooked us up with cocktails and lunch as we lounged. It was my perfect day. When I’m at the dentist, mid-root canal, I just close my eyes and go to my new happy place… that pool. Ha.

After the pool we headed back home so I could take a nap ha, and get ready to go out that night. Especially in NYC, a birthday is also a great excuse to dine in a highly reviewed, fine restaurant. After a lot of back and forth on my part (what’s new?) I committed to Buddakan, an Asian restaurant in the Meat Packing District.  We didn’t spot any celebrities, not because there weren’t any but because the food was so awesome and well presented that it took all our attention. We had a appetizer sampler called the Bo Bo plate with tuno spring rolls, carrot dumplings, and shrimp Toast.  We also shared stir-fry noodles with prawns (delish!) and braised short ribs with Asian pears.  Of course we had to try some dessert and got the Crying Chocolate which was basically chocolate mouse inside a chocolate tarte with chocolate and caramel sauce.  Everything was awesome!

Because of the limitations of space in the city, most restaurants are on the small side. Buddakan is an exception… it’s huge! The ceilings are very high, even on the mezzanine. We got a great table for two that overlooked four huge chandeliers that hung above a long communal table and private rooms off the lower level. Also, along the walls on the first level were large glass cases filled with taxidermied animals native to Asia (I love taxidermy! ha).It was hard to take any good pictures inside because of the dim lighting but here’s one attempt.

After dinner we went to The Park (just a few blocks west on 10th Ave) to meet a group of friend’s for drinks. There was a good mix of my friend’s from work, school, and church. The Park is great because you can start at the main bar, move to the lounge as your party grows, and then upstairs to the nightclub to dance all without leaving the building. Good times!

I must say, this has been one of my best birthdays ever.