The indulgences and experiences keep piling on. This week was chock full. I mean Chock. Full. We kicked it off with a fancy pants Michelin restaurant, Kochi, with our friends who were over visiting from Germany, Chris and Katja. We finished the evening with them enjoying Margaritas under a glass raised by the Statue of Liberty in Margaritaville. ‘Murica, baby!

We then had two days of ‘normalacy’ (chores, gym, grocery shopping) in which to prep for our final guests, Dave and Amy. It’s now tradition for the Turners and Underhills to get together for Amy’s birthday and when possible, enjoy special tours by Otto Rivers, the elusive and exclusive, bespoke, speakeasy-type tours of principal cities. Essentially, Otto Rivers tours are only for where ever Otto happens to be at the time, and only if he is available and interested (a bit of a diva, but so worth it). We were lucky last year to have his NYC Pizza and Cocktail walking day tour with Dave and Amy. This year we lucked out again, and while Otto himself couldn’t be with us for the entirety, we did get his NYC Diamonds and Dives Weekend Tour Itinerary. Rather than try to describe the weekend in paragraph form, I’m just going to lift Otto’s itinerary.

Otto Rivers’ NYC Diamonds and Dives Tour customized for Turners and Underhills

Thursday, Nov 16, 2023

• Late lunch at Phoshime, Vietnamese with delicious options
• Rolf’s for holiday lights (but no food or drink)
• The Broken Shaker rooftop bar with great views and fun ambiance
• McSorelys Pub (oldest pub)
• Prince Street Pizza (for pizza Dave and Larry have been dreaming about since last year)
• Katz Deli (for the sandwich Kim has been dreaming about since last year)
• Amargo y Amor cocktails and ambience
• Death & Co well-known cocktail destination

Friday, Nov 17, 2023

• Sullivan Bakery – breakfast and breads
• Bryant Park – Winter market
• Kinokuniya – Japanese bookstore (3 floors plus restrooms and cafe)
• Indian Food stores in Murray Hill for incredible options
• The Campbell, upscale bar in Grand Central Station
• Los Tacos No 1 – snacky snack
• Union Sqare Holiday Market
• MOKYO, Korean fusion dinner
• Lower East Side Book Store 

Saturday, Nov 18, 2023

• Rico’s Bagels
• NYPL Treasure’s room
• Bryant park curling bar
• Jin Ramen for lunch
• Zabars for shopping 
• Levain Bakery (COOKIES!!!)
• Da Capo for the best espresso martinis
• West Side Bookshop
• Dead Rabbit for Jingle Jangle and incredible cocktails
• Pizza una Napoletana for tipity-top of the top pizza

Sunday, Nov 19, 2023

• Chelsea bagel (mini bagels a perfect size)
• Time Square to view Macy’s holiday windows and take in festivities
• Rockefeller Center to people watch and poke in shops
• Palace Hotel for more holiday decorations
• Her name is Han for an amazing brunch

After the Turners headed home, I went out to see Peter Mulvey perform in Time Square with Betty Soo (highly recommend you check her stuff out!) Suffice it to say, I needed another two days of ‘normalacy’ to get back to center after such an indulgent and enjoyable weekend, thus the delay in posting.