I’m in the midst of a stronger-than-usual “I heart New York” phase.
As someone who defined her life for quite some time by the stamps in her passport and the border hopping plans ahead, it’s certainly a shift to feel comfortable with my feet firmly on this island.
New York is not an inherently easy city. It’s expensive as all hell – rent is four figures, subway prices are climbing, grocery store “sales” can often only be considered laughable. The subways are painfully slow these days, and waiting in stifling heat underground doesn’t do much for a morning face full of makeup. [A friend and I have deemed subway sweat our "summer glow."] The city is dirtier than I’d necessarily like to admit – a few evenings ago, I made my way home amongst a pile of trash bags on the street corner, a rat in the subway tracks, and two dead roaches a mere two blocks from my building.
a meal enjoyed whilst proclaiming nyc love with danielle: atop my roof, with a bottle of amazing rosé and beautiful summer salads.
No one ever promised glamour in the five boroughs. Our mode of transportation is calloused feet. Anything you might store in the glove compartment or backseat of your car, we store on our shoulder in our purses. Purchases from groceries to household supplies to clothes are carried home on our arms. I’ve ridden the subway with a full length mirror in my hands, and I’m considering an ironing board in the near future. New York is not for the weak.
And yet, with all its imperfections, I love this city more with every year that passes by. I know I’d have more disposable income [or savings] if I lived somewhere else. But my grandparents grew up in the Bronx and in Harlem, back when Eastern European immigrants called those areas home. This city [and eventually, its suburbs] was proclaimed my family’s new home a hundred years ago, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m proud to be part of a legacy of those who survived and started anew. Without it, I’d be bored, I’d be understimulated, and I’d probably be craving my dirty city air.
Plus, I certainly wouldn’t be as well fed. For every little thing that makes New York not so easy, it comes back with a reminder of all its greatness. Case in point: it is the restaurant capital of the world.
there really is nothing like big salads in the summer. this one, at mudspot, was entitled “love salad.” it lived up to the name.
I’m so thankful to live in a place that makes dining such a pleasure. This week, I’ve patronized Mudspot and Westville, my sister is bringing me dinner for tonight’s Yankees game from The Simple Kitchen, Saturday I will be dining fancy-style at Aureole [recap of familial food excess to come], and it wouldn’t be a Sunday if I didn’t do brunch out somewhere.
This week, I celebrated summer heat and the endless eating options that New York always has to offer me, from fresh market menus to the teeniest of coffee shops, from my own roof to the dressy kitchens of five-star chefs. Tonight I’ll visit Yankee Stadium, tomorrow the theater. The air will be heavy with humidity, the streets dirty from millions of feet, and yet: the food and the living will be perfectly delicious.
What is it like to dine in your city or town? Can you imagine your life anywhere else?
Related posts:
I went to NY for the first time and January, and I know what you´re talking about.
It´s my dream city :)
No, it often isn’t an easy city. It can be harsh, unforgiving, and downright nasty. But 98% of the time it is a beautiful place that literally makes me smile when I remember how lucky I am to live here with my friends, family, and love. We don’t need to drive, and our biceps swell from lugging groceries. The outdoor parks are spectacular, as are the farmers markets and spatters of installation art. I’m sure I COULD live somewhere else, but right now, I’m just where I want to be.
Boston has a great and growing food and wine scene, but I could imagine myself living in Northern Sonoma in a heartbeat :)
It’s weird how home can have so many imperfections yet be so bearable and amazing isn’t it? I can relate well! I live in a reasonably small town in Scotland and although i dislike it the majority of the time, it’s always going to be the place i call home, and i do feel at home here! I’m inLondon a lot! I go most weekends and on some occasions i do actually miss my home..very strange…as when i get home again i’m dying to go back to London!
In terms of eating out where i am, there’s not very much. There’s LOADS of fast food places but in terms of nice little restaurants there isn’t very many! Sucks! xx
How fun to have a meal on your roof!
I LOVE huge salads in the summer. I also love the city. :-) Beautifully written, as always.
Beautiful post. It’s funny, I often imagine what my life would be like if my father never moved to MA and stayed in NYC like the rest of his brothers… I think it would be much like what you just described! I’d be a bonafide NYC kid/young adult.
But that was never my reality, and now I love my life on the pond in Plymouth. I’m at the age where many of my peers often stay in their college cities/towns or take off for another city altogether for an internship. But there is nowhere I’d rather be in the summer than in our house on the pond, surrounded by my family. Lord only knows where I’ll be after graduation…!
what a great description of NYC, leslie. you’re right, I’m sure the city is not for the weak. I love visiting, but I don’t know if I’d live there yet. I’m with you 100% on love for stimulation, though! the suburbs or the country just aren’t the same in that way.
currently I live by the beach in new jersey. not really my scene, but it’s okay, i know it’s only temporary. i have yet to find a place i am proud to plant my feet on – all in due time :)
Love this post! Despite the rats, garbage, crappy pre-war apartment building plumbing, $$$ prices, and midtown tourists…NYC has stolen my heart. I don’t want to live anywhere else.
[...] knew from the age of nine that I wanted to pick up the old family roots in the city. There is little about my suburban upbringing that I’ve ever found enticing: the necessity [...]
[...] in one place in the world. If you’ve been reading for a while, you know I’ve gone on about New York on the blog [...]