Wedding Blog

Aside from meeting a bunch of the East Coast bees (which no tour/sight would even come close to comparing to!) the Original Greenwich Village Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour was by far my favorite experience of the week. I’m not ashamed to say it: eating was very very high on my list of important things to do in New York. Culture is nice, but um… have you SEEN the burgers at Shake Shack? Hook me up! So, having the opportunity to learn about the history of one particular neighborhood and getting a sampling of its finest tastes was just incredible. Even if you’re a local, I highly suggest taking one of the several food tours that this company has to offer. Especially as a tourist, you’re able to knock out a lot of the “must eat foods of New York” all in one afternoon.

The tour started at Joe’s Pizza, where we kicked it off with an authentic slice of New York pizza. John’s Pizzeria is also nearby, which I hear is absolutely amazing and I’m sad we didn’t have time to go there.

One highlight for Mr. Peng and I was getting to have a glass of wine and a delicious small plate at Centro Vinoteca. Other than the fact that it’s pretty yummy, Leah from Bravo’s “Top Chef” is the sous chef there! I don’t watch very many shows, but Top Chef is one of my favorites, so this little tidbit of information got me pretty excited. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see Leah!

Our tour guide, Cindy, was a HOOT! She was enthusiastic and entertaining to say the least. At the beginning of the tour, she wasn’t shy about saying that if we felt like tipping her at the end, we could, and at the time I was slightly put off by that. But by the end of the tour, I felt like I wanted to empty the contents of my wallet into hers… she was so fantastic!!! So I’m glad she mentioned tipping at the beginning, or I would have felt like I was slipping her some cash like she was a dirty hooker.

Here’s Enthusiastic Cindy at Milk and Cookies:

That’s right people. FEEEEEEEL the cookies!

I felt the cookies. All over my face.

Sniff sniff…

Numm numm…

We checked out the sites, like the Friends building:

And experienced all the culture that surrounded us at every stop:

I can’t say I had a favorite stop on the tour. Each restaurant or shop touted such unique and delicious offerings that it’s not fair to just pick one. Surprisingly, you don’t get overstuffed, despite eating throughout the whole tour. Cindy took us on lots of digestion breaks where she gave us a run down on architecture and history of the neighborhood.

If you’re visiting New York City, check out the food tours that are offered. Mrs. Bee has taken the Chelsea Market tour and says it’s awesome, too!

We headed back to the B and B to digest and nap, and at night headed out to dinner with Mr. Peng’s brother Paul at Jean Georges’ restaurant, Nougatine. I wouldn’t call the restaurant “casual”, just more casual than the Jean Georges Restaurant. Nougatine was running a winter promotion, and Mr. Peng and his brother were both able to have the 4 course tasting menu for $35 per person, while I opted to try a selection of 3 appetizers (I’m that weirdo that doesn’t particularly love main courses, so I usually order a selection of appetizers and sides wherever we go). The dinner was phenomenal. The staff service was impeccable, and the food was exquisite. This is what I came to New York to eat! I can’t get over my disappointment with Babbo, but Nougatine was really really wonderful, the service exquisite, and the foods were delicious and satisfying. I’m glad that we planned two dinners out instead of just the one!

After that the three of us headed to a showing of Chicago. Little did we know, we had center seats in the front row, which was great for Mr. Peng’s brother who is 6’5″ tall and got to stretch his legs. It was awesome to be so up close and personal, and a fun surprise, as we certainly didn’t book the most expensive tickets, so I’m not sure what happened there. But if it helps at all, Mr. Peng booked on the phone, not online, and via the Visa Signature Card phone number. If you’re looking to go to a show, it might be worth trying this route if you are a Visa Signature Member (which, you probably don’t know if you are one or not… it should say it on the front of your Visa card. I’m apparently a member, as well, but had no idea!).

Yes, I wore a dress, tights and hiking boots. Respect.

Afterwards we headed to a hopping bar on Barrow Street in The Village called Barrow Street Ale House and tucked into a booth with a few pints before heading home. I forget why we didn’t stick around Broadway for the after show scene. I guess Ale Houses are more our style (just like wearing a dress, tights, and hiking boots is totally our style).

It was definitely a day of eating—I felt so tired all day because my whole body was just working to digest my food all day and I had little energy for anything else!

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The rundown on Day 2 -

Original Greenwich Village Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour ($42 per person) makes stops at:

• Murray’s Cheese Shop - the best cheese shop in NYC (est. 1940)
• Joe’s Pizza - a classic NY style pizzeria (est. 1974)
• Faicco’s - an Italian specialty food shop (est. 1900)
• O & Co - a Mediterranean olive oil shop (est. 1998)
• Rocco’s - a Southern Italian pastry shop (est. 1972)
• Centro Vinoteca - a new neighborhood restaurant and wine bar (est. 2007)
• Aphrodisia - herbs, spices, scents and oils (est. 1969)
• Milk and Cookies Bakery - a bakery with homemade Oreo cookies! (est. 2005)

TAKE A NAP. You can’t do much when your belly is that full!

Dinner at Nougatine - highly recommended!

Check out a show and mingle with the show crowd afterward… or… head to a local pub for brews and family bonding!