This is what heaven must be like.

[forktender]

This is Arthur Ave in the Bronx.
P Pretty much the whole street is old Italian butcher, cheese, bakerys, Italian markets. I'm in an absolute wonderland, the food is what I grew up eating, several times, I've almost come to tears the memories are so powerful.

I can't stand NYC, it's a complete cluster hump, but if I could live within driving distance, I'd make the drive at least once a month just for the food, wine, and stories from the shop owners,and people I've met standing in lines.

Tomorrow my wife and I will get to experience our first Nor Easter from the top of the One World building observatory, after touring the 911 memorial. My wife and I have a little history with 911, some day I might share with you guys.

Dan.

I took last picture of the Empire State building from our hotel room window.

Honestly so far the pizza has been a massive letdown. Gonna try to go on a pizza tour, so they can change my mind.

My wife is the blonde with the black coat under the right side of the Peter & Mike's sign, you've seen my ugly mug, so I'll spare you guys.


The hand rolled cigars are the best Ihav smoked, I'm smoking at least three a day until I leave, and I'll most likely leave with a box full, it's only money, right?

 

[SmokinEdge]

Crap!! That is incredible! That room full of salami is out of this world. You are a brave man going into the lions den of NYC. So cool though.

 

[JLinza]

That looks awesome.

 

[forktender]

Crap!! That is incredible! That room full of salami is out of this world. You are a brave man going into the lions den of NYC. So cool though.

Let's just say, it wasn't my idea of a vacation. Although, I've made the best of it, by hitting up the old Dego neighborhoods, the food has been unreal, so, so delicious.
Last night we got here, on Amtrak.
We had plans on driving into Leguardia* dropping off the rental car, and cabbing I to the hotel. In Philly we met this dude at a bar, he over heard my wife and I going over our plans. He interrupted, by saying
" Remember this name, Mark"
I was like oh boy what now. He says
" dump the car in Philly, you don't want to drive anywhere near the airport at 4:00 pm, tak Amtrak into Penn Station, then cab it to your hotel. Then he says the reason he wanted us to remember his name is because he is the guy that saved our marriage. LMFAO, damn he was was so right, my wife and I would've killed each other arguing over directions.

The train was super easy, the cabs are super easy as well .


We get to our room, and were shocked by the amazing view of the Empire St building. We unpacked, I ask my wife what she wants to do, of course she says go to Time Square. I seriously almost had a panic attack with all of these people.
I never imagined it being so crowded.
She loved it, I hate it with a passion.
The place is a zoo, actually way worse than a zoo. What a cluster hump, this place is. LOL!!!
My wife has begged me to take her here for yrs, it's all I could do to thank her for everything she does for us, she deserves this trip. Although, I made it perfectly clear that I get to pick our next vacation.

Alaska, fishing and a Caribou o Moose hunt.
She will love the fishing, and can stay in camp while go kill a Caribou or Moose .

 

[forktender]

Im not even gonna try to fix all of my mistakes, I'm typing on this stupid phone, qnd fat fingering it big time. LOL!!!

 

[Fueling Around]

Great postings.
I miss the big city stuff in both the cluster yuck and the offerings you will not find out in the countryside.
Never been to NYC and no desire to go there. Wife has never asked. You are a brave and supporting man.

 

[SmokinEdge]

Let's just say, it wasn't my idea of a vacation. Although, I've made the best of it, by hitting up the old Dego neighborhoods, the food has been unreal, so, so delicious.
Last night we got here, on Amtrak.
We had plans on driving into Leguardia* dropping off the rental car, and cabbing I to the hotel. In Philly we met this dude at a bar, he over heard my wife and I going over our plans. He interrupted, by saying
" Remember this name, Mark"
I was like oh boy what now. He says
" dump the car in Philly, you don't want to drive anywhere near the airport at 4:00 pm, tak Amtrak into Penn Station, then cab it to your hotel. Then he says the reason he wanted us to remember his name is because he is the guy that saved our marriage. LMFAO, damn he was was so right, my wife and I would've killed each other arguing over directions.

The train was super easy, the cabs are super easy as well .


We get to our room, and were shocked by the amazing view of the Empire St building. We unpacked, I ask my wife what she wants to do, of course she says go to Time Square. I seriously almost had a panic attack with all of these people.
I never imagined it being so crowded.
She loved it, I hate it with a passion.
The place is a zoo, actually way worse than a zoo. What a cluster hump, this place is. LOL!!!
My wife has begged me to take her here for yrs, it's all I could do to thank her for everything she does for us, she deserves this trip. Although, I made it perfectly clear that I get to pick our next vacation.

Alaska, fishing and a Caribou o Moose hunt.
She will love the fishing, and can stay in camp while go kill a Caribou or Moose .

Lol. Thanks for the insight. And I completely understand the Dego neighborhood thing, for food and culture it is exactly where I would want to be. I envy your trip and feel bad for you at the same time. Nothing like boots on the ground though. Be safe.

 

[forktender]

Maybe I'm to naive too detect it, but I don't think I am.
I haven't had a oh sh!t moment here yet.
I am super hyper aware of my surroundings though. I think bad guys are mainly looking for people that aren't aware of what they are walking into. I'm not smallest guy either, so The few weird looks we've got walking around, were squashed right aways with my mean mug'in glare in their direction. The street vendors don't even ask us if we want what they are selling, which is great.

I can't sleep, our hours are still off, and this bed is way to soft for my back.

This is my view from bed right now.
Pretty cool building, we went up in it today,, another thing my wife had on her to do list.
LOL!!!

 

[BrianGSDTexoma]

Cool. Great pictures.

 

[Gonna Smoke]

I would love to experience that street and those shops, but no way I'm going to NYC to do it. You're a good man Dan and thanks for taking one for the team...

 

[dls1]

Dan - Sounds like you're having a good time in NYC, a city that I love. Though I wasn't born or raised there, I lived there in Manhattan for several years. After relocating from NYC many years ago, I still manage to get there around 6 times a year.

As you found out, Arthur St. in the Bronx is a gem. In your photos I noticed one place that I always recommend to first timers, "The Calabria Pork Store" with all of the sausages hanging from the ceiling. That place has been there for decades and it never changes.

It just so happens that my wife and daughter are going there next weekend to see a play, and I'm in the midst of updating my list of places to go and things to do in NYC. If you need any suggestions or recommendations, let me know.

And remember, if you're ever bored in NYC, relax. You're dead.

 

[1MoreFord]

An ex girlfriend wanted me to go to NY with her. I declined. She later went with a girlfriend.
I would like to experience the local and ethnic foods. Katz deli would be a must and I'd like to spend time at B&H Photo with a good supply of discretionary funds. However I'm won't ever go there.

 

[jcam222]

That looks amazing!! Thanks for sharing, I'm going to look at the pics on my pc 34 inch screen to virtually "shop"!

 

[Jim_C]

From what I see on TV I will give it to NY for the food culture. You can get any type of food there is. If you don't like one type of food or ethnicity walk six blocks. In many ways I envy cities with neighborhoods where all your food needs are within three blocks. I would love to stop at the butcher, baker, and vegetable market on the way home.

But...........I have not been, and would not go, to NY.

 

[clifish]

I am a driverable distance to NYC and still never go. To me it is only a PIA blocking me from getting out of town. My daughter works a couple days a week very close to Rockefeller....not me.

 

[mneeley490]

I want to live in that store with the sausage stalactites.

 

[dons2346]

I want to live in that store with the sausage stalactites.

You and me both. That store alone would be worth the trip

 

[forktender]

Dan - Sounds like you're having a good time in NYC, a city that I love. Though I wasn't born or raised there, I lived there in Manhattan for several years. After relocating from NYC many years ago, I still manage to get there around 6 times a year.

As you found out, Arthur St. in the Bronx is a gem. In your photos I noticed one place that I always recommend to first timers, "The Calabria Pork Store" with all of the sausages hanging from the ceiling. That place has been there for decades and it never changes.

It just so happens that my wife and daughter are going there next weekend to see a play, and I'm in the midst of updating my list of places to go and things to do in NYC. If you need any suggestions or recommendations, let me know.

And remember, if you're ever bored in NYC, relax. You're dead.

We have been crazy busy, one of the only things left on my too do list is Katz deli and maybe Peter Lugers, not sure we can do both, as today is our last day.
Yesterday we had a killer chicken pot pie, and the best fish n chips we've ever had at Fraunces tavern, then around the corner for an Irish coffee at the Dead Rabbit, which was also the best we've ever had. Today well go to central park, weather permitting, Katz deli, some local bars, then finish the evening off at the Edge, I need to hang off of it, for my adrenaline rush. We fly home Wednesday morning. I never thought I would be able to walk as much as we have on this trip, it's been challenging for meat times, but I sucked it up and made it happen. The main reason we came to NY was to see the 911 memorial and Ellis Island, we braved the rainy weather and sucked it up to accomplish our goals. I haven't been dry since we left home between the 83° temps in DC with 78% humidity, f'n nasty, too the so called Nor Eastern wind driven rain. Not impressed with this Nor Eastern thing, at home we just call it rain. Although the tides were pretty high, making the ramp to board the ferry to Ellis Island a little sporty, the ramps were damn near at 45° angle and wet.
Not great for a guy with a jack'd up spine. LMFAO!!! My wife was laughing her ass off at me shuffling my old ass up and down the ramps .

A few more pics of things we did yesterday. The pics that don't show for some reason, you can click on them and they will show, Im not sute whats going on there. LOL!!!

 

[forktender]

An ex girlfriend wanted me to go to NY with her. I declined. She later went with a girlfriend.
I would like to experience the local and ethnic foods. Katz deli would be a must and I'd like to spend time at B&H Photo with a good supply of discretionary funds. However I'm won't ever go there.

Gonna do Katz today for an early lunch, then try to surprise my wife with a Peter Lugers steak dinner, if we have room.
I have an booth reserved for 8pm,. If we are to full from lunch, I'll cancel and we'll find something a little lighter to eat later.

 

[forktender]

You and me both. That store alone would be worth the trip

The smell was flat out intoxicating, same with the fresh cheese shops.
I'm looking for a mini wheel of parmigiano Romano to bring home, the cheese guy said he will have more today, and he would save me one, as they sell out daily.
We'll see if he is a man of his word or not in a few hours. If not my extra bag will be filled with cured meats and cigars, can't wait to see the TSA agents expression when my bag goes through the Xray screening machine. LOL!!!