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May 22, 2010

A New York City Moment at Bryant Park Grill

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Recently my darling friend Jennifer Vides came to NYC. As a lover of LA, who felt “eh” about New York, she was the perfect person for me to hang out with because I knew I could probably, maybe, possibly, turn that “eh” into a “wow”.

The plan was simple. Dinner and drinks. But I wanted to make it a nice experience. She’s my friend. I love her and I wanted to show her the city through my eyes. The evening was beautiful, the weather was great.

I carefully thought out where we would go, and I planned around favorite lanscapes: for the Brooklyn Bridge we would dine at South Street Seaport, for Rockefeller Center/5th Avenue we would dine in the courtyard (what is the ice skating rink in the Winter) of Rock Center Cafe, and for the Empire State Building with a park view, we would head to Bryant Park Grill.

After spending a lot more time then planned at an Irish bar near Penn Station, and stopping to flirt with some oh-so-cute, but oh-so-young NYC fire men, we decided to go to Bryant Park.

As soon as we entered the park the awe inspiring feeling NYC tends to give people when they least expect it hit us. Everything was lovely and quiet, even right there in the heart of midtown. The grassy lawn closed for the night, the famous Bryant Park chairs sitting empty under the evening sky. My heart full of love for my city as we walked over to the restaurant.

There are several places to go and have drinks at Bryant Park. There is the Bryant Park Cafe ,an outdoor bar and eatery, open only during the warmer months, where you need to show ID and the after work crowd comes to hang out, mingle, and drink. There’s the Southwest Porch, which, even in the middle of a week day, seems to always be full, serves drinks and snacks, and is free to enjoy.

We immediately found a table outside (ok, my husband who met us there found a table, we just showed up). It’s a bit pricey, with the average price for an entree being $22 -$24, but the food is great, and if you end up going on an evening like the one we had, it’s just nice to sit there, with a glass of wine, and enjoy a nice meal.

In the end I think that is really what you are paying for, that amazing NYC experience. That moment that just steals your heart, as it did Jennifer’s, where even I, a resident here, have to pinch myself at how incredibly, crazy lucky I am to call this city my home.

Jennifer ordered the steak, which was massive!  I ordered a Cesaer Salad and crab cakes, my husband ordered a chicken dish. All were really delicious, even my dishes, though both from the Aperitif section of the menu, together made a nice dinner.  I swear we could’ve spent hours there drinking and chatting it up…but I actually think it was closing time by the time we left.

I would love to go back for brunch, or maybe dinner around sunset.  I have no photos of the lovely meal we had as it was too dark out (mental note: must invest in a low lighting lens), but I hope my pictures here will at least give you a sense of how lovely our evening was, and what a truly wonderful place it is to go for a night with friends or significant other.

I think I made Jennifer fall in love with NYC that night, which is awesome for me because I do love her so and want her to come back soon. And next time, I’m buying.

Located in Bryant Park’s Upper Terrace between 40th and 42nd Streets. Reservations are suggested for the dining room, but are a first-come-first-service basis for the outdoor patio garden and rooftop garden. For more information, please call 212-840-6500. Sunday – Thursday 11:30am–11:00pm Friday – Saturday 11:30am–Midnight

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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4 Comments
  • Kirsten
    May 22, 2010

    Bryant Park is one of the places I was not able to squeeze into my two prior trips. But I can't wait to go as I keep hearing that it's wonderful. One friend even prefers it to all the other NYC parks. When I move in Oct, it's one of the first places I will go. Hopefully great fall color w/ the backdrop of the city!

    Reply
  • Alethea Fitzpatrick
    May 22, 2010

    I love Bryant Park Grill! Many lovely summer evenings spent out on the terrace…

    Reply
  • Jennifer Vides
    June 14, 2010

    Much delayed comment to your lovely post, girl. Had so much fun with you guys and yes you made me love New York that night. I look forward to going back – with more time. And you're the only "tour guide" I'll accept. Thanks to you and the hubs for your hospitality. Hope to return the favor one day 🙂

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Jennifer Vides
      June 14, 2010

      It was awesome having you here. Can't wait till you come back!

      Reply

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About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

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Every time I’m in NYC I feel both a longing for Every time I’m in NYC I feel both a longing for it and a relief to not be living here full time.

I love that there are still communities holding on to remaining close knit, authentic, and supportive of each other. Nowhere anywhere can compete with the diversity - food, people, languages - all of it. 😭

The access to creativity…and if you come in the spring (or in the fall) it’s magic. 

But…there is so much that remains inaccessible to so many. The inequality and economic disparities are glaring and any sense of balance is a dream, with so many living paycheck to paycheck trying to get their heads above water.

Don’t get me wrong. I love it here. I miss it, and feel so damn lucky that I can come and get my fix, see family, visit with friends any time I want without a hassle. It is my city and I’d be mad if someone talked sh*t about it 😂😂 But I get it. It’s tough. But that’s why I love fellow city folks too, because we’re tougher.

Grateful for everything life in the Finger Lakes has gifted us. We remain so happy to have made the move and have built such a dream life there. And also that my city is a short drive away. ♥️

#nyc #lifeinnyc
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One lady to her male partner:
 Her: “Omg. I didn’t know eagles ate other birds!”
Male partner: “Of course eagles do! They are predators!”
Me: 💀💀

#nyclife #nycmoment #nyc
Last night I explored the @tinbuilding located in Last night I explored the @tinbuilding located in the historic South St Seaport of Manhattan on Pier 17. 

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This marketplace opened in September 28, 2022, by French Chef and restaurant owner Jean-Georges Vongerichten and is helping to bring new life to a beloved NYC neighborhood that has continuously worked to recover after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy.

I absolutely indulged in shopping at this market, loved my dining experience at Frenchman’s Dough, and can’t wait to go back.

#nyceats #upscalemarketplace #tinbuilding #iloveny
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I recently sent my CV...yup, my whole resume, to someone who requested it, and in doing so, I seriously thought, "Oh, they're not going to think I've accomplished enough in my professional life." Instead, in the following interview, they expressed being in awe of all I have done and continue to do. "You are BUSY!" Though these hardworking-but-never-hard-enough immigrant genes don't always allow me to appreciate all I have accomplished, photos like these take me back to this moment that truly says, "Damn, girl. YOU DID THAT." Thank you to all the readers and followers who uplifted me and my work over these 10+ years and continue to do so. It's been an incredible adventure!
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#madisonwi #foodiegram #foodiedestinations #goodeats @destinationmadison
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I was yet again reminded of my privilege when my travel back home on this last trip was delayed over 24 hours. I have a village in place to make sure my kids were ok. Having my own business meant I didn’t have to report in to anyone, and was still able to work remotely so none of my clients were inconvenienced by it. Though the airline covered our hotel and food, we never worried that we couldn’t do it ourselves otherwise. While we were annoyed, we weren’t stressed.

So while I love to travel, and I love sharing my travels with you, I acknowledge that being able to do so, and dealing with the consistent travel disruptions so prevalent today without worries is a privilege…one that started with a little blue booklet that gives me more access to the world than some others do.

And I want us all in this travel space to be reminded of this. Of how lucky we are. Of our privilege to access and time and money.

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It doesn’t matter how often you travel, or how far. Just that hopefully you will be able to gift yourself the experience of doing so and experiencing something new.

#travel #travelmedia #travelinfluencer #wheretonext

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