BEA 2014: The Food Post

I don’t think anyone cares that I go to BEA or what books I got anymore. All I hear when I get back is “Where’s the food post??”

It’s hard to fit in all my favorite places and try a few new ones while still attending BEA but I sure do try!

~ We hit up Pie Face once we got to our hotel. It was right on the corner and we did that on purpose since it’s open 24/7. A great place to grab a quick breakfast and coffee before heading to Javits. They have mini sweet & savory pies as well as something called Australian Iced Coffee that has espresso and ice cream. I LOVE it.

Mini Pear & Ricotta Pie, Aussie Iced Coffee

~ Next up - I decided since I probably won’t be going to France anytime soon – that NYC was were I would lead my quest to try macarons. This is because of one of my favorite books ever, The Chocolate Kiss by Laura Florand, has the most drool worthy macaron descriptions ever. So we hit up Macaron Café and got a sampler. I really liked them but I wasn’t WOWED – but we’ll get back to macarons a little later….

~ Dinner was at BarBacon with Pam from Midnyte Reader. My husband had sliders, I had a Barbacon Bahn Mi sandwich and Pam had the Bacon & Roasted Corn Torta. Obviously you need to like bacon to eat here.

They were filming a TV spot when we got there and hilarity ensued while all three of us tried to avoid being interviewed. Kevin, Pam and I are extreme introverts! It was a weird, crazy dinner but we had a lot of laughs and good food.

~ I had a wonderful dinner with Ann Aguirre and Megan Hart at Tao Friday night. I hear this place gets really busy and you can’t even hear yourself think but we seemed to have gotten there early enough to be able to have a nice conversation and meal. The food is amazing and the decor is gorgeous! If you go, I would suggest ordering a few different things and sharing. The Pad Thai was fantastic. The lighting is very low so this picture is awful but there is a giant Buddha as the focal point of the restaurant. And may I just reiterate….SQUEE! I met Ann Aguirre!!!!! She’s as lovely and generous in person as you would expect.  <3! Highlight of my trip!

~ A few random snacks at Victory Garden (Artisanal products and local goat milk ice cream, frozen yogurt) - YUMMY, Pommes Frites – delicious fries with even more delicious sauces to try, Magnolia Bakery (Of course! I go every visit), The Nutella Bar at Eataly

~ Even though my first macaron experience was sort of meh I persevered and tried again! (Someone's gotta do it!) and stumbled upon Bosie Tea Parlor. I only wish I hadn’t eaten so much all week because I was only able to try a few macarons but they were absolutely heavenly! I tried coffee, salted caramel and the lavender peach. Now I know what all the fuss is about. This is definitely a place I will be visiting again the next time I’m in NYC. They also have a formal tea service and Sunday brunch. My picture doesn’t do these delicious little morsels justice ( I was outside in a sunshine filled park) so check out the their photo gallery.

~  Oatmeals was a new place that I wanted to try this year. It’s an oatmeal bar where you can try pre-selected combinations or invent your own. They oatmeal comes in baby bear, mama bear and papa bear sizes made with either milk or water base. I had peaches and cream, Kevin had brown sugar cinnamon raisin. I REALLY want to go back and try some of the savory/spicy selections like fig & gorgonzola. I’m adding Oatmeals to must go on every visit list!

~ We’re in the home stretch people! Hang in there – I’m almost done!

~ On Sunday we went to 2nd Ave Deli (thanks for the recommendation Alison!) This was hands down the best roast beef sandwich and pickles I’ve had since I was a kid. My husband was happy to finally get his pastrami sandwich but this was such a weird experience. We had an older man for our waiter and he wouldn’t let me add potato salad to my meal. Like…yelled at me and said no. lol  I couldn’t even be mad because it felt like something out of a Seinfeld episode – he was like the Soup Nazi. We couldn’t stop laughing. And in the end he was right – I wouldn’t have been able to finish the potato salad. I was too full. lol

~ We checked out a new (to us) vegetarian restaurant, Angelica's Kitchen. Everything is organic and fresh. We started with People’s Polenta and it was delicious! Then I had Dashi and Noodles which was just what I needed after the drain of BEA and Book Con. My husband had the BBQ tempeh which was had way too much sauce. (The BBQ Tempeh at Café Blossom Is fantastic)




~ I saved my two favorite places for last. Café Blossom – the BEST vegan restaurant I’ve ever eaten at. The food & service is always excellent.



~ And of course Tea & Sympathy! Kevin, my friend Tori, her mom and I all went to see Maleficent (which was fantastic btw!) in the morning then went for our scones with clotted cream. This has become a annual BEA trip tradition.

~ Oh And I can’t forget Shake Shack! I ALWAYS have to have Shake Shack!!

~ One more! I didn't snap a photo but just before heading to the airport we stopped by my favorite place for breakfast - Good Enough to Eat. We met my friend Jen - YA Romantics and it was great to be able to spend some quality - non BEA line time together. 

That's it! Until next year….