Weekend Wrap-Up: ATL Meets NYC

Ever since my little brother stepped on the scene back in '86, it's been one big party. So why should this weekend be any different? Cale and his beautiful girlfriend Lane came to town to visit (well, and truth be told, to re-live the 90's at a Third Eye Blind concert), and I have to admit, we made excellent use of our limited time. We ate NY pizza like it was going out in style at Franny's AND Grimaldi's... took our Mexican obsession to a whole new level at Tacombi and Mole... shopped till we dropped in Soho... Citi-biked the Brooklyn Bridge Park (twice!)... enjoyed cocktails on the roof at Wythe Hotel with my besties Andrea, Cory, Katrina and Ty... and even found time to squeeze in a Mets Game and a late-show at the Comedy Cellar.

Needless to say, I am happily exhausted.

Here's to the best brother in the whole wide world!

One pedal and he was sold!

Perfect weather for Citi-biking down to the Brooklyn Bridge Park!

Gotta get a skyline photo!

Clearly, I'm the only one who took this picture seriously.

Cale, modeling over a lunch of tacos at Tacombi.

This is what re-living the 90's looks like!

Hope everyone has a fantastic week!

Saturday Splurge: Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

I only have eyes for the Braves. I grew up in Atlanta and was a HUGE fan back in the days of David Justice, John Smoltz and Deion Sanders (aka. Neon Deion...Yes, he played baseball too!). I still wear my sacred 1991 World Series Champs t-shirt. While not as sparkly as it was 21 years ago, it's still pretty awesome and (now) vintage. It also makes me feel really awesome and totally vintage (ie. 'old') when I wear it.

Even though the Braves will ALWAYS be my team, it's hard for me to pass up free major league baseball tickets, even if it is the Mets, I have to schlepp it to Queens and our seats are in the nosebleeds. There's just something so comforting and familiar about a baseball stadium. They're all basically the same. Fun pregame activities for the kids, good 'ole American comfort food, a beer or two, and the sights and sounds of a packed out stadium cheering for their home team. It all adds up to an ideal summer evening.

Citi Stadium takes the experience to a whole new level in regards to the food though. Of course you can find your typical hot dogs and burgers, but you're also presented with a variety of eating options that are uniquely New York, including Shake Shack, Blue Smoke BBQ and Box Frites. They also have an 'Around The World' pavillion where you can order imported beers and other food items that you rarely find at other stadiums. It's a food lover's heaven.

We splurged on chipotle chicken wings and spare ribs from Blue Smoke, with a side of fries with rosemary buttermilk ranch from Box Frites. Talk about YUM and also 'hand me another napkin, please...in fact, keep 'em coming!'.

The Mets ended up losing by an ungodly amount of runs, but that's the beauty in being a Braves fan at a Mets game... no sweat off my back! I was able to spend a beautiful evening outside, experience the underlying comradery that comes from being a baseball fan and do something out of the ordinary to nourish my spirit.

Yes, baseball is good for the soul.

...And so is watching all the awkward couples caught on the 'Kiss Cam' between innings! Hehe.