Once upon a time {yesterday}, three diverse Boston University girls took on NYC…
The first {Asian} girl named Alison rolled out of bed early to prepare two banana bread breakfast bakes for herself and her {White} friend named Rachel, who was still snoozing. Once breakfast was ready, they dabbled and dolloped on the toppings.
Rachel went for Nutella and almond butter
Alison went for Greek yogurt and three different types of nut butter (Nuttzo Power Fuel, peanut butter, almond butter)
After watching the Today Show and thinking about how they were going to be right where the Today Show is filmed in just a couple hours, the two girls took a train down to Grand Central…
Alison attempted to be a good tour guide by leading the way, but she ended up walking around the whole block in a circle. Eventually though, the two friends were on their way to lunch with a pit stop at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Rockefeller…
As they kept walking, their noses were able to follow the smell of THE famous Halal Guys on 53rd and 6th. They waited in line and happily devoured {most of} their chicken and rice bowls…
With very happy bellies, Rachel and Alison meandered over to Times Square, where they were mega tourists, stopping by a couple of stores, M&M World, Hershey World, the Disney Store…
The third {African American} girl named Jordan met up with them at the four-story Forever 21 in Times Square a little later. They shopped around and took another tourist photo before heading to Chobani SoHo…
As a fun afternoon snack, the three ladies each got a special Chobani creation, both sweet and savory…
From top clockwise: {savory for Alison} Red Pepper Harissa, Feta, Mint, Black Pepper, Olive Oil with Simit Chips // {savory for Jordan} Avocado, Mango, Cilantro, Lime, Olive Oil with Blue Corn Tortilla Chips // {sweet for Rachel} Dark Chocolate, Pistachio, Orange, Mint, Honey
The experience was quite delightful for all three of them. With souvenir Chobani cups in tow, the girls walked around and explored SoHo, including the Samsung Galaxy Store, where they virtually traveled the world…
After more walking through minor rainfall and a quest for a bathroom in NYC, the girls trekked to Il Laboratorio di Gelato (aka the cutest and coolest gelato place ever) for dessert before dinner. Oh, but a quick step into Rice to Riches was necessary, just for some sampling…
Please note the toppings called “Jesus droppings”
Finally at the gelato lab…
The flavor choices overwhelmed the three girls (flavors such as avocado, pink peppercorn, earl grey, pumpkin, turkish fig, kaffir lime, passionfruit sorbet, and dark chocolate orange) so they obnoxiously asked for samples of nearly everything before deciding on what to buy…
Alison asked the employees for their flavor recommendations and decided on fresh mint, hazelnut amaretto crunch, and toasted almond. A fine choice indeed.
Jordan led the way to the Economy Candy Store just for nostalgia, since it has every candy you could ever imagine. If you thought we would be too full for dinner at this point, you are mistaken. Jordan continued to lead the way to Vanessa’s Dumplings, which had rave reviews on Yelp…
The girls’ wallets were relieved that everything was $5 and under…
8 handmade, boiled cabbage and pork dumplings dipped in sriracha for $3
Dinner hit the spot, and the girls made their way back to Grand Central, where Rachel and Alison parted ways from Jordan. All the eating, walking, standing, and smiling made Alison dead meat…
But nothing a half-hour nap on the train can’t fix! She even ate more when she got home…
simple salad and some brussels sprouts for some greens
Alison chatted with her family and Rachel for the rest of the evening as she typed up this story. She finished and took a shower, preparing for another adventure far, far away {NYC again}. After ten years of living in New York, she finally realized how amazing the Big Apple really is.
The end.
Sharing this {true} tale on Armans blog!
So tell me:
Once upon a time {yesterday}, I ate ______, and it was _______.
The most fun thing that happened yesterday!
Daily Moves and Grooves 
all this food looks amazing!! the gelato 😮 and dumplings and everything else!!!! love how you wrote it too 🙂 xx
You make me want to visit NYC! I was only 3 years old the last time I went, so I can’t remember a thing… Now if only I could actually make it out east 😆 One day. One day. And can we please talk about how adorable your little baking ramekins are?! I’ve just got a boring round one, so I’m thinking it’s time for an upgrade…
Ahh yes, please come visit!! And then I’ll come visit Alberta 🙂 The baking ramekins are actually a gift from our neighbors from their Christmas baked goods!
It looks like you had a wonderful day filled with excellent food! Now I’m even more excited for my (brief) spring break trip to NYC!
Ahh that’s exciting that you’re coming to NYC! Hope you find some fabulous things to do and places to eat as well 🙂
Just food for thought, how come African-American is used and not black, while white is used but not European descent (if she is)? Not meant to be accusing or anything, just thought that was interesting, and I’m not pointing at you specifically, I mean society in general…hmm.
No, that’s a great point, Carla! I didn’t even think of that. I use “black” and “African American” interchangeably, but I always say “White”. I think some people think “African American” is more politically correct than “black,” or maybe it’s because “black” can refer to many different ethnicities (Haitian, Jamaican, etc.) Then again, so can “white”! Food for thought indeed!
Best story🙌🙌🙌🙌😉 can’t wait to read the sequel!!!
And man you guys found so many gems😯 that rice pudding place!!!!!! Holy moly!
Have a great day girlies😘
Thanks, Katie! I feel like you would love Rice to Riches— it’s such a funny (and delicious) place!
THIS GIRL IS ON FIY-YAHHHHHH!!! I am stealing that red leather jacket, so adorable.
Once upon a time I ate banana bread with cream cheese frosting, and it was glorious.
I hope you are well beautiful lady, miss our chats.
Oh my goodness, that does sound glorious! Miss our chats too, girl! I don’t remember if you announced it or not, but are you going to Blend this year??
Alison- the great narrator. I thoroughly enjoyed your story. I wish I was Rachel in this story though, for a couple of reasons. 1. You made her a banana bread breakfast bake, that looks wayyyy delicious. 2. She got to travel on a train with you. 3. You and her spontaneously decided to make your way down to a taping of the Today Show.
Your boots in that Times Square picture are adorable! You have such a cute sense of style, Alison!
Okay one more thing, the gelato lab sounds like so much fun! I am an ice cream girl through and through, but I would not turn down a scoop of dark chocolate orange!
We actually did not make it to the taping of the Today Show— we just watched it on TV and then went to the place where it’s filmed afterward 🙂 But one day you should come hang out with me in NYC!!
those chicken bowls you had for lunch…ahhh!
wish i was a train ride away from NYC!
come visit one day!! 🙂
Man, you eat well. I was so jealous when I saw your Chobani creations on IG. I’d love to go to NYC someday! Just to eat.
PLEASE come on a great NYC food tour with me.
Your food looks so good…and you both look like you had a blast!
NYC is my favorite place to eat! So many awesome choices. Lucky you to live so close by 🙂
I love that you’re just a short day trip away from NYC! That gelato lab sounds incredible.
I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE RECAP WHEN I’M THERE.
Sorry for shouting. What camp friend do I fall into? The awesomesauce one? The Asian cocktail one?
UM MESSAGE ME WHEN YOU’RE COMING. Obviously, you’re the camp bully. Who said you were a friend?
OMG i need to go to that gelato lab!! Look like an amazing day!
Yay for NYC!! I was just at the Chobani Soho the other day and even stopped into Rice to Riches, but didn’t try anything. I haven’t eaten at that dumpling restaurant yet, but I’m going to add it to my list!
I need to try Rice To Riches the next time I’m in NYC! Sounds amazing. Also, the flavors at the gelato lab = AH! I’m so interested in trying earl grey + turkish fig! I live two miles from a Jeni’s ice cream in Columbus; however, I’ve never seen anything similar to either of those before. Earl Grey would be a great suggestion for the Jeni’s menu 😉