The United States Of Eating - US (and Toronto) Aug/Sep 2016

[NoName]

New York City – Day 4 – Continued………

From there we made a beeline for the subway and the ride out to the tennis for the Wednesday night session. Mrs NoName was thrilled to hear that Nadal was playing again and I enjoy watching him so I was pretty happy too. We got out there pretty quickly and made our way to the food village for some dinner.

No photos of the food but we went for a nachos type dish from the Mexican stall which was pretty decent although (expectedly) overpriced. The variety of food on offer was quite amazing. Definitely much more extensive than anything I've ever seen at a sporting even in Australia. Pretty much take your pick of anything you could possibly want.

We made our way up into Arthur Ashe Stadium and took our seats in time for the start of the Women’s match first up. Seats were much better than on the first day – about half way up, on one of the corners behind the baseline. The women's match saw a big upset with the French open winner getting rolled in straight sets. The men's match was much more predictable with Nadal crushing his opponent as expected.












And that was that for the tennis part of the trip. Would have loved to have seen more of it but that will have to wait for another trip. Back onto the train and in about half an hour we were back at the hotel.

 

[amaroo]

Enjoying the TR.

 

[NoName]

Enjoying the TR.

Thanks mate! Slowly getting through it. Only a couple of days let's to report.

 

[NoName]

New York City – Day 5


Woke up feeling a bit sad as it was our last day in NYC, and not even a full day at that! We were booked on QF12 to LAX just after 6pm that night so had decided to get a cab out there at about 2:30pm. A short day but still plenty of time to do a few things.

First up was the Brooklyn trip we had planned for the previous day, well part of it anyway. Mrs NoName is a notoriously slow walker and despite having years of experience of walking with her for some reason I still don’t seem to estimate required time well enough. As a result of the slower walking as well as the shorter timeframe we had, we only got in a small portion of what we had planned. Downtown on the subway to Chambers St for a short walk to the Brooklyn Bridge. The first time were in NYC we walked maybe 1/3 of the way across before walking back the way we had come. This time it was across the whole bridge:






From there it was it was down to DUMBO which is an area basically below the Brooklyn & Manhattan Bridges. We had a walk around the area as well as the park on the banks of the East River. The views back over Manhattan were fantastic as were the little streets in the area.

Manhattan Bridge


Brooklyn Bridge & Manhattan


Jane's Carousel



Following a quick brunch at what looked like a kind of healthy food themed supermarket in DUMBO we went up the hill to grab the subway back to Manhattan. Yes, I wasn’t kidding when I said we only got to see a small portion of what we wanted to in Brooklyn. That was a bit disappointing but on the positive side we enjoyed our short time here and know that we will definitely spend a lot more time on our next trip exploring the borough much further.

 

[NoName]

New York City – Day 5 – Continued………



On the train back to Manhattan and off to what is becoming a bit of a tradition for Mrs NoName and I when we visit New York. On each of our other stays we have gone to the Top Of The Rock observation decks at the top of the Rockefeller Centre. For those who don’t know it this is basically an observation deck in Midtown around 60 stories up from memory and provides beautiful views downtown towards the Empire State Building on one side and out over Central Park on the other. The view of Central Park in particular is stunning. The best view in NYC IMO. And this is why we come back each time!

We got to the ticket desk and paid the US$35 per person (seems quite a bit more expensive than the last couple of times we went). We were asked if we would like to pay extra for a map with labels of the notable buildings etc which can be seen from the top. No thanks, we’ve been here twice before so we know which way to look for the park view. And up we went……..



My favourite view of NYC!




Down to the bottom and off to our last destination – Magnolia Bakery – for a couple of cup cakes before we head back to the hotel. The female members of the forum will possibly recognise the bakery from Sex And The City. I have no idea of the context or episode that it appeared in but this outlet isn’t the one that was seen in the show. That is in Chelsea and is easy enough to find if you’re inclined. Cupcakes are pretty good without being spectacular IMO. A decent snack for the 10 block walk back to the hotel anyway.






And with that we were back at the hotel one last time. We grabbed our bags and with a touch of sadness hopped in a taxi for the journey back to JFK. So long New York, as always we loved you and yes we WILL be back!

 

[NoName]

New York City – Day 5 – Continued………


While the taxi ride FROM JFK might have been a speedy, almost unbelievably quick trip, the ride TO JFK was anything but. Traffic and wet weather ensured that it took over 90 minutes before we arrived at the terminal. Oh well, that happens, no big deal. Made our way to the check in desk, deposited bags, through security and over to the departure gate. Nothing interesting happening until we notice the departure time has changed. Now delayed around an hour and a half. Check google and QF11 left LAX late which obviously resulted in the knock on effect to QF12. Not sure why they wouldn’t have known about the delay earlier but whatever.

Wandered around the terminal for a while and grabbed some maccas for early dinner (sorry no review or photos of my quarter pounder). Anything to pass the time really. Ended up grabbing a seat near the gate once the limited entertainment options were exhausted. Eventually it came time to board and with a relief we made our way through the gate and into our seats in Y+. It was a bit of a downgrade from 1A on QF93 a couple of weeks earlier but hey, beggars can’t be choosers.


JFK-LAX QF12 Seats: 38D &E

Loaded our carry on into the overheads and sat down ready for the approx. 5hr flight to LAX. I don’t mind the QF Y+ seats for flights like this that don’t necessitate a sleep. The extra room and recline make it comfortable and bearable enough. In any event, regardless of my opinions of the seat, we were going to be here for the next few hours.

A pre-departure sparkling each and then up we went!

Sparkling - Sadly not the La Grande Dame on this occasion:



Soon enough the seat belt sign was off and the food service was beginning. Menu below:






I had the chicken while Mrs No Name chose the pork. Both options were nice enough without being spectacular, basically domestic J standard of fare. Probably what you would expect in Y+ so nothing to complain about. We also enjoyed a glass of the dessert wine with (funnily enough) dessert. Can't recall exactly what it was but we liked it. After our Ice Wine tasting near Niagara Falls we had gotten a taste for dessert wines so this was always going to be on the cards. The wine was nice and sweet and I had no complaints so decided to go for a couple more glasses while I watched a documentary.





The rest of the flight was pretty uneventful (as these things tend to be) and before we knew it we were descending towards LAX. Off the plane to join the scrum of people hopping off at LAX being led through the maze of TBIT to the baggage retrieval. Grabbed our bags and quickly into a cab to Double Tree by Hilton LAX - El Segundo. We had booked this place a few weeks prior to the trip for just over AU$200 for the single Thursday night. The room was pretty standard Hilton - nice, enough space, comfortable, basically all you need in a location like this. I would certainly stay here again if I was looking for something in the LAX area.

Traffic around LAX was a disaster (bad move by the cab driver to offer us a flat rate and didn’t he whinge about it) and it ended up taking over 45min to get there. Eventually we arrived though and after a quick check in process we were up in our room fast asleep.

 

[NoName]

Los Angeles – One Day Only


For our final day of the holiday we did something we hadn’t done the whole time – slept in. Well kind of. We were still up around 8 and out the door by 9. Oh well, we tried. We had originally wanted to go back to Disneyland and see what we had missed last time we went. MrsNoName wasn’t that keen on the idea and after seeing the exorbitant pricing structure they have there these days we decided to give it a miss. Maybe we will go when NoName Jnr is old enough to come with us.

With that decision made we jumped in an Uber and headed over to Hollywood Blvd. Pretty quickly we realised that Disneyland might have actually been the better option as we were reminded of what we disliked about LA on our previous visit. Not sure if it has gotten worse (probably not, just a dulled memory after a 6 year absence) but it was tackiness overload. Walked up and down the walk of fame for a bit trying to dodge the hordes of people dressed as movie characters and avoid being accosted by “the next hip hop star”. Did get a few photos just to have something to post though:

Grauman's Chinese Theatre:






We had a few hours to kill so allowed ourselves to get roped into one of the open-top bus tours of the homes of the stars. Are the places they point out actually owned by celebrities or is it just all talk? Who knows. What I do know is that after the guy on the microphone had said “are you famous?” in an irritating whispering tone about a thousand times I was ready to punch him in the face. Settled for emptying our wallets of the half dozen $1 bills left as a tip at the end instead. In summary the tour was mind-numbing with the highlight being the couple of hours we got to sit down and rest our legs.

Hollywood sign

 

[NoName]

Los Angeles – One Day Only Continued......


Having seen QF12 delayed the previous day we decided to check the status of our flight on QF16 just in case something similar had occurred. Good choice. Currently scheduled to depart just before 1am. No problem, we just won’t arrive at the airport so early.

Jumped in another Uber and headed over to Santa Monica. Now this was a place we loved previously and thankfully we loved it again. Went for a walk down to the pier and sat and relaxed at the end of it for a while looking over the pacific. Took a lengthy walk back up the pier through Pacific Park. I considered going on one of the rides but in the end thought better of it. Maybe next time.









Sun setting on our time in the USA


We eventually made it back to the start of the pier and decided to take a look at the mall a few blocks away. We walked around for a while checking out a few shops. Got dragged into one by Mrs NoName and was forced to buy a few more items of clothing. Probably can’t complain too much as she usually makes me buy much more.

As darkness fell we realised that sadly, the trip had come to an end. It was time to return to reality. Off we went in another Uber, back to the hotel to collect our bags and make the sad (but short) bus ride to LAX for the flight home.

 

[Bundy Bear]

You have put a lot of work into this trip report, lots to read, only just read to the walk of the Half Dome, I will have to come back and read the rest especially the information about New York City.

 

[Milboo]

Enjoyed the TR.

At Momofuku, I liked the pork bun but actually liked the Shrimp one more and my friend raved about the mushroom one!

Thanks for thr Harlem tips - shared with a friend visiting soon.

 

[NoName]

Ok time to know off the first of the new years resolutions - finish this trip repot!



Los Angeles – Brisbane

At the start of the thread I mentioned that at the time of booking we were only able to get award seats in Y. About a week before departure we called up again and were able to get one of us in J with the other in Y+. Feeling that I might like to try for a week or so in Vegas & Yosemite on my own again one day I decided to take one for the team and give Mrs NoName the seat in J. J

Arrived at check in at TBIT to the unpleasant news that QF16 (as well as QF12 & QF94 for that matter) was further delayed….significantly. New departure time 3:40am. Fantastic! Thank heavens for one of us being in J – five hours in the J lounge was going to be much more palatable than five hours wandering a largely empty terminal where all the retailers had long since closed.

Checked in, bags dropped, through security and made a beeline for the J lounge. Its no F lounge but I like it. Fairly spacious and stylish which makes it quite a pleasant place to wait for a flight. I especially like the bar area with bartenders who were quite willing to help you out. If I hadn’t been so exhausted I would have happily sat down there and drank the night away. As it was I just had a wine or two and relaxed with some food on one of the couches. I found the food to be typical QF International J lounge offerings – adequate, much better than a domestic lounge but obviously a big step down from an F lounge. We munched on a few plates of whatever long forgotten dishes they had that night and surfed the internet to pass the time.

Eventually the clock ticked around to 3am and it was time to head down to the terminal to board QF16 for the trip home. Down to the masses for another reminder of how relieving it is to be able to access a lounge. Soon enough boarding was announced and onto the plane we go.




LAX-BNE QF16 Seats: 3E & 38D

I turned right, Mrs NoName turned left but with the delay being north of 4hrs I didn’t seem to care, just wanted to get home. Mrs NoName asked several times if I wanted to swap but although my 6 foot 4 frame would have loved it, I decided to stick it out in Y+. It was a largely uneventful flight with rest the number one priority given the extremely late departure. Mrs NoName wandered back to Y+ few times to confirm that I definitely didn't want to swap. Not sure if she was genuinely asking or if it was a subtle way to rub it in more (probably both) but in any event I stayed put.

Mrs NoName's digs for the next 14hrs:


Supper was served pretty quickly after takeoff. Although I can't quite recall what I had, like the previous day it was pretty much what you'd expect in Y+ and more than adequate.

Y+ Menu for QF16:


J Menu for QF16:


J Drinks:


Mrs NoName chose the tiger prawns and was apparently quite pleased with them.




With supper over it was time to get what sleep we could. Mrs NoName evidently managed to get plenty of sleep which isn't really surprising when you're 5 foot 6 and on a flat bed in J. For me it was a different story. This is not a knock on the seat itself because it is pretty good for what it is but rather I simply can'y sleep very well in an upright position. As a result, while the additional legroom is nice, I find that I don't get any extra sleep/rest in Y+ compared to Y. For that reason I probably stick to Y in future. For me I need a flat bed for there to be a difference so if its not J (or F ) then Y will do.

The time seemed to go reasonably quickly and before too long we were descending into BNE and the holiday really was all over. Through immigration pretty quickly, collected baggage (Pat Rafter & wife spotted right next to us at the carousel), straight through quarantine and out to see Nanna NoName and a very emotional NoName Jnr. A few hugs and kisses, into the car and that was it, The United States Of Eating was at an end!

 

[NoName]

One final post on the trip itself with the top 3 highlights:

• Half Dome (and Yosemite in general really) - This was THE reason for me making the trip. Loved the challenge of hiking half dome, it was one of the hardest things I've done physically but so satisfying to reach the top. Yosemite is a wonderful place and I can't wait to return and do it all again.
• QF93 - MEL-LAX in F. What more needs to be said?
• US Open Tennis (and NYC) - Love tennis and going to the US Open was always going to be great. The fact that its in our favourite city in the world is just a bonus!

I hope people have enjoyed the report (despite the time it has taken to get through it all). I've definitely enjoyed writing it as it has given the added bonus of being able to go through photos and reminisce on what was a fantastic couple of weeks. Looking forward to the next trip and might even document it on the forum again.

Cheers

 

[amaroo]

Great report - thanks for posting.

 

[Mrs NoName]

One final post on the trip itself with the top 3 highlights:

• Half Dome (and Yosemite in general really) - This was THE reason for me making the trip. Loved the challenge of hiking half dome, it was one of the hardest things I've done physically but so satisfying to reach the top. Yosemite is a wonderful place and I can't wait to return and do it all again.
• QF93 - MEL-LAX in F. What more needs to be said?
• US Open Tennis (and NYC) - Love tennis and going to the US Open was always going to be great. The fact that its in our favourite city in the world is just a bonus!

I hope people have enjoyed the report (despite the time it has taken to get through it all). I've definitely enjoyed writing it as it has given the added bonus of being able to go through photos and reminisce on what was a fantastic couple of weeks. Looking forward to the next trip and might even document it on the forum again.

Cheers

Yosemite! Pfft!
My highlight was shopping in NYC by myself!

 

[EestiTiger]

Las Vegas Day 2 – A Tale Of Two Burgers continued……

Arrived at Planet Hollywood a touch after 3pm and went straight to BurGR. If you’re wondering about the name, it’s a meshing of Burger & Gordon Ramsey’s initials, hence BurGR. I had been recommended this place and had read that it was one of the best burger restaurants in the city. I would not be disappointed. The venue was quite crowded so I wasn’t able to get a table right away. I was able to go straight to the bar though which I was happy to do given I was by myself anyway. I had already looked at the menu so already knew what I wanted (no messing around here). A beer to start, the Blue Burger and a side of truffle parmesan fries. Apart from burgers they also offer a variety of different food from salads to hotdogs to fish and chips as well as pudding (this is an English restaurant after all), shakes and sides. There was also an extensive array of beers on tap as well as a well-stocked bar.

Menu can be found here:
https://www.caesars.com/content/dam/phv/Dining/Casual/burgr/grburgermenu_7.1.2016.pdf

Ate here a year ago and have to agree that it was a sensational burger. I had the 'Euro Burger' and am drooling just now remembering it...

 

[EestiTiger]

Just read your TR from start to finish. Fantastic. I will be in NYC during the US Open this year and I wasn't sure if I should bother trying to get a ticket. Think I will now with your tips Some great food suggestions that I have penciled in.

 

[get me outta here]

It is good to see a couple agreeing on the important things in life, especially when on a trip. Thanks for going to the trouble of writing the TR, appreciate it>

One final post on the trip itself with the top 3 highlights:

• Half Dome (and Yosemite in general really) - This was THE reason for me making the trip. Loved the challenge of hiking half dome, it was one of the hardest things I've done physically but so satisfying to reach the top. Yosemite is a wonderful place and I can't wait to return and do it all again.
• QF93 - MEL-LAX in F. What more needs to be said?
• US Open Tennis (and NYC) - Love tennis and going to the US Open was always going to be great. The fact that its in our favourite city in the world is just a bonus!

I hope people have enjoyed the report (despite the time it has taken to get through it all). I've definitely enjoyed writing it as it has given the added bonus of being able to go through photos and reminisce on what was a fantastic couple of weeks. Looking forward to the next trip and might even document it on the forum again.

Cheers

Yosemite! Pfft!
My highlight was shopping in NYC by myself!

 

[NoName]

Just read your TR from start to finish. Fantastic. I will be in NYC during the US Open this year and I wasn't sure if I should bother trying to get a ticket. Think I will now with your tips Some great food suggestions that I have penciled in.

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the kind words.
Definitely spend a day at the tennis if you have time. It's a great atmosphere and if you're there in the first couple of days of the tournament, wandering around to all the outside courts with the masses of people is terrific.

 

[NoName]

It is good to see a couple agreeing on the important things in life, especially when on a trip. Thanks for going to the trouble of writing the TR, appreciate it>

Thabks very much. Glad you enjoyed it.

 

[Irishbazz]

Great report, thanks for the effort!