As I mentioned in NYC Part II, my dad and I trekked from Central Park to Chinatown on Monday. After Times Square, we headed towards Union Square in search of food.
Along the way, we stumbled upon Bryant Park.
We also found this sketch of Manhattan sitting outside a gift shop. A pencil drawing (!!!). It took Krikko, the artist, 4 years and 2496 pencils to complete this drawing.
I was completely blown away. I mean, is this not the coolest thing ever?
And then a few blocks later, we saw the actual Empire State Building.
We also walked through Eataly, a new Italian marketplace opened by Iron Chef Mario Batali and other restauranteurs, Joe Bastianich, Lidia Matticchio Bastianich and Oscar Farinetti.
The place reminded me of a museum! There were different sections based on the type of food (seafood, meat, vegetables, pasta, gelato, etc.). We didn’t stay long because we were hungry. While there was plenty of food in Eataly, we were going for something a little more casual.
Two blocks before Union Square (where Whole Foods is located), we stopped by Garden of Eden and for some odd reason, I decided to get their salad bar to eat for lunch.
I’m still unsure why I didn’t just walk 2 more blocks to eat at the amazing WFs hot bar. We later walked through WFs to see what we missed out on and there were many many more delicious options in their prepared foods section. Oh well.
It was still good though! I got a little bit of everything: tofu crunch salad, sweet potato, turnips, shrimp, a brussels sprout, avocado salad, hearts of palm, Greek yogurt, berries, granola, and a lentil ball.
1 pound of food!
It may have been this lentil ball that convinced me to eat at Garden of Eden instead of Whole Foods. I was so intrigued by this thing. It tasted exactly like it looks–beany, hearty and a little bit mushy. I liked it a lot!
I also split a huge grapefruit with my dad.
We ate in Union Square Park right by this statue.
After fueling up, we walked through the Union Square Farmer’s Market and continued to explore until it was time for us to go our separate ways.
I went to a small blogger meet up while my dad walked to Chinatown.
I met up with Sharon and Rachel at Babycakes Bakery. Babycakes has been on my Bakery Bucket List for awhile now and I finally got to go!
I knew exactly what I wanted and I’m sure you can guess which cupcake I chose 
.
Spelt Flour Carrot Cake Cupcake!
Mmm!! It was one of the moistest cupcakes I’ve eaten.
Yeah, I said it…moistest.
Moistest. Moistest. Moistest.
My lovely company. Thanks girls for coming out to chat with me! Next time I’ll choose a less obscure time to meet up so more people can come!
Sharon brought me a few of her Pumpkin Oat Choco Chip Muffins that were delicious. They made great traveling snacks.
Then I walked to Chinatown to meet up with my dad.
We window shopped a bit and then bought some pastries/desserts at Canal Cafe Bakery Inc. to take back with us.
Afterwards, we walked ALLLL the way back up to our hotel by Central Park (!!!).
Ha! Just kidding. We took the Subway. My legs surely would have slapped me in the face if I walked anymore that day.
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Can you believe this and part II ALL happened in ONE day?! Needless to say I was exhausted.
Up next: The last segment of my trip! Then we’ll be back to regular posting.
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Tell me: What is one restaurant/bakery on your bucket list?