Best Mom and Dad Came to Town and We Ate Everything (As Usual)

Well, the other week Mom and Dad came to town. The first night they got in real late but Mom and I ate at Parm. Dad went to bed. Then the next day we took a special tour of the Federal Reserve and saw all the gold (around $350 billion dollars worth) and got to hold a gold bar (they way 28 pounds and are worth more than $500,000 these days). It was probably the coolest thing we did on their whole trip, and I've only got one picture. THAT IS NOT MOM. Quit it, you guys. That's Melanee, from college, she was in town with friends and was on our special tour, too.

After the tour I took my folks to Mile End. Here's the Smoked Meat Poutine

Mom had the Smoked Meat Burger. She had come to New York with a burger curiosity.

I had their maple-glazed hot dog with jalepeno cream cheese and crispy shallots.

But on the bill it was called the Happy Dog.

Also enjoyed a lovely colorful pickle plate.

Then we took our naps. And then I took them to grab a Pork Pancake from Spicy Village.

Then we went up to the NY Historical Society.

Check out this Headless Horseman statue. The artist seems to think the horseman was not a supernatural entity? And that his pumpkin wore a coonskin cap?

Boss Tweed Snake Jug.

Then we went to the Carole King musical, "Beautiful." It was right up my mom's alley.

Then we late-dinnered at Bill's Burger & Bar. I hadn't been there for four years. I remembered the Bill's Burger being excellent. Guess what? I was right! It IS excellent, a magnificent example of a smash burger. I re-recommend it to everyone!

Saturday morning we went to Dominique Ansel to drink hot chocolates and to not eat Cronuts. DKA 4 Life.

Here Dad debuted his new "For Arms" jacket wearing style.

Then we saw the Once musical. It was good, but I like funny zany musicals, I realized. Still, it was worth seeing. Once.

Then we dinnered at Marco's in Brooklyn. This is a very nice slightly fancier Italian restaurant. It was a winner of a meal.

Olives!

Crumbled cheese with honey and almonds!

Fiddle head Ferns with lemon oil.

Scallops and Clams.

Grilled Cabbage.

Polenta.

Fried potatoes.

There were other foods, too, but the photos didn't turn out well.

After dinner, dessert at Ample Hills. You can just add me to your list of people you've seen post a picture of their pretzel cone.

Then the next day we Mother's Day Brunched at the Breslin. They put us in our own curtained booth . . .

. . . with a nice view of the art.

Started off with some ridiculous scones. Put these on your Breslin must-list.

Dad had grapefruit. I hear it was good. Ok.

And he ordered the Lamb Burger which I KNOW is good.

The table shared an oven-roasted grilled cheese (so I guess it wasn't grilled at all?)

Mom had the Walnut Pancakes. Not the most gigantic stack you'll ever see, but they're mad tasty.

I had this baked egg and chorizo dish, I can't really remember what the idea with it was. But it was good.

We poked into a heavily-incensed church after lunch.

And then, after attending non-incense church, had a look at the Phoenixes at St. John the Divine's.

Then we went back down to Chinatown and had dinner at Bassanova Ramen. It was a huge hit with my folks. Who'dve guessed?

Like everyone, they were a little thrown by the Bassanova dumplings at first sight.

Dad showed Mom how to finish off a bowl of ramen the authentic way.

Then I couldn't help but introduce them to the Chong Qing Chicken at Famous Sichuan. They were real good sports about it.

THEN we went to Big Gay Ice Cream. And I learned that the behind-the-scenes name for a twist cone with sprinkles and chocolate dip is a "Berlin."

Look! It's me!

Ok, then on Monday we started off at the MoMA:

Painting. Not an out of focus photo.

Lunch in the Plaza Food Hall, a No. 7 Subs ham sandwich.

Then we ate Coconut Cream Pie in the park.

Family photos in the park.

Mom and Dad went to the Met and I had a little personal park time before going home. Look at this giant raccoon way up a tree in broad daylight! (you might have to click or squint to see how giant it is)

This summer's central park art installation: Blue Clouds.

That evening we went to dinner at Fatty Cue in the West Village.

Foods eaten included their fried chicken bao,

Pork Ribs in fish sauce,

Cheddar mashed potatoes and bacon.

Korean fried chicken with curried greens.

Roasted carrots and ramps.

And the brisket.

And that was it! That was my Parents' great trip to New York. (Except their flight got delayed, then un-delayed, then re-delayed). But you know what else was also "That's It"? Fatty Cue. Just found out it closed this weekend. We only just barely got to eat there! It was good. Oh well.