HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

Happy holidays, my dear friends!! I am leaving for Asia in a less than 12 hours and of course cannot bring myself to finish packing! What else is new.

I hope you have all been really getting into the holiday spirit - especially with the recent onslaught of BLIZZARD activities!!! Despite the torrential downpour of snow ruining any potential of having a social life on Saturday night, it at least allowed me to 1. watch Blades of Glory on TV and 2. get a good night's sleep in order to prepare for a field trip to the Guggenheim on Sunday.


I hadn't been to the Guggenheim in a while, so I was happy to be able to catch the Kandinsky exhibit in its last few days on view.

But before we embarked upon our trek around the circular corridors of the Guggenheim, we decided to dine in the museum's very-recently-opened restaurant, The Wright.


As you can see the interior design of the The Wright is exceptionally modern and unique. The design of the bar area also ties back to the architecture of the museum itself - an homage to the museum's architect, Frank Lloyd Wright.


I started with the Roasted Red and Golden Beets, Sheep's Milk Cheese, Citrus, and Pistachio appetizer. Fresh and substantial. As naturally rich as vegetables can get.


I then ordered the Lobster Roll Brioche (let me see your surprised face). It wasn't the best lobster roll I've had...actually didn't even come close. They put LETTUCE in their sandwich!!! I mean, come on!!! And the roll wasn't the best carb to waste your calories on. Don't get me wrong - the sandwich was definitely edible...but if you're expecting a lobster roll, bring your hopes back down to Earth. The lobster roll slip-up, however, is by no means a reason why I will not return to The Wright. The overall quality of the food and environment of the restaurant is enough to warrant a return...to try a different dish.


Dessert really made the meal for me. I shared the Spiced Pumpkin and Chocolate Cake with Pumpkin Sauce and Pumpkin Seed Oil Ice Cream. Absolutely DELICIOUS.


Who would have thought that there would this soft, cool pumpkin puree would hiding underneath that soft layer of dark chocolate!?! Basically a slice of pumpkin pie dipped in chocolate. HEAVEN. Mixed with the pumpkin seed oil ice cream!?!?! HEAVEN WRAPPED IN HEAVEN AND THEN TOPPED WITH HEAVEN AND THEN DIPPED IN HEAVEN.

The service at The Wright was also notable - the servers were constantly attentive, wanted feedback, and were extremely friendly. Even the manager came to converse with our table. This kind of interaction always makes me want to revisit a restaurant.

And onto the exhibit. There was of course, the typical Kandinsky pieces - bright, colorful, abstract. Some pieces that caught my eye:



And other smaller works of his on paper that I had never seen before. I absolutely loved this softer, more precise and intentional side of his work.



After we had wound our way up and then down the museum, we noticed a lot of hustle and bustle in the lobby. We just so happened to be lucky enough to come on the same day as the Guggenheim's FREE HOLIDAY CONCERT!!!!


They handed out tons and tons of small Christmas cookies, cider, and juices.


And the sounds of the Vox Vocal Ensemble filled the air as they sang and walked around and around the museum's upper levels. The acoustics in this building are phenomenal!!!


They finally made their way down to the lobby level and put on a truly delightful performance of Christmas songs. There were even several songs where the audience was encouraged to sing along!!!! I left the Guggenheim on Sunday evening full of the holiday spirit and so thankful that I live in New York City!!! I hope that each of you find that special spark this season and I wish you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

I am off to Shanghai and Seoul until January 3rd...it is my intention to blog throughout the trip, but I'm not really sure how blogging works in China...so I'll take the opportunity now to also say HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!