MUNCH-AND-GO.

Not to harbor on the past, but NY was particularly blessed this past weekend with some amazing WEATHER. The sun was shining brightly and temperatures soared higher than they have reached all year. It is important to take full advantage of days such as these - which means attempting to do EVERYTHING you normally do inside, OUTSIDE!!!! One of my favorite inside-out things is...you guessed it, EATING. Here are a few ideas on where to munch-and-go throughout the city!!

I wandered to the Ace Hotel during lunch time (which, BTW, is like the most AMAZING HOTEL) to investigate their newly opened sandwich shop - No. 7 Sub. Before walking down, I took a look at the menu and was absolutely floored. First of all, an impressive 6/10 of their sandwiches are suitable for pescetarians (3 of which are completely vegetarian). Second of all, I am 99% positive that 10/10 of their sandwiches are ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS.

No. 7 Sub makes truly unique sandwiches - challenging the status quo of what is considered a condiment. I have never seen a fried lemon before, let alone on a sub. Lychee muchim, candied wasabi, pappadam??? The ingredients used at No. 7 Sub surpass the concept of 'gourmet'. Not to appear ga-ga crazy, but even the BREAD was fantastic...and maybe even key.


We grabbed our doggy bags and walked over to Greeley Square to take a seat amongst the tulips. I couldn't decide which sandwich I wanted to try on my first visit, but luckily my friend was willing to split two different subs with me.


The Ceviche sandwich was accompanied by cucumber, red onion, avocado, fried hominy, and Leche de Tiger mayo. I loved the Latin flavor of this sub. I'm not sure what Leche de Tiger is but I'm assuming it has something to do with lemons - this played really well with the freshness of the cucumber, the onion, the creaminess of the avocado, and the crunchiness from the hominy (dried corn kernels).


The Eggplant Parm sandwich with fontina, yellow squash, pickled jalapenos, and BBQ potato chips was OUT of this world and definitely my favorite of the two. I am still salivating over the amazing texture and added crunch of the chips. You surprisingly can't go wrong by adding too many elements to a sandwich!!!


You can count on Madison Square Park being completely inundated with overexcited New Yorkers on a warm, sunny day. Seeing the sun for the first time in 4-5 months can do crazy things to a person - like make him/her think it is entirely reasonable to stand 1 hour and 30 minutes in queue for a milkshake. The line for Shake Shack was practically wrapped around the park! But I just HAD to get my hands on a Fluffernutter Concrete with banana slices. ERRRMMGGG marshmallow, peanut butter, and banana?!?!?? In melt-y ice cream form!?!?!? Pinch me, please.


On sunny days, my all-time-favorite food concourse, CHELSEA MARKET, becomes even better. Due to its close proximity to the High Line park, I am able to purchase sushi from The Lobster Place and leisurely watch traffic from a safe and comfortable vantage point as I chow down. Let me make a little analogy that only New Yorkers would understand: Chelsea Market is to the High Line as the Whole Foods in Columbus Circle is to Central Park. Both food-purveyors are necessary for those that believe a "picnic" in the park simply involves picking up food-to-go before entering a grassy area.


I was on the hunt for something sweet afterward, and was fortunate enough to run into the VAN LEEUWEN artisan ice cream truck parked in the Meatpacking District!! I ordered a cup of Giandujia (hazelnut and chocolate) and Earl Grey. The Earl Grey flavor was so unconventional and tasted wonderful. I never realized how well milky tea would translate into ice cream!!!

Here's to many more beautiful weekends in the city.