Saturday Successes

this past Saturday, i did so many things. so many good things, i might add.

for starters, i had what i will consider the first successful run (ahem, jog) in a week or so, in that my leg wasn’t locking up or as painful as it has been, thank God. i was sore (due to doing so many squats/lunges etc the day prior), but it wasn’t painful like it had been. i think it’s safe to say i’m on the up-and-up there. success #1: 7-8 mile riverside run. slow, sore, but steady. i’ll take it.

we then did a little jaunt to Astoria so the boy could buy a car! success #2. i don’t claim to know anything about cars, but i really like this one, and he’s super happy, so it was worth celebrating. we then headed back to Manhattan to brunch. we had no plan, but fortuitously stumbled upon one of the best brunch spots i’ve encountered in a while: White Oak Tavern. located on Waverly & Green St. right near Washington Square Park, this place was such a lucky find and we are already stoked to return. we split the Benedict (minus the sauce, i’m so picky) and the Avocado on Toast, and both were amaaaazing. success #3. i was sad to see the food leaving my plate, it was so good.

White Oak has a rustic-meets-Prohibition sort of vibe, with large-print floral wallpaper and shelves of books and antiques above the bar and along the windows that give it a definite throwback-to-another-era feel — in the best way possible. There are little jars of wildflowers on the tables & heavy drapes & hanging lights & communal plank tables in the middle & a craft cocktail list & just all things country charm. i definitely recommend this place.

photo taken from Yelp

to cap off a pretty great day, we had a fun date planned for last night: Tyler had surprised me with tickets to Aladdin on Broadway as one of my Christmas gifts! this was one of my favorite movies growing up, and i’ve been saying i need to see the show since it came out, so i was really stoked. it was also his first Broadway experience, which is always fun!

we started off with dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, 44 & X. this place is the epitome simple elegance and has a unique, extensive, amazing menu, so i never tired of going here. success #4.

we shared the Mediterranean Chopped salad, and then i went with the Maine Lobster Taco appetizer as my meal, which was so simple and delicious: just boiled lobster and pico de gallo in a grilled soft taco, topped with avocado. it was awesome.

yes i know i need to get better at this food-photo thing. yeesh.

the pinnacle of this amazing day was, of course, seeing Aladdin that night — this was a maaaaaajor success (#5).

Aladdin was one of my all-time favorite movies growing up, and let me tell you — if you liked the movie, you’ll love the show. they add a few Broadway-esque songs and change a couple of things, but overall, it’s very true to the Disney movie and so entertaining. lots of energy, lots of laughs, and more sequins and sparkle than i’ve ever seen in one place in my entire life. oh, and the magic carpet ride & “A Whole New World” part was breathtaking. seriously one of the most beautiful things i’ve ever seen done on stage.

i realize that i need to get myself to the theater more! i really have no excuses, given that i live in the Theater District and love going to shows. this was my idea of a perfect NYC date night that i hope to recreate again and again.

hope your weeks start off well, friends!

Any theater lovers? Last show you saw? Any specific shows you want to see?
Tell me something good from your weekend!

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