SUNDAY. This day conjures up many things for many people; a day of rest for some religions, a lazy day on the couch to relax before the work week ahead, a day of traffic jams and delays at airports to get home from a relaxing getaway.
Manhattanites, looking for any excuse to drink have taken this day to a whole other level. In this town, the end of the weekend is known as Sunday Funday. Whether your Funday consists of dancing on a table at a MePa hotspot, a boozy brunch with bloodies in SoHo, football and beer all day at a Murray Hill sports bar, a late afternoon wine and cheese session, or pre and post-theater drinks, there's something for everyone in the Big Apple.
My Funday has for the past few weeks included J&J, otherwise known as my parents. You may think this means my Fundays have been less Funday and more Sunday. However, these two still know how to bring it! Today's adventure started with a coin toss between the ultra posh Plaza Food Hall and Eataly, Mario Batali's latest venture, a Costco sized (or at least what feels like a Costco size) Italian superstore. Since there was no actual coin toss and just the three of us weighing (arguing?) pros and cons in the car, we went with Eataly. Not because I don't love the Plaza, but because Poppa J and I could not bear the thought of having to deal with all the tourists at 57th and 5th this week. Don't get me wrong, I love that I live in the greatest city on Earth and with that means tons of people visiting. However, the holiday seasoning is sometimes maddening in that part of town.
Anyway, we thought we had this brilliant idea of not going to the shopping center of the world and even found a spot on the street (yup, no expensive garages on this funday!). To our dismay, Eataly was so crowded we couldn't even get near a take out counter. Rather than get back in the car, we walked over to Bar Stuzzichini, an old haunt of myself and my two gals, G & L. This place was perfect. Wine, cheese and assortment of small Italian plates, made it an entirely enjoyable Funday. Given the way I felt after last night's activities, dancing on a table at Bagatelle was not going to work for me. Plus, I don't think Poppa J would've been to happy with Momma J and I up on a table. So, while this week's Funday will not end with a Monday breakfast of Emetrol (baby nausea medicine), it was still fabulous.
Also, just so you my dear friends know, despite my above adventure, there are plenty of (bleary eyed) Sundays when I'm perfectly content to sit on the couch, read the New York Times, drink a venti coffee from bux and have a bagel and lox.
Whatever your Funday preferences are, check back here for updates on Funday spots to check out.
