#artpost - Richard Estes

I don't know much about art but I know what I like and what I don't and sometimes that's all I need to worry about as I'm strolling, hand in hand, down one of the many aisles in one of the many museums that we visit from time to time.

Last weekend we stumbled across the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza‎ during a walk around Madrid and being a sucker for gift shops I remembered that I'd read in AD mag just how good this one was. In fact... As soon as I'd got in line with my handful of goodies I knew I was being a fool for not making us pay the small price and having a quick look around. So... We strategically placed our pile of things in a 'save for later' spot and headed for the ticket desk.

The museum is one of three in the golden triangle of art in Madrid, along with the Prado and Reina Sofia, and houses a full timeline of pieces that the latter don't. It's the second largest personal collection in the world and we saw everything from a royal portrait of Henry VIII to Picasso to Monet to Edward Hopper. 

Of everything in there, one set caught my eye and I was already desperate to see what prints they had in the shop on the way out... They were three pieces by a guy called Richard Estes, well known for his hyperrealism style and his paintings based around 1960's New York. The first picture and my favourite of the three, we managed to find a small copy in the gift shop which is currently hanging in our lounge with our NYC memorabilia sitting closely nearby...  Along with everything being so colourful and clean cut.. the paintings make you feel like you've caught New York on a Sunday morning just before the rest of the city wakes.

If you ever have the chance to visit Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza‎, do it... whether you're an art buff or not... The building itself and it's front patio are worth the wander over alone. Oh, and the gift shop of course!

#foodpost - Stuffing our Faces in New York City

So, we got back a week ago and luckily for us our post travelling blues were curbed by the thoughts of seeing our family and friends after such a long time. Not to mention Christmas in the UK.... TV dramas on the sofa, piles of mince pies, Christmas decorations in Manchester city centre and all the warm pubs to get merry in.

I didn't want to write a huge post on our time in New York because I think it would be impossible. We crammed as much into our time there as possible and I really wouldn't know where to start! But.... I did think a post about food wouldn't be so bad... We ate enough of it!! 

So... As sad as it sounds... Here's a big list of our favourite places we found/hunted down/were told we had to go to in New York. 

Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company, Astoria coconut bagel with honey, bacon, sriracha cream cheese + poppyseed bagel with pumpkin cream cheese @bkbagelny

Juniors, Grand Central classic cheesecake @JuniorsCheeseck

Beers and Buns in Korea town kimchi bun

Baohaus, East Village Taiwanese steamed bun place owned by Fresh Off the Boat's Eddie Huang - fried chicken bao @baohausnyc

Queens Comfort, Astoria chicken biscuit benedict, chicken and waffles, cheese, bacon, fried egg, english muffin and tots and almond champagne BYOB! The best brunch you'll ever have! @queenscomfort

Los Tacos No.1, Chelsea Market adobada style @lostacos1

Artichoke Pizza, Chelsea pizza with artichokes, spinach, cream sauce, mozzarella and romano cheese @artichokepizza

Dough Doughnuts, Flat Iron & Brooklyn Roasting Company cinnamon sugar, café au lait, mocha-almond crunch, cheesecake @doughdoughnuts @brooklynroasting

Xi'an Famous Foods, off Times Sq. spicy cumin lamb soup, broad noodles with oxtail... The most delish Chinese food ever @xianfoods

Papaya King, St. Marks daaawgs with onions, sauerkraut, ketchup and mustard 

$1 pizza route, East Village & Soho

Cannoli, Little Italy pistachio and classic

Katz Deli, East Village pastrami reuben sandwich in the Jewish deli from When Harry met Sally @katzdeli

Fuku, East Village fried chicken sandwich at the David Chang, Lucky Peach magazine owned restaurant @momolongplay @luckypeach

Churros in Central Park

Meltkraft, Greenwich Village grilled cheese @meltkraft

Insomnia Cookies, Greenwich Village choc chunk, peanut butter & brownie @insomniacookiesofficial

Genuine Liquorette, Little Italy/China Town paloma, dark and stormy, jamo and ginga @genuineliquorette

Mighty Quinns, Hudson Eats, Brookfield Place pulled pork BBQ sandwich, pickles, slaw and burnt ends beans @mightyquinnsbbq

Sprinkles, Hudson Eats, Brookfield Place coconut, chocolate cupcake @sprinklescupcakes

Shake Shack, Brooklyn smokeshack burger and shroom burger @shakeshack

McSorley's Old Ale House, East Village you order either light or dark beer and they bring two... Visited by Abraham Lincoln

And my favourite meal of all.... 

Yaya and Kyle's going HAM on the best leaving pancakes ever

New York, we love you!