the loft on broome

So, as I begin this adventure of blogging I suppose it's only natural to start off by telling you where I'm coming from. Over 10 years ago, just shy of my 25th birthday, I told my parents I wanted to move to New York City to attend culinary school for pastry at the French Culinary Institute. Not knowing anyone there and, of course, being their youngest child, they weren't as excited as I was about the opportunity. Well, needless to say they helped me load up a U-haul truck, and off we went. Their feelings of skepticism didn't diminish upon arriving in the big city. I'm not sure if it was the graffiti on the front door of my building, the psychic reader downstairs, or the blood red, send-you-to-the-looney-bin paint that was on the wall in the bedroom area. While I felt horrible that they were scratching their heads and wondering if it was such a good idea to leave me there alone, and that I was potentially going to give them a heart attack in the process...I was in heaven. I thought I was the luckiest girl in the world to be where I was at that moment. I was in an exciting city and living across the street from where I would be attending pastry classes. Did I mention that Dean and Deluca was down the street? Or, that within 24 hours of being there, I ran into Vince Vaughn at the grocery? How could this possibly be bad?! And there I was, beginning the most exciting phase of my life in the loft on Broome.

I hope you visit often and learn more about where that experience has led me. Cheers - to you and me...and to life's many adventures!

part two: New York City

Well, if the first part was enough to keep you interested in hearing more about me, I will give you an update to what happened next...

I graduated from the French Culinary Institute...with proud parents intact.

Then I went to work as a baker here:

 photo credit: magnolia bakery

Which you may have heard about from these ladies:

photo credit: sex and the city

Which seemed to propel the bakery into the stratosphere. We were featured in so many publications, including this article from Country Living magazine in 2000 (see me in red?):

Needless to say, the bakery continued to be featured in more magazines, movies, and newspapers around the world. When I worked there, the place would get packed, especially in the evenings. People didn't seem to mind stuffing themselves in this tiny space until there was no breathing room left. Well, the fire marshall had his say and now the place can only allow so many people in at once and a line forms around the corner and down the block. Totally nuts. I moved back to Florida shortly after this, but think about my time living there about every single day. What a vibrant and amazing city! And while working at Magnolia, I saw celebrities and all sorts of people that make life interesting. Magnolia's original owner recently sold the bakery to someone with growth plans. There are now multiple locations in the city as well as a new location in LA. I've heard others say the cupcakes aren't good anymore...and on some visits, I have to say, I agree. Sometimes, this is the unfortunate consequence of rapid growth and trying to please the ever-growing line outside.

I continue to visit the city as often as possible. I love the energy and innovation-if you want to see the latest trends in restaurant design, food, fashion, art...anything...you must go! I'm sure many of you have been, so please share your new finds or favorites. I always keep a running list of places I love to visit, and those on my radar to visit next, which I will share with you here.  I <heart> New York...always.