Birthday Surprises

One of my favorite things to hear is that someone's birthday is coming up, mainly because it somewhat justifies the absurd amount of money spent on underground bars and trendy drinks. Why drink prices automatically double in price when the bar is underground is beyond me, but hey it's an experience right?

So when my boyfriends birthday approaches I always freak out a little because he's the type of person that 1. I never know what to get for him because he's a minimalist and always content with everything he already has (I need to be more like this) 2. doesn't show any emotion when actually opening the gift and 3. always tells me not to get him anything, but he actually means it. So panic mode overcame me when I realized it was October already and hadn't even started THINKING about his gift or what to do for it, but I think it turned out pretty well.

My boyfriend is from North Carolina and since he couldn't actually be home for his birthday I tried to think of the next best thing. And what better way to celebrate than bringing NC to NYC! My roommate  (also from NC) and I literally stumbled upon this brunch spot one day while strolling in the East Village called Cardinal. The owner is from Asheville, NC and the place is completely decked out with NC stuff all over the place. From the flag on the wall to the amazing fried chicken, biscuits and gravy I thought what better place to take him than a NC brunch spot

The funny thing is I took him here to get THIS meal and I'm the only one that ends up ordering it. He got a boring eggs, bacon and toast dish. Seriously? They even have Texas Pete hot sauce here, which is literally impossible to find in this city. Mine was CLEARLY better than his so we obviously had to make another trip to Cardinal one Saturday morning so he could get this infamous fried chicken, biscuits, gravy and sausage. (I don't even want to know how many calories is in that thing) 

Next Stop on our rendezvous: The Beekman Beer Garden! I have been wanting to come to this place ever since I heard it opened. It's an awesome beer garden overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge with ping pong tables, fooze ball tables, fire pits, sand and huge beer mugs. It would obviously be a better place to go to during the summer time, but there is really never a bad time to have a beer overlooking this amazing bridge especially watching the sunset.

To top the night off along with our NYC experience we went to 230 Fifth, a rooftop bar overlooking the Empire State building where they serve some of the best hot cider and whiskey with the best view. (Definitely perfect for a fall evening) If you go at night you will probably have to wait in line for a bit (Like most NYC hot spots) but it will definitely be worth it. Drinks may be overpriced, but because they monitor the line so well at the door it never gets too crowded up there unlike a lot of other overly crowded bars in the city.

Until next time!