Our friend Ed took us out for the day in NYC and he told us he had the perfect place to take us for lunch. We arrived at 5 Napkin Burger! I think I did numerous dances and probably sang a bunch of show tunes due to my excitement. Other than NY pizza, I absolutely love a great burger. Plus we don’t really eat too many burgers in Shanghai so this was PERFECT.

We went to the location on the UWS of Manhattan, *sigh* my old stomping ground. When I first moved to the city, I lived in a 100 sq ft apartment on 64th and West End. (Yes you read that right, 100 sq ft) I started my graduate school at Juilliard and I had big hopes and dreams of becoming a piano professor or a super-duper concert pianist. Then reality quickly set in and although I finished, I realized it wasn’t my thing. Sad.

Anyway. Back to the burger! I got the Cali burger (it had me at avocados and ranch dressing), I have no idea (nor did I care) what the hubs and Ed got. I ate mine medium rare and it was juicy, flavorful and absolutely delicious. (I want to apologize for my veggie lover friends, this is definitely not the post for you)

The interior was nice, had a bar (I had a cold Amstel Light) and various chalkboard with lots of drawings. The staff was very nice, well.. that’s expected. This isn’t a fast food place so I totally expect it to have super service. I savored every single bite and afterwards was too full to do anything! Hubs and I were saying we should have shared a burger, I agree… though, it was totally worth the over stuffing.

After the food, Ed took us to the Lincoln Square Theatre to watch Men In Black. But of course we always do silly poses and I always take pictures and look at how silly they are. Such jokers. I ended up enjoying MIB even though I didn’t think I would. Had a few good laughs.

We walked over to Lincoln Center and my graduate school! All I have to say is “Awwwwwwww MAN!”, every time I graduate… all the cool stuff comes in. My undergrad had some major changes after I graduated and of course my graduate school has all the crazy nice stuff AFTER I left. *cries*

We went to the bookstore, which is actually a STORE now. When I was there it was a little hole in the wall and barely had anything there. I was happy to see they actually had t-shirts that weren’t ugly, so I bought one! I had fun showing them my old neighborhood. It brought back memories of when I didn’t have much money to get the hubs (then boyfriend) anything for his birthday. I brought him into my practice studio in the school and played the piano while singing “The Luckiest” by Ben Folds.

It was a lot of fun for us to spend the day in the city and eat till our bellies stick out.

What is your favorite kind of American food?

and

Have you visited your old school (HS/College/Grad) since you left?

I’m also asking about the food because I’m wondering if I missed anything delicious and will have to remind myself next time we go back to NY. Woohoo!