Happy Birthday Mom!

For the first time in a long time, I had the opportunity to spend the weekend with just my family - my birth family; Mom, older brother, and younger sister (but, unfortunately, missing Dad).  It was my mom's 70th birthday, so we decided to get together and head to the City to see the tree at Rockefeller Center, take in a show, and have dinner to celebrate the occasion.  Given the description of "birth family", the day could have gone a number of ways, but luckily, it really turned out to be a terrific time.

First.  The tree was great - big and bright and everything that the City is about at Christmastime.  Second.  The show, Sister Act, was an unbelievable surprise - so funny, great acting, amazing vocals, and 3rd row!  And last but not least, the shining star of the day, was our dinner at Saxon + Parole in the East Village at Bowery and Bleeker (http://www.saxonandparole.com/).  One of the owners is an architect at the amazing firm AvroKO who designed the space (http://www.avroko.com/), and is a good friend/colleague of my brother's, so needless-to-say, he didn't let us down...

Even though I'm now favorably bias to this restaurant after being treated like a VIP, the place actually does has phenomenal food, an incredible wine list (and wine room), lots of fun, savory drinks, and an interior that makes me want to specialize in hospitality design.  The name of it, or reference to it on its signage and logo, suggests a fresh equestrian vibe.  With recycled barnboard covering the walls, horse blankets suspended by leather-strapping that partition the bar from the dining space, and horseshoes hanging from the rafters in the ceiling, it's easy to settle in and warm up next to a candlelit fire... 





www.saxonandparole.com

So, Happy Birthday Mom!  I'm glad that we behaved for you and that you really did have a great day...