NYC: Sanfords for Brunch

For my brunch girlies, if you have not been to Sanfords in Astoria yet take this as a sign to go soon!

Their website states they serve New American comfort fare, which basically means comfort food to me. I went for Sunday brunch and everything we ordered did not disappoint. The entrees were HUGE and the appetizers were a good size for sharing too!

On the brunch menu, they did have an option of upgrading your drinks for their boozy brunch service, which meant you get two alcoholic drinks for $10. Their cocktail list looked so yummy so I opted out of that and instead went with a Paloma inspired drink.

Here are my tips if you plan on heading there for brunch: make a reservation to avoid a wait and go before or after brunch rush (i.e. avoid 11:30 am - 1:30 pm).

The restaurant is located off the N, W trains making it an easy spot to travel to by train (or car for that instance).

Let me know if you’ve been or plan on going!

Post has been updated to include Reel*

NYC: 5 Queens Bars to Support

New York City is slowly starting to open up. The streets aren’t filled with its usual hustle and bustle but the locals are slowly starting to reemerge. It’s bittersweet to be “allowed” back outside and back to our routines. Personally, I still have reservations about these phases and want to do as much as possible to support the local businesses in my borough. One of the ways I plan to continue to support my favorite spots is through to-go cocktails.

It’s turn into a somewhat ritual, where someone in our pod will collect orders, head out to the bar of choice, and the others organize appetizers for Happy Hour. It’s not as rambunctious as I remember them previously being but it’s still fun to break up the WFH day with friends and drinks.

If you’re in Queens, or wanting to take a trip, here are the 5 bars you need to check out:

As always, please call ahead to make sure they’re open. Times are weird!

Let me know if you ended up checking any of these out or if there are some names I should add to the list.

NYC: 8 Things to Do This Winter

At the start of any fresh year, I would normally list out my resolutions and goals. Sometimes they’re practical but usually, they’re a little too ambitious and one too many. This year I won’t be sharing my 2020 goals but instead continue to work on my finances, my home, creativity, and wellness.

Keeping that in mind, I’m sharing eight things anyone and everyone can participate during this warm winter.

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1. Go Ice Skating
There’s an ice skating rink in nearly every borough so there’s no excuse to not venture out to one. Plus, getting in the rink is so much fun! It’s the perfect date idea, good for groups, and a sure-fire way to make memories and laughter. Pro Tip: Bring your own skates so you can avoid paying rental fees + it’s a bit more sanitary.

2. Take a Day Trip to Belleayre Mountain
Put on your Heat Tech layers, ski coat, and take a day trip up to the Mountains for a day filled with skiing or snowboarding. Compared to Hunter Mountain it’s less crowded and more affordable. If you’re a beginner, like me, you could rent equipment and practice on the Bunny Slopes. And once you tire out head to the Ski Lodge for a drink or two. Spoiler alert: you will need a car for this.

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3. Warm Up with Ramen
This city is filled with amazing cuisines, one of them being Ramen. The spots I love are pretty small and can quickly fill out so I highly recommend showing up at least 30 minutes before the doors open for dinner. It’s recommended, because of the size of most ramen restaurants, that you dine solo or bring a friend but more than three people might cause a longer wait. A few spots I recommend: Ippudo, Totto Ramen, and Mu Ramen.

4. Cheer on the New York Rangers
There’s something wild about Hockey. I’m not sure if it’s the crowd, the chanting, or the fighting but whatever it is - it’s working. My partner and I have tickets to catch a game later this month and I am SO EXCITED.

5. Join a Studio and Participate in Their January Challenge
At the start of every year, all fitness studios start their membership challenges. Pick one and commit! It’s a great way to learn all the poses for a class, meet new people, and get into a healthy habit. A few studios I love without a doubt are Barre3, Y7 Studio, Fhitting Room, and SLT.

Not ready to commit to a full month just yet? Then sign up for a Classpass membership for studio flexibility.

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6. Spend the Day Visiting Local Breweries
NYC has been blessed with a micro-brewery renaissance and it’s freaking amazing. We no longer have to ride out to Hudson Valley for a good pour! Instead, hop on the 7 or L train and have a DAY with friends. Some are even situated next to other spots, ahem, the LIC trifecta.

7. Have a Spa Day at Spa Castle
Spa Castle is somewhat of a local gem in Flushing, Queens. It’s a couple of floors that house saunas, specialized massages, various pools, and an eatery. They regularly host discounts on groupons but as an insider, it’s best to visit during the weekday when there’s less foot traffic.

8. Spend the Day Reading Indoors
And for those days that are blistering cold…skip the outdoors and stay indoors curled up with a good book and a weighted blanket. Goodreads and NYPL regularly release lists of must-reads or you can pick up the book I’m currently reading now, The Sellout by Paul Beatty.

If you loved this post then you might enjoy my other NYC posts!