NYC-Boston 12-28Dec12 (Day 2)

Slow start to the day due to jet lag. But pulled ourselves out of the hotel at noon and rushed to the Empire State Building when we realised the off-peak hours were almost over. Think we caught the tailend of the window. Got through the security line and queues smoothly and enjoyed unobstructed view at all four facings. Then the crowd started to swell really quickly. Decided we've captured and seen enough so it was time to flee! Took us a considerable amount of time to get out as there are numerous waiting lines at the lifts. Thus note of advice is to go early or late (opens till 2am) in order to avoid an unpleasant experience.

Do also get the tourist booklet called New York Citypass (website) that includes 6 main attractions. For $89 I'd say it's well worth it as it'll save you money & more importantly, time (entitled to express queue at most attractions).

It was a day of mad rush as we were late for our lunch reservation too. Thank goodness they still welcomed us in with grace. Seems popular for a business lunch destination. One of the more formal dining places I've been to so make sure you're dressed suitably! Otherwise I can assure you'll feel rather out of place (like how I did). This 3 Michelin-starred restaurant is ranked 19 on the S. Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. It prides itself as a seafood-only restaurant and I found myself lusting for everything on the menu.

I don't usually talk about breads (not a fan of crumb carbs) but the salmon dip that came with the thin-crusted bread was simply divine. It was almost like a course by itself. We even asked for bread refills. Oytsters were normal. Hamachi sashimi was good. But one thing I fell in love with here is the "SURF and TURF" - uni on roasted bone marrow. Exquisite perfection. They were also very generous with the lobster and I like the half-cooked au naturel style. Don't usually like fish but the crispy black bass was very good too.

So now you know. The way to my heart is.... seafood ;)

Name: Le Bernardin *** (website)
Location: 155 West 51st Street  New York, NY 10019, United States
Expenditure: 284usd for 2, incl. a half bot of wine

Satisfied, we went to the nearby Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and walked around for over an hour until they closed at 5pm. Tiredness set in and we headed back to the hotel.

R&R-ed in preparation for the big NBA game between LA Lakers vs NY Knicks at 8pm. Brisk walked to Madison Square Garden from our hotel and got there JIT. The game was not the most exciting (Lakers was trailing by 20 over at one point) but it's the whole atmosphere and experience that counts right. What more...I got to see my childhood fav Kobe Bryant :D