CITY LOVE : CAFETERIA

I haven’t wanted to live in the city my entire life, it is more of a desire that developed over time.  I grew up in the small town of Kingsport, Tennessee, where the mountains are endless and people you don’t even know will smile at you when you walk down the street.  When I was 13 years old, I got some news that would change my life forever. 

I was walking out of my basketball game for the Ross N. Robinson Indians.  Our team had just won and I had scored $5 from my parents for fouling out of the game.  I was shy as a child and mom and dad were always encouraging me to “get in there and be more aggressive!”  As we climbed into the car with my little sister Ali, my Dad said, “Girls, I have something very important and exciting to tell you.  We are going to be moving to Singapore at the end of the year!” My heart quickened and I got that excited/nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach.  I was excited about the chance for adventure that living in a new country would bring, but nervous at the same time because I didn’t know what to expect.  I will never forget that night.

A year later we moved to Singapore.  A year after that, we moved to Tokyo, Japan for my first two years of high school.  I immediately fell in love with the big city!  The freedom, the energy, new places to explore around every corner, I couldn’t get enough!  When we moved back to the states, I was happy and sad all at the same time.  I was glad to be back with my friends and enjoy some good ol’ American food, but at the same time, I missed the fast paced lifestyle of the Asian culture. 

When I graduated college, I knew I wanted the chance to experience everything a big city has to offer again. I made the move to Madison, NJ, just 25 miles outside of New York City and to say I like New York is the understatement of the century!  I can’t get enough of this amazing city!  I enjoy exploring new places and experiencing new things, whether it is a Broadway play or a delicious restaurant.   I want to share with you my favorite finds, so I have decided to start blogging about my “City Loves” every Friday.

This week I want to share one of my favorite spots for a weekend brunch.  The restaurant is Cafeteria.  Cafeteria is located on 17^th street and 7^th avenue, in the heart of Chelsea.   It has a totally fresh vibe that makes you feel important and right at home, all at the same time.  They are known for serving American comfort food in a unique way and are frequently visited by celebrities like Blake Lively and Emma Stone.  My favorite dish is the lemon ricotta pancakes, but I would also recommend the buttermilk waffle with berries and cinnamon cream.  Both are DELICIOUS!  A few of their other specialties include their macaroni and cheese and their blackberry lemonade.  Next time you are in the neighborhood, try it out and let me know what you think!

Enjoying a delicious Sunday brunch with my sister Ali at Cafeteria.

HAVE A FABULOUS FRIDAY!