New York City!!!
The last week of September brought me to New York City for a business trip. It was an all-female 4 days of a good mix of work and play in the Big Apple. The six women who joined me represented four talented colleagues of mine from across the country as well as two amazing women from one of our top vendors. Besides having a great time shopping, sight-seeing and eating out, we also accomplished our business goals and I now have six strong businesswomen to look to for mentorship and guidance in my career. I've included some of the highlights below...
Times Square
You can't get much better accommodations than the Crowne Plaza in Times Square! I enjoyed a king-size room on the 45th floor with a great view of the city out my window and all the amenities the hotel had to offer.
The first night, we ate at the Olive Garden in Times Square then wandered through the tourist shops and people-watched. Our hotel was located right beside the Hershey's store and across the street from the M'n'Ms store so we took some time to check out the chocolates of course.
The first night, we ate at the Olive Garden in Times Square then wandered through the tourist shops and people-watched. Our hotel was located right beside the Hershey's store and across the street from the M'n'Ms store so we took some time to check out the chocolates of course.
Sight-Seeing & Shopping
We had the hop-on hop-off bus passes for the days we were there and did the full route of the downtown tour bus which started off in Times Square and took us through Chinatown, Soho, Little Italy, Fifth Avenue, Wall Street, by the Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden, etc. We got off and had lunch and did some shopping at Century 21 - like a high-end Winners - and then headed to Macy's.
The second day took us shopping on Canal Street where the ladies scored some killer handbags, watches, and other brand name goods. We were lead into many back rooms and did a lot of wheeling and dealing to make the most of our purchases.
The second day took us shopping on Canal Street where the ladies scored some killer handbags, watches, and other brand name goods. We were lead into many back rooms and did a lot of wheeling and dealing to make the most of our purchases.
A Night of Broadway
Thursday night we had a 3-course dinner at the Russian Tea Room (amazing food!) and then went to see La Cage Aux Folles on Broadway. The musical starred Kelsey Grammer and was a hilarious story complete with gay drag queens, skimpy outfitted men, and a whole lotta dancing and singing!
Our seats were about 10 rows from the front in the centre so we had an awesome view. Kelsey Grammer was great and Douglas Hodge who played his gay lover and the lead drag queen Sza Sza was an absolute riot! If you get the chance to see this play, take it.
Our seats were about 10 rows from the front in the centre so we had an awesome view. Kelsey Grammer was great and Douglas Hodge who played his gay lover and the lead drag queen Sza Sza was an absolute riot! If you get the chance to see this play, take it.
A Dream Night...
The final night in NYC started off with a stretch limo ride to the River Cafe located on the water right under the Brooklyn Bridge. This restuarant is one of the top restaurants in New York and is seen in a lot of TV shows and films. Royalty and all of the big political and social figures of NYC. It serves some amazing seafood dishes and has won numerous awards for its food.
We started with an amuse-bouche of a tomato soup and croustini, then had our choice of appetizer, main and dessert. I tried the chef's special appetizer which was lobster stuffed crab in a puree of deliciousness, then I had the Mediterranean sea bass entree (indescribably good) and finished with a lime-coconut souffle. Mmmmmmm!
We then took the limo to the Empire State Building and went up to the top to see the city's lights from above. The night was very clear, making the view incredible. What a way to finish our trip!
I flew home the next morning back to Ottawa to unpack, repack and drive to Toronto on Sunday for another work conference in Mississauga.
We started with an amuse-bouche of a tomato soup and croustini, then had our choice of appetizer, main and dessert. I tried the chef's special appetizer which was lobster stuffed crab in a puree of deliciousness, then I had the Mediterranean sea bass entree (indescribably good) and finished with a lime-coconut souffle. Mmmmmmm!
We then took the limo to the Empire State Building and went up to the top to see the city's lights from above. The night was very clear, making the view incredible. What a way to finish our trip!
I flew home the next morning back to Ottawa to unpack, repack and drive to Toronto on Sunday for another work conference in Mississauga.