the final days in nyc: food, friends & cleo sol
the meals got better, the memories deeper, and Cleo Sol left me emotional (in the best way).
And now… the grand finale, then it’s back to regular content. Although, let’s be real, this kind of content is a favorite of mine. I feel like a paid food critic… except no one’s reimbursing me (rude).
It’s been four days since we got back from New York, and I miss it already. I’m definitely plotting another fall trip. It’s funny; no matter how many times I visit, it always feels like the first.
Okay, let’s wrap this up. I promise it won’t last as long.
day 3: monday
It’s officially Cleo Sol day — the very reason all six of us booked this trip! I was first introduced to her music back in 2021 by my husband, and here’s a funny story: I bet $20 that he’d cry the moment she started singing… he didn’t, but I have to admit, I got a bit emotional a couple of times. But before we get to Cleo, I’ve got to tell you what we did and ate that morning!
Portrait Coffee hosted a pop-up at Joe’s Coffee for Coffee Fest, offering pourovers, which just so happened to land on the same weekend we were in town. The timing couldn’t have been better; it was so special to see a little piece of Atlanta in the city.
After that, we strolled over to Dave’s, a workwear clothing shop, then returned to the hotel to drop off our goodies and arranged lunch/dinner. Can you guess where we ended up? What else do you eat on a cold, rainy Monday? Dumplings, of course. Round two, baby!
This time, we got to introduce two of our friends on the trip to this little gem, and they loved it just as much as we did.
After the dumplings, I stopped at Café Integral for an oat matcha and decided to skip nap time. While on the way, we also stopped at Wine Therapy for a natural wine late-night bottle.
By this point, all six of us had officially made it to NYC. That afternoon, I spent some time with a friend in her hotel room, just the two of us, sharing cake, wine, and girl yap. It was such a simple moment, but honestly, it was one of my favourites from the entire trip (love you, E).
Later, we walked to our dinner reservation at Wayla, a cozy Thai spot tucked away in the Lower East Side. Big thanks to L for booking it. It ended up being my favourite meal of the trip. The staff was incredibly kind and accommodating when I shared my food allergies (coconut, ginger, honey, and mango - all pretty common in Thai cuisine).
I started with a glass of wine (of course) and ordered a few dishes to share. Most of the food is served family-style, which meant everyone got to taste and enjoy a little of everything.
Here’s what I ordered, all made vegan and allergy-friendly:
• Yum Tao Hu – Pan-seared tofu, kale, onions, cherry tomatoes, and (normally) coconut flakes. I asked for no coconut and swapped the dressing for a mix of extra virgin olive oil, sugar, and vinegar.
• Kanang Pad Krapow – Brussels sprouts, holy basil, and chilies.
• Tua Pad Prik Khing – Wok-fried long beans and tofu in a galangal chili paste.
• Khao Pad Prik Khing – Vegetable fried rice with galangal chili paste (we also ordered an extra veggie fried rice for the table, which was fully vegan-friendly).
Everything was flavourful, balanced, and so satisfying. A solid 10/10 meal.
After dinner, we made our way to Radio City Music Hall for the moment we’d all been waiting for: Cleo Sol, live in New York. It was her first U.S. show, and somehow, we were lucky enough to be in the room. Her voice. The venue. The energy. It was everything.
To witness her perform live, flown in from London, surrounded by people I love, was something I’ll never forget. It felt like she was speaking directly to me more than once. Her music truly is a form of ministry: soft, powerful, and full of truth. I got emotional a few times throughout the night and left feeling cracked open in the best way. I felt renewed, grounded, and ready to bloom in this new year.
After the show, we headed back to the hotel, still floating from the experience. We opened a bottle of wine and sat together in the lobby. It was one of those rare nights that felt both grounding and electric — the kind you hold onto for a long time.
day 4: tuesday
On our last morning, I walked over to Café Integral for one final matcha, a little ritual I’d grown to love during the trip. From there, I made my way back to Orchard Grocer for a breakfast sandwich that easily ranked as my second favourite meal of the entire trip.
After that, it was time to grab our bags, hop on the train to JFK, and say goodbye to the city, full, grateful, and already dreaming about the next visit.
New York always gives me something, and this time, it gave me presence, laughter, music, connection, and really, really good food. I left feeling inspired, nourished, and deeply grounded, heading into a new year.
If you made it this far, thank you for reading along. It means so much to share these soft little travel moments with you. Until the next trip. x
Joe’s Coffee — W 21st Street
Dave’s New York — 581 6th Ave, New York, NY 10011
Spicy Village — 68 Forsyth St B, New York, NY 10002
Café Integral — 49 Elizabeth Street, New York, NY 10012
Wine Therapy — 171 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012
Wayla — 100 Forsyth Street, BSMT, New York, NY 10002
Orchard Grocery — 78 Orchard Street b/t Broome + Grand New York, NY 10002
Moxy Lower East Side (Hotel) — 145 Bowery, New York, NY 10002
* Portrait Coffee — 1065 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd SW # A, Atlanta, GA 30310
xh
Sounds like you had a wonderful trip! Taking note of the food reco’ for when next I visit NY again😊
Your trip looks and sounds amazing!