December has been my busiest month yet in New York City! I started work in the last week of November, so December has been a bit of a blur as I settle in to my new routine.

Since I moved from Melbourne to New York in April 2019, I’ve started writing a series of monthly blog posts, NYC Life, to capture the the big and little moments that have shaped this move. It’s easy in hindsight to forgot the everyday joys, struggles and frustrations of life in a new city, so I wanted a place to for it all to live on the blog. I round up the most fun things I did, saw and ate near the end. For more specific New York City tips, check out my New York City Travel Guide.

Highlights

• My 27th Birthday – It was the first time I’ve celebrated my birthday outside Australia, and also the first time I’ve gone to work on my birthday! Since its so close to Christmas, usually it’s fallen during an office closure period. I had drinks with David & my friends at The Loyal and dinner at Via Carota, and had such a lovely day
• A work trip to Charleston – Charleston is my favourite city in the US, after New York, so I was thrilled to have an excuse to visit for a few days with work.
• Snow! Seeing my first snow in New York was so magical – and so much prettier than winter rain
• Dinner at 701West Easily one of the best meals I’ve had, anywhere. The food was so creative and genuinely exciting to eat, and I loved how much of a starring role the wine match plays in the prix fixe menu
• Paradise Club I had so much fun at The Devouring, presented by Paradise Club in partnership with House of Yes. If you’re looking for a glamorous dinner & show concept in New York, this is perfect.
• The Rockettes Every December, The Rockettes Christmas Spectacular takes over Radio City Hall for a few weeks to celebrate the festive season. It was so much fun – and tickets were quite cheap!
• Christmas Day Lunch We hosted Christmas for the first time, with lunch in our apartment with our friends Stef & Lachlan. I loved hosting!
• Moulin Rouge on Broadway I finally got to a Broadway show in 2019, and saw Moulin Rouge with my friend Stef who was in town for a few days. It was even more dazzling than I’d hoped! I’d love to see To Kill A Mockingbird in January.
• Bryant Park Winter Village Every winter, Bryant Park transforms into a winter village complete with an ice skating rink and winter chalets. It was a fun way to get into the festive spirit
• Our apartment is coming together! Finally, I’m feeling a bit more set up in our apartment. It’s been coming together slowly and now it’s about 90% there.
• New Year’s Eve in New York City What a special place to welcome the new decade! I avoided the madness of Times Square, and celebrated at our friends apartment. It was perfect.

Christmas in New York

Little did I know, that Christmastime is the most popular time to be in New York! The city has been busier than ever, but I can see why – New York is so special during the festive season.

I was sad to miss Christmas with my family in Australia, but we had fun making our own Christmas traditions this year. It was my first proper “cold” Christmas, which really did add to the atmosphere. We had friends over for Christmas Day lunch, which was so much fun. I loved hosting friends and having an excuse to cook a big delicious meal.

It didn’t snow on Christmas Day like I’d hoped, but we did get some snow earlier in the month, which was exciting.

New Year’s Eve in New York City

I love a low-key New Year’s Eve, so for me our plans were perfect. David’s parents came over for dinner, which I cooked at home, and then later in the evening we went to our friend’s apartment. It was exactly what I wanted!

New Year’s Day is my favourite day of the year, so I was thrilled to have it off and spend it at home. I feel so grateful for 2019, and the last decade which has taught me so much. I’m so excited for the 20s!

Bryant Park Winter Village

On Christmas Eve, David and I tried to visit the Union Square Christmas Market, only to find everyone packing up! It closes at 4pm on Christmas Eve, for the season, so we were a bit late. We headed up to midtown to Bryant Park’s Winter Village, which is still in full swing. We didn’t go ice skating, but we did get our hands on a perfect hot chocolate and some churros.

The Devouring at Paradise Club

Paradise Club is a nightclub & entertainment venue that is quickly raising the bar in Manhattan’s nightlife scene – and in Times Square, of all places! Hidden inside the Times Square EDITION Hotel, Paradise Club is one of the most stylish nightclubs in Manhattan, as well as home to The Devouring, a multi-sensory dinner & show experience, presented in partnership between Michelin-starred Chef John Fraser’s restaurant group and Bushwick-based performance troupe House of Yes. I loved the show, and the experience of enjoying high quality food & cocktails during a performance – not something thats easy to find in New York!

Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall

I’ve been excited ALL YEAR for the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. Not only is the show very cute and a lot of fun, but Radio City Music Hall is an iconic venue. Unfortunately, we spent the first half hour of the show standing outside in the rain, waiting in the long queue to get in, but I loved every minute once we were inside. Radio City Music Hall is such a gorgeous theatre, and the show really made use of the theatre’s beautiful architecture.

Charleston

I first visited Charleston in 2015, and totally fell for this charming southern city. This time, I was visiting on a work trip, which was a whirlwind of meetings, but I managed to squeeze in a few of the city’s great new bars and restaurants. I still love Charleston so much, and had such a great time here. Every time I visit, I feel like my heart grows about three sizes – everyone is so sweet and friendly.

Fotografiska

It feels like I’ve been waiting all year for Swedish photography museum Fotografiska to open in New York. It’s the museums third location, after Stockholm and Tallinn. I visited on the opening weekend, and absolutely loved it. The three major current exhibitions are all by female photographers: Ellen von Unworth, Tawny Chatmon and Helene Schmitz. All three exhibitions are so different, and I can’t pick a favourite. The museum is compact, so it’s easy to experience it all in one visit. Highly recommend!

New blog posts

• Faros & Glyfos: Beach hopping in Sifnos
• Autumn in Central Park
• NYC Life: November 2019
• East Village Neighbourhood Guide
• Apple picking in the Hudson Valley

Restaurants & Bars

At the end of the month, I’m always a little shocked at how many restaurants and bars I’ve visited throughout the month – but this is also basically my job, so I’m lucky I get to justify my passion for experiencing New York’s hospitality by chalking it all up to market research.

• 701West – If you’re looking for a glamorous, imaginative and exciting special occasion dinner in New York City, this is absolutely it.
• Paradise Club
• The Loyal – From the same people as 701West, The Loyal is a modern neighbourhood brasserie in West Village. I love the vibe here, as well as the tempura maitake (mushrooms) and the pastas. So good for a date night or an indulgent brunch with friends!
• AbcV – I didn’t eat here this time, but I stopped in for non-alcoholic cocktails with a friend, which were delicious and just what I felt like!
• Union Square Cafe – I still haven’t eaten here yet, but I checked out the bar with a friend. The service was great, and the drinks list, although pricy, was very solid.
• Marta – A really solid spot in Flatiron for tasty woodfired pizza. The way they do pizza here reminds me of Melbourne <3. It’s from the same people as Union Square Cafe
• Llamita – From the same people as Llama San, which is raking in the awards, Llamita is a little more casual. I liked Llamita, but it wasn’t a super stand out for me. Pastuso in Melbourne is still my favourite modern Peruvian restaurant.
• Gramercy Tavern – David and I “stopped in” for a hot chocolate one afternoon, not expecting to stand around for two hours waiting for a spot at the bar. By the time we got a seat, we decided to go all out and get a few snacks. It was fun, but I am never waiting that long for a bar stool ever again!
• Ramen Lab – The people behind the ramen at some of the best Japanese restaurants in New York have a great standing-room only restaurant in Nolita. Highly recommend!
• Uncle Boons – A cosy, fun, Michelin-starred Thai restaurant in Nolita that seems to have a firm place in every New Yorker’s heart. Finally got here this month and it completely lives up to the hype.
• Via Carota – Another local favourite, Via Carota is a popular and charming Italian restaurant in West Village that I’ve been wanting to try all year. I went for my birthday dinner, and loved it. Highly recommend, expect a wait.