I leave for New York next week. Feb 27-Mar 2. The trip has been scheduled for a while, even if it is just a quickie. I’m coming in to celebrate Dulce’s 30th birthday, staying with Alexandra and her Mr. Alexandra to be. All the girls are already asking where we’re having dinner. What stores do I need to hit? Which bars do I miss? Where must I go before I leave? I haven’t had time to keep up with what’s in and what’s out (despite my New York magazine subscription), but I haven’t forgotten the standbys. It’s going to be a girls’ weekend, filled with alcohol, shopping, and getting ready. Meeting at bars, avoiding my camera, catching up on all the lives and details in person.

What I’m looking forward to most is the getting ready time. The showers and dressing, and deciding what to wear (though really, thanks to packing and suitcase limitations, it won’t be all that challenging). The accessory shopping, blow dryer time, and the clit-rock. The stories shared over too much wine and too little food. So, now I need to put together my list of do not miss spots. In the coming days, I’ll add to this must-hit list, but off the top of my head…

Balthazar. Goat cheese onion tart, French martini.
Pookie and Sebastian.
Ino. Truffle Egg Toast.
Mink on Mott because it’s more fun to say than Mink on E.11.
Nanette Lepore, the actual store, not the Saks counterpart.
Sushi of Gari. Only for the spicy tuna roll, to go. I will eat this as I walk the streets. Unless it’s too cold, which will mean hitting an Upper Least Side watering hole mid-day.
I definitely need to hit up a store with good accessories. Earrings and necklaces, maybe a bracelet, but I doubt it. There are too many statement bracelets out there now, cute ones from J.Crew and Banana. There’s no need for special when it comes to bracelets right now.
A Gray’s Papaya hot dog, or nine. Unless I hit PDT for the grown-up version.
And let’s just face it, I’m a complete food snob and sloth, and I’m fine with that. I fully intend to cram too much in by way of plans and food, and reckless gluttony including the following stops:

Degustation
Sfoglia
Tailor
PDT
Death & Co. (because really, how many times can one get thee to Pegu Club?), and how does one pass up a Wicked Kiss?

I already know I’ll be hitting up Kittichai and of course the birthday girl’s forever young celebration at the new Islero. Mostly I’m looking forward to hooking up with New York again. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a cab drunk. And I’m going to make the most of it by being on my worst behavior. Or something like that.