Once we arrived in Grand Central, we walked to 39th and Lexington to the Icon Restaurant. It was so gorgeous inside. It was very eclectic and sexy. The walls were a dark gray. The chairs were covered in red suede fabric. There were black light fixtures with cutouts that cast shadows over the room. Candles lit every table with a soft glow. It was sheik and hip. It was exactly where we wanted to be.
Monday nights at Icon have the option of BYOB so we brought a bottle of red from our honeymoon. It was called Ghost Gum. It is a blend of cabernet from this little vineyard in Franschhoek Valley called Stoneybrook. We visited the vineyard during our honeymoon. The vineyard is family own, so we had a tasting on their back porch. Their vineyards were their backyard. We sat and talked with the owners. We laughed about how it was simply a dream to make good wine and it was coming true. The wine was given its name from a tree that grows there called the Ghost Gum. We touched and took pictures of that tree. After our visit with them, we felt so emotionally connected to that place. We ended up buying about six bottles. Last night was the first time we had tasted Ghost Gum in four months. As soon as it hit our lips, huge smiles crossed our faces. Just like we promised our wine guide, we toasted to her and to South Africa and of course, to my twenty-seventh birthday.
Our meal was unbelievable. We shared two plates; the Lobster Risotto- which had chunks of lobster cooked in coral butter with fresh rosemary, and the Sole- which was made with mussel pistou and tomato confit. It was served over a sea urchin panna cotta and simmered with a roasted parmesan emulsion with roasted vegetables. It was heaven. Afterward, we shared the Snickers dessert which was just a bunch of chocolate and peanut butter yumminess. Our waiter, George, brought it out with a candle. The house sent out their homemade chocolates for us to taste as well.
Once the wine was finished, we whispered about how we wished we could click our heels and be home in our bedroom. We shared a few laughs and talked about Africa. We spoke about trips we want to take and other goals we want to reach, more plans we want to make.
After dinner, we walked to 41st and Madison to the Library Hotel. I had never been here before. As soon as we got to the sidewalk in front of the place, I realized that I was walking on gold plated sidewalk tiles with quotes from famous authors. When I saw the hotel for the first time, I could see through the gigantic windows that the walls were lined with books. I looked up at my husband with googly eyes and said, “Am I really this easy?” He just laughed and said, “I know you a lot better than you think I do.”
We took the elevator to the top floor to Bookmarks the hotel’s rooftop lounge. We ordered two Johnnie Walker Blacks on the rocks and found a seat on the patio. Not another soul was on the roof deck with us, so we had the entire place to ourselves. We shared a cigar and lounged and talked. At one point, I found myself on his lap kissing and giggling.
By 9:30, we were ready to head home. We were still waiting for Fiona to give us a call so we could go and celebrate her citizenship with her. Her dinner had run a bit late, so we decided we would head home and make plans to see her on Friday. Once we were settled on the train, my friend Oscar walked into our train car with his boyfriend Jonathan. We hugged and talked for the entire train ride. It was a great way to end the night.
I had an amazing birthday. It was quiet and romantic. It reaffirmed my love for New York City. When it all comes down to it, I could never be far from it.
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