November in NYC Part-1

Editor's Note: This series was originally scheduled for publication in the November edition of LCN. We regret any inconvenience our dawdling may have caused - however, normal billing rates still apply.

Business and pleasure brought our family to the Big Apple in November. I always enjoy feeling the pulse of the city and connecting with my people...it's also good for me to get my parents out of the house (they'd be so boring without me).

Mommy and I tagged along with the ol' man on the first trip - he was meeting important customers, or so he says. I dreaded a dull slumber in a small hotel room, so I asked my staff to work up an itinerary - They suggested a trip to Ellen's Stardust Diner, Central Park Children's Zoo, Toys R Us and dinner at one of my favorite spots - Carmines (you really should add this place to your little black book). I added some play time at the FDNY Fire Zone to the agenda.

We arrived in NYC in time for lunch at Ellen's Stardust Diner - a retro 1950's theme diner filled with nostalgic stuff and singing wait staff. I was a little restless over lunch - my parents wanted to linger while all I could think about was toys. I warmed up to the experience when one of the waitresses sang a song to Daddy and me. The lunch was very delicious - I recommend the Frank Sinatra burger. It's topped with mozzarella and marinara sauce...yum!

"Momma Mia, here I go again. My my, how could I resist you!"

After lunch we headed to my favorite place - The Toys-R-Us in Times Square is incredible. The 60 foot indoor Ferris Wheel was in full effect as we entered the store. This is where we started our experience. The wheel has 16 cars - I was hoping to ride in the fire truck but as luck would have it, we landed a ride in the ET - Extra Terrestrial car. I think my parents enjoyed riding round-n-round - passing each floor of the store several times.

The Ferris Wheel actually provides an excellent vantage point to plan for shopping. While my parents were looking for a coffee shop from atop the store, I made a list of toys to check out.

I'm not smiling in this picture (my standard tactic) but secretly I am having a great time.

I decided to check out the 25' tall Empire State Building built entirely from Legos and the five-ton, 20-foot-high and 34-foot-long animatronic Jurassic Park T-Rex dinosaur - amazing! Daddy and I practiced our dinosaur roar....grrrrrr! Very scary!

Next, we headed to the FDNY Fire Zone - an interactive fire prevention exhibit hosted by the Fire Department of New York Foundation. I played in the fire truck, pumped water to a building, and talked on the radio to dispatch!

No trip to the Theatre District is complete without a visit to Carmine's Family Style Italian Restaurant. Carmine's is about wonderful Southern Italian food served in huge portions. The sounds, smells and flavors of this place make it one of my favorite hang outs.

The interior reminds me of the quintessential NY restaurant

I can never escape the Paparazzi - My Dad likes the attention...I just sometimes need a break from the camera's flash!