If I can score a mani and a good meal, then it's a good work trip

True story: regardless of most other circumstances, if I can get a quick mani and eat a fantastic meal, then I'm usually pretty happy about my work trip overnights. Checked off that list when I was back in NYC on Tuesday night and Wednesday, and got a bonus hotel room upgrade to a suite with a lovely morning view (see above).

I traveled with a co-worker who drooled over my Nobu dining last trip, so I had to bring her there. I ordered more of the rock shrimp, veggie tempura and veggie roll to share and this time, we added skewers (I had scallops with a tasty sweet terryaki sauce) and dessert. Check out my fun Bento Box below (chocolate lava cake and green tea ice cream).

Before dinner, we tried a new nail place, YaYa Nails on Grand in Tribeca, and I found a new polish that I LOVE: OPI's I Have a Herring Problem from the Holland Collection.

For breakfast Wednesday morning, we went back to Pecan on Franklin Street, but this time, had time to sit and eat, so I ordered a sweet potato waffle that I had been lusting after since my first visit last month. It did not disappoint!

For lunch, we tried Peace & Love on Greenwich, and I had a yummy chicken, mozzarella and avocado panini.

Love all these places for eats and can't wait to discover more spots when I'm back next week.

Finally! An airport mani at XpresSpa

When I heard about the concept of XpresSpa a few years ago -- an express nail/massage salon located in airports -- I couldn't wait to try it. Obvi, CLE doesn't have one (why?), but I remembered that Philly did.

An express mani was exactly what I needed today. I started my morning in NYC, took a train from Penn Station to to Wilmington and then took a car service for a flight home from the Philly airport, where my flight was delayed. Luckily, an XpresSpa was a stone's throw from my gate.

I liked my experience at the salon (massaging recliner/relaxing mani/quick service) but when I took a closer look at my polish while back at my gate, it looks horrible...bumpy, messy, etc. And, the price was not cheap: $25 for an express polish. At least I found a new color that I like: OPI Dulce de Leche.

I still love the concept and will try it again if I get the opportunity, but next time I'll take a closer look before zening out.

Anyone else try an ExpresSpa?

Celebrating 4 years of travel blogging at Nobu

Pic: courtesy rodrigues.se

I'm celebrating my four-year blogging anniversary today!

Since I was in NYC again for work, I marked the occasion with a fantastic dinner at Nobu last night. If you remember (What? You don't remember where I ate during my trip four years ago?), I went to Nobu in London - the trip that sparked this whole blog. Like in London, I dined at Nobu in Tribeca alone, but this time by choice instead of being stood up by a reporter. :)

Since my dinner was fairly late and I wasn't that hungry, I noshed on small plates: rock shrimp, a veggie roll (no awesome sushi since I'm pregs) and life-changing veggie tempura. I tried avocado (OMG), sweet potato and pumpkin. (For a Cleveland veggie tempura experience, try the broccoli tempura app at XYZ Tavern in Gordon Square.)

I checked for rezzies earlier this week and since none were available for 29 days (!), I sat at the bar, which was actually a great spot since I got to watch all of the sushi roll prep.

So, after four years about writing about my travel adventures, what observations can I share? Here are my top 5:

1. Even after two trips to Asia, I'm still clumsy with chopsticks
2. When in a new city/country, if you're polite and make an effort to assimilate, locals will help you
3. I'm so fortunate to be able to travel because of the jobs I've had, which make for low-risk and low-cost trips
4. Having the means to travel, makes me appreciate being based in Cleveland, which is a wonderful place to live
5. Since I've become a mom, it's important to me to instill a love of travel and culture curiosity in my kids

On that last note, it's funny -- after a trip we're planning for April, Dylan will have been in five states before he turns two. I still have more than half of all of the states to visit! And, I've still not been to Mexico. Once kid #2 comes along (Kabongo), travel will become more interesting (and expensive), but I'm optimistic!