Wisconsin in Queens, queens come to Queens

April 27, 2010

Our weekend was spent out of Manhattan (albeit a mere 6 stops in 20 minutes) in Queens with the gorgeous Annie & Paul. Apparently some Manhattanites bristle at the thought of leaving ‘the island’. Sounds crazy to me but having only been here for a fortnight I think it’s premature to assume that I can join the debate.

We rattled towards Bliss Street, Sunnyside (poetic, isn’t it?) and A&P’s lovely home. Though you can see the winking lights of Manhattan across the water it feels a million miles away from the big smoke, they even have a garden for godsake.

Annie is Australian, Paul is from Wisconsin, both are architects and clever people equal great company and a stylish home. Syd the cat is adopted family member #3 and Annie’s tummy rises like a Victoria sponge with Stoller #4. She looks gorgeous and they make a very happy domestic scene. It might come as a shock to some who know Annie but our dear friend is 1. apparently now a country music fan 2. seems to be giving Jane Austen a run for her money when it comes to the art of good manners – she has stationery (!) and buys gifts in advance not day of special occasions…

We went biking (yes, new favourite thing), had lunch in Astoria which is where NY’s Greek population lives, met a couple there – Robert & Robert – who were faaaaabulous New Yorkers from the Village who pretty much mapped out the rest of our holiday for us in a gastro tour of restaurants (even down to what to order, what to split, where T needs to wear a jacket…get the $18 bottle of wine for lunch then sit under a tree in the park opposite to sober up, whatever you do DON’T order the butter milk pancakes etc, etc).

‘We’re foodies, you’re foodies, you love the bikes, we love the bikes, so here are our recommendations. And start with the grilled octopus, you must, it’s daaahlishous‘. Adorable.

Annie & Paul hosted an Anzac Day lunch, I made a cake (it’s ok, I bore myself) and T and I managed to get smashed on brandies whilst doing the dishes. I even fell for Syd the cat who has the qualities of a dog and is rather partial to sitting in the bath. All in all it made for a fab weekend (and I know it’s almost mid-week).