Somehow it happened! Summer semester is over, and I made it out alive… and now, officially, I am halfway through my graduate program. Ever since I handed my last paper in a week ago, I’ve been making plans left and right. It’s nice to see friends again! I’m glad they stuck around 
.
Leslie and I met for wine + pizza (a combination made in heaven) at Kesté, a restaurant I’ve been wanting to try for years but have never been able to brave the long wait list.
I’m glad we made it in, because their gluten-free pizza was delicious! The crust tasted just like regular crust, not a dense brick. The only downside is that while the restaurant has 30+ pizzas on their menu, they’ll only make 5 of them with the GF crust. So mine was pretty basic (buffalo mozzarella with basil + tomato), but it was really good.
After dinner, (messy) dessert at the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck. I got a salty pimp (soft serve with sea salt caramel, dipped in chocolate), which I’ve been dying to try for years… they actually have gluten-free cones, but there was a bit of a miscommunication and some unpleasant wait staff, so this is the regular one. My face looks mad, but it was yummy!
The next night, my mom and I met for dinner and a stroll at Di Fiore Marquet.
We stumbled on this place five or six years ago; there used to be a great little clothing boutique across the street. We stopped in for a glass of wine one winter night, and have been hooked ever since. The food is fresh- although I think this was our first time ever eating- and the wine list is always exquisite.
On Friday, I bought a Groupon for Cafe Blossom, and B and I went for dinner that very night! I love Blossom. They serve up creative animal-free food that always leaves us happy and feeling good. Below are the chickpea fries we shared… they’re a lot lighter and fluffier than Peacefood’s, and come with interesting sauces on the side.
After dinner, we took a leisurely walk on the High Line, stopping for gelato and brownies along the way. The High Line is one of those places that always reminds me why I love New York.
On Sunday, a few of us gathered at Leslie’s for a potluck brunch! The occasion? The first of our lady crew just got engaged! We celebrated Megan over poached eggs, lots o’ veggies, and mimosas. (I brought these cookies, which disappointingly didn’t taste like much.)
It feels like summer has finally begun! I still have a couple more weeks of work, but then my mom and I go for our annual Mother-Daughter Weekend, then B and I go to Greece!
Charley has been visiting, and it’s been nice to actually have time to enjoy him. He’s been a feisty little guy!
How have you been enjoying your summer?
