Return to New York - Day 5
Image by Ginger DJ via FlickrIts Easter Sunday and we'd always planned to see the Easter Bonnet Parade up at Fifth Avenue. With cash getting short we attempt to buy a cheap breakfast. It was an even harder challenge as we couldn't really find anywhere open until we came across PAX Wholesome Foods. With a name like that we expected something special however it was possibly the worse pre-packed breakfast yet with the majority being thrown in the bin and we were overcharged.We arrived at Fifth Avenue with crowds swelling around a number of posers with their bonnets. As we got deeper into the crowds the hats got better and more TV crews interviewing the owners. The guy (pictured) in the wedding dress within the slideshow below drew particular attention though I wouldn't say he was wearing a bonnet as such but his pet parrot. Judging from the activity on Flickr this guy is a regular at any public parade.
Everyone was in high spirits and those wearing the bonnets were happy to be photographed. After reaching the end of Fifth Avenue the sun had come out and was beginning to be a beautiful warm day. We walked into Central Park via the zoo. Another cheap meal lesson we should have learned from the last time was the Boathouse Cafe. The burgers and chips were worse than McDonalds. We kept saying to ourselves that the Buddakan booking would save our tastebuds later.
We settled on a good spot watching the local Morris dancers (WTF?!) and breakdancing crew entertaining the crowds. Accompanied with a full drumkit, there were about 12 dancers all contributing to the show. The mistake they made though was taking far too long to build up to their big finale. After 15 minutes of joking and some audience participation we walked away losing their potential cash tips.
Buddakan restaurant
The restaurant booking was quite early for 7:00pm so got back to the hotel early (with some sunburn). Buddakan is based Chelsea so we took a cab. The entrance was a little unassuming and actaully looked closed no-one going in or coming out. However as we enetered and walked around the corner it turned out to have a huge reception with 6 staff, a large bar and waiting room, and a cavernous main banquet room with multiple corridors and other sections. The decor was like a stylish Asian, opium den with mood lighting and the food was an Asian-mix with both achieving the desired result - romantic and delicious. It certainly made up for the day's food disappointments and clarified that New York can serve up the best food if you're prepared to pay for it. I'd say it was one of the best meals we've ever had.
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