Every epic adventure starts with a dream. Mine? Seeing Dear Evan Hansen on Broadway. It all began when I stumbled upon Jordan Fisher belting out "Waving Through a Window" on Facebook in September 2021. Cue instant obsession. I replayed that video more times than I’d care to admit and convinced my husband, GSpice, that we needed to see Jordan perform live. Spring Break 2022 was decided. But life had other plans: Jordan left the show two weeks before our trip. Cue heartbreak due to the fact that Gspice wouldn't let me take a redeye to see one of Jordan's last shows as Evan Hansen. Yes, I still hold it against him.😏
But we soldiered on, and spoiler alert: the show was still everything. More on that later—let’s start at the beginning.
Tuesday, March 15: Planes, Airports, and Meatballs
Our travel day kicked off with a layover in Chicago, where we grabbed lunch in the airport. Nothing fancy, just fuel for the journey. By the time we landed in NYC and made it to our hotel, we were starving. Enter The Meatball Shop, (@Meatballers), a cozy spot with, you guessed it, amazing meatballs. A carb-loaded welcome to the city that never sleeps.
Wednesday, March 16: Brunch, Central Park, and Broadway Magic
We stayed close to our hotel and started the day with brunch at Times Square Diner & Grill, (@timessquaredinergrill). Afterward, we took a leisurely walk through Central Park. It was peaceful, until my phone buzzed with a call about Otown (because life can’t just pause, even on vacation). Thankfully, my mom was there to step in and help.
Dinner was at Serafina near Broadway & 55th St, (@serafinanewyork) where we fueled up for the main event: Dear Evan Hansen. Sure, Jordan Fisher wasn’t there, but the new Evan and the entire cast were incredible. I even snagged a photo with him afterward! Afterwards we ended the night soaking up the lights of Times Square, like a true tourist.
Thursday, March 17: Rainy Day Vibes and Hawksmoor Delights
The rain gave us permission to slow down. We started late and hopped on the subway to NYU territory. After a short stroll, we found The Grey Dog, (@thegreydognyc), a charming spot that felt like a hidden gem. Post-brunch, we walked a bit around campus before heading back for a much-needed nap.
And then: Hawksmoor, (@hawksmoornyc), located in Gramercy Park in the historic United Charities Building. If you’ve never experienced steak that melts in your mouth, add it to your bucket list now. But it wasn’t just the steak—everything about Hawksmoor was a dream. The wine was perfection, pairing so beautifully that I’m still raving about it. This wasn’t just dinner; it was an experience that lingered long after we left. I’ve dreamed about that meal more times than I can count, and in 2023, I nearly screamed when I found out Hawksmoor was coming to Chicago in summer 2024. STOCKED doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Friday, March 18: A Little Italy Misadventure and Brooklyn Charm
We set out to find a taco spot—only to discover it had closed. Plan B? Nolita Pizza, (@nolitapizzanyc). Classic NYC slice, no regrets. From there, we subway-hopped to Ground Zero. Sobering and beautiful.
Our walk took us past the Charging Bull, Wall Street (kind of a letdown, tbh), and a lookout point for the Statue of Liberty. A coffee break later, we hopped over to Brooklyn. After poking around some of G-Spice’s favorite stores, we dined at a cool taco joint, Taqueria Al Pastor, where I spotted a Top Chef judge. (my type of celebrity!) Proof is in the DMs.
The night ended with a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge—romantic, right? G-Spice detoured for more treasure hunt action while I went on my own hunt for some Italian takeout. Sadly, the place I wanted wasn't still open so I trekked back to The Meatball Shop for dinner and picked up some Loverboy, (@drinkloverboy), a sparkling hard tea from another beloved Bravo celebrity couple from Summer House. Turns out, pasta cravings and NYC hours don’t always align.
Saturday, March 19: Early Flights and Toll Regrets
We dragged ourselves out of bed way too early for our flight home. Fun fact: we forgot to pay the tolls we drove through to and from O'Hare on time. Whoops. But was the trip worth it? Absolutely.
Special thanks to my mom for holding down the fort while we lived out our NYC Broadway dreams. Here’s to meatballs, rainy day naps, and the magic of live theater.
Until the next adventure!
