Emma's Guest Review: Lynn Marie Hulsman - A Miracle at Macy's

Reviewed by Emma Crowley

One lost dog. Two lonely hearts. A Manhattan Christmas full of magic.

Shy homebody Charlotte is planning her usual quiet Christmas celebration: Turkey for two for her and her beloved pet dog Hudson. Only, this year, little Hudson decides to take matters into his own paws and give his favourite human a holiday adventure she’ll never forget.

When Hudson runs away the week before Christmas, Charlotte is devastated. She’d rescued him from the trash years before and gave him a place in her home – and her heart. But with the help of uptight Englishman Henry, Charlotte ends up on a magical treasure hunt around Manhattan to find her furry, four-legged bestie.

Spotted in Central Park as one of Santa's Little Helpers, or last seen in the arms of a supermodel in Times Square, Hudson leads Charlotte and Henry on a very merry dance around the Big Apple, where love, (or should that be Christmas?!) actually is all around.

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Guest Post: Eating Your Way Through NYC Christmas by Lynn Marie Hulsman

Today it's my stop on Lynn Marie Hulsman's A Miracle at Macy's blog tour with a tantalising post by Lynn Marie of some of her favourite eateries in New York City.

There may be no place on earth as magical as New York City at Christmastime. The infectious cheer of the crowds on the street, the world-famous, twinkling window decorations, and the aroma of warm chocolate, roast meats, and baking bread emanating from the eateries infuse us with hope and expectation. 

As much a foodie’s delight as a holiday-maker’s dream destination, Manhattan serves up sustenance and delight in the form of food and beverages to suit any tuckered-out traveler’s tastebuds. Whether you’re looking for a quick, thrifty snack to fuel you as you shop iconic department stores such as Barney’s, Bloomingdale’s, and of course Macy’s, or you seek a luxury, once-in-a-lifetime dining experience, this Holiday Eats list will point you in the right direction. 

I’m counting down from Number 10…

Happy holidays, and bon appétit from me to you! x

10. Jean Georges Trump Tower Hotel, Central Park West*

This New French eatery, boasting floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Central Park is clean, sleek, and sophisticated but surprisingly welcoming. In the Trump Hotel, with the golden statue of the earth out front, Jean-Georges Vongerichten serves up what many consider to be the pinnacle of New York top-shelf cuisine. Open Christmas Day, you can dine for a mere $238 for a prix fixe meal. It sounds outrageous, but I promise you it will rank among your “Top Ten” restaurant experiences, ever. Period. 

Insider Tip: Stroll Central Park afterward, and hop a horse-and-carriage if you’re so inclined. 

9. Christmas Eve Virgil’s Real Barbeque West 44th Street, Times Square

Centrally located if you want to check out Times Square of if you have Broadway tickets for one of the shows that runs on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, Virgil’s is an ideal spot to pack in a satisfying winter meal. Real falling-off-the-bone Southern barbeque is served alongside Maryland crab cakes, spicy shrimp, beer-battered onion rings, pickled beets, and collard greens. And… they have killer cocktails. On second thought, you might want to schedule a nap after eating here. What’s the point of spending a mint on a show ticket if you’ll be snoring by the second act?

Inside & Outside @ Virgil's BBQ 

8. Nuts 4 Nuts, Carts Ubiquitous around Manhattan* 

If you haven’t tasted these morsels from heaven yet, maybe you’d better steer clear. They. Are. Addictive. Almonds, cashews, peanuts, and coconut chunks are coated with some kind of sugary glaze that must contain crack, and roasted under heat lamps. The goodies are sold in waxed paper bags, and don’t fool yourself into thinking you might eat a few and put the rest in your bag. One taste and your hooked. 

7. The Russian Tea Room, 57th Street, Midtown*

This uptown establishment is offering a four-course prix fixe on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, loaded with Russian favorites: borscht, whole roasted, deboned pig, and chicken Kiev. Finish the meal with the Tea Room’s famous blintzes or the over-the-top Czar’s gold-and-caviar parfait made with 24-karat edible gold. If you haven’t seen this place in old movies, you’ve surely seen it in Sex and the City when Carrie was dating the Russian. 

Bear Lounge @ The Russian Tea Room NYC