Where to Go When 24 Just Means Fun

Here ye! Here ye! It's official. 24. In order to celebrate a year of calamity, I decided to gather my closest friends in New York to celebrate a time of rebirth and growth in my last stop on the birthday train. Hotel Chantelle, located on the lower east side, brought the breezy summer air on the rooftop of this restaurant/lounge along with delicious french inspired foods and drinks.

Tuna Nicoise Salad

Red Velvet Dessert

 
 I couldn't have imagined anything more perfect for my birthday celebration with friends. I am just so happy I was able to spend time with some of the most wonderful, caring, successful people on this earth. Thank you for the wonderful birthday wishes!

Chic Dress. [Juliette Longuet]

Post birthday dinner fun contained unexpected events making my world a little smaller every time. A random celebrity sighting and new friends that have much more in common than I could ever imagine?? Weird.

Now let's go back in time. The events leading up to my birthday finale was just as spectacular. In a mission to stay culturally diverse, my birthday dinners consisted of food from different countries, continents, neighborhoods, etc. To start off, my best friend from childhood took me to a hidden gem in the Chinatown area for sushi. Hesitant as you may be, it was a delicious meal with surprisingly good decor to follow.

 

Across the sea or rather across the river into Park Slope, Brooklyn, there is a very low key Italian restaurant that has the delicious breads to tickle your tummy in just all the right places. Da Nonna Rosa, was the next stop on the birthday train.

If you're ever in the neighborhood, there is a delicious bone in chicken breast that everyone should keep an eye out for. In addition, there is a tender calamari pasta dish that should be ordered immediately once there. No IFs, ANDs, or BUTs.

24 has started to be a fun age and as nervous, anxious, all of the above that I may have been, I was glad that it started out with joy and fun!

Madison's Red Velvet. [Cousin John's]