Sam and Kate

We took the ferry from Staten Island to Manhattan. Then we walked uptown a bit and saw the Merrill Lynch bull, surrounded by a Romanian dance troupe.

We took the Lexington Express to 86th street and walked over to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. But before going in, we sat on the steps and enjoyed gourmet cupcakes from the "Cake and Shake" food truck. I had a chocolate with buttercream filling and salted carmel frosting. Sam got the pumpkin cupcake with cinnamon and nutmeg cream-cheese frosting. And Sam also got a Haitian Mango shake. I love New York.

Two Stradivarius violins... These ones are extra long compared to his normal design so they would stand out in a solo setting. The one on the left is the The Gould, and the one of the right is the Francesca. I hate seeing them in there. There were two more Strads there in a special display. I don't know how often the Met loans them out to performers, but I know the Strads have to be happier on stage with an orchestra that trapped behind glass.

I really should dedicate an entire post just about this pizza. It feels cheap to say, "It was the best pizza I've ever eaten in my life." But I don't know how else to say that. It was the best pizza I've ever eaten in my life. I can't imagine how a pizza could possibly be any better. So, everyone, GO to Lombardi's Restaurant on Spring St. in Little Italy. No joke, it's the best pizza in the world. Perfect thin crust, not the white bread thick sugary gooey crap you get at your local pizza delivery place (the comparison is actually offensive). Perfect tomato sauce: not sugary, not acidic, but perfectly balanced. Perfect cheese in the perfect amount (not too much). Perfect basil. Perfect pepperoni. And perfectly baked in a hot coal pizza oven.

This is downtown. We strolled back to the ferry along the shore here watching people and boats and the sun going down.