I have to start out admitting that it was a really hard day realizing that this was now my second birthday without Ted. Somehow just saying that blows my mind. How can it have been so long already? (Really it's just 15 months, but my birthday was 3 months after his passing.)
But I was determined not to spend the day wrapped in sadness so I made plans with my daughter to see a Broadway play and have dinner first.
It's funny. People always assume that since I live here I see plays frequently. Not true. First, too many $$$$. Second, I just don't think to.
But a few months ago, my daughter asked me to go see The Ferryman. She said it was a play she would have seen with her father, so she hoped I would take his place. They loved to do theater together. We scored tickets for the week before it closed.
Watching that play reminded me how much I enjoy theater, so when I saw Natasha Kern recommending What the Constitution Means to Me, it reminded me that my daughter and I had talked about wanting to see that before it closes on August 24th. So we got tickets for my birthday.
It was an interesting play with lots of politics - some I agreed with and some I didn't - but it really made you think about the U.S. Constitution and some landmark cases, about whose rights it protects (explicitly and implicitly), and whose it doesn't. (And everyone got a free pocket copy of the Constitution). What struck me most was the high school student/actress who stole the show! She was amazing!!!!
Before going to see The Ferryman, we went to an Irish Pub/Restaurant I remembered going to with Ted many years ago - O'Lunney's in Times Square. It seemed appropriate for the play. We were going to do something different this time, but in the end decided to just go back since we'd enjoyed it so much.
So I figured I'd just share dinner with you.
The first time I had fish and chips which was fabulous. Tonight I had Shepherd's Pie which was absolutely amazing. My only complaint was that it would make such a great winter dish, and the restaurant was so gorgeous with all the wood and glass, that I found myself wanting snow falling outside the beautiful window and a fire blazing while I ate it.
I forgot to take photos until we had started to eat, so these photos are partials.
My daughter had crabmeat crusted cod with mashed potatoes and some veggies.
I tried to get some photos of the pub. It was still fairly empty at the time we went.
Oh, and dessert. I joked that maybe I was the only RWA member who left Nationals without getting cheesecake at Juniors. We made that up after the show tonight. They had KEY LIME CHEESECAKE which may be one of the most delicious desserts I have ever had.
I dove right in, forgetting to take a photo again until I'd eaten half. Sorry.
Let's talk theater (and food, always food). Have you seen anything recently that you loved (or hated)?
Anyone have a good recipe for Shepherd's pie? I plan to make some this winter, but I want the recipe for their sauce. It was SO good.
We have a couple theaters here! Shortly after we moved here we saw Fiddler on the Roof put on by a kids academy. It was better then the professional Cinderella that we paid twice the price for a while back! Then we recently saw Mouse Trap by Agatha Christy (I think) that was put on by adults and I'm not sure if it was the story or the actors that I just didn't enjoy it as much. It could be it just wasn't a musical and I tend to enjoy those more. My husband liked it though! It's not self centered to share what you did for your birthday! You are sharing a memory of going out to dinner and a play with your daughter. Now one day when your mind isn't as fresh someone can pull this up and remind you! That's why I take so many photos. I can't help with the Shepard's pie, but I have an instant pot cheesecake recipe calling for lemons I bet I could sub key lime. Mmmmm sounds good!
ReplyDeleteHi Katie,
DeleteI tend to prefer musicals too, but both of these were really entertaining. My biggest problem is sitting so long! I have long legs, and Broadway theater seats are rather cramped.
The cheesecake was amazing. I had planned on only eating half, and bringing the other half home. This morning I wish I had, but last night I just kept eating. It was that good.
Thanks for your kind words.
I don’t have a recipe for shepherd’s pie, and I live so deep in the boonies that I see very few professional productions. But I totally loved experiencing your birthday vicariously! Thanks for taking me along for the virtual ride on your special day!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Laurel. For some reason, your comment made me think Veni, Vidi, Commenti
ReplyDeleteYou came, you saw, you commented.
Thanks for sharing in my post-birthday celebration.
Mary Cate, crab-crusted anything sounds yummy to me. And I guess you'll have to revisit this pub in the winter and have the shepherd's pie again. Sounds like a perfect excuse. And a perfect birthday. Dinner and show, a classic combination. Kudos to you for treating yourself.
ReplyDeleteMary Cate, I'm so glad you got to celebrate with your daughter. I've seen two or three shows in NYC while there for conferences. The Lion King (have been twice because it's AMAZING) and Wicked were my favorites! Sooo good! I've seen a few Broadway plays in Atlanta too. It's something I really enjoy. We also love smaller theater. We have season tickets to a local professional theater that's just wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI, too, love shepherd's pie! I don't use a recipe, usually just throw in what I have available. :) I usually season the ground beef with worcestershire sauce, which I think is the main flavor that stands out to me. And I always have to have the mashed potatoes on top. I usually add frozen peas and carrots with the meat but have also used green beans and corn and loved it. I tend to also sprinkle cheddar cheese on top before baking. :) It's so simple to make!
Oh, I also meant to say that I usually use packaged Bob Evans mashed potatoes! That's what makes it so quick and easy.
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