My New Happy: A Serendipitous Trip to New York City

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

A Serendipitous Trip to New York City


Serendipity is one of my top five favorite movies of all time.  It's romantic and sweet and funny and I highly recommend you put it on your Netflix. And then there's John Cusack.  Sigh....I adore that man. Well, John the actor, anyway. I'm not sure I'd like him very much in real life. But I grew up in the 80's, and in my teenage mind there was nothing more swoon worthy than Lloyd Dobler belting out "In Your Eyes" on the boombox in Diane Court's front yard.

The movie Serendipity takes place mostly in New York City.  In a few months I'll be visiting there with my sister and cousins for a girls trip, and we're in full on planning mode.  Which has brought back memories of the last time I was in NYC several years ago, when my husband took me on a surprise trip based on my love of Serendipity.

While there he made sure that we visited many of the spots from the movie. The Waldorf Astoria Hotel, The Mall, and Bloomingdales.  We even went ice skating in Central Park, the location for the opening and closing scenes in the film.


Our romantic trip wouldn't have been complete without eating at Serendipity III, a popular Manhattan restaurant made famous by their frozen hot chocolate (Jackie Kennedy once tried to get the recipe, to no avail), and where Jonathan and Sara ate said dessert on the first night they met.

The restaurant was about two miles from our hotel.  Because it was freezing and we were exhausted and hungry from a day of sightseeing, we decided to take a cab from Times Square.  We arrived, paid the driver, and proceeded excitedly to the front door - where we were told there was a three hour wait.  THREE HOURS!?!

I have never waited that long for a table in my entire life.  We gave them our name and were told to check back in about two hours.  Since it was still light out, we wandered the streets, looking at brownstones and feeling very New Yorkish.  After an hour we decided to stop by Serendipity III again. Surely a bunch of people had given up and we would be called next?  Nope. Two more hours to go.


At this point we were starving, and I told G that we should just bag the idea. But he was not to be deterred.  We were going to have a frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity III no matter how long it took.

We ended up eating at a diner around the corner, and came back thirty minutes before our time was up.  Right on the dot, our name was called.


Was it worth it?  A resounding YES!  The interior was exactly as I'd expected from the movie, and the frozen hot chocolate was delicious.  I was so happy sitting across from my real life, better than John Cusack, amazing husband.

Sometimes you've just got to wait for those special moments in life. Especially when love and chocolate are involved.

27 comments:

  1. What a sweet story!

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  2. Oh my goodness Lana this was a beautiful and sweet story... I loved reading this ♡

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  3. Oh my gosh, I love this movie! And I've always wanted to have one of these famous frozen hot chocolates. The company I work for is based out of CT and I fly through LaGuardia. I always say I'm going to stay a few extra days and do some touristy things in NYC since it's been forever that I've been but you've just renewed my interest.

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    1. You should do it! I love NYC so much, and can't wait to go with my sister since she's never been.

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  4. So cute that he really wanted you to eat there, and that he took you to all of the places from the movie. I really loved that movie too, and at the end when the glove was floating through the air...cue the tears...happy ones of course. Love! Have fun on your girls trip :)

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    1. Such a good movie. I wanted to lay on the ice and recreate that scene but that was going a bit too far :)!

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  5. Ok, I'm ashamed to admit that I don't think I've seen this movie. I remember it, and maybe I've seen parts, but I won't know for sure until I watch it again, right? Loved your story!

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  6. You realize i now must see this film, don't you? Cute story!

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    1. I hope you check it out. It really is a great little movie.

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  7. Haven't seen this film. Yes. I live under a rock! MUST have that forzen hot chocolate. If I call and reserve, I just might have time for the flight . . .

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    1. Ha ha - exactly! It was so good. They actually sell the mix so you can take it home and make it, but nothing compares to the original!

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  8. What an incredibly romantic thing to do! I haven't seen the movie yet but will definitely be looking for it!

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    1. Rena, you would love the movie. I highly recommend it for you!

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  9. Yum, I can just taste that frozen hot chocolate- this restaurant is a definite must do when in NYC!

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  10. Your upcoming New York trip sounds like a lot of fun. But this visit you just described sounds like one that can't be beat. Your husband gets a lot of points!

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  11. What an amazing surprise...that's one determined hubby! Romance to the core. I'd say he's a keeper for sure! :) I'd have eaten at the diner around the corner, too! It would have staved off the hunger and the irritability, ensuring a delicious dessert in every sense of the word! Enjoy your planning for your girls' trip!

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  12. Aw! What a keeper. I love that story. I'm so glad the frozen hot chocolate was worth it.
    And I do love that movie.

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    1. I'm so glad you've seen it. I wish I had a frozen hot chocolate right now.

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  13. LOVE Serendipity too!! What a fun trip!! Three hours....eeeekkkkk!! So glad it was worth it!! Have so much fun on your girls trip!!

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    1. Thanks Katie! I'm glad you love the movie too - somehow I knew you would!

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  14. Now I want the watch the movie again and plan this same trip!! So! Fun!!

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