Westway Diner (NYC)

December 9, 2018 By Hollie in Diners Tags: Diner, food, new york city, nyc, restaurant, review

The last diner I went too while in New York is the Westway Diner. I arrived around 11:30 on a weekday and it was fully packed. It was one of the few diners I had to wait for a table. It must be good right?

Atmosphere: A
The Westway Diner sticks out on the main road. It has a more authentic “diner feel” then many diners I’ve been too in NYC.

The inside is one large space with plenty of booths, tables, and a full-length bar.

Coffee: B
The coffee was brewed hot. I asked for whipped cream a couple of times, but it never came. Unfortunately neither did a refill. Other than that the coffee was good, I just wanted more.

Food: B
The Westway Diner has plenty of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. I had no idea what I was in the mood for.

One of their specials, the butternut ravioli sounded interested. I’ve never had butternut squash ravioli, let alone at a diner. The sauce was a little watery. The ravioli was stuffed with the butternut squash. It was good.

Service: B
The waiter was friendly, and our food came out quickly, but we could have used more drink refills. Or any drink refills.

Cost: $
For my food and drink, it was $20.

Overall Thoughts/Would I come back?
I enjoyed the Westway Diner, and it’s one of my more favorite diners so far in NYC. I would go back.

You can see all diner reviews here.

Questions for you:
Do you like raviolis?
What is your favorite type of squash?

November Recap

December 5, 2018 By Hollie in Running, Training Tags: fitness, marathon, nyc, run, running, sports, workout

Can you believe it’s December? Have I posted “can you believe it’s X month,” every month?

November brought a big race, lots of downtime, and then a smaller race. I’m still getting back into fitness, while not trying to push the envelope too much.

Miles Run: Around 130
Shortest Run: 2 miles
Longest Run: New York City Marathon
Workouts: 0
Rest Days: 16
Races:
New York City Marathon (3:07.15)
Medford Lakes Turkey Trot (20:24)

Thoughts:

Most of the running month revolved around the New York City Marathon. I have had a tough time typing this out, but I recovered rather rapidly from the marathon. I’ve had many 13.1s that it’s taken me longer to feel better.

I knew taking 2 weeks off was the right call. The other component is I never felt like I got into peak shape for the marathon. When I ran, it almost felt like a tough workout versus a tough race. My legs fatigued towards the end, but there was never a time that I felt “in the hole or twilight zone.” That’s very different from my previous marathon experiences when I haven’t wanted or felt up to running for at least a month.

Now that I’m a month out, I feel like I’m getting “back into shape again.” I’m starting around where I started over the summer. A 20:24 5k, and 1:30 range half. Over the winter and Spring, I want to build more speed and hopefully get back into sub 19 shape as well as at least 1:25 half marathon shape.

If the weather holds up, I plan to race most weekends in December. It will be a fun way to build fitness and keep me going strong.

Posts from the Month:

Hiking:
Exploring Sandy Hook

Questions for you:
How was your month of December?
Do you have any goals for the rest of the year?

Tick Tock Diner (NYC)

November 11, 2018 By Hollie in Diners Tags: breakfast, brunch, food, new york, nyc, Pancakes, restaurant, review

Before the New York City Marathon, I decided to go to the Tick Tock Diner. I’ve walked by the Tick Tock before, and this was a diner I wanted to go too before the marathon.

Atmosphere: A
When Tara and I arrived around lunchtime, it was crowded, but we quickly got a seat. In fact, we got the most corner booth, but it was nice to stay private.

The outside of Tick Tock is bright, shiny, and stands out. It’s directly across the street from Penn Station, and you can’t miss it.

It’s the largest diner in Manhattan. There are plenty of booties, and tables, and even a full-length bar.

Coffee: B
The coffee was brewed hot and fresh, but I could have used more refills. I also appreciated the personalized mugs.

Food: A
The Tick Tock Diner has plenty of options from breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. There are several healthy salad options and huge burgers too.

I decided to order the Tick Tock Pancake Trio which came with a banana pancake, cinnamon, and chocolate chip. Plus there was delicious cream cheese frosting too. To be honest, they were some of the best pancakes I’ve ordered!

Service: C
I was happy the food came out quickly but the waiter barely came over, and it took a long time to get the check.

Cost: $$
For my coffee and pancakes, the cost was $15.

Overall Thoughts/Would I come back?
I liked the Tick Tock Diner, and it’s one of my favorite diners in the city.

Atmosphere: A
Coffee: B
Food: A
Service: C
Price: $12-20
Overall: A-

You can see all diners here.

Other Diners I’ve Been to in NYC: Cosmic, Ellen’s Stardust Diner

Questions for you:
What are your favorite pancakes?
Have you been to New York? What is your favorite diner in the city? I’m looking for more

Hiking High Mountain with a View of NYC

July 17, 2018 By Hollie in hiking Tags: fitness, hiking, new jersey, nyc, passaic, sports

Recently, I took a short trip to Passaic County in North Jersey. While in town for the day, I decided to hike a short trail at High Mountain in Passaic County. Even though it was cloudy, there was a faint view of NYC.

I was surprised by how quiet the trails were in the middle of the populated area. In fact, I didn’t hear any car traffic and only saw two people on the neighboring golf course at the very end. (That’s right, no one on the trail!). There are a few loops you can do and you can get a hike of about 6 miles if you desire.

I will say, there are sections of trail that can get muddy after heavy rainfall and I was glad I had my Goretex (waterproof) Brooks Cascadia.

While the trails are well marked, finding the path in the beginning was tough. It starts right near the traffic circle. Once you get on the trail, it’s easy to follow.

In order to see the NYC skyline, the hike is only about 1.6 miles. It’s somewhat steep but nothing rigorous. Once you get to the top, you can see a great view, but you can also stand on the rock nearby and get an even better view. It was cloudy when I went so I didn’t have a picture-perfect view.

Here are a few photos:

Here is the start from the traffic circle. Since there is no “trailhead”, if you can’t find it just walk around the entire traffic circle.

Even had some deer spotting

Overturned tree

View of NYC

Neighboring Golf Course where I saw the only people of the trek.

In all, if you’re looking for a local hike with a good view of NYC, High Mountain in Passaic County is a good one.

I had a great time and would definitely go back. Hopefully when it’s a little bit more clear! It’s great if you are looking for something with a view, or even with pets, or kids.

Here are other hikes I’ve done this Spring and Summer:

Hiking Turkey Swamp in Freehold
Exploring Cattus Island in Toms River
Exploring Hartshorne Park in the Highlands
Hiking to the Cape May Lighthouse
Hiking Bear Mountain in a Downpour
Hiking through Belleplain State Forest

You can see all hikes here.

Questions for you:

Have you ever hiked with a view of a City?

What is your favorite hiking shoe?

Orangetown Classic Diner (Orangetown, NY)

July 1, 2018 By Hollie in Diners Tags: cake, Diner, food, new york, nyc, Resturant, review

Last month I had the opportunity to go to the Orangetown Classic Diner in Orangetown, NY. I know, occasionally I make it to the other states for diners too. In fact, for the next few Sundays, I have several out of state diners. We were up that way for the weekend, and I heard that the Orangetown Classic Diner was a good stop. It definitely did not disappoint.

Atmosphere: A
The Orangetown Classic Diner is everything you expect in a classic diner. The outside is large, metallic, and shiny. The inside has plenty of booths, tables, and a full-length bar. There is a massive dessert case and dessert bar that I stared at for my entire meal.

Coffee: B
The coffee was good but not great. With all of the homemade desserts, I expected homemade whipped cream. Other then that, it was good coffee.

Food: B
The menu at the Orangetown Classic Diner is relatively standard for many diners. There are plenty of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. I wasn’t sure what I was in the mood for and ultimately decided to order a Reuben. I can’t remember ever ordering one at a diner, so it seemed like a good idea.

When it came out, it had plenty of meat. It wasn’t the best or the worst Rueban, but it was filling.

Service: C
Our waitress was friendly, but she was loud, and she was having issues with another employee. We could hear across the restaurant. She was always friendly to us. However, it was just a strange situation.

Dessert: A
Orangetown Classic Diner is well known for their desserts, so I wanted to get something. Ultimately I chose the rainbow cake with ice cream. I do not have any regrets. The cake was one of the best diner cakes I’ve had in a while.

There was a fruity topping underneath which tasted great.

Cost: $
For my sandwich, coffee, and dessert the cost was about $25.

Overall Thoughts/Summary:
I liked the Orangetown Classic Diner, and if I’m ever in the area again, I would definitely go back.

Atmosphere: A
Coffee: B
Food: B
Service: C
Dessert: A
Cost: $15-25
Overall: B

You can see all diner reviews here.

Questions for you:
What is your favorite type of sandwich?
What is your favorite type of cake?

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Running and Laughing through the Garden State

Tag Archives: nyc

Westway Diner (NYC)

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