The Big 40!

Food + Martinis + Friends & Family = Fun

A good friend of mine, Gwen, has a birthday just one day after mine. Since we're both single gals living in the City, we decided to throw ourselves our own 40th birthday party! This was such a great idea. We had a great time finding the perfect place - Le Colonial. We rented out the top lounge and had yummy eats: Cha Gio (spring rolls), Goi Cuon (soft shrimp rolls), Bo Lui (beef brochette), Ga Goi Filo (curry chicken in phyllo), and Ca Um (smoked salmon on wonton cracker with wasabi, cucumber and dill). My favorite was the Ca Um. And I had many a lychee and passion martini - both fabulous. The bartenders and wait staff were amazing - no shortage of food or drink. And they even made sure to deliver some vegetarian rolls to my veggie friends. And instead of a cake we served some of our favorite cupcakes from TriBeca Treats. My parents came in from San Antonio, my brother and sister-in-law from Virginia, my two sisters and one brother-in-law from North Carolina, and relatives from Ossining and Long Island, New York. I also had friends some in from Washington State and nearby friends from work and such. It was so great having everyone there. What a great way to spend my birthday!
Before my birthday at Le Colonial, I had family stop by my tiny studio on the Upper West Side. Given that my apartment was: 1) hot, 2) small, and 3) ruled by my 6 lb. cat, we headed to the roof. I have a lovely co-op who cares enough to have a terraced garden roof space with lounge chairs, tables and chairs. The views are amazing but the sun can be rather hot. Everyone was a good sport about the umbrellas that didn't work. We shared some champagne and fizzy water before I had to head out to prep for the party.