Wine plus beach in Oregon?

Thanks for the very helpful advice! I think we may take your suggestion about Manzanita - and now we're thinking maybe we will detour to a winery on the way from Portland to the beach, and then again on the day we drive back to Portland - but while we're at the beach, we'll just stay there. Does that sound better?

The Neskowin/McMinnville plan also sounds very workable and maybe we will do that sometime when we have a longer trip. Other posts on this board recommended some condos called The Chelan in Neskowin that looked good.

Bread and Ocean seems well loved on this board - lots of recommendations - so it sounds like a place we must go.

Thanks for taking the time to reply!

newmama in Pacific Northwest

Wine plus beach in Oregon?

My husband and I are planning a quick getaway soon, and leaving our son in Portland with his grandparents and then embarking from there. I would love to do some Oregon Pinot tasting, but my husband wants to stay at the beach, and drive from there to visit some wineries a few days. I've searched the board and haven't seen any threads that touch on this combination of beach plus wine. Is this do-able? My husband grew up in Portland but we live in the Northeast now so we're not familiar with which wineries would be best and most accessible from the coast. Any itinerary, winery, lodging suggestions would be most appreciated. I realize that some driving will be involved, but we'd rather not move hotels each night. Will continue combing the archives, thanks in advance for any help!

newmama in Pacific Northwest

Has anyone been to the southwest porch at bryant park?

I am planning a day in NY for some out of town friends and was considering ice skating there instead of Rockefeller center since it's cheaper and may be less crowded. Basically, I'm looking for a place to catch up with some old friends, where we can be comfortable either doing something active or sitting and talking/eating. I thought ice skating + hot drinks/snacks could be a good way to spend some time before we head to dinner. Sounds like the porch serves 'wichcraft...

Any thoughts? Would the heated southwest porch at bryant park fit the bill? Or should we stick with rockefeller center? Any other options that I'm not considering? We're going January 4th, so the holiday market will be closed...

newmama in Manhattan

Challenge: celebration dinner on a Monday

Thanks! I would like to keep it to around or less than $50 per person. None of us are big drinkers and we each usually just have one glass of wine when we go out, and we usually share desserts. We are pretty flexible on location - we haven't made our lodging reservations yet, and we're willing to take the subway. And we're pretty flexible on ethnicity of food too. The baby will be 7 months, so will be capable of sitting in a high chair, but not at all necessary. We take him out to dinner a lot, so we're pretty good at being unobtrusive. He often falls asleep in the carseat under the table. I hope this helps - I appreciate the advice!

newmama in Manhattan

Challenge: celebration dinner on a Monday

I am tasked with planning a small dinner to celebrate the engagement of some friends. He is planning to propose over the New Year's weekend, and then a group of 6 or so friends is going to fly in from around the country to surprise them for a celebratory dinner. The dinner is planned for a Monday night. None of us is from New York, but we are all adventurous. I'm looking for a place that will feel special without being too expensive, and someplace where we will be able to talk easily, since we will all be catching up after not seeing each other for a few months. It needs to be open on a Monday night. Oh yeah, and one of us has a baby who is very easy going and quiet, but it would be great if this place is willing to accomodate a small quiet baby in a lap or a carseat sitting on the floor.

Anyone up for helping me with this challenge? Is it hopeless?

newmama in Manhattan

Itinerary for pre-baby NYC trip?

Thanks Kathryn - it's funny - last night after i posted, I found your brunch post and now I am full of new ideas for our breakfasts - it was very helpful!! And my husband corrected me that I should have said the Staten Island Ferry instead of the Ellis Island ferry - he has done it before and said that it still gives a view of the city and the Statue of Liberty without the hassle. Thanks for pointing that out and for your advice!

Can we take the subway from Times Square to Chelsea to save time?

Also, any thoughts on Bouchon Bakery (from you or anyone) - I picked it since I heard it has nice views and is the general direction of the Met/Central Park - but if there are better options, I'm more than happy to consider them!

newmama in Manhattan

Itinerary for pre-baby NYC trip?

Thanks for the advice. Friday night our bus arrives Penn Station around 10 pm, so by the time we drop bags off at the hotel we'll likely be heading out at 11. I fully realize that that is not that late for NYC standards - it's just late for my pregnant self these days. But Casellula is open until 2 am so I thought it could work since it's not far from where we're staying - I haven't read much about it on this board, but it looks delicious.

newmama in Manhattan