Where's Johnny Jet: From Iceland to American Suburbs and NYC

KEY: Bold links open pictures in a separate browser window, while regular hyperlinks open websites.

Greetings! Last week we left off from exotic Iceland. After hanging out in Icelandair's Business Class lounge, where I sat comfortably while enjoying free wireless internet, food and drinks, I flew to New York.

Reykjavik to JFK

Until this trip, I didn't realize how close Iceland is to the U.S. The flight to JFK is only 100 miles longer than JFK-LAX -- a route I frequent. The 2,590-mile flight took only 5 hours and 10 minutes -- a piece of cake. The Business Class section on this 757 was much nicer than the 767 I flew over on from San Francisco. This plane was newer, the seats were wider, there was more legroom, and most seats had foot rests. On top of that, I had a whole row to myself -- and it was in the bulkhead, giving me even more legroom (plus storage space underneath, which many airlines don't provide). The food and service were good, and my bag was the very first one off the carousel (usually it's last). This was the first time in my life that I was the first person off the plane, the first to go through passport control and the first through customs. If only international travel was always this smooth!

Connecticut

I stayed on the east coast to visit friends and family in Connecticut. I grew up 40 miles from New York City, and Memorial Day weekend is my favorite time of the year there. All of my friends come out of the woodwork. We reunite and relive our childhood days. Another bonus is that everyone is in a good mood, because the weekend kicks off the summer: It's when the beaches officially open.

My Dad

I also love Memorial Day weekend because my birthday usually falls on it. Another reason to celebrate! This year my dad called me from his home in Erie, Pennsylvania and asked what I wanted for my birthday. I said, "All I want is to spend the weekend with you." Sure enough, like the great father he is, he bought a ticket. A few hours later, he showed up.

My dad stayed at my sister Georgette's house, while I stayed nearby at my brother Frank's. Frank and his fiancée Cricket treated me very well. I never felt I was imposing, and they even encouraged me to stay longer (which I did).

Martini Party

The first soirée of the weekend in Connecticut was on Bell Island in Rowayton at the Martini Party. Unfortunately, it rained a bit which scared most of my friends away. However, a few stuck around to see the rainbow and catch up on year gone by.

Memorial Day Parade

The big event of the weekend is Rowayton's Memorial Day parade. The parade starts at noon the Sunday before the holiday. This year I went with Georgette, my brother-in-law Cam and my dad. We ran into most of our friends along the route. I started to feel old (as I should). I can't believe how many of my friends have kids.

To me, this parade is as American as it gets. It's always so much fun to watch, because everyone knows each other and there are house parties up and down the street. After the parade there is an emotional ceremony for our fallen vets. Every time they lower the flag to "Taps" I get goose bumps. The event officially ends after the ceremony, but everyone knows to stop by the firehouse for free hot dogs and sodas.

Stickball

After filling our bellies with dogs, my friends and I played our annual stickball game. We used to play stickball (using a shovel handle and paddle tennis ball) nearly every day in the summer. Now it's down to just one game. But it's for all the marbles -- bragging rights for the whole year. The old guys (40 and over) play us young guys (relatively speaking). Every year the old guys cheat, and every year they get their butts kicked. This year, though, was the closest game we've had. The old-timers almost beat us in the bottom of the ninth. Thank God we held them off. Otherwise it would've been the same torture I went through last fall when Boston won the World Series. I don't think I can take any more of that abuse.

BBQs

From stickball it was off to a party at another close friend of the family's. There I played a friendly game of softball. I also sampled the best desserts, as I fed my belly one cookie (or piece of chocolate cake) after another. Believe it or not, the barbecues didn't end there. My dad and I went with Georgette to Cam's family's party. Just when I thought I was all fooded out, they cooked up some of the best BBQ around (besides the South, of course).

I spent two weeks in Connecticut (much longer then I anticipated) before heading to a destination I had never been to before (details in next week's newsletter).

Restaurants

In Connecticut I was fortunate to spend a lot of time with my family members and meet new ones. I am part Italian, so most of those meeting places were at restaurants or over food. We went out to dinner a lot. Below is a sampling of various places you might enjoy:

American Food for Dinner: My brother took me to Joe's American Grill (I told you it was American) in Fairfield. The place is a chain, but the food and service were good and it's moderately priced. Joe's American Grill, 750 Post Road, Fairfield, CT; tel. 203-319-1600.

American Food for Lunch: The Sugar Bowl in Darien. This is a fun, inexpensive place that kids and adults love, within walking distance of the Darien train station. Sugar Bowl, 1033 Post Rd, Darien, CT; tel. 203-655-1259.

Pizza: Rowayton Pizza serves normal-priced, tasty pizza. My favorite is extra thick with onions, hot cherry peppers and chicken. Go on a clear, dry, warm day or night, and sit outside. Now through July 3 Shakespeare on the Sound is performing nearby, so grab some pizza and your blanket, and go watch. Rowayton Pizza, 104 Rowayton Ave, Rowayton, CT; tel. 203-853-7555.

Thai: Papaya Thai. I have mentioned this place before, but I really like their food. My favorite dishes are the penang chicken, Thai beef salad and cucumber salad. Ummm! Reserve one of the two tables in the back room (but you have to take your shoes off). Papaya Thai & Asian BBQ, 24 Marshall St., Norwalk, CT; tel. 203-866-8424.

Mexican: Viva Zapata's. This place is loud, fun and casual. All the ingredients for a good Mexican restaurant. Viva Zapata Mexican Restaurant, 530 Riverside Avenue, Westport, CT; tel. 203-227-8226.

Seafood: Rowayton Seafood. It's not cheap, but what do you expect at a quaint restaurant right on the water? The seafood is fresh, and the service professional. They have non-seafood dishes to. Rowayton Seafood, 89 Rowayton Ave., Rowayton, CT; tel,: 203-838-7473.

Dessert: My favorite place for dessert is Stew Leonard's. It's the world's largest dairy store (that's what the sign says), but I skip the milk and ice cream and head straight for the chocolate chip cookies, fudge brownies and apple pie. Stew Leonard's, 100 Westport Avenue, Norwalk, CT; tel. 203-847-7214.

Birthday Cakes

Speaking of dessert: My sister baked a few of my mom's Mississippi mud cakes. Each time we were with a bunch of people she served them with candles and had everyone sing "Happy Birthday" to me. After the second time I begged her to stop embarrassing me, but that only added fuel to the fire. My dad chimed in and started ordering cakes with candles at restaurants as well (I am pretty sure he did that just so he could order more dessert).

Golf

One of the places where that happened was a really good Italian restaurant that just opened up on the 19th hole at Oak Hills Golf Course (tel.: 203-838-0303). The restaurant is called Rolling Green, (tel.: 203-855-1800) and it will be open year-round. Before dinner my dad, Georgette and Cam played golf, which wasn't pretty. It's a public course, and weekend greens fees for out-of-towners are $48. I also played with Frank, Cricket and my dad at Longshore in Westport (tel.: 203-222-7535). This too is a public course, and out-of-town fees are also $48. However, they have a bad policy: no rain checks.

Art Show

My sister Georgette had her very first Art show. We all went to her opening to support her, at the Darien Patriot National Bank. She is a really good painter (she takes after my mom). Her dogs and cats are her primary subjects; she also paints other people's animals. Her paintings are on display until July 2. Patriot National Bank, 800 Post Rd., Darien, CT; tel. 203-202-7450.

NYC

I went into NYC a couple of times with my brother. Once we went with his friends to the meatpacking district (they should change the name to "meat market district") for a night on the town. We had drinks at the Hotel Gansevoort (website, tel. 212-206-6700) rooftop bar, then went across the street for a late night French meal at Pastis. It was packed with New York's in crowd and celebrities. We ran into our boy James Gandolfini. What's up Tony? (like he knows who we are). Pastis, 9 9th Avenue, New York City; tel. 212-929-4844.

The other visit to NY was with Frank and Cricket to attend our friend Sammy's party at the Union Club (tel.: 212-685-3800). The private club on 69th and Park was built in 1933. Sammy had a cocktail party to celebrate his recent marriage to Renee in Sweden. The club is very stuffy, and I felt like I was in one of those Ivy League movies like "Soul Man." In fact, I felt like Soul Man, because I didn't bring any dress-up clothes and Frank found out five minutes before we were leaving that we needed a jacket and tie to get in. Frank threw some of his clothes on me that were either way too big or way too small (not a good combo). But we still had fun.

After the cocktail party we went back down to the meatpacking district, this time for a late-night dinner at El Faro. This old, small and dark Spanish restaurant with Spanish senoritas painted on the walls has been around for decades. I actually felt like I was in Spain as we shared tapas, split entrees and enjoyed pitchers of Sangria with friends from both coasts. El Faro Restaurant, 823 Greenwich St, New York City; tel. 212-929-8210.

Next Week

Next week, pack your weekend getaway bag. We're heading to an island I have never visited, but always wanted to.

Happy Travels,

Johnny Jet

Please tell us what you think of this week's newsletter!

Web Resources

• Hotel Gansevoort
• Icelandair's Business Class lounge
• Joe's American Grill
• Longshore
• Oak Hills Golf Course
• Papaya Thai
• Rolling Green
• Shakespeare on the Sound
• Stew Leonard's

John E. DiScala (aka Johnny Jet), is the founder of www.johnnyjet.com, the ultimate travel website and weekly newsletter. He logs over 150,000 miles a year, has been featured in over 400 articles (including Frommers.com, USA Today, Time, Fortune, the New York Times, CNBC and MSNBC), and has published the book, You Are Here Traveling With Johnnyjet.com.