#tastetsq

[marygenevanyc]

😋😋😋 #tastetsq #mondaynight #hk #nyc #timessquare #dinner #picoftheday #foodfestival #food #foodporn #restaurantrow #restaurant #goodvibes #friends #yolo (at Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan)

[ihwhh]

The #taste sized #pizza at John's Pizza at the #TasteTSq always gives me a chuckle 😂

[phailup]

At the Taste of Time Square Food Fest! #tastetsq

[amyrivard]

View this post on Instagram

Just found my fav new band!!! The Ebony Hillbillies! I think she found her fav new band too. #TasteTSq #supportlivemusic #ilovelivemusic @timessquarenyc (at Times Square, New York City)

[esstrauss]

Today's gig...⚡️#yutandthehotfour #tastetsq #smlife @yutviolinist (at Times Square, New York City)

[mobilize]

How tasty is #TasteTSq? (at Flushing, New York)

[akacitylife]

The MisAdventure of AkA

It started off like any other Monday...

AkA woke up, went to our respective workplaces and each had a pretty productive day. We were looking forward to getting together after work for a few recreational activities, but little did we know that our evening activities would turn out like this...

5:49pm - 6:48pm — Missed Connections

The original plan was to meet up at 5:30 for the Taste of Times Square event. However, 5:30 came and went without any texts in the AkA group chat. Finally, Alaisha sent the first text at 5:49pm stating she was walking to 42nd street. Krystal was right after her and attempted to meet her on the corner of 46th and broadway. Unfortunately, there were too many lines, too many people, and too many balloons. By the time they found each other, Alaisha was at the front of the line, and Krystal had no cash. To Chase they went. Meanwhile, Amber was supposed to be packing up, but in reality was sending out last-minute status reports and didn't leave the office until 6:44. By the time AkA was all in one place, we were an hour behind schedule.

6:49pm - 7:23pm — The Taste of Times Square

Armed with 3 empty stomachs and 21 dollars worth of tickets, AkA set out down 46th street to the multiple tents serving food from some of the most popular restaurants around times square. We dined on Junior's cheesecake, BB Kings Mac and Cheese, Blue Fin steak quesadillas, Havana Central empanadas and Applebee's riblets. By the time our tickets had run out, we were running late for our next event and rushed over to Bryant Park.

7:24pm - 8:09pm — Missed Musical Chairs

So... Krystal had been looking forward to this musical chairs event ever since she was robbed of her place in last year's competition. Unfortunately we arrived too late to the park for registration and were forced to sit on the sidelines. While we were sideline watching, Amber was making evening plans to attend Carmelo Anthony's 30th B-Day Bash at Up & Down. With a confirmation email set (from a janky promoter), we left musical chairs to prepare for the night.

8:10pm - 10:33pm — Nap Mishap

We all went our separate ways, and planned to meet back up at 10:30 pm. Krystal and Alaisha attempted -- and failed -- at taking a nap while Amber was at home searching through the archives to find the perfect outfit.

10:34 - 11:15pm — Missed Connection & Made Connection

Since Alaisha and Amber live nearby each other, the two decided to meet at their local train station. Being caught up in her preparations, Amber missed the train Alaisha was on by 20 paces. Seven minutes later, Amber finally met up with Krystal and Alaisha to head to Up & Down. While leaving the train station, Krystal entertained an interesting Jamaican brotha, who invited us to the Spice Market for the night. Already on a mission, we politely declined and Krystal exchanged her info with him and saved the location for a future venture.

11:16pm - 11:58 — In Line for Carmelo

We finally got in line at 11:16 pm to get into the club. Amber called her "promoter friend" to let him know that we had arrived, but he had been standing in the same line that we were trying to get in, so unfortunately we still had to wait....and wait.....and wait. After 45 minutes, the bouncer announced that they would not be honoring any more guestlists for the night, and were only letting in table service. Needless to say, we promptly hopped out of line and on to the nearest form of transportation to attempt to salvage the night with smoothies. Next stop: Big Daddy's.

11:59pm - 12:17am — Big Daddy's Closed

SIKE! Big Daddy's closes at midnight (during the week), which we learned when we walked in at 12:17am.

12:17am - 12:32am — No NQR

Therefore, we just decided to call it a night and walk to the nearest subway station (2/3 of us in heels), which happened to be closed as well. Apparently, there was construction going on in the uptown NQR stations, so we had no choice but to walk to the 1 train station--two avenues over (FYI: avenues are much longer than streets).

12:33am - 1:36am — Train Ride Home

Finally, with sore feet, empty stomach and crushed spirits, AkA boarded the 1 train and slowly made our way back to our homes.

Lesson for the day, never have high expectations for a Monday night.