This is what it's really like to have breakfast at Tiffany's in New York
It's not what you see in the classic Audrey Hepburn movie - it's actually better.
I have a confession to make. I turned up for breakfast at Tiffany's without having watched Breakfast at Tiffany's. So imagine my surprise when I found out that when the classic 1961 movie was made, there was no cafe at the legendary jewellery store in New York City.
In the film's opening scene, Audrey Hepburn's free-spirited Holly Golightly munches on a croissant on Fifth Avenue outside the store, gazing longingly into the glittering window displays. And that's pretty much the full extent of "breakfast" she had there. My breakfast, on the other hand, at the striking Blue Box Cafe by Daniel Boulud, which opened in 2017, turned out to be a far more refined affair.
First, it's the room. Located on the store's sixth floor with big windows, the bright and airy space features a striking ceiling from where hundreds of Tiffany gift boxes hang.
Then, it's the seating. You need to book ahead if you want a table, but the six seats at the bar are for walk-ins only and the best spot in my opinion. They not only offer the most elevated views of the room but also the best photo opportunities. The bartender will happily take your pictures with the cafe and the dramatic ceiling in the background. Just make sure you get there first thing when the store opens (at 10am Monday-Saturday; and 11am on Sunday) to nab one of them.
And then there's the food itself. It may feel a bit run-of-the-mill in the beginning, with everyone's breakfast looking the same and arriving in high-tea-style tiered trays. But one bite of the warm scrambled egg served in its own shell and topped with caviar and you'll be willing to excuse any commonalities. And that's just the beginning: flaky croissants and apricot danishes, madeleines, luscious granola parfaits and svelte slices of pineapple complete the picture, along with a Glass of Golightly - a bright-orange concoction of carrot, orange, pineapple, mango and ginger.
You can enjoy high tea here, too, and there's also a menu of a la carte dishes. But why would you come this far and not have breakfast at Tiffany's? blueboxcafenyc.com
Akash is the Deputy Travel Editor for Australian Community Media. He has lived and worked in four cities around the world – Sydney, London, New Delhi and New York – and, at last count, travelled to 42 countries.
My all-time favourite destination is ... New York. You can drop a pin anywhere in Manhattan and start walking in any direction, and the sights and sounds of the city that never stops will begin to stimulate all your senses in an instant.
Next on my bucket list is … Scandinavia - at the peak of summer, when the sun almost never sets.
My top travel tip is … If you’re flying to Sydney from anywhere in the world, pick a window seat far from the wing on the left-hand-side of the aeroplane. If the weather gods and flight path align, you’ll have the most incredible views of the Sydney Harbour and Opera House.
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