My First Meal in NYC

I'm psyched that I'm not here to just hang out and have fun this time. I'm here to work. Work. Work. So I have to start with a frugal meal. I had some peanutty chicken something and wanton soup with a lot of spinach. It may not be the best chinese food I had in New York but it definitely hit the spot!

On a late night like this and all I did the whole day is run around town looking for an apartment, all I need is some chinese food, really hot soup and lots and lots of rice!

Thanks, Jackie for the reco!


China Fun
1221 2nd Ave.
New York, NY

Welcome to NYC Travel and Living

Thanks to Jackie and Casey, I had a landing pad in New York City. I literally just dropped by bags at their place and started my apartment hunting.

I like the first on that I saw. It was huge and was a pretty good deal. The room comes furnished with a bed, a desk, a cable box and some storage space, not to mention it was big. Oh and the bed comes with brand new sheets too. The common area has brand new appliances and furnitures too! The rent rate of $795 also comes with cable and wifi, phone that can call puerto rico and canada, all utilities including gas, electric and water. Quite a steal. It was a really nice apartment... except that it's on 157th and Broadway which can go rough around the edges. Besides, it's too far north for someone working in downtown.

It would have been fun though. My roommates who are already living there would have been a fashion designer, a chinese guy trying to be an actor, a Japanese student studying art.

Welcome to NYC!

And my hunt goes on.

Leaving... On A JetBlue

Jetblue is now my new favorite budget airline. Coach feels like business class! I got to watch movies, get a drink and not have to pay (I miss those days when airlines snacks are free! now all you get is peanuts!) and be able to stretch my legs! And the best part is, it starts at 59 USD one way! Now that's a real deal!

I'll Be Okay

Chicago has grown on me. I know I'm moving to a bigger city with more exciting things to do... but I'm just sentimental of all things Chicago right now...
- my 96 Lunt bus that I miss all the time because it comes earlier than scheduled!
- the blinking blue light on Morse Red Line that reminds me to watch my back, I'm in the ghetto!
- my 8 Halstead but that takes forever to arrive but gets me just in time for my 6am class
- sunday mass at St. Margaret Mary and weekend produce shopping at Super H with Auntie Prescy
- the cold brutal winter
- the alarm clock that snoozes every 8 minutes but to no avail
- my scenic bus route via Bus 147 - Lakeshore Outerdrive
- the Magnificent Mile that offers tempting shopping deals
- my downtown abode at the Oliveroses
- the Corcueras that I used to go home to, Ken and Randy on weekends and holidays, Kc and Cindy on weekdays. More than just friends, they became family to me.
- Giordano's deep dish pizza that's just 30% off on Mondays, it used to be 50% off
- my former co-workers at Accenture that I bug for coffee whenever I have to go to the John Thompson Center to mail my used books
- My visits to the Holy Name Cathedral... to pray, or sometimes just to get some peace and quiet
- the Chicago River that they dye green on St. Patrick's Day
- the Northwester Cutlery that offers great bargain on MAC knives!
- the Pho at Cafe Huang and Bahn Mi at Bali on Argyle
- my girls: Lisa (and Gabbie), Maia (and her crazy firemen stories) and Shasha (that I rarely see)
- the squirrels on the yard (well, I'll probably see them in New York too)
- Kendall of course
- The L
- Gwen and Donna
- Vicky and Mike
- Jose

I'll miss them. I'll be in touch. I'll be okay.

I woke up early today with a plan to finish packing and cleaning up my room. It's time to move again. I used to think moving is always fun. For me, it's a new journey... a new city to explore, new friends to get to know... new things to do. It's exciting. But the difficult part is not really the hassle of packing my bags and cleaning up my room. It's letting go of the people and places we've fallen in love with, routines we've grown accustomed to, everything from the pleasing to the annoying...

---------------------------------------
I'll Be Okay
-Amanda Marshall

Its time to let you go
It's time to say good-bye
No more excuses
No more tears to cry
There's been so many changes
I was so confused
All along you were the one
All the time I never knew

I want you to be happy
You're my best friend
But it's so hard to let you go now
All that could have been
I'll always have the memories
She'll always have you
Fate has a way of changing
Just when you don't want it to

Throw away the chains
Let love, fly away
Till love comes again
I'll be okay

Life passes so quickly
You gotta take the time
You'll miss what really matters
you'll miss all the signs
I've spent my life searchin,
For what was always there
Sometimes it will be too late
Sometimes it wont be fair

Throw away the chains
Let love, fly away
Till love comes again
I'll be okay

I wont give up
I wont give in
I can't recreate
What just might have been
I know that my heart
Will find love again
Now is the time to begin

Throw away the chains
Let love, fly away
Till love comes again
I'll be okay
I'll be okay
I'll be okay

Can't hold on forever baby,
Can't hold on forever baby,
Can't hold on forever baby,
I'll be okay

Tilapia A La Grenobloise With Rice!

I haven't been really creative with Tilapia. Back home, we usually just fry the fish and eat it with citrus and fish paste (calamansi and bagoong). But we use whole fish so it comes with a really crispy skin after frying.

I had some Tilapia fillets in the freezer. They won't be good just fried. I decided to take a twist on the classic: A La Grenobloise. This is traditionally made with Trout, a very delicate and mildly flavored fish.

A La Grenobloise simply means, in the style of Grenoble. A small town in the Dauphine region of France. It's a traditional fish preparation with brown butter (beurre noisette), lemon juice and lemon meat, chopped parsley and croutons. Typically, the fish is cooked in the browning butter. For my preparation. I cooked the butter sauce and the fish separately.

Fish: (5) Tilapia Fillets
Pat them dry, season with salt and pepper, dredge them in flour and saute in butter until golden brown. Set Aside

Broken Butter Sauce:
2 T Butter - Beurre Noisette (brown it!)
2 lemons - Juice one, Segment the other
1 bunch of Flat Leaf Parsely - Chop and add to the lemon and butter
3 T Capers - Add to the mixture
*It's very important that the butter is browned. Browning involves caramelizing the milk solids that are present in butter giving it a rich and deep nutty flavor. It has a very inviting caramel aroma! It will burn very soon when it gets to this stage so take it out of the heat and add the rest of the ingredients. Watch the splatter!

Pour the sauce on top of the cooked fillets.

And voila! Tilapia A La Grenoblaise!

I omitted the croutons and ate it A La Me (with lots of kanin, steamed white rice!)

I Miss Cookie Monster Chocolate Cake!

This is one chocolate cake I will forever remember from my childhood! I wish somebody wrote the recipe. I would love to make it. I haven't had Cookie Monster Chocolate cake for decades I still remember how it taste like. I found a frosting recipe that was close. I just have to look for the caramel filling recipe. As for the cake, well, that will be a real challenge. But the frosting is the best part.

Auntie Prescy makes it! I would lick the pot every she makes the frosting! It's that good! And really simple to make!

Chocolate Fudge Frosting
3/4 c sugar
1/4 c cocoa
2 T cornstarch
1 c milk
1 T butter
1 t vanilla

Mix all dry. Add milk in a steady stream. Make sure there are no lumps. Cook till it begins to thicken. Remove from heat. Stir in butter to finish (gives it that sheen) and stir in vanilla extract.

------------------------------

Chocolate Cake
Stage I
Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time.
1 1/2 c butter
3 c sugar
3 eggs


Stage II
Add dry ingredients.
3 1/4 c APF or Cake Flour (there will be a slight difference in texture)
3/4 t salt
3/4 c cocoa
3 t baking powder
3 t baking soda

Fold in 1 c of sour cream (store bought or make your own, mayo is a good sub too)
1/2 c milk
1/2 water
1 T vinegar
Let it sit until you're ready to mix.

Add 1 1/2 c boiling water to finish.

Pour in a 13x9 greased plan.

Bake at 350F until done (about 1 hour).

--------------------------------------

Semi-Homemade Option

Use store bought Devil's Food Cake (I like Duncan Heinz).
Follow directions on the box.
Add 1 c of Mayo or Sour Cream. (honestly, I prefer Mayo. Keeps the cake soft and moist!)

Bake as directed.
Frost.

-------------------------------------

So does anybody have the recipe for the caramel filling?

It's Good To Be In Love

I recently graduated from Culinary School. I went through an accelerated program because I was so eager to finish it... as fast as humanly possible (because I'm not that young anymore!). But there was just SO much to learn. To begin with, I'm hardly acquainted with produce and food products here.

I decided to take my internship in California for Product ID 101. I learned so much! I went to Chez Panisse to learn pastry and to Aqua to learn savory. My co-workers call me crazy because I did both at the same time. I was at Chez in the morning and at Aqua at night! I was married to my job! I wake up with my prep list in my head. I sleep with pictures of plates in my dreams. Should I pipe out the whipped creme fraiche or quenelle it on top of the onion tart? I walk to work wondering what I can do better. Will I have enough demi to make my sauce? What can I do for an amuse? How about some tartar? What can we run for specials today? Are the stone fruits ripe enough for today's tart? I think about my recipes 24/7... just like how I would think of my beloved (if i had one! i guess that's why my recipes took his place in my head). But it was all worth it! Lessons learned are priceless!

I was going back to San Francisco to work, but things didn't work out, unfortunately. But it wasn't too bad. The troublesome situation opened up to greater opportunities.

Guess what? I got a job in New York City! With an internship from San Francisco and a job in New York, I feel like a heavy weight! Well, not quite. I'm just starting and there's one million things to learn! So much to learn!

I've been to New York before, but I was working as a consultant. It felt different. It was exciting but exhausting. Now I'm going back, but I'll be a cook. Being on the line is exciting and exhilarating...I can't wait. I'm just so in love with it.

Brunch At Orange Hits The Spot!

We had brunch at Orange after running. Lisa introduced me to this place.

They serve freshly squeezed orange juice. They serve it at its best: room temp!

They experiment a lot on breakfast stuff which makes it really fun. The last time I was there, I tried the pan seared irish oatmeal (steel cut instead of rolled). This time, I wanted to try their pancake but I didn't know which concoction to get. Good thing they serve it in a flight!

It was good but it was just too much. Plus everything was sweet! If I were to design a flight this big, I'll make the pancakes go from savory to sweet, that way, though they come in just one big plate, eating it will be like eating a 4 course pancake meal!

They have great eggs too! Omelets and Eggs Benedicts! It's a place I'll go back to. It's also I place I'd like to have one day :)

Oh, and the best thing about Orange is their student discount: 20% Now that's a real treat!

Its a 70-degree Day!

It seems to have taken forever for Spring to arrive in Chicago. Finally it's here. I'm really amazed at how people appreciate a sunny day here. People come out like ants. Activities are lined up in the parks. Museums get packed. Cafe's set up tables on the patio for al fresco dining. Even if they know tomorrow's going to be in the 40's.

We went running by the lake today. It felt great. We laid on the grass after. The grass is green! Spring has sprung!

The Joy of Music To Those Who Cannot Hear

Some of the exhibit in the MCA did not make sense to me. However, there were a few that moved me. One of them was Singing Lessons 2. A DVD exhibit by Artur Zmijewski. It was difficult to watch it. When I entered the AVR, I thought it was goofy. Then I read the introduction: Singing Lessons 2 was a singing lesson for the deaf. It seemed like a really difficult feat for the participants. And yet they try. They try to learn. And They try to give it their best. They get better and better in each practice session. I don't know how they asses themselves or how they try to crack a tune. It surely was not quite a normal learning process. It must be difficult for them. But the apparent joy in their faces as they were singing with the Baroque chamber orchestra during the recital was moving! They sang with pride. They've done it. They know they did and they did it well, though they cannot hear the music they've made. Learning how to sing and singing, made them all very happy.

At the MCA On Target Tuesday

Target Tuesdays is one of my favorite days. It's the best day to go to the museums. Well, for obvious reasons.
I went to Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art today. Some were interesting, but there were some I just don't get.

Title: Untitled (how profound!)
Medium: Carpet
Dimension: Variable
It's a composition of texture.

Seriously. Come on.

Manic Monday - Your Taxes Are Due!

Taxes are due tomorrow! I tried doing it by hand... I mean, without using turbo tax but I just got frustrated. Not that I have a lot of numbers to play with. The forms can be overwhelming for a first timer.

I never had to do my taxes. The company took care of it for me for the last how many years that I've been working both in Manila and in Chicago. I just review, sign and mail. That's 3 steps instead of 10,000! But I have to learn how to do it sooner or later, and I guess that time is now. I couldn't! And I'm beginning to panic. So I dialed 911 a.k.a turbotax

I finished my taxes in no time! Go Turbo Tax! That was awesome. Although I wasn't able to do it manually, I still felt very accomplished just getting it done. Whew!

Sunday is Stress-Free Day

I love Sundays. It's that time of the week when I plan not to do anything... well not really not to do anything... but the plan really is not to have a plan. I think that sounds better.

I went to Church with Aunti Prescy. Then I went to brunch with Jose. The plan was (ok, I do have a plans, but that's just me, but on Sundays, if things don't happen as planned, it's ok, Sunday is also a day I decided to keep stress free...) to eat at The Bongo Room in Wicker Park. It must be a popular place for brunch. The line was long. We walked down the street and picked the next place that's not called Mc Donald's or iHop (although I love iHop! how can you not?). We ended up at Rodan. It's like breakfast at a bar, well, it's really a bar. The menu...tried to have everything. Vegan options, a lot of latin flare, some french, some italian. That's not exactly a good thing, for me. I just orderd pancakes and Jose had eggs benedict. I was too hungry to experiment with the menu so I picked what I think can't go wrong ;)

After eating, we just stayed home, took a nap, tried to plan something but we were too lazy, played a computer game, ate left over for snacks and pizza for dinner. We did plan to watch a movie but we didn't make it. But it was ok. We had a great time! It was one of the best! I love Sundays!

Homemade Heath Bars

Heath Bars Candy is one of those old time favorites that we don't get to see a lot anymore. We can't really wait for an online order just to get our fix! Auntie Prescy had a quick recipe:
1 stick of butter
1 stick of margarine
1/2 cup of sugar
*mix in a pot until sugar turns to caramel. This is your toffee.
1 cup of sliced almonds
1 pckg of graham crackers

Line the sheet tray with 1 layer of graham crackers. Pour the toffee over. Use a spatula to spread thinly and evenly. Sprinkle with toasted sliced almonds. Bake at 350F for 10-15 minutes. Let them cool.

And viola! Heath bar candies! They're really good! I almost ate an entire tray while writing the rest of my blog.

I Miss Home, Where It's Summer Everyday!

It's a beautiful day. I was going to take the bus down Michigan Ave but ... the day is too pretty! Gentle breeze. Hardly any clouds.

Winter in Chicago is brutal! It's cold, dry and gloomy and it's a bit long! There was a snow storm very recently. It's April! Dreaming of a White Easter?

On a day like this though, winter's beauty shines and reflects on spring. The colors of spring are more vibrant.

Coming from the Philippines where the weather is pretty much the same throughout the year, I never really appreciated a nice day like this...which we have a lot of! Well, it can get really hot too, but hey, we don't have to go through dark depressing winters. Going through winter makes me grateful about every sunny spring and summer day.

Now I miss the home... where it's summer everyday! Well, maybe sometimes it's spring too!

Attempted Mexican Dinner with the Oliveros

Craving for Margarita led to a semi-homemade mexican dinner.

All we wanted to have was a decent glass of Margarita. Kristine decided that we should get some chips and salsa. She went to Trader Joe's with her hubby, Deric and went home with seasoned meat for Carne Asada.

And production begins!
Homemade:
Salsa - diced fresh tomatoes, red onions, chopped cilantro, lime juice, s&p
Mexican Rice - minced garlic, chopped onions, tomato product, day old rice (so it's dryer), cumin, parika, s&p

Semi-homemade: (NOT recommended)
Carne Asada - already seasoned from Trader Joe's, goes on the grill
Margarita - Sea salt for ringer, Mayer-Lemon Margarita Mix from Williams-Sonoma, Tequilla, water

Our homemade stuff are better! Salsa was great! Mexican rice was tasty! Carne Asada was hot. We get the heat, but not the flavor. Margarita was not Mayer-Lemony. But it's the first food product I've tasted from William Sonoma, so I wasn't sure what to expect. At least we know better next time.

Margarita is really best homemade!
3 parts tequilla
2 parts lemon/lime juice (I prefer lime)
1 part orange liqueur (I prefer grand marnier over triple sec)
Sea salt for ringer!

Carne Asada
Meat: Skirt Steak
Marinade:
Minced Garlic
Chopped Cilantro
Chopped Jalapeno
Ground Cumin
Ground Black Pepper
Kosher Salt
Lime Juice
Olive Oil
Sugar - just to balance flavor
Vinegar - just for added acidity

That was fun! But we'll do it from scratch next time!

Casey On Corporate America

I joined Casey for dinner last night at Cafe Iberico. She said her husband, Martin took her to this tapas bar and she really liked it. I used to frequent this place when I was still working for Accenture.

Great tapas! And the prices? Unbeatable!

Pulpo A La Plancha - $6.67
Pincho De Solomillo - $5.75
Paella Marinera -$9.75
It can feed four! But of course Casey and I finished it between the 2 of us!

A Pitcher of Sangria -$11.95

Good food with a great friend equals a great time! I had an especially great time because I was able to process my thoughts with Casey about deciding on where to work. Her advise, "Nams, this is corporate america. No one will watch out for you. So go ahead and do whatever you think is the best for you."

Thanks, Case!

Now, New York is an option! I'm really excited!

--------------------
Cafe Iberico
739 N LaSalle
Chicago, IL 60610

Lisa's Pear Pie

We had a simple easter feast last night. A dinner for 2 turned dinner for 6. I'm grateful to be in the company of great friends on Easter Sunday. Lisa has been asking me to cook some duck for her. So we planned on celebrating Easter together. Eventually we decided to invite friends "and/or" loved-ones to join us!

Our menu:
Mandarin Orange Salad with Spicy Orange Vin
Orange Glazed Roasted Duck and Rice (dapat lang may kanin!)
Lisa's Pear Pie

I enjoyed the dessert the most (I was planning on taking a picture but I ate it all before I realized I haven't taken a picture!) It was a simple yummy treat!

Lisa's Pear Pie:
1 can of pear halves. Drain. Line them at the bottom of the baked pie crust.
1 pie crust (2" deep). Partially bake.
1 stick (4 oz.) softened butter. Cream.
1 cup sugar. Cream with butter
4 eggs. Beat with Creamed Butter and Sugar
8 tbsp. all purpose flour. Fold into Cream Sugar and Egg mixture

Pour mixture over pears in the pie crust.

Bake till set.
350F about 30-45 minutes
Slice and Serve

Yum yum! It came out creamy and custardy with a nice golden grust on top! I can maybe eat it with cream sweetened with pear syrup and topped with toasted sliced almonds!

Thanks, Lisa!!

Auntie Prescy's Church Window Candies - Very Easter

Auntie Prescy and I planned for a simple Easter Eve feast since we both had our own Easter Plans. She asked me to teach her how to make home made Ceasar Salad dressing (it's really best home made I must say!). She cooked some steak and I just made herbed pasta with sun dried tomatoes to accopany her steak. For dessert we had Aunti Prescy's Church Window Chocolate Candies.

We were graced by a couple of my friends, Gwen and Ricky, which made our Easter Eve dinner more festive! We decided to open a bottle of wine too.

As usual, I enjoyed the desserts the most (Ricky brought some Haagen Daaz Ice Cream too, Love the Caramel Cone! they're my new favorite)

Auntie Prescy's Church Window Chocolate Candies
1 stick of butter (4 oz). Melt
1 package of semi-sweet chocolate chips. Melt with Butter
Cool the chocolate mixture just till it's warm, NOT cold and set

1 package of multi colored marshmallows. Fold into the Chocolate mixture
1 cup of chopped walnuts. Fold some into the chocolate-marshmallow mixture.

Form into a log and allow to set. When partially set, roll the logs on chopped walnuts to make the nut crust.
Allow to set. When firm, slice the logs about 1/2" thick to show pretty pastel colore marshmallows set on chocoloate, they do look like church windows!

Thanks Auntie Presc!

Leaving New York

New York is probably one of my favorite cities. It's busy! It's diverse! There's so much to see, eat and do! And best of all! It's so easy to navigate! I never had to take a cab since I got to the city a week ago. Now that I'm leaving, I still didn't take the cab although, in retrospect, it would have been much easier. But public transporation is pretty efficient. They probably have the most extensive subway system. I was coming from the upper east side of Manhattan going to La Guardia airport. I took the 6 train to 125th then took the M6 to the airport.

It rained so hard. I checked my flight status before leaving the city and there were no changes, when I checked in, my flight was delayed 4 hours. It's one of those times when I wished they just cancelled the flight. I'm not very fond of waiting at the airport. Good thing I brought 4 episodes of Alias with me, it's one of my favorite series and it's enough to keep me occupied till my flight... or at least till my battery runs out. Good bye NYC. Hello sweet home Chicago!

Let's Go to Dimsum Go Go

Dimsum doesn't feel very exotic to me. I came from Southeast Asia where dimsum and dumplings are stuff we can eat everyday. Well, maybe not everyday... but you know what I mean?

While in New York City, we all craved for the familiar. Hmmm... Dimsum for lunch! It's 'sort' of' a novelty here to have Dimsum for brunch (in America, when they say let's eat Chinese, it's usually stirfry, when they say Dimsum, it's mostly dumplings). I guess you can't really have it on a regular day when you're running in and out out lunch break because typically, there's a wait. Not really due to slow service (although sometimes it may be the case) but for lack of space (Dimsum places are typically small).

Derick, our resident host, took us to Dimsum Go Go. He did the ordering too. We had the usual: Siomai (in the US Siumai), Pork Buns (our siopao in Manila), Beef Rolls, Shrimp dumplings, Shark's Fin and Chicken Feet (which even to some Filipinos is still a little too exotic, I was the only one who enjoyed it. It's a texture thing! It's mostly skin and cartilage so go figure!). For dessert we had egg tarts (crust was buttery and flaky and the custard was creamy, like mini egg pies!) and Mango Pudding (Texture was great but the mango flavor was weak with a chemical finish to it...extract? (I came from the land of the sweetest mangoes... I never really expected much from mango-anything elsewhere, especially in the US where mangoes don't grow). Besides that, everything was pretty great to me.

Authentic? Hmmm... I would say that's relative. I just base my judgement on whether I like it or not. I wouldn't know really what's authentic Chinese food. Perhaps I can base it on chinese food in China. But I liked Chinses food in Hong Kong more, which is really british influenced. But I think Chinese food in the Philippines is really good too! But how about the Chinese food in Australia? They are made and served by Chinese cooks who are born and raised and trained in China. I thought Chinese food in the Philippines was better than Chinese food in China... does that mean I don't have the palate for the authentic? I really think that's all relative. But that's just what I think.

Regardless, we had our dimsum fix! We enjoyed Dimsum Go Go. So, Let's go!

-----------
Dimsum Go Go
5 E Broadway (On Chatham Square)
New York, NY 10038

Exploring Central Park

I go to Central Park every time I visit New York, and yet each time, I find myself lost in the big park.

Jun, Heiji, Deric, Jay

Nino and Namee

The Aquinos and I

Namee and William

But I guess that's the best part about it... getting lost, finding your way out and discovering new spots along the way.

William and Nino! I'm glad you guys met! I hope you stay in touch. Thanks so much for meeting up with me for a few minutes. I know how busy school can get. Wish we could spend more time! Maybe next time!

A Taste of Bouchon Bakery

After a our brunch at Norma's we decided to walk to the Time Warner Center. I've never been here before. I don't think it was there during my last trip to New York. Now I wonder what was there before. New York seems congested. I don't know how they find more spaces to build on.

There are a number of restaurants in this building like Per Se, Masa and Cafe Gray. We were just walking around when we saw some delicious treats at Bouchon Bakery. We couln't help but buy some, full as we are from a big brunch. We picked a few to try. We tried the flourless chocolate cake (it was a little too dense for me), hazelnut mousse (it was just ok, i didn't quite remember how it tasted), i liked the banana caramel mousse (it had feuilletine in the middle which I really enjoyed, it had a quenelle garnish which was just plain peanut butter). We also tried a couple of their own oreo cookies, the cream filling was good, just like our old time favorite oreo but the cookie part was a little too salty for me.

Did we just order all the wrong things? It's a TK establishment. Their treats are supposed to be really good.

Top Of The Heap

Brunch at Norma's of Le Parker Meridien! That was my cousins announcement as we were planning out day. I've never been there or never really read up about it. I just wanted to be surprised with another great meal just like what with had in the other new york food places we've been to the past few days.

I was coming from a coffee date with my friend Erika from the upper east side so I just hopped on a crosstown bus on 60th all the way to West End then took the 57 bus which dropped me off right by Le Parker Meridien which was on 57th between 6th and 7th! Perfect!

We immediately got a table and studied the menu. We were greeted by a shot of a fruit smoothy. Then we went on and ordered our drinks. We all got freshly squeezed orange juice. It was $7 but it was refillable. It really tasted freshly squeezed and was at room temp. Just like how I would like to enjoy my orange juice. Looks like we're off to a head start. My cousin said that Norma's is highly acclaimed for breakfast food. It's one of the best breakfast places in town! Hmmmm... setting up my expectations!

The menu had very interesting items. We ordered: Waz-Za (described as fruit inside, fruit outside waffle... fruit outside was more like a smoothie, interesting brulee top), Real-Men-Do-Eat-Quiche (i liked the crust!), Flat-As-A-Pancake Crabcake (Mels, yours are better! I mean, they were ok, but the type I don't remember after the meal), Potato Pancakes (I like the cranberry apple sauce, I couldn't figure out the other one, it tasted like spiced pumpkin, the menu says it's sweet carrot), I personally ordered the Artichoked Benedict. I like it that the poached eggs sat on artichokes. The sauce was pretty tasty... but my potatoes are under! That kind of really ticked me off.

I finished my meal with a hot chocolate which was served with an entire ramekin of sweet whipped cream! I would typically think it's a good thing to have lots of cream, but I wouldn't need that much! The hot chocolate was sweet and creamy enough. I had my really good, freshly squeezed, served at room temp OJ to cheer me up. So it wasn't too bad except that I don't think it's top of the heap!

Coffee With Er

Having coffee with my friend, Er is something I always look forward to. On my last trip to New York, she introduced me to Le Pain Quotidien on 1270 First Ave, bet. 68th and 69th. She had Cafe Au Lait and I had a double shot of cappuccino. Then we shared some croissants and pain au chocolate. Very simple. Er and I just enjoyed everything while updating each other about the eventfuls and the uneventfuls of our lives. She just turned over her position at the WYA to the incoming director and is getting ready to go back to school. I just finished culinary school and I'm about to get into the heat of a real restaurant kitchen.

Croissants, coffee and conversations with Er made me feel warm and sunny despite the cold spring showers in New York City! I wonder when and where I'll have coffee with her next. Manila? San Francisco? Thanks for introducing me to Le Pain, Er! See you again soon! Miss you na!

And Find I'm King Of The Hill

I had quite a lot to eat today! I started with brunch with Melissa and Jill in Astoria in one of the neighborhood diner. Then I met up with my Frederick, Jun and Kuya Jay at Chikalicious again for yummy desserts and wine.

I met up with my old friend, Chris, for dinner. I met Chris a long time ago in one of the student confereces that I attended in college. I got to see him a couple of years back and we kept in touch. He told me to meet him at the lobby of workplace in the meatpacking district then he'll take me to dinner in the area. Before we had dinner, he showed me around his office building and wow! It must be a great place to work... perhaps it's the best place to work! They have a cafeteria where they don't have to pay anything when they get food. They have a gym, a spa, a break room that has all the treats and all sorts of drinks... he works for Google! I guess it's true huh? Google is indeed the best place to work!

He took me to Pastis for dinner. Which was great! Frederick recommended it but I was just putting it off because it's a type place you'll enjoy with great company. I eat alone a lot but I didn't want to do that at Pastis! And I was right! It wasn't a place for a lone diner. The atmosphere was fun and the helpings were pretty big so it'll be great to have other people to share them with! Between Chris and myself, we finished a small terrine of chicken liver and foie (which tasted more like chicken liver than foie) with frisee salad and grilled brioche (it wasn't as buttery as I wanted it but I like the grilled favor), calamari with harissa aioli and marinara sauce (I didn't even touch the marinara!), arugula salad with lemon vin and shaved parmesan, salad with grilled ahi tuna and the yummiest, croque monsieur! Melted gruyere all over my ham and cheese? One of the best bistro food I've had! Thanks, Chris!!!

Oh... guess what, two days later I went back with my cousins, this time I tried their famous mussel steamers! I think it had some white wine, I could smell it but it wasn't very overpowering. They smelled very pristine. Of course they tasted very good too! I finished an entire pot all by myself! I can't help it, I just had to eat like I'm King Of The Hill!

-------------------------
Pastis Cafe
9 Ninth Ave, (cor Little West 12th street)
New York, NY
(212) 929-4844

It's down the street from Spice Market

I Want To Wake Up, In A City That Never Sleeps

Eating at a diner is as new yorker as an investment banker. My cousin Frederick took us here after we picked up his brothers from a delayed red-eye flight which arrived at 4am instead of 1am. From JFK airport, we headed directly to Chelsea for an NYC diner breakfast. He took us to Empire Diner where locals go for hmmm... breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. Country Fried Chicken, Poached Eggs, Steak-Au-Poivre, Fruits and Yougurt, Malt Shakes... I can go on and on and on. I liked the Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes which was very creamy and tangy at the same time. Because of places like the Empire Diner, New York can afford to never sleep. People from all walks, well pretty much, walk in to this diner... some are drunk, some are loud, some are rushing to work, some just got off work. So NYC!

----------------
photo grabbed from
www.nyc-architecture.com