and washed down the apple with an ice cold butterbeer... florida pt. 2

Orlando, Universal Studios' Wizarding World of Harry Potter - May 1 - May 4, 2011

Florida was HOT. I hate to complain... but I do it anyway. It was right around 90 degrees from noon to about 5pm and that's a bit much for me. Even with sunscreen on, I get this thing called prickly heat when I'm too hot. And if I'm out in the sun long enough, I blow up like a I got stung by a bee. Yes, I'm allergic to the sun! Lame.

So how did I keep myself cool, you ask? Why, with butterbeer of course! No, it does not contain alcohol... but the wonderful flavors (or, flavours, if you wanna get British) of butterscotch cream soda. You can get it in a blended, slushy form or just ice cold. And the best part? The thick butterscotch whipped cream topping to give you that wonderful, foamy mustache!

I was happy to have had Orlando as the finale of our trip because I knew it wasn't going to be as chaotic as NYC. Hanging out in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter was icing on the cake. It really does feel like you're a part of the books/movies... truly, magical... if you don't count the heat and the thousands of tourists. There's something off-putting about fake snow on the Hogsmeade shops and it being 90 degrees out. But it was so much fun... we'll be back soon for sure... perhaps when it's "winter" over there.

The restaurant, the Three Broomsticks!

Your standard English (Harry Potter style) fare: fish & chips, shephards pie, pumpkin juice and butterbeer. Delicious!

Oh, butterbeer, how I miss you.

The best ride was in the Hogwarts castle, the Forbidden Journey! It's probably a good thing that I drive a car and not a broomstick... talk about getting air-sick. But so awesome!

The Dragon Challenge roller coaster! Go here first with an empty stomache, otherwise, you'll you-know-what...

We ate at this salad buffet (yes, I said salad) called Sweet Tomatoes on I - Drive close to our hotel. Apparently there are locations throughout the states but this was a first for us. So fresh and so good! I still dream of this wonton chicken salad...

Yep, that's me. Don't be jealous of my 'stache... Cheers!

ate a big chunk of the big apple... new york pt. 1

Annnnd, we're back... 5 lbs heavier too, I'm sure! It's been over a month since we've been back from our trip and it's taken a bit to recuperate. Try getting sick before, during and after your trip! *sigh* I've got a curse. None-the-less, I didn't let that stop our fun.

New York City - April 26 - May 1, 2011

Is it so cliche to say, "New York, I love you"? Afterall, this was my first trip there and it just may be too soon to say that special three word phrase. How about, "New York, I really, really like you and I'd love to see you again sometime soon." Soon, as in we're already planning on doing the same trip over again next year because we had such a blast!

We made it to most of the major touristy destinations, but of course, there was so much more to see... and eat. I'm happy to report that we made it to most of the places mentioned in my previous post. It's unfortunate, however, that I was especially sick the first day of arrival to NYC because Les Halles was where we had our first meal and I could barely taste anything due to my stuffy, runny nose. :( But I know that it was good! I ordered the filet de boeuf with bearnaise sauce, the steak was tender and the frites salty and crispy... frites so good that I've dreamt of it since then. I made the mistake of ordering an alcoholic beverage and towards the end of the meal, I was feeling light headed and nauseous. So disappointing that we had to leave directly after eating and didn't have a chance to get dessert! Don't mix cold meds with alcohol, kids! So, Les Halles, I'll be seeing you again soon to make it a proper good time! Sadly, I couldn't take a decent picture due to the restaurant being really dim. But no fear, I made sure to act as papparazzi to the other food destinations...

Ess-A-Bagel

I ordered a plain bagel with lox, scallion cream cheese, tomatoes and cucumbers... probably the messiest bagel sandwich I've ever eaten but damn good.

Lombardi's

Just had to have a pizza in NYC! Great pizza, although Seattle's really getting good at making pizza too, but it was pretty cool to have pizza at the first pizza joint in America.

Eataly

I've been to Asian and Mexican style grocers, why not an Italian one?! If we had a kitchen in our hotel, I would've bought groceries here... instead, we had dessert and it was divine!

Joe's Shanghai

As soon as we got off the subway in Chinatown, it was instant chaos to my senses... it was time to eat. And my first bite of my first soup dumpling... wow, a revelation!

Sake Bar Hagi

Just a few blocks walk from Times Square, this was our dinner after watching an awesome Broadway show. This is my second time eating at an izakaya style restaurant. Can't say it was as good as Guu in Vancouver, BC, but it was still satisfying. We ordered various yakitories, yellowtail collar, cod roe fried rice, and takoyaki.

Gray's Papaya

I feel like I've been preparing for this meal for years... I think I have. It was sooo good. I know, it's just a hot dog right??? But it's a Gray's Papaya hot dog! I couldn't believe we only ate here once, next time, we'll have to come here at least once a day. Their hot dogs were so snappy and their specialty fruit juices were fantastic too!

Yep, I'm stuffing my face...

A nice guy even took a pic of my sis and I enjoying our meal!

Levain Bakery

Saw this place featured by Rocco Dispirito (yes, the hot Italian chef) on Food Network's "The Best Thing I've Ever Ate"... well, it sure was one of the best cookie's I've ever eaten.

53rd & 6th Halal

Now here was a place that we actually ate at three times during our five day stay. Probably the best street vendor food that I've ever had. Cheap, hearty (the portions are huge!) and really tasty. It was pretty dangerous that it was only a block from our hotel. The chicken and lamb plate with their special red (holy spicy!) and white sauce... *sigh*

Various

Just a few more photos of our NYC trip...

We watched "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" on Broadway starring Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter!!!) and John Larroquette. I snuck a photo of their standing ovation!

Till next time, New York...