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...

preparing for a taste of the big apple

My sis and I have been getting ready for our patting-ourselves-on-our-backs, congratulatory (meaning she's graduating from University of Washington and I've just turned 30 years old this year) trip to New York City and Orlando. Our first time ever in the east coast; I've only gone as far as Chicago. I feel like I've spent more money purchasing unecessary travel items than the actual trip! Note to the employees of Target: You must be so sick of seeing my face, I'm sorry! We are trying to get creative with our packing skills since we're attempting an eight day trip with just one carry-on each... and don't get me started on the TSA's liquid policies. Hello, I work in the hair industry! LOL. I used to be the one with a huge suitcase for a two day trip. So yes, this has been a challenge. But with the trip just two weeks away, I think we've got it down! Thanks to Bare Minerals (powder) makeup and J.R. Liggett's shampoo bar (which I'm praying that I won't break out into a rash after the first use).

So on to the good stuff... where are we going to eat!? Believe me, I've been studying up. And I'll admit, my addiction to the Travel Channel and the Food Network (which by the way, if you happen to work there, I would love a tour of the studios *wink, wink, nudge, nudge, smiley face* lol) has influenced my decisions on restaurants to check out. Four star restaurants are a bit out of our budget, but I'm thinking that eating cheap through the day will save us some moolah for the best meal of the day: dinner.

Les Halles @ 411 Park Avenue South, New York, NY

I've only made one reservation so far, and truthfully, I really wouldn't care where else we eat after this so long as we get to eat here. Why? Anthony Bourdain. That's why. Hey Tony! If you're reading this, let's meet up for a bowl of pho! :) He was working as a chef at this restuarant when he started his television career.

   Lombardi's @ 32 Spring St, New York, NY

Supposedly the first pizza restaurant in the USA... 'nuff said.

53rd & 6th Halal Cart @ 53rd St & 6th Ave, New York, NY

Possibly the best late night (aka drunk food) joint on the street... sure beats Jack in the Box. And it's conveniently parked a block down from our hotel! Holy, check out that line...

Ess-A-Bagel @ 831 3rd Ave, New York, NY

Um, it's New York... gotta have a lox and bagel!

Prune @ 54 E 1st St, New York, NY

This restaurant was featured on "No Reservations". Yes, that's bone marrow, and as Tony would say, it's the butter of gods.

Joe's Shanghai @ 9 Pell St, New York, NY

Famous for their pork and crab soup dumplings!

Sake Bar Hagi @ 152 W 49th St, New York, NY

Went to an izakaya (Japanese pub style food) restaurant in Vancouver, BC a while back and haven't been to one since... this is going to be our next spot! Bring on the pork belly yakitory and beer! Oh yeah, and this was also featured on "No Reservations".

White Castle @ 525 8th Ave, New York, NY

Just because. We're not exactly Harold and Kumar... but White Castle's just don't exist in our area. Two cheese sliders, fries and a cherry coke, please!

Mario Batali - Muliple Locations

He's an amazing Italian chef and an ex-Iron Chef. I've been to his family's awesome deli in Seattle so it's only right that we eat at one of his restaurants in NYC. Now if only we can find a reasonably priced location...

Gray's Papaya @ 2090 Broadway, New York, NY

Last but not least, NYC's famous hot dog joint. I'll never forget the scene in the movie "Fools Rush In" where Salma Hayek's character sends her boyfriend, played by Matthew Perry, a box of Gray's Papaya hot dogs. Finally, I'll get to have one too!

My goal is to make it to most of these restaurants, if not all. Of course there are other eateries I'd love to try out... places like Katz Delicatessan and if I had a couple hundred to spend on one beautifully experienced meal, Le Bernardin. Or who knows, it just might be all street hot dogs for five days straight!

Be sure to look forward to my NYC blog post in the coming weeks, I'll have so many pictures that you'll be annoyed out of your mind! We are going to be true tourists: museums galore, Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, Chinatown/Little Italy, markets, (window) shopping on 5th Ave, 30 Rock, etc... we'll be the slow walkers that the New Yorkers will want to push over to the side, the flustered girls because we got lost taking the subways, and the broke ones that got pick-pocketed while staring up at the sky scrapers. ;)

Oh, you may be asking, "What are you doing in Orlando?" Well duh... heh, heh...

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter @ Universal Studios, Orlando, FL

Because I am a Harry Potter geek. It's gonna be butter beers all day for every day that we're there!

All photos were borrowed from Yelp and various websites through Bing.