Announcement
- Dance like no one's watching.
Sing like no one's listening.
Work like you don't need the money.
Love like you've never been hurt before.
Live like there's no tomorrow.
My blog
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A Reasonably Priced Lunch in the City
Thursday, Aug 28, 2008 12:07AM / Standard Entry / Members only
Hey I haven't blogged about food in awhile so here goes. Not everyone may be aware of this but a somewhat reasonably priced three-course prix-fixe lunch can be had at $24.07 not just during Restaurant Week but year round at some fine dining establishments in NYC. Renowned chef and restaurateur Jean-Georges Vongerichten offers this deal at most of his restaurants including Perry St which I blogged about here, and also at Nougatine, Vong, Spice Market and JoJo. I dined at Nougatine with my friend Colleen the other week. It is the casual dining room that is part of the Jean-Georges Restaurant in the Trump International Hotel and Tower located on Columbus Circle and Central Park West. The space is nice and airy. The service was quite attentive and good as well. The only thing that was a little annoying was that we had to wait almost 15 mins. to be seated even though we had a reservation. We both had the same appetizer which was an amazingly tasty tuna tartare. Colleen had some trouble deciding on dessert and then I reminded her that she would have 2 desserts anyway since I can't eat sweets and usually just have a taste. This solved the dilemma quickly and she did end up with them both. They were really good by the way. Whoever dines prix-fixe with me automatically gets 2 desserts.
tuna tartare: avocado, spicy radish, ginger marinade
parmesan crusted chicken
slowly cooked salmon: heirloom cherry tomatoes, crispy rice, miso yuzu broth
molten chocolate cake
apricot tart
I personally think that Jean Georges offers some of the best tastes for the value but here
are some other prix-fixe fine dining lunch deals:
Fleur de Sel: a 3-course tasting menu for $25; 4-courses for $42
Devi: 3 courses for $25
Telepan: 2 course for $22; 3 courses for $28
Eleven Madison Park: two 3-course tasting options: Aquatic and Gourmand for $36 each
Bouley: 4 course tasting menu for $48
Megu: 3 courses from $25 - $45 depending on selections (I've had this before and it's
pretty good)
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Favorite Things Pt. 1
Friday, Aug 22, 2008 5:57AM / Standard Entry / Members only
Just sharing a few of my favorite things via photos.
Does anyone else wanna share their faves?
Fave piece of tech: my iPod
Totally keeps me sane when I'm traveling around the city
Fave part of my body: my arms
Strengthened by yoga, free weights and hauling groceries
Fave treat that's sweet: sugar-free ice cream sandwiches
I've loved ice cream sandwiches since I was a kid. They're great cause
you don't have to eat the whole thing in one sitting if you don't want to.
Fave drink: club soda
I try to drink alot of water but it gets boring sometimes
This is nice for a bit of effervescence
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Let's Stop With The Hate
Monday, Aug 18, 2008 11:34PM / Standard Entry / Members only
I don't usually like to go to this place but enough is enough. It's been nice to watch the Chinese gymnastics teams really showing up, competing and winning in the team and individual events. What hasn't been so nice has been staying up so late and having to endure the cheesy and obviously biased commentary of the NBC announcers during these events. The rants of Bela Karolyi have been particularly rude and insulting towards the Chinese gymnasts. After China outscored the U.S. in team qualifications, Karolyi said the Chinese team is using "half-people" and that China is arrogant. And then there was his lovely harangue last night on the unfairness of the scoring. This is rich coming from someone who has incited much controversy in his career as a coach in Romania for his score protests and conduct at Olympic games. In America, Kristie Phillips and Erica Stokes (Karolyi’s former athletes) have publicly stated that Karolyi was verbally and psychologically abusive. Karolyi's constant critical remarks about weight and body type were said to drive some gymnasts to develop eating disorders and low self-esteem. Some gymnasts, such as Phillips and 1988 Olympian Chelle Stack, have noted that they were also compelled to continue training and competing even when coping with serious injuries such as broken bones. It's pretty disheartening that NBC and the U.S. is acquiescing to someone like this invoking such discriminatory spirits given what the Olympics is all about. I bet he wouldn't have had a problem if the US just won everything like they should cause afterall they're entitled. What's interesting is that Karolyi isn't even American. But somehow he's sold out his roots for cash money. I give much props to the athletes themselves for not getting caught up in this stuff and remaining gracious and sporting throughout.
I have enjoyed watching with Mr. B who used to do gymnastics back in high school before we met. His understanding and insight into all the events has made it more interesting as I sit there trying to imagine him in the outfits doing some of this stuff. He was able to do both the men's and also most of the women's events. He dislikes the pommel horse and the vault but the vault was apparently shaped more like the horse back then. He likes the rings and the high bar. He had to stop when he took a nasty fall and separated his shoulder on the bars. By the way he used to teach young girls and he feels that using younger gymnasts would not necessarily yield a competitive advantage. They're less experienced, less developed. and most importantly have less strength. With that said, Jia You China!!!
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Photos for Friends
Tuesday, Aug 12, 2008 7:01AM / Standard Entry / Members only
I post photos in most of my entries these days but this time I wanted to put up some special photos for some of my dear AnD friends. I plan to do this every so often so please don't feel left out if you weren't included this go around. If anyone happens to want a photo of something in particular in NYC, let me know and I'll see what I can do
For Elle - I saw this rainbow in the sky and it didn't even rain. It made me think of you though. I really hope the rain stops and a rainbow will appear for you very soon.For JoanneSanderson - We've talked about this before and when I spied this great view I just had to stop and snap this for you. It's the historic Woolworth's Building in downtown Manhattan. Even though Woolie's is out of business here, this is still a beautiful structure.
For MindyG my dear Choco Mummy - Look... Chocolate loves us too!!!
For Peachey - I took this for you when a bunch of us AnDers met up in Flushing months ago and totally forgot about it until now so without further delay here's your "big bowl"
For Jaine - You're a great mum and teacher and you'll get over that feeling soon.
For JaneChu - Just because I know you appreciate cute doggies like I do. I love Corgis for their sweet faces and short ittle legs.
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Ruby Slippers
Thursday, Aug 7, 2008 6:20AM / Standard Entry / Members only
I felt like I was having a bit of a Dorothy in ruby slippers moment while trying on these shoes earlier today. I have a certain affection for red shoes. I own 5 pairs currently. It goes back to childhood. I blogged a little previously about my fixation here. I found these to be quite fetching and like that they have a slightly retro vibe but in all practicality this style just doesn't really work for me in this color as pretty as it is. These shoes could easily go with almost all of my dresses if I got them in black but they didn't have them in my size. Metallic would also be good cause that's neutral in my book. I'll have to look for them when I'm uptown this weekend. Incidentally this is not a good angle to photograph your legs and feet from. I look like I have cankles.
