NEW YORK EDITION

i'm so ashamed at how bad i've been in keeping this website up-to-date, but not many, if anybody, is visiting this site, so... i guess i don't feel too ashamed. also, in my defense, the picture edit function on blogspot is pretty shitty.

anyway, long overdue, if for nothing else, than to keep a "diary" of where i've even. anyway, moving on...

back during the memorial day holiday, a group of us went to new york city, "the culinary capitol of the world (or at least the united states)," to do a culinary tour of the city. the entire trip's agenda was scheduled around places to eat. in between the meals, mainly to help digest the prior meal before the next, we walked around the city and took in the sights. this was not my first trip to the city, but it was definitely the best, as i was able to see more than just goddamn 32nd street (the city's "koreatown" - in quotes because the koreatown there is literally one street). below are some highlights of the food journey:


where: le bernardin
area: midtown manhattan
when: thursday, ay 21, 2009
how was it: chi chi, but rightfully, chinliciously so



where: eileen's special cheesecake
area: little italy (manhattan)
when: friday, may 22, 2009
how was it: chincake



where: lombardi's pizza
area: little italy (manhattan)
when: friday, may 22, 2009
how was it: arguably most chinful pizza experience of life




where: perilla
area: west village (manhattan)
when: friday, may 22, 2009
how was it: top chef season 1 winner level chintastic! if nothing else, for the duck meatballs with gnocchi

DESSERT

where: pinkberry
area: west la
when: wednesday, january 14, 2009
how was it: sinlessly chinlessly chinlicious

• originally i did not understand what the craze was... when these stores first began popping up around town, it was certainly not worth the wait
• but as i continued to consume them, due to my friends' desires, the more it grew on me
• now i love it...
• and though it seems kinda pricey, the thought that i am able to eat expensive fruits (such as blackberry, raspberry, kiwi, etc) more than compensates for the seemingly high price
• the yogurt (or "non"-yogurt, controversially noted) is so silky smooth...
  
• ...and now they have pomegranate flavor!
  

CHINESE

where: mei long village
area: san gabriel
when: saturday, january 10, 2009
how was it: chin-chin-eeese

• two words: shanghai dumplings!
  
• not only does this delectable chinese restaurant have the lovely shanghai dumplings, filled with all its gloriously greasy soup withIN the dumpling, the "regular" dishes are also quite flavorful and fulfilling
• meats are cooked wonderfully, sauces are flavored just right, the prices are good, the serving sizes are perfect, and the food is overall quite comforting. this restaurant is the definition of "comfort food"
• had one bad experience when i ordered a sea cucumber and pig feet dish. i like sea cucumber and i love pig feet, but the two together don't work... and the sauce this one time was too heavy and gelatinous
  
• granted, i really only get the same 3 or 4 dishes every time i go, which is rare, considering the distance - though it is worth the trip on those occasions!
• here's what to get: vegetable rice with pork chop (rice is so simple... and dripping with grease), shanghai dumplings (two orders, sometimes - it's that good!), pan fried noodles with several different meats, ginger fish (something like that - there is a very nice light and steamed fish dish that is great)