Traveling: Trip to New York

I went to New York this past weekend, and stayed at a friend's place in Manhattan. This is the 3rd time that I've been to New York, and can confidently say that this time I had the most fun, and made the memorable experience.

Watermelon soju @ Pocha in KTown

Twice baked ham & cheese croissant at Bouchon Bakery

Momofuku steamed pork buns, the picture doesn't do these bite sized treats justice

Staten island on a gloomy day

Baked by Melissa mini cupcakes. My friend told me that the rainbow one is the best, but unfortunately they didn't carry the rainbow kind when I stopped by

Xiao Long Bao at Joe's Shanghai. I loved Din Tai Feng in California, this one is just as good!

Apotheke Speakeasy bar somewhere in Chinatown.
After dinner at Joe's Shanghai, my friend asked if we wanted to go to a speakeasy bar. Being the amateur we were, we were down to see what a speakeasy is like. After a couple of turns in the street, we arrived at a wooden door in the middle of Chinatown. This picture is taken from the door, every bulb in this bar is hugged by a flask, since this particular speakeasy is pharmacy themed. The drinks were very delicious and rather strong for my taste. Their drinks menu is called "House Prescriptions," divided into 8 categories of: Health & Beauty, Stress Relievers, Pain Killers, Aphrodisiacs, Stimulants, Pharmaceuticals, Euphoric Enhancers, and Therapeutic Treatments. I ordered Dr. Ruth (fresh California strawberries, Vodka, rosemary, agave and fresh lime, Champagne) and my friend ordered the Sparkling Star (fresh muddled star fruit, fresh aloe vera, Vodka, Elixir #5, and Champagne). My friend's boyfriend ordered Kissed by Absinth (Saigon cinnamon, Cognac, cloves, star anise, fennel seeds, vanilla with House Absinth, egg white) from the Euphoric Enhancers section. I loved the environment (dim lighting and medium-loud music) and their drinks. Will definitely visit again next time.

Chicken & rice at 53rd Street and 6th Avenue

Shake Shack's double stack mushroom burger (left), Shake Shack single burger and fries @ Madison Square Park

Chicken soupy noodle @ Pure Thai

Paramount Bar @ Times Square

Brunch @ Calle Ocho. We were actually planning on going to Sarabeth's West on Sunday morning to try their brunch, but when we got there at 12pm, the wait was about an hour. Being hungry foodies as we were, we quickly looked up other brunch restaurants around the area and came to this place. The bar/lounge area when you first enter is first come first serve, meaning keeping a sharp eye and grabbing the first open spot you see. There is also a dining room in the back, but the wait was already 45 minutes. We waited around for about 10 minutes before we were able to spot people who were finishing up their meals. After we sat down and read the menu, we realized that they had unlimited white (Havana Banana, Mojito, Tropical, Blanco) and red (Mulata, Fresas, Spanish Harlem, Roja) sangria for brunch - too bad we had a packed schedule for Sunday or else...

Ippudo's ramen. One of my friends told me that it was the best ramen he's had in his life. Being the Asian I am, I made it my last to-visit restaurants, saving the best for last. Let's just say that he was not wrong - the soup was so flavorful I drank the whole bowl!

Serendipity 3's famous frozen hot chocolate (right) and strawberry field sundae (left). The strawberry sundae was a definite winner at our table. We actually ordered 3 desserts since there was a $9 minimum charge per person.

And of course, top of the Rock.

These pictures don't do this trip justice, thank you for those who made this trip possible and so so much fun. I already miss it.