After, we stopped by Rice to Riches to get some arroz con leche for my Mami. I didn't take a picture of that, unfortunately.
Monday, October 31, 2011
All Hallows Eve
In preparation for my birthday, Mi Cariño and I went to the Lower East Side (or is it NoLiTa now?) to do some shopping. It happened to be Halloween. Kids were cute. We ate some deliciously expensive pizza that claimed to be the best in the world, at Lombardi's Pizza.
After, we stopped by Rice to Riches to get some arroz con leche for my Mami. I didn't take a picture of that, unfortunately.
After, we stopped by Rice to Riches to get some arroz con leche for my Mami. I didn't take a picture of that, unfortunately.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
More Thai in Chicago
Went to Penny's Restaurant, which ended up being Thai. This time we took the "EL" to get there, and it was fun. No trains compare to a NYC Subway.
I had some tofu pineapple fried rice.
Meh. Afterward we walked around the neighborhood, the name of which I can no longer remember. It was interesting though - a combination of awesome tiny stores and big chains. Some of the views:
I had some tofu pineapple fried rice.
Meh. Afterward we walked around the neighborhood, the name of which I can no longer remember. It was interesting though - a combination of awesome tiny stores and big chains. Some of the views:
Friday, October 28, 2011
Some Days Are Longer Than Others
This work day was a weird one - it started late in the day and thus, ended late in the day. We were working in the South Side of Chicago, an area that I'm not quite familiar with but a place whose reputation precedes it. I was excited because I thought I was finally going to get to see a High School Football game - but it turns out that that night they were playing at the other school. We had a full work day otherwise, with plenty of solo interviews to keep us working and busy over 8 hours.
In any case, we finished working, and scheduled the cab to pick us up. We packed our equipment and waited in the chilly air for the car to come. And waited. And waited. When it became obvious that the cab was not coming, we searched and called every cab company we found online - to no avail. They all said "we'll be there in 5 minutes," and 5 minutes later they would call back to say they didn't have any cars available. The school's security and cleaning staff looked at us and thankfully felt bad enough so that they gave us the phone number to a "local" car. Think gypsy cabs to the extreme: it was essentially a young woman in her car. She had someone else in the car with her - to ensure that the driver would be safe and we weren't going to try to steal from them. Funnily enough the School's cleaning lady whispered to me on the way out "Don't trust the women either, pay attention."
I don't have the words to explain how I felt. The frustration the moment I realized why the cabs were not coming. The frustration at the fact that I didn't feel comfortable enough to walk to a nearby bus station. The fear, and anger. The attempt at bravado. Thankfully we made it to our hotel okay, considering that we were carrying with us thousands of dollars in equipment. We decided that if ever there was a day that deserved a feast this was it, and so we made our way to The Chicago Diner, a Vegan place. First: a much needed alcoholic beverage.
It hit the spot - it was also the best Veggie Meatloaf I've ever had. And it was just enough to get us to feel better about the fact that some days, really are just wrong.
In any case, we finished working, and scheduled the cab to pick us up. We packed our equipment and waited in the chilly air for the car to come. And waited. And waited. When it became obvious that the cab was not coming, we searched and called every cab company we found online - to no avail. They all said "we'll be there in 5 minutes," and 5 minutes later they would call back to say they didn't have any cars available. The school's security and cleaning staff looked at us and thankfully felt bad enough so that they gave us the phone number to a "local" car. Think gypsy cabs to the extreme: it was essentially a young woman in her car. She had someone else in the car with her - to ensure that the driver would be safe and we weren't going to try to steal from them. Funnily enough the School's cleaning lady whispered to me on the way out "Don't trust the women either, pay attention."
I don't have the words to explain how I felt. The frustration the moment I realized why the cabs were not coming. The frustration at the fact that I didn't feel comfortable enough to walk to a nearby bus station. The fear, and anger. The attempt at bravado. Thankfully we made it to our hotel okay, considering that we were carrying with us thousands of dollars in equipment. We decided that if ever there was a day that deserved a feast this was it, and so we made our way to The Chicago Diner, a Vegan place. First: a much needed alcoholic beverage.
Followed by Vegan Meatloaf - which came in a delicious sauce, Vegan mashed potatoes and a side of veggies.
It hit the spot - it was also the best Veggie Meatloaf I've ever had. And it was just enough to get us to feel better about the fact that some days, really are just wrong.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Hello Again, Chicago
Left with Naomi to Chicago for a quick trip. We arrived at around 8 in the evening and so scrambled to find a place around a hotel for dinner. We settled on Thai Urban Kitchen, because you can't ever have enough Thai, and because they are an easy Vegan choice (since Naomi is now Vegan.)
I went simple with a Basil Dish - had some Asian napa, bell pepper, onion & toasted chili paste with a side of jasmine rice.
We ate quickly since we were both tired and looking forward to the warm and comfy beds waiting for us. I was not wowed by the plate, and as always when I don't get pad thai, I wish I had chosen pad thai - but I'm glad that I went for something different.
I went simple with a Basil Dish - had some Asian napa, bell pepper, onion & toasted chili paste with a side of jasmine rice.
We ate quickly since we were both tired and looking forward to the warm and comfy beds waiting for us. I was not wowed by the plate, and as always when I don't get pad thai, I wish I had chosen pad thai - but I'm glad that I went for something different.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Moving on to McComb, MS
As soon as the workday was over in New Orleans, we jumped in the car and drove to McComb, MS. It was a pretty straight shot, and took no time at all. Despite my dreams of Mississippi barbecue, when we arrived to McComb it became very clear quite quickly that the place wasn't swimming with places to go and have a good meal, and certainly none very close to the hotel. Since I had no desire to attempt to drive at night I had resigned myself to walking to the nearby McDonalds when I remembered that Mississippi Hotels had the most wonderful habit in the world: Happy Hour. For some reason, every evening, most hotels will provide their guests with some tasty morsel of food, and beer or wine (or a non-alcoholic beverage.)
Beyond awesome. Then it was time to make a decision: the hotel was providing its guests with pulled pork sandwiches. Normally, I only eat processed pork, since I never grew up eating actual pork meat. But it smelled like heaven, and I couldn't bring myself to walk outside in the dark, so I went for this:
It was good. It was soooooo good! Even though I took my dinner to my room, I had to sneak downstairs and go for seconds. The whole point of Hotel Happy Hour is for people to sit downstairs and make friends with the rest of the guests, but since during these trips I already spend so many hours being friendly, I needed to decompress in the silence of my room.
The next day at work, our contact people made good on their "Southern Hospitality" and ordered lunch for us. It consisted of greens, fried chicken, fried eggplant, and I don't remember the fourth one, actually. Unfortunately, this meal was quite disappointing, since it didn't have the deliciousness I found in fried chicken from the last time I had been in MS. But it was good enough to kill the hunger!
That night after work, we drove right back to New Orleans, where we spent the night in an airport hotel before flying back to our respective towns. It was quite the interesting week, and not one I'll soon forget.
Beyond awesome. Then it was time to make a decision: the hotel was providing its guests with pulled pork sandwiches. Normally, I only eat processed pork, since I never grew up eating actual pork meat. But it smelled like heaven, and I couldn't bring myself to walk outside in the dark, so I went for this:
It was good. It was soooooo good! Even though I took my dinner to my room, I had to sneak downstairs and go for seconds. The whole point of Hotel Happy Hour is for people to sit downstairs and make friends with the rest of the guests, but since during these trips I already spend so many hours being friendly, I needed to decompress in the silence of my room.
The next day at work, our contact people made good on their "Southern Hospitality" and ordered lunch for us. It consisted of greens, fried chicken, fried eggplant, and I don't remember the fourth one, actually. Unfortunately, this meal was quite disappointing, since it didn't have the deliciousness I found in fried chicken from the last time I had been in MS. But it was good enough to kill the hunger!
That night after work, we drove right back to New Orleans, where we spent the night in an airport hotel before flying back to our respective towns. It was quite the interesting week, and not one I'll soon forget.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Bienvenue à la Nouvelle-Orléans!
So I've left ages and ages go by since I last updated here, but I've kept the pictures because I keep telling myself I'm not just going to skip it. In the interest of time and what not, the next few updates will be more tumblr like than usual. (As if this wasn't so, anyway.)
In any case, middle of my Southern Tour and I have the day off! Although I have a car available to me, New Orleans is enough of a walking place, especially since I'm staying near the action.
Pretty and colorful French Doors, everywhere.
A quick visit to the French Market
Followed by a visit to Plaza d'Armas. It's essentially a town square, and it reminded me a lot of the town square in my hometown in Bani.
Before a stop at the Presbytere and the Louisiana Museum. Both were quite interesting: they had a "hurricane" exhibit, "Living with Hurricanes - Katrina and beyond,"where they showcased not just Hurricane Katrina, but also the history of the State, and the city, with the various Hurricanes that have passed by. There were also exhibits about Louisiana History, and a real fun one for Mardi Gras.
A beautiful church next to the Presbytere, whose name I can't remember
Inside shot!
Out of the church, I ran into a street performer. There were quite a lot of them, all over the city. I don't know if they need to get "licenses" the way they do in NYC in order to not be harassed by the cops, but this one seemed to be doing well considering it was Tuesday afternoon around 3.
After all of that walking (and believe me, it was a lot. I left the hotel at around 9am and just walked, walked, walked until 3:30pm) I made a stop at The Sun Ray Grill, where Mary Lee works. She treated me to a most delish Chicken Club Pita, which is sliced grill chicken, ham, bacon, lettuce and tomato, with a trio of melted cheeses. They served that with fries and Creole Honey Mustard.
As soon as I said my goodbyes to Mary Lee, it started to rain with gusto. It was an expected surprised, since the day had been muggy and hot. I made myself comfortable in the front of the restaurant, where they had a tin roof, and just enjoyed the sound of the rain. It was just like the rain of my childhood: hard, fast, small. The sound of rain on a tin roof is one of my most favorite sounds in the whole wide world. Once it finally calmed down, I started to make my way back to the hotel. While walking, I ran into these informative plaques:
Which was most definitely something about New Orleans/Cuban history I did not know, since to my understanding Martí had worked on the flag in New York City. Go figure.
I leave you with a picture of a flower that transports me immediately to the Dominican Republic, everywhere I find it:
I don't even know what kind this is. All I know is looking at this my eyes water and I think of home. Suffice it to say, I enjoyed my visit to New Orleans - it had enough aspects of the Dominican Republic AND New York, to make me feel like I could live there happily. As long as I don't have to drive outside of the little bit that I walked around on. ;-)
In any case, middle of my Southern Tour and I have the day off! Although I have a car available to me, New Orleans is enough of a walking place, especially since I'm staying near the action.
Pretty and colorful French Doors, everywhere.
A quick visit to the French Market
Followed by a visit to Plaza d'Armas. It's essentially a town square, and it reminded me a lot of the town square in my hometown in Bani.
Before a stop at the Presbytere and the Louisiana Museum. Both were quite interesting: they had a "hurricane" exhibit, "Living with Hurricanes - Katrina and beyond,"where they showcased not just Hurricane Katrina, but also the history of the State, and the city, with the various Hurricanes that have passed by. There were also exhibits about Louisiana History, and a real fun one for Mardi Gras.
A beautiful church next to the Presbytere, whose name I can't remember
Inside shot!
Out of the church, I ran into a street performer. There were quite a lot of them, all over the city. I don't know if they need to get "licenses" the way they do in NYC in order to not be harassed by the cops, but this one seemed to be doing well considering it was Tuesday afternoon around 3.
After all of that walking (and believe me, it was a lot. I left the hotel at around 9am and just walked, walked, walked until 3:30pm) I made a stop at The Sun Ray Grill, where Mary Lee works. She treated me to a most delish Chicken Club Pita, which is sliced grill chicken, ham, bacon, lettuce and tomato, with a trio of melted cheeses. They served that with fries and Creole Honey Mustard.
As soon as I said my goodbyes to Mary Lee, it started to rain with gusto. It was an expected surprised, since the day had been muggy and hot. I made myself comfortable in the front of the restaurant, where they had a tin roof, and just enjoyed the sound of the rain. It was just like the rain of my childhood: hard, fast, small. The sound of rain on a tin roof is one of my most favorite sounds in the whole wide world. Once it finally calmed down, I started to make my way back to the hotel. While walking, I ran into these informative plaques:
Which was most definitely something about New Orleans/Cuban history I did not know, since to my understanding Martí had worked on the flag in New York City. Go figure.
I leave you with a picture of a flower that transports me immediately to the Dominican Republic, everywhere I find it:
I don't even know what kind this is. All I know is looking at this my eyes water and I think of home. Suffice it to say, I enjoyed my visit to New Orleans - it had enough aspects of the Dominican Republic AND New York, to make me feel like I could live there happily. As long as I don't have to drive outside of the little bit that I walked around on. ;-)
Monday, October 17, 2011
It's Nawlin's Dawlin!
Once work was finished in Mobile, we immediately drove to New Orleans, LA. The ride wasn't so bad, and Lauren is a pretty good and confident driver, so it was easy street in that department. Quickly I got in touch with Mary Lee, who took me to Mandinas - a really old New Orleans style restaurant that's been around for more than a 100 years. It had a great atmosphere, essentially the first level of a house gutted out to make space for the restaurant.
We started with some fried eggplant, which y'all know is my favorite vegetable.
Since it was Monday, Red Beans and Rice had to be had, and I figured I'd share Mary Lee's Gumbo. I topped off the beans and rice with Italian Sausage.
After dinner we drove around, picked up Mary Lee's girl, then headed to Columns Hotel to just chill out. It's a hotel, a huge ass house/mansion essentially, with yet another first floor gutted out to make space for a restaurant/bar. I had me some Abita Amber.
And because, apparently, one can't go to New Orleans without having some Beignets, sometime around 11pm we made our way to Café du Monde.
The whole town had a very New York feel - in the sense that it seemed like everyone was out and about at almost midnight on a Monday night - but the low houses, the verandas, the colorful storefronts, not to mention the narrow streets reminded me I was not home. I really enjoyed it though - although I'm not much for going out that late at night, what I like the best, is the possibility.
We started with some fried eggplant, which y'all know is my favorite vegetable.
Since it was Monday, Red Beans and Rice had to be had, and I figured I'd share Mary Lee's Gumbo. I topped off the beans and rice with Italian Sausage.
After dinner we drove around, picked up Mary Lee's girl, then headed to Columns Hotel to just chill out. It's a hotel, a huge ass house/mansion essentially, with yet another first floor gutted out to make space for a restaurant/bar. I had me some Abita Amber.
And because, apparently, one can't go to New Orleans without having some Beignets, sometime around 11pm we made our way to Café du Monde.
The whole town had a very New York feel - in the sense that it seemed like everyone was out and about at almost midnight on a Monday night - but the low houses, the verandas, the colorful storefronts, not to mention the narrow streets reminded me I was not home. I really enjoyed it though - although I'm not much for going out that late at night, what I like the best, is the possibility.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Hello South!
So work sends me South - and I'm in New Orleans, LA by 9 a.m. Sunday Morning. In this trip I'm working with Lauren, whom I've only met in a passing way once, so a little apprehensive to begin with. After a misshap with the renting car (their fault, not ours,) we left in our SUV to Mobile, AL via Gulfport, MS. The trip was supposed to take 2 1/2 hours, but turned into a 5 hour road trip. My view of Gulfport.
After some sandy beach view Lauren expressed her desire to play at one of the local casinos. It began a discussion about gambling, Native Americans, and Casinos. But I also agreed to play, but decided I wasn't going to spend more than $10 dollars.
I tell you, the way they pull you in is amazing. We spent an hour in the place. Lauren spent $20 bucks or so. We played the slots; I only used 6 bucks to play the slots, with $3.50 spent on a bottle of water. I know. The Casino gave me $15 of "free play" which essentially means that if you play the slots and you lose, you get that play reimbursed. So I played using my free play, stopping exactly when the free play was over and tallied my wins, which amounted to... $4. And thus, I left the Casino 50 cents richer. I have never been one to gamble, but I certainly wasn't persuaded to try it again. I did glance at someone's slot machine on the way out, and they had $100 bucks going - I don't know if that was money he had won or that he put in, but the amount just made me sad.
After the Casino in Biloxi we tried to eat at a place that the bartender recommended, but the place was closed, thankfully. We searched for a new place, but coming off of the Casino I gave Lauren the wrong direction to drive to, and when we were rounding on the block in order to try to get back in the right direction we drove by the Schooner Seafood Restaurant, which happened to be one that Lauren remembered from her childhood. We found a parking place nearby and got ourselves settled.
We started with some sweet tea
I chose the fish Po'Boy dressed with lettuce, tomato and mayo, and a side of fries (without gravy)
Ate every bit of it, it was delicious. I mean the fries were hella salty, but that did not deter me from eating every bit of food in front of me. After we had rested enough to actually move, we got back to the car and off to Mobile.
We stayed in downtown Mobile, and there isn't really much going around here, except for some museums that were within walking distance. Since it was already 4pm by the time that I was settled in my room, I ran out in an effort to find them still open. On my way I saw the Fort Conde. (it's way smaller than it looks. And not nearly enough near water to be effective, so I don't know if it's a replica of something.
some funky downtown buildings
The Condé Charlotte House Museum, which was the first Jail in Mobile, AL before it was converted into a House.
And the Museum of Mobile, which I was very disappointed by, because I got there at exactly 4:40, but was not allowed to stay in for more than 5 minutes because they closed at 5. The gift shop closed at 4:30pm! Ridiculous. But I guess they take their closing time and their Sundays very seriously in Mobile. In the 5 minutes I was inside I glimpsed at a 9/11 exhibition - apparently, the museum opened days after the attacks and so it was trying to (somberly) celebrate its 10 year anniversary.
After MoM, I tried to dash it to the Carnival Museum. On my way I passed by this, which was hella cool. Although no one was occupying the Government Plaza where it was written, I appreciate that the movement is reaching everywhere.
The Carnival Museum was also closed, but there were bits and pieces you could read outside of it. They take their Sundays seriously, y'all! However, I learned that "Mardi Gras" actually happened in Mobile, AL first, and that it's supposed to be a very big deal here as well - just that it's a lot more family friendly than the New Orleans version. Which reminds me, on my way to MoM I saw me a tree that still had some beads in it.
The Carnival Museum looks like fun, though.
On the way back I stopped by the Spanish Plaza, which celebrates Mobile's Spanish Heritage. It was okay.
Not a bad way to start the "tour of the South."
After some sandy beach view Lauren expressed her desire to play at one of the local casinos. It began a discussion about gambling, Native Americans, and Casinos. But I also agreed to play, but decided I wasn't going to spend more than $10 dollars.
I tell you, the way they pull you in is amazing. We spent an hour in the place. Lauren spent $20 bucks or so. We played the slots; I only used 6 bucks to play the slots, with $3.50 spent on a bottle of water. I know. The Casino gave me $15 of "free play" which essentially means that if you play the slots and you lose, you get that play reimbursed. So I played using my free play, stopping exactly when the free play was over and tallied my wins, which amounted to... $4. And thus, I left the Casino 50 cents richer. I have never been one to gamble, but I certainly wasn't persuaded to try it again. I did glance at someone's slot machine on the way out, and they had $100 bucks going - I don't know if that was money he had won or that he put in, but the amount just made me sad.
After the Casino in Biloxi we tried to eat at a place that the bartender recommended, but the place was closed, thankfully. We searched for a new place, but coming off of the Casino I gave Lauren the wrong direction to drive to, and when we were rounding on the block in order to try to get back in the right direction we drove by the Schooner Seafood Restaurant, which happened to be one that Lauren remembered from her childhood. We found a parking place nearby and got ourselves settled.
We started with some sweet tea
I chose the fish Po'Boy dressed with lettuce, tomato and mayo, and a side of fries (without gravy)
Ate every bit of it, it was delicious. I mean the fries were hella salty, but that did not deter me from eating every bit of food in front of me. After we had rested enough to actually move, we got back to the car and off to Mobile.
We stayed in downtown Mobile, and there isn't really much going around here, except for some museums that were within walking distance. Since it was already 4pm by the time that I was settled in my room, I ran out in an effort to find them still open. On my way I saw the Fort Conde. (it's way smaller than it looks. And not nearly enough near water to be effective, so I don't know if it's a replica of something.
some funky downtown buildings
The Condé Charlotte House Museum, which was the first Jail in Mobile, AL before it was converted into a House.
And the Museum of Mobile, which I was very disappointed by, because I got there at exactly 4:40, but was not allowed to stay in for more than 5 minutes because they closed at 5. The gift shop closed at 4:30pm! Ridiculous. But I guess they take their closing time and their Sundays very seriously in Mobile. In the 5 minutes I was inside I glimpsed at a 9/11 exhibition - apparently, the museum opened days after the attacks and so it was trying to (somberly) celebrate its 10 year anniversary.
After MoM, I tried to dash it to the Carnival Museum. On my way I passed by this, which was hella cool. Although no one was occupying the Government Plaza where it was written, I appreciate that the movement is reaching everywhere.
The Carnival Museum was also closed, but there were bits and pieces you could read outside of it. They take their Sundays seriously, y'all! However, I learned that "Mardi Gras" actually happened in Mobile, AL first, and that it's supposed to be a very big deal here as well - just that it's a lot more family friendly than the New Orleans version. Which reminds me, on my way to MoM I saw me a tree that still had some beads in it.
The Carnival Museum looks like fun, though.
On the way back I stopped by the Spanish Plaza, which celebrates Mobile's Spanish Heritage. It was okay.
Not a bad way to start the "tour of the South."
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Lazy Saturday
Saturday. It feels good to do nothing in them, specially when you do have stuff you could and should be doing. Whatev's, life is short and there was some beautiful weather in New York City! While Mi Cariño got her poetry on, I watched some Wonder Years on Instant Netflix before heading to Manhattan to meet up with Steph. P.S. They had to change the music on the opening credits. WTF.
First, I ran into Brito in Columbus Circle
Then I was really sad upon remembering there are no more Borders. I hate that I have to travel so far to find a bookstore with a large selection of books. (And before you say anything, I support independent bookstores - it's just nice to not have to "order the book" I want all the time.)
After meeting up with Steph we spent a good hour almost searching for parking before giving up and using a parking garage. From there, we eventually walked to Harry's Burritos in Columbus and the 70's. We had been there before, a while back.
First: Mango and Coconut Margaritas
delicious chipotle chicken tacos (on soft flour tortilla and not soft corn like I requested, but whatever it was good)
followed with raspberry margaritas
the rest of the day was spent meeting up with Ida where we had lots of talking, lots of walking, and all around good times.
First, I ran into Brito in Columbus Circle
Then I was really sad upon remembering there are no more Borders. I hate that I have to travel so far to find a bookstore with a large selection of books. (And before you say anything, I support independent bookstores - it's just nice to not have to "order the book" I want all the time.)
After meeting up with Steph we spent a good hour almost searching for parking before giving up and using a parking garage. From there, we eventually walked to Harry's Burritos in Columbus and the 70's. We had been there before, a while back.
First: Mango and Coconut Margaritas
delicious chipotle chicken tacos (on soft flour tortilla and not soft corn like I requested, but whatever it was good)
followed with raspberry margaritas
the rest of the day was spent meeting up with Ida where we had lots of talking, lots of walking, and all around good times.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Friday Night... Just Got Paid
We began with tiny tiny spring rolls
which we paired with some tsingtao beer
My entree was a very hot (as in caliente!) cellophane noodle with cabbage and tofu soup.
It was okay - I expected the soup to be less... soupy. Ida had a chicken version of her chili beef plate, but that had a weird aftertaste. I was less impressed with this Grand Sichuan than with its sister on the East Side - I guess that in their effort to fit in with the rest of places in Restaurant Row they lost some flavor or something.
The funnest part, however, was opening our fortune cookies. The top one is Ida's.
After dinner Ida and I walked through the drizzle and the crowds to make it to Empire 25 where after some handwringing and some begging on my part we ended up watching the Footloose remake. First, we arrived early, but still the theater was emptier than I expected - it's Footloose people! I enjoyed it. The main actor guy, reminded Ida and I of a young Johnny Depp. The guy that play Willard was hilarious. Sarah Jessica Parker was replaced with a bi-racial cutie. It's the dance movie that defies all the rules of dance movies - which might've been why Ida didn't like it as much. But also because Footloose is less a dance movie and more a "teenage rebellion, but backed with sense." I mean, there's domestic violence, drug use, an awesome line where Ren tells the baddie that "only assholes say the word fa**got," religion freedom and respect, but also, some good dancing. Sure, it's just as campy as the original, but they took it seriously in my opinion: kept the parts of the original that everyone would've been angry if they had changed (Let's hear it for the boy - amiright?) but adapted it enough to the times that there were more black people around (not enough Asians and Latinos, but first steps, ya know,) and hip hop was included just as well as country music and the lovely 80's songs we remember singing along.
And that I did, with Ida just laughing at me as I danced my way out of the theater. I'm looking forward already to owning the "two in one" DVD where you get both versions. P.S. I'm glad Zac Efron pulled out of this thing: as much as I like the kid, I don't think he could've pulled this off.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Lily Comes to Town
You know what I like? Old Novels, where the chapter title is somewhat a summary of what will happen. "Chapter IX in which our heroine discovers a terrible secret." Just so y'all know.
So Lily and I finally get our act together and she comes into town for a one day visit. 4 hours is a long time to travel for just a day without specific plans, but we made it work. After running some errands with my mother, the day began with a stop at Gemini Diner in Kips Bay where we had chicken salad triple deckers, which I haven't had in ages and ages, it feels.
Not quite as delicious as I remembered it, but still the best chicken salad and cole slaw in the city. Afterward we went for a walk and searched Baskin Robbins for Lily's favorite flavor, but we couldnt' find it. What we did find:
Although the awning was brand new, the store looked closed, so we never did find out what they sell at insomnia cookies. We also bought ourselves some ice cream but you don't get pictures of those cuz we stuffed our faces and I forgot to take a picture, so there. (If you must know I had chocolate chip cookie dough.)
For the rest of the day we literally walked around the city, just enjoying the people watching and the beautiful weather. We did some shopping, watched 50/50 which we both loved, and a whole lot of walking.
We capped the day with the cashing in on a deal that Lily had at Alma 33, Argentinian restaurant in West 8th. Dinner had a weary beginning when the restaurant called to let us know that they weren't serving their full menu, but only the Tapas or Picadas part. We decided to still go. We began the meal with some red sangria:
some really hard bread that I didn't really enjoy but yet gulf down since I was starving
Our Tapas began with some Pintxos de Entrañas, which is just steak skewers with salsa chimichurri
followed with chicken and spinach empanadas
Patatas bravas
and Miga con Chorizo
Dessert was this pudin thing drenched in creme and what not. Make your assumptions at the fact that I can't remember the name.
I was terribly underwhelmed with this meal - the patatas didn't have anything brava about them, the entrañas were okay, and their chimichurri sauce did not deserve the name chimichurri, but that's mostly because I have really good connotations with that word and this sauce is not it. The best of the picadas was the Migas con Chorizo and that's literally a mix of chorizo and mayo spread on Migas bread. Lily liked the Entrañas the best. To boot the restaurant was a little hot, and it made us be very aware of the time we spent there.
Regardless, the company and the conversation made dinner a good affair, and we left with a smile. I won't be returning here, but I'm glad we tried something new. Lily and I made it back to my place, to do some talking, and some immediate falling of the sleep after a day of walking around in the City.
So Lily and I finally get our act together and she comes into town for a one day visit. 4 hours is a long time to travel for just a day without specific plans, but we made it work. After running some errands with my mother, the day began with a stop at Gemini Diner in Kips Bay where we had chicken salad triple deckers, which I haven't had in ages and ages, it feels.
Not quite as delicious as I remembered it, but still the best chicken salad and cole slaw in the city. Afterward we went for a walk and searched Baskin Robbins for Lily's favorite flavor, but we couldnt' find it. What we did find:
Although the awning was brand new, the store looked closed, so we never did find out what they sell at insomnia cookies. We also bought ourselves some ice cream but you don't get pictures of those cuz we stuffed our faces and I forgot to take a picture, so there. (If you must know I had chocolate chip cookie dough.)
For the rest of the day we literally walked around the city, just enjoying the people watching and the beautiful weather. We did some shopping, watched 50/50 which we both loved, and a whole lot of walking.
We capped the day with the cashing in on a deal that Lily had at Alma 33, Argentinian restaurant in West 8th. Dinner had a weary beginning when the restaurant called to let us know that they weren't serving their full menu, but only the Tapas or Picadas part. We decided to still go. We began the meal with some red sangria:
some really hard bread that I didn't really enjoy but yet gulf down since I was starving
Our Tapas began with some Pintxos de Entrañas, which is just steak skewers with salsa chimichurri
followed with chicken and spinach empanadas
Patatas bravas
and Miga con Chorizo
Dessert was this pudin thing drenched in creme and what not. Make your assumptions at the fact that I can't remember the name.
I was terribly underwhelmed with this meal - the patatas didn't have anything brava about them, the entrañas were okay, and their chimichurri sauce did not deserve the name chimichurri, but that's mostly because I have really good connotations with that word and this sauce is not it. The best of the picadas was the Migas con Chorizo and that's literally a mix of chorizo and mayo spread on Migas bread. Lily liked the Entrañas the best. To boot the restaurant was a little hot, and it made us be very aware of the time we spent there.
Regardless, the company and the conversation made dinner a good affair, and we left with a smile. I won't be returning here, but I'm glad we tried something new. Lily and I made it back to my place, to do some talking, and some immediate falling of the sleep after a day of walking around in the City.
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