NYC x JULY x DAY 5

Our fifth and last day in NYC started with lunch at the highly acclaimed Le Bernardin. Awarded the Michelin Guide's coveted 3-stars, chosen as a top pick from Zagat and ranked number 11 best restaurant in the world by Restaurant magazine -- this was a meal not to be forgotten.


Row 1: ESCOLAR - grilled hawaiin escolar, chilled young carrot, lime mousseline, miso sauce vierge. CALAMARI - sauteed calamari filled with sweet prawns and shiitake mushroom, mushroom froth-pistou sauce.
ROW 2: HIRAMASA - seared yellowtail kish fish, truffle risotto, spring vegetables, black truffle emulsion. CODFISH - sauteed codfish, leek and grape parfait, caramelized endives, green peppercorn mariniere.
ROW 3: HAZELNUT - gianduja cream, oregon hazelnuts, banana, honey, brown butter ice cream. FIG-BACON - caramelized mission fig, red wine caramel, hazelnut, goat cheese fondant, bacon ice cream.

I felt a bit silly lugging my giant camera into this world acclaimed and slightly pretentious restaurant, but I couldn't let this experience go undocumented (pulling out my iPhone to take photos probably wouldn't fly so well at a place like this). This was one of those places I almost wish I didn't eat at because now, anytime I order seafood at a restaurant, food snob tendencies will appear and I'm going to want to compare it to Le Bernardin.



Picked up these beautiful babies from Zara during my trip, on sale for only $35.



Took a stroll through Washington Square Park and visited Sundaes & Cones once more. Honeydew this time!


Noms. So good.


And if you haven't guessed by now, one dessert is never enough. Went to Pinkberry for the first time and chowed down some more!

And thus concludes my NYC trip! Flew out the next morning back to Houston with a suitcase that barely shut. Since a lot of people ask me how I manage to travel so much, I'm going to include a post on the logistical side of all my trips (budgeting, packing, etc.) for anyone interested. Newer stuff coming soon!

NYC x JULY x DAY 4

Started the day off with brunch at Cafe Mogador, one of my favorite eateries in NYC. Then went on a dessert rampage (hit up 4 spots), leaving me feeling like death wrapped in sugar as I rolled around New York city with an achingly full belly and taste buds in ecstasy.



Momofuku's crack pie + cereal milk soft serve is the best combination money can buy in this world. Better than cookies & cream or peanut butter & jelly, for reals.


Afterwards, went to Sundaes & Cones (again!) since, well, hey, we were in the area. This time it was lychee that took my taste buds to its happy place. And although I was already stuffed beyond belief, I struggled to swallow the last few bites as I knew my days to eat this marvelous stuff was numbered.


This is my uncomfortably full face. I also get sloppy when I'm full; note the strap hanging out -_-





Took a stroll afterwards mostly to try and digest some food before gorging some more.


Went to Chikalicious for a three-course dessert. Yes, three courses! It's like having an appetizer for your dessert AND a dessert for your dessert. Probably my favorite place on earth, sigh. This was the amuse: watermelon sorbet in a jasmine gelee.


Main course: panna cotta, toasted almonds, and something else (I forgot).


Main course #2: Fromage blanc island "cheese cake." The term cheese cake should be applied lightly as this is a fluffier, lighter and more angelic cousin to your typical variation of cheesecake.


Petits fours to top off the "meal."


Afterwards, crossed the street to Chikalicious Dessert Club for more dessert lol. This was a chilled brioche bread pudding. Never had chilled bread pudding before and this was awesome!

I could not fit dinner in that night.

NYC x JULY x DAY 3

Started off the day scouring the 5th Avenue area for food. Landed upon Papillon, a French bistro that happened to be serving brunch and my all time favorite: Brioche French toast. It was served with caramelized apples & maple syrup and can be described as mediocre at best. I suppose I've been spoiled by places like 24 Diner and Mulberry here in Austin, Texas that really know how to do French toast right.


Ham & Gruyère sandwich with fries, which tasted much better than my French toast did...





Had a ridiculously large portioned dinner at Carmine's. The plate probably served 4-6 and there was only two of us. Clearly, there was no room left for dessert afterwards but I more than made up for it the next day. Update coming soon!

NYC x JULY x DAY 2

Had lunch at Jean-Georges Nougatine. Three courses of sumptuousness for only $26. Shrimp salad, tomato and avocado, champagne vinegar dressing.


Grilled beef tenderloin with spinach crepe.


Jean-Georges warm chocolate cake with vanilla bean ice cream.



Had the Okonomiyaki at Go Japanese Restaurant for dinner at St. Mark's Square with one of my girlfriends, Jessica. If you've never had it, it's sort of a Japanese pancake with seafood and noodles and it's ridiculously good, at least at this joint. Funny thing about Jessica and I, we're both from Houston but we never see each other in Houston. She was in Chicago when I was there, and then I met her in NYC, and prior to that the last time I saw her was in Austin.


Ended the night on the floor plopped in front of the laptop, webchatting away.

NYC x JULY x DAY 1

Day 1 in NYC was actually supposed to be day 2, but Delta canceled the second leg of our flight from Atlanta to NYC until the next morning, so I had the misfortune of missing out on a whole evening of fun :[ Regardless, I still enjoyed the remainder of my trip.

Landed in Newark and took the bus to Manhattan. A tip to anyone visiting NYC, check all 3 airports near Manhattan (La Guardia, JFK and Newark) for the lowest plane ticket price. Also, taking public transportation via either train or bus will be MUCH more economical than taking a cab, so plan ahead!

First meal of the trip: Kati Rolls (99 MacDougal Street, New York, NY 10012)! According to their website, it's a "a spicy mixture of meat and vegetables rolled in Indian flat-bread." Quite yum in my book.

Next up was shopping in SoHo!

Stopped by kid robot, BAPE & Y-3.

Fell absolutely in love with these hipster frames at Selima Optique (59 Wooster St., New York, NY 10012). Unfortunately, they were over $400. This was absolutely one of the most fascinating eyeglass shops I've ever been to. They have quite an eclectic collection.

Ended the evening with a mini food tour of East Village, including: a banana, nutella & walnut crepe from Shade, a Whatchamacallit cupcake from Cake & Shake (yes, desserts first), ramen noodles at Ramen Setagaya, a shot of tequila at Continental Bar, a scoop of strawberry cheesecake ice cream from Sundaes & Cones, and Belgian frites from Pomme Frites complete with 3 types of dip.