Dim Sum Dining

I've lived in Chinatown for almost a year, but before Sunday dim sum dining was a total mystery.  I'd seen the advertisements plastered to the windows and noticed the large crowds gathered outside, but never before had I made the plunge to see what all the fuss was about.

Although I'm a huge fan of most Chinese meals, my utter distain of all things seafood kept me from going by myself.  For weeks now, I've been pestering my friend Susan to go with me, and finally, she broke down.

Located at 20th Elizabeth Street (between Canal and Bayard Street) we made our way to the Jing Fong Restaurant. As I suspected, Susan perfectly differentiated between the dishes, ordering sides she suspected I'd like.  We started with spring rolls and pork buns before diving deep in an order of Chinese barbecue.  She couldn't leave without fried chicken feet, but I instead opted for watercress cake.  For dessert, we were hoping for mango pudding, but we learned the hard way it's a crowd favorite and sells out quickly.  The coconut-tarot jello was an appetizing alternative though.  

Here, Susan's being an expert chopstick user as she eats her Chinese barbecue. 

The watercress cakes were surprisingly good. 

A note to meatless eaters, unless your willing to be a flexitarian for the day, dim sum's not for you.   But, if you can stomach carnivorous eating, I'd say a trip to Chinatown should certainly be on everyone's to do list.  Be prepared; unless you go with a big group, you'll probably share a table with another party. But the atmosphere is great, and the price is just right if your on a college student budget.  For less than $15 each, we ordered 8 portion-perfect plates.

Chick Lit to the Extreme

Eight months out of the year my nose is buried in complicated textbooks and pointless notes preparing for that next big paper.  I walk by the Strand's $2 carts and constantly have to remind myself there's simply no time for joy reading.  So when summer roles around, I ditch heavy plots and instead turn towards mindless materials.  I'm sure professors wouldn't approve of my reading list, but here's a few titles that make perfect vacation reads.

Book Review-Rhett Butler's People 

Being a Gone With the Wind fanatic, I was a little skeptical when my friend gave me Rhett Butler's People for Christmas this year.  Margaret Mitchell's classic is the story of Scarlet O’Hara.  It begins with the Georgia belle living on her family’s plantation, Tara, on the eve of the Fort Sumter attack and shows her life through the War and Reconstruction of the South. But Donald McCaig's work is the other side to the greatest love story ever told.  From their first meeting at the Twelve Oaks barbecue to the aftermath behind "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn," Rhett Butler's People presents it all.  Plus, readers learn about Rhett's childhood on a South Carolina rice plantation, discover how his relationship with brothel madame Belle Watling really began, and much much more.  I'd certainly suggest it for any Southerner who's looking for a modern take on a classic tale.
My Rating:  ****

Book Review-The Jane Austen Book Club 
The title alone should have been a dead giveaway that this book wasn't for me.  Unlike most girls, I find Jane Austen's books to be too slow and utterly boring.  There's just something about her writing that doesn't interest me.   But back to the book at hand, it's the story of five women and one man who meet monthly to discuss the works of the popular author, but soon discover their lives are playing out much like one of her fictional worlds.  If you're a dedicated Austentine this tale will make you want to dust off your abandoned classic copies.  But, if Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy aren't your relationship role models, I'd suggest leaving it on the bookshelf.
My Rating:  **

Book Review-Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy 

Curious about all the hype surrounding Fifty Shades of Grey?  Well, the rumors and definitely true, it's super steamy. I suspect author E L James is a British housewife who's using the books to live our her sexual fantasies. By no means am I suggesting it's well written, but that didn't stop me from reading the trio in just a few days.  Tracing the sexual escapades between recent college grad Anastasia Steel and manipulative billionaire Christian Grey, it has all the qualities that make books bestsellers:  love, lust, jealousy, and dysfunctional families.  Be warned; the erotic label is certainly  truthful, but I'd say it's this summer's perfect page turner.
My Rating:  ****

Book Review-Bridget Jones's Diary 
I'm probably one of the few people who's never seen the film adaptation with Renée Zellweger, Hugh Grant, and Colin Firth.  But before I corrected the situation, I decided to read the book.  Written in dairy form, it's the tale of thirty-something singleton Bridget Jones, who's certain  she would have all the answers if she a)lost 7 pounds b)stopped smoking and c)snagged the perfect boyfriend.  She eats too much junk food and spends way too much time emotional energy flirting with her womanizing boss. In theory, you shouldn't like her constant complaining, but there's something about her that every modern gal can relate to.
My Rating:  ****

A Farm with a View

Urban Green Thumbs are Constantly at Work 

In the need of fresh, farm-picked produce.  Well, just because we live in New York doesn't mean we have to sacrifice.  Located in Long Island City, Brooklyn Grange is the world's largest rooftop farm.  Today's video shoot with NBC took me on a tour of the urban acre. 

Clucking chickens, rows of vegetables, and blooming buds can be found, all with the  Empire State Building in the background.  Next to the  mushroom harvest, bees buzz.  And an old wooden table with seating for 70 runs down the middle.  

Stop by the farm on Wednesdays from 1-6pm for free rooftop access.  And check out the farm stand where you'll be able to snag a bag of in-season crops, like tomatoes or strawberries.  

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Birthday America; here's to great nights with great friends. 

It's the day for flag t-shirts and barbecuing.  But of course, I'm living dorm style, so that means any flame larger than a candle is simply off limits.  That didn't stop the RAs of Lafayette from having our own Fourth of July Feast though!  No burgers or hotdogs for us.  For the carnivores chicken, shrimp, and salmon could be had, while the vegetarians ate fruit salad, pasta, fried cauliflower with long-grain rice and much much more.  Dessert didn't disappoint either.  We ate brownie cookie dough sandwiches, apple pie cookies, and watermelon cake.

So Much Food!

Just like every holiday, I had to make speciality cupcakes for the 4th too.  They resemble hot coals for our can't be bbq.  If you'd like to make them too, here's what you'll need for this super sweet summer treat.  

• 1 bag marshmallows
• 1 can vanilla frosting
• Black food coloring
• 2 tbsp orange sprinkles
• Crushed up Oreos
• 1 tbsp confectionary sugar 

After you've made your dozen cupcakes, attach the marshmallows with some vanilla frostong. Place them in freezer for 10 minutes to let the icing set.  


Tint the remaining frosting gray with black food coloring. Microwave the icing in a bowl, stopping to stir frequently, until it's the consistancy of lightly whipped cream.  
          
Holding the cupcake by its paper bottom, dip each into  the gray frosting holding it by the paper liner.  Be sure to allow the excess frosting to drip off back into the bowl.  Turn right side up.  While the frosting is still wet add your orange sprinkles, crushed cookies and confectionary sugar. 


Repeat with remaining cupcakes.  If the frosting becomes too thick, reheat for several seconds.

Just because we were in the City doesn't mean we were without a firework show.  Around 9pm, (after our absolutely amazing feast) we made our way to the Penthouse to watch the shows.  

It wouldn't be a college party without Jello Shots 

Feeling Brave?

I finally did it. I made the plunge and paid $14 for a movie ticket.  No 3-D or Imax vision here.  Nope, $14 is just the price for your average, 2-D theatre ticket here in NYC.  So what made me pay such an outlandish price...just Disney/Pixar's latest collaboration Brave.

It just came out June 22nd, so there's still plenty of time to see this new type of fairytale.  It's the story of Merida, a princess who's up for an adventure.  This Scottish lass is less worried about winning Prince Charming's heart and more concerned with beating potential suitors in an archery competition. Of course this family flick is just perfect if you have a youngster at home. But I'll have you know I wasn't the only college-aged kiddo there.  Don't wait until Brave comes to DVD; make the movie-theater trek for this film. 


Seeing as how I resisted the urge to buy a way-to-expensive bucket of popcorn from AMC, I decided to reward myself with a quick trip to Shake Sqaure in Madison Square Park.  Their extra frothy strawberry shake was just what I needed to beat the heat.  Paired with a side of cheese fries, the total price was less than 10 dollars. I'd call it a reasonably priced Sunday treat. And, don't let the long lines steer you clear. They move pretty quick, and the scrumptious food is worth the wait.

Seriously, so tasty! 

A Much Needed Vacation

The View from our Backyard 

Just as Hurricane Debby was making her way to through the seas, I was boarding a plane for family vacation.  Our destinations were the same...the Florida Coast.

You may remember last year our family of nine were Living like the Longstockings in the Villa Villekula.  Well this year we traded our St. Augustine destination for a beach-front property on Jacksonville Beach.  Unlike some of our neighbors, I'm glad to say our nautically-themed home has kept its power.  Really, the only complaint we can make is the harsh winds and pesky rain kept us from  grilling burgers.

The overcast skies have been just perfect for my far too fair skin.  Despite a floppy sun hat and constant reapplication of SPF 100, I usually leave my week at the beach looking like a lobster.  But if the sun stays hidden behind those ever-looming rain clouds, I may escape this year only slightly pink.

And, no beach retreat would be complete without a steamy romance novel.  The Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy has proven itself to be the prefect page turner as I lounge in a squatty chair with my feet in the sand.

And seeing as how I love to document everything, I grabbed the camera and took a few pictures as a thunderstorm was rolling in this morning:

My sister's the designated shell collector, but the treasures the tide's been bringing in even have me stopping. 

Besides the usual shells, the waves have also been decorating the shore with a strange foam.  Its bubbly consistantcey reminds me of something found atop a frothy beverage.

My New York: Harlem

Even Justin Bieber can be found in Harlem.
He Performed at The Apollo Theatre
on Monday Night.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again...New York above Lincoln Center is a total mystery to me.  I'd seen Harlem in movies, but before yesterday, I'd never actually ridden the subway all the way up there.  For NBC's Taxi TV there's a segment called "My New York" were noteworthy locals share their favorite neighborhood.  As I'm sure you've guessed, Harlem was the selected spot yesterday.

We started at Red Rooster between 125th and 126th on Lenox.  The decor is so quirky, and I hear the Sunday brunch is delicious.

Next, we went to the Studio Museum. They've just added the most amazing gallery.  In fact, just a few weeks ago one new painting whose main medium is glitter and high lighter pink paint made the cover of The New York Times style section.  So seeing it upclose (without actually having to pay the admission price) was great.

After a stop off at a local book store, we headed to El Augilia on 116th between 2nd and 3rd. According to our celebrity guide, this is Harlem's Mexican district. All the advertisements are in Spanish and the native flag hangs everywhere.  One elderly woman was making cakes on a griddle outside her storefront, and sidewalk markets were filled with exotic fruits.  But what would the district be without its taquerias?  We sampled chips sided with guacamole and the most delicious tacos too.

Delicious Lunch for Less Than $5! 

Sure, Harlem's a little bit of a hike, but it's certainly the place to visit if you're looking to try something of the beaten path.  Plus, Central Park isn't too far, so if you're craving green, you'd be able to make a day out of it.