GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM

stop, look and listen

the guggenheim museum is one of our favorite museums.

buko: "what do you like about the guggenheim?"
ichigo: "it's a fun museum to go around in. every turn is interesting and you can get "lost" in it without really getting lost."
buko: "i can't lose you."

stop...

look...



and listen.

cold silence

waiting to exhale

DIMSUM GO GO

roughhouse dining

the last time we were in new york, we discovered a hole in the wall dimsum place in chinatown. while looking for a place to have lunch, we spotted the red, bold signage of dimsum go go. the restaurant was packed with chinese people, foreigners and a que of other customers lining up for a table. clearly, this place was the place to eat at, but we were too hungry to line-up.

we went back to dimsum go go for a late dinner that night and we understood why people lined-up at this joint — the food was simple, tasty, and you didn't feel bloated and lethargic from msg after eating.

it was almost closing time when we left the place, but before leaving we chatted a bit with the waiters. they shared with us that the place has been there for nine years and there are a lot of locals, tourists and celebrities that frequent their restaurant. they also told us that their new lease is coming up and they fear that if the rent goes up, they may have to close down the place or move. we hope not, because their current location has character and the food was superb.

we went back to dimsum go go several times during our stay and i even took some friends who had been living in new york for years and had never heard about the place. everyone gave it a two thumbs up.

dimsum go go is located at 5th east broadway (212-732-0796).

check out the numerous awards and positive reviews on dimsum go go.

write your own orders. this is a fun and smart way to take orders. no pictures though, but the food is pretty self-explanatory.

complementary oolong tea

peanuts and assorted dimsum sauces

steam buns (tdf) and assorted dimsum

fried spring rolls

i forgot the name of this dish, but it has a mushroom filling and wrapped in rice wrappers with light soy sauce and vinegar.

ichigo: i'm full. let's go home.
mr. roboto: cool red signage.

THE CITY BAKERY

hot chocolate break

i still have a lot of photos that i haven't uploaded from our last trip to new york, so i will just randomly post it here since this is really more of an online family album than a blog.

one of the best cafes we've visited in the big apple was the city bakery located at 3rd west 18th street, footsteps from 5th avenue. they are known for their breakfast pastries (each one is hand made with organic flour), their cookies are the most popular in the city, and they bake them every 30 minutes all day long. they also serve one of the best hot chocolate by maury rubin. the city bakery is also the creator of birdbath neighborhood green bakery — a must-visit place also when you're in nyc.

the ambiance is cozy and the smell of the place wreaks of good chocolate, dessert and divine food. it's the perfect place to have a coffee or hot choco break!

the food station and cashier are located at the center of the coffee shop.

a special room houses some of the best chocolates in the city.

warm, soft and mouth-watering cookies!

a cool diner is located on the first floor.

cookies and pastries served fresh from the oven.

get a heads up from the city bakery via twitter. don't you just love twitter?

i ordered brewed coffee and a hard cookie. i prefer hard cookies over soft ones.

tom and aryanna got the same black bottom. aryanna had hers with hot choco and tom with capuccino.

melt in your mouth goodness!

they serve their hot chocolate in a small bowl. aryanna used a straw to sip it — how cute!

this is how she does it. tom and i were amused by her.

a candid shot of aryanna and i taken by mr. roboto. why do we look so serious?

GOD IS IN THE DETAILS

messenger bikes

while walking along the east river in new york, i noticed that the bike lane looked interesting, but kinda blah-looking, so i thought i'd accessorize it a bit. LOL

rags2riches by aranaz bag and ugly doll key chain...

sporting a ms. marc marc by marc jacobs bag...

and donning an armani exchange messenger bag.

LEAVING FOR THE CITY OF ANGELS

"pack up, dad!"

if there's anyone who's good at packing, it's my husband. he is the master packer. lol

he has a knack of making things fit in tight places. lol... ok, i have to stop now. besides, this is a family blog. :D

aryanna the "superintendent" oversees her dad's packing.


ichigo: *standing*
mr. roboto: what are you doing? help out, aryanna.
ichigo: *helps out in packing*
mr.roboto: step back! you've invaded the packing zone.
ichigo: i thought you wanted me to help?
mr. roboto: just. hand. me. the stuff.
ichigo: *rolls eyeballs*
mr. roboto: you still do not possess the proper skills of a master packer, young pada wan.
ichigo & buko: pffft.

here are some of the clothes that araynna put together to bring to l.a. i think they are the cutest!







master roboto

EASTER BRUNCH

second, third, fourth wind

it was a chilly and windy easter in new york. my brother and sister-in-law took me to brunch at cafeteria, a trendy and cozy resto located at 119 7th ave. i'm glad they chose cafeteria as it was the perfect place to celebrate easter. i love the modern interior and the food was delectable!

i was bit sad because tom and aryanna flew to l.a. to celebrate easter with tom's family. it's been a while since my husband has seen his mom, sisters, niece, nephew, and in-laws. it was also a perfect time for aryanna to bond with her dad's side of the family. i decided to stay in ny as i wanted to spend time with my dad, mom, brother, and cousins. i wish i had time to fly out to l.a. too as i miss my in-laws. they are quite a fun bunch to hang out with. you'll see what i mean in my coming entries. they are a hoot!

i read mixed reviews about this 24-hour joint, but after trying it out, i give it two thumbs up!

buko: i like your place here.
waiter: you should come here around 4 am and see the real cafeteria. *evil grin*
buko: hmm... i like.

i wish the weather was more agreeable. it would've been nice to eat al fresco.

cool cafeteria menus! i love how they used characters as models.

did you have a hoppy eggster?

i like haunts that have lots of lights pouring in. makes brunch cheery and delightful.

my sister-in-law, sheryl, is 5 months pregnant. congrats! aryanna's first cousin on my side of the family is finally on his way! it's a boy! woo-hoo!

enjoy the food porn!
i like splenda and skim milk in my cup of joe.

cafeteria's famous for its fried chicken waffle. i've never had them before, both my bro and sis-in-law ordered it, and it was divine!

i had my usual steak and eggs. it was ok, but not as good as the fried chicken waffle. dang!

instead of toast, i ordered a biscuit. i love their biscuit! it's crumbly with a hint of saltiness-- just the way i like it!

after brunch, i asked my sister-in-law to take a photo of me with cafeteria's façade, but it was too windy to capture a descent shot! grr...

sheryl: ready...
buko: wait!

sheryl: ready...
buko: wait!

sheryl: ready...
buko: wait!

sheryl: ready...
buko: wait!

on buko: knitted sweater, bazaar find; brooch, mbmj ms. marc; black t-shirt, uniqlo; skirt, lui-jo; leggings, sm; bag, lv stephen sprouse; sunglasses, prada; platform maryjanes, ysl.

buko: that's it! just take a shot of my shoes! *lol*
sheryl: *lol*