San Jose, Costa Rica

San Jose was busy, crowded, and vibrant. As soon as we arrived in San Jose from Jaco, the first thing we looked for was something to eat at the Central Market (Mercado Central). We didn't plan it, but our hotel was only about 5 minutes away from the Central Market.

The Central Market was a closed market with lots of different vendors - meat, vegetable, pet store (strange combo), and of course, food stalls. We were busy eating what locals were eating. It was a nice change from Tourist foods that we had been eating in Jaco.

Spices (didn't know they were using this much spices in Costa Rica)

Tamale

OK... our final adventure in Costa Rica was finding the restaurant, Machu Picchu (Peruvian Restaurant).
It was recommended by an article that I read plus my travel book (finally taking advantage of my book) and it was supposed to be close from our hotel. It was raining that night, so we decided to take a cab instead of walking. Our cab driver and the hotel concierge seemed to know right away about the restaurant, so we didn't worry until our driver was about get on a highway.

That's when we found out that our driver was about to take us to another city.
A 5 minute cab ride turned into a 45 minute cab ride and by the time we arrived at the right restaurant, Christoff told the driver, "I will call the police" in Spanish.
Somehow, that completely scared him and he wouldn't even charge us.

OK... after that fiasco, we arrived at the restaurant and the trip was worth it!

Anticuchos - beef heart

Octopus (it was very yummy)

Lamb with white beans

Jaco, Cost Rica

I hadn't been out of country since January 2007. I was going crazy...
So we decided to leave the country just for a few days.
Costa Rica seemed like a good place to go - only 5 hour flight, affordable, & warm... what else can we ask?

We decided to combine beach & city.
Jaco is the closest beach town from San Jose.
It reminded us of Phuket. Touristy beach town, but it was good enough for us.

Wine in cartons. You gotta love this country!

Typical meal...

Pinkberry

It seems like everyone already knows about Pinkberry.
I only found out about it when my sister told me last summer.
Since then, more than a few stores opened up in the city including one near my place.

It's supposed to be frozen yogurt, but it doesn't taste like frozen yogurt.
You can choose your topping, I choose mostly different types of fruit.
It's especially good for someone like me who is lactose-intolerant.

www.pinkberry.com

Graduation

Finally I graduated!
After many many years, it doesn't even seem real, but I must say it's a great feeling.
I didn't go to the graduation ceremony, so Chris promised me to take me out once I got my diploma. Chris took me to Jewel Bako.

Sashimi was good, but rolls weren't that special.
Jewel Bako passed Fraziers' Tuna test & fresh Wasabi test!


Jewel Bako
239 E. 5th Street
New York, NY 10003
212-979-1012

Kabab Cafe

We finally made it to Kebab Cafe in Astoria.
Of course, Anthony Bourdain said everything much better than I could ever describe.
We didn't have crazy stuff, Miyuki, Eddie, Christoff, and I had beef shortribs, lamb, chicken.... they were so good.

Enjoy what Anthony Bourdain has to say...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBFDvyi6p64

PS. I think we walked by the chef's brother's restaurant... I think I saw the brother outside of his restaurant...
PPS. The chef was claiming that he was drunk when Anthony Bourdain was in his restaurant, so he didn't remember much.... HAHA, true or not, that's funny.

Finally.... Movies to share... (Siem Reap and Shanghai)

Jackson Heights

We are finally but slowly ready to move out of Manhattan.
We don't like Brooklyn, Staten Island, or the Bronx, so only option that we have left is Queens.

Queens has lots of interesting neighborhoods with characters.
So far we like Jackson Heights the best!
WHY???
What else???? FOOD!!!

Every weekend (for about a month now), our house hunting seems to always end at different restaurants or taco stands in Jackson Heights. Jackson Heights has everything. You name it, they have it - Colombian, Mexican, Indian, Korean, Vietnamese... yum...

Sakagura

Today is our anniversary.
We went to Sakagura to celebrate.

Sakagura is known for their Sake collection - over 100 different Sakes.
Our sparkling Sake from Nara was very impressive.

Sakagura is more of an Izakaya typed restaurant. Food was good; however, not as impressive as their Sake collection.

Sakagura

Thai Food, What Else???

Published by Saveur

Steak all the way!

Published by Saveur

Food... Japan...

New York Times Magazine

This article made me want to go back to Japan. I haven't been back since 2000. Next time I go back, I would like to go and check out Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto....

Donguri

Another birthday meal... we finally decided to go eat at Donguri. Donguri is a block away from our apartment, but we somehow managed to always just pass by but not eat there. Eddie, Miyuki, and Mike were nice to join us. Sashimi was absolutely fresh and other dishes were very good.

Portions were very small; however, fresh wasabi gave this restaurant 5 plus points (which Nobu didn't have...)

Reservations are recommended as this restaurant only fits 24 people.

Donguri

NOBU - Birthday Present

For Christoff's birthday, I decided to treat him to a nice meal. 2 years ago I decided to take him to Nobu, but couldn't get a reservation on time. This time I found out that there is a new location on 57th Street.

Maguro sashimi was amazing.
Black cod with Miso was good, but other things that we ordered didn't live up to our high expectations.

Our waiter was nice to enough to work on Christoff' birthday treat - Warm Chocolate Fondant Cake... yum...

Nobu

Valentine's Day

Christoff made an amazing meal for Vanelentine's Day!
The 5 course meal will be remembered!!!

Uniquely Singapore Again!

Thanks to Darren, I was able to visit Singapore to see Michelle & Darren. This time I was alone, without, Christoff, but I was still determined to eat everything that Singapore had to offer. I had a list, and... I think I ate everything on my list.



Breakfast, Singapore Style... Foodcourts are the perfect place to be. When it's hot outside and when you are hungry, but don't want to decide what to eat yet??? Foodcourts are there for you!!!
It's also a perfect place for someone who can't decide or someone who has ADD. You can't decide? You want to eat everything? That's OK. Because you just can get everything...

Kopi and Kaya toast was my first Singaporean style breakfast. But why don't we get everything else??? We did, just because we could...



Singaporean sweets... Red ruby was not my favorite first time around... but I liked it this time.


Fried Tofu - Indonesian style, "Tahu Telor"
I couldn't look at the fried tofu the same way anymore.... yum...


A visit wouldn't be accomplished until you had Chilli Crab!
"No Signboard" restaurant was much more than what I expected. Pepper Crab and Chilli Crab were amazing. Can't you tell? There is no picture of myself... I was a mess by the time I was done eating.

And my new-found favorite: Morning Glory...