Roberta's

Roberta's is a well-known pizza restaurant in Bushwick. Even the ones that don't know where Bushwick is, they know Roberta's. We recently discovered that Roberta's has brunch menu. A place where brunch is hard to come by, it's a good option.


Roberta's
261 Moore Street
NY 11206-3816
(718) 417-1118
http://www.robertaspizza.com/

Crab / Lobster night!

We decided to have a crab night and invite a friend and his girlfriend over. Then when I was buying live crab, I couldn't say no to lobsters. So we ended up having crab / lobster night!

Between four of us, we had two crabs and two lobsters.
By end of night, we were crab/lobster'ed out!!!

Chris made crab roll a day after... Better than lobster roll!!!

Momo Sushi Shack

Our new neighborhood, Bushwick, Brooklyn, is a "food wasteland." But more restaurants are opening (not as fast as I would like) and Momo Sushi Shack opened recently on Bogart.

It's not a normal sushi restaurant, so don't expect a big menu, but it's definitely a nice change. Plus it's around the corner from Roberta's. So while you are waiting for a spot at Roberta's, you can grab a bite here.




43 Bogart Street
Brooklyn NY 11206-3820
(718) 418-6666
http://www.momosushishack.com/

Nepal - Trekking

  

Chris, my sister, and a group of guys went to Nepal for trekking.  The whole experience changed everyone.  I can't explain the experience because I wasn't there, but Chris definitely came back a changed man - more active.  

Last time we were in Nepal together was in 2006.  I would like to go back and see the children at the orphanage.  Chris also worked at the orphanage for a few days after trekking.  They sent me letters...  I really have to go back.  

Joya Dorado Restaurant

You know... I am not the adventurous one in my household, Chris is. He's been venturing out to find restaurants and grocery markets in our new neighborhood, Bushwick, Brooklyn. Considering I was in Italy for 2 weeks, I am still new to the neighborhood, but Chris knows his way around this neighborhood already. He went out by himself today and tried chicken soup at Joya Dorado. He said it was good and was only $3. Can't complain about this price!


Joya Dorado Restaurant
132 Wyckoff Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11237

More photos from Italy, then after...

Italians know how to do breakfast. Sugar and chocolate!!!

Ok. This was the breakfast bar at our hotel in Sorrento. You can imagine my shock when I walked in with messy hair and PJ's...

Look at all the stuff I brought from Italy. 23.5kg of my bag was filled with mostly food...

Amalfi Coast

We took a small cruise starting from Sorrento to Positano, then to Amalfi. You know some of us has one place that he or she really want to go once in life - that place has been Amalfi Coast for me. Water was really clear and the ride to both places was incredible.

Italians are so blessed. They don't even have to leave their country to enjoy breathtaking view and amazing food.

As the trip coming to an end... only thing that I can think of was 'how the hell am I going to eat Italian food ever in New York?'
This trip has definitely made me an Italian food snob and I will never be able to eat Italian food at home... (maybe except for at Mario Batali's restaurants...)

Pompeii, Italy

The reason why I chose Southern Italy to visit was Pompeii. I couldn't visit Italy without seeing Pompeii. And Pompeii didn't disappoint.

It was only a short train ride from Sorrento and we were there for 5 hours. If it wasn't so hot, we would have stayed longer. But being there 5 hours, I don't think we even saw half of it.

Capri, Italy

From Sorrento, Capri was about 30 minute cruise ride. Once we landed, we didn't understand why Capri was so popular... it wasn't until we took a tram up to top of the hill, we realized it was a getaway for the rich and famous.

It was really breathtaking and we understood why someone would come to Capri to get away from it all. It was definitely quieter than Sorrento and you could really relax for a month or two without anyone bothering you.

Sorrento, Italy

When we were planning a trip to Italy, I didn't really care about Venice or northern lake area, but Rome and Sorrento. After a few days in crazy Rome, it was nice to relax in Sorrento. Plus it was a good base to see Amalfi Coast and Pompeii.

And because Italians vacation in Sorrento, food had to be good. If Rome was more about sophistication, Sorrento was all about seafood and I had no problem with that. Gelato and seafood - that was our diet for 6 days in Sorrento! I will return!!!

Florence, Italy

Our original plan was to spend all day in Florence. We took an early morning train to Florence from Rome and we were suppose to have dinner there and come back to Rome. But I felt ill pretty early. I wasn't dressed properly (it was a bit cold in Florence). I thought I would feel better after lunch but didn't. So we left early. We were supposed to be off to Sorrento next day, so I didn't want to be sick in Sorrento the whole time.

Poor Michelle had to change ticket when we got to train station to earlier time.

I guess work, moving, school, and finally travelling were all getting to me...

Rome - Food report

Rare occasion - all three of us together

Ah... coffee. I like coffee and I was drinking so much everyday...

This was my favorite in Rome. Pasta with clams...

Food in Rome was amazing. I was lucky because my sisters were there before me. They already figured out where to take me by the time I got there. We mostly went to Gusto Ristorante. There were a few locations.

By the way, there was no problem speaking in English and finding English menu. So even if you don't speak Italian, don't be scared.

Mangiare!!!

http://www.gusto.it/

Rome, Italy

Believe it or not, It was my first time to visit Italy. I was in and out of Europe so many times, but somehow I had always skipped Italy for different reasons.

This time, when we wanted to create a sisters only trip, we finally said, "ITALY!!!"

Day 1, we decided on Italy, then Day 2, all three of us booked our tickets.

I know, I know, I should have blogged about it right after the trip... and it's kind of hard to write about it so many months later, but at least I am getting to it now.

My sisters were there before me (I couldn't leave because of school) and they saw Rome, Florence, Pisa, Venice. By the time I got to Rome, my younger sister had to leave for San Francisco, so three of only got to spend 24 hours in Rome, then she was off to San Francisco.

I was able to spend 4 days in Rome with my older sister.

Rome was incredible. Rome is a city that you all have to see once in your life. Because it was in August, the city was filled with tourists - Romans go on vacation for almost the whole month to other parts of Italy or outside. Only good thing was, though, there was no traffic.

Food was good (food pictures to come) and gelato was awesome. But most importantly, I was delighted to see Pantheon and Colosseum. I grew up watching documentaries about Roman Empire (I still do), so I couldn't hold my excitement when our bus was approaching Colosseum for the first time.

All and all, Rome was more than I expected and I would love to go back!!!

Italy, here I come!

I know, I know...
It's been a while. With work and school, it's been just extra crazy. Plus we just moved into our new apartment. We lived in our old apartment for 7 and half years, so you can imagine how much crap we had...

While we are still trying to unpack and settle in, I am also getting ready for Italy. My sisters are there already. This is a girls only trip!

I will bring lots of food info from ITALY!!!

Mobile Food Trucks

I am starting a research on Mobile Food Trucks for my marketing class project. So I thought I would share some info on what I am reading & looking at:


http://nymag.com/restaurants/cheapeats/2010/67139/

http://dt-works.net/

http://streetvendor.org/vendys/


Happy Eating!

Restaurant Week 2010

Restaurant Week is here, everyone. I am not a fan of Restaurant Week, but I may try this time around.

July 12 - 25

http://www.nycgo.com/restaurantweek#rw_grid

More Film Festivals

Summer is officially here and it's time for Film Festivals...
Here are a few

Japan Cuts
July 1 - July 16, 2010


New York Asian Film Festival
June 25 - July 8, 2010

Enjoy everyone!

Free Food @ Xi'an Famous Foods!

Do you remember our last visit to Flushing for some lamb burgers and handmade noodles?
Apparently, while I wasn't paying attention, that specific restaurant has been expanding. There is one location in Chinatown now, 2nd location in Flushing, and a new one is opening in East Village.

And on their opening day of one in East Village, they are giving out their free burgers.

Go check out Xi'an Famous Foods' new location on July 3rd! You must RSVP!

Opening on July 3rd:

81 St. Mark's Place
New York, NY 10003

Human Rights Watch Film Festival

Better late than never...

Human Rights Watch Film Festival is back...
It already started and it's ending on soon, June 24th... Sorry, I just found out about this.


http://www.hrw.org/en/iff

Happy Anniversary!

Every anniversary, we try to go to a restaurant that we have never been to. This time, we decided on David Burke's Fishtail after trying out his other restaurant.

It's at a quite location, and restaurant itself was quiet, too, which is a plus.
My seafood tower had more to be desired but fish tacos were very good.







Fishtail by David Burke
135 East 62nd Street
New York, NY 10065-7301
(212) 754-1300

Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook

Anthony Bourdain has a new book out: Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook

Read more.

Gaza Blockade

Those of you who know me well understand where I stand on Israel and Palestine issue.
But even those who know nothing about the issue or don't care about the issue should have heard about Flotilla. Today another Gaza-bound vessel was seized.

Gaza's 3 year old blockade is uncalled for and inhumane. I found a list of prohibited items into Gaza.

Here are a few items that caught my attention (that are ridiculous):

1. sage
2. cardamom
3. cumin
4. coriander
5. chocolate
6. dried fruit

There are the things that got me very upset:

1. notebooks
2. newspapers
3. toys

Israel's excuse for the blockade is for Hamas to have no access to weapons. But above items have nothing to do with weapons. How is Israel getting away with this? Israel's existential threat has nothing to do with coriander and chocolate. Am I the only one who thinks this is ridiculous?

Tokyo Quest: Ramen 101

Pea Soup

Pea soup topped with prosciutto, tomato, cucumber, & pistachio

David Burke at Bloomingdale's

A friend of mine recommended a movie called Agora, which was about the fall of Roman Alexandria, and we went to see it today. Since we have been to Alexandria, I was curious how it was supposed to be...

Movie was very well done but was such a traumatic story...

After the movie we had to eat something good and Chris suggested David Burke at Bloomingdale's. Bloomingdale's is probably the only department store I go to... and I have never seen this restaurant before. The entrance is on 59th Street and we were served by the friendliest waiter.

Now I am interested in checking out his other restaurants.

Meatloaf

Hanger stake

David Burke at Bloomingdale's
1000 3rd Avenue New York, NY 10022
212-813-2195