Snowed In

I moved to NYC just in time for the worst blizzard in a hundred years! Of course my luck this happens the week my friends are suppose to fly in to spend New Years with me in the city. My friend who is here for christmas, now can't get home and my other friend had to take a train to get to me, while a couple of my friend's flights got cancelled. I wish I had a great restaurant to write about this week, but I haven't really been able to leave the building. We tried to make the best of it and literally made my first snow angle at the front of my building. As my doorman watch confused, all I said on the way back into the building was, "I'm from California" which pretty much cleared up my odd behavior. The whole city is basically shut down, its abnormally quiet for manhattan. I seem to not be able to catch a break this week, let the new year bring some better energy!

My Version of Chinese Food and a Movie

This year for Christmas I decided to stay in New York for something different. My friend flew in from California and we had our own twist on a long held jewish tradition, we instead went to Cipriani Downtown. I had never been before, but it's so well known I knew it had to be good. Surprisingly it was pretty quiet for Christmas Eve so we got right in. After the Maitre'D came over with bellinis I was sure it was going to be a good night. Ordered the best pasta while we watched all the European tourist order everything on the menu to the point where they didn't have enough room on their tables for all the plates. Before those new year resolutions we had to order dessert, specifically the lemon meringue pie, which they are famous for. It was definitely the best christmas eve dinner I ever had. Of course, in true form, afterwards we had to go see a terrible family comedy. Then we quickly headed home because it is beyond freezing in the city! Merry Christmas everyone!

Sometimes You Got To Act Like A Kid To Become An Adult

With another semester quickly coming to an end, heres some valuable lessons I've learned. Perfection is unattainable; it just doesn't exist and that is completely okay, because stumbling is part of the journey and growth. If we all got it right on the first try, there would be no struggle. Struggle gives meaning to all the good in my life and makes me value all the positive things I get to experience. Happiness and success are subjective, because we all have different variations of it. I have realized that happiness is my number one priority and that it should be an everyday goal. Love, juries still out on that one, but when someone figures out that four letter word for me, let me know. Being with someone else teaches you about yourself, relationships help you realize what you are willing and not willing to put up with. I don't think you can get to know someone else until you really, truly know yourself and I think it is important to be comfortable and confident alone before you throw someone else into the mix. Education doesn't just come from a classroom, I feel like everyday has been a learning experience for me, and I have enjoyed being exposed to so many new things, just in the last six month. And finally, perspective, I think the biggest change from adolescence to adulthood is gaining some perspective. I don't think anyone takes the time to step back and see the bigger picture. I am definitely guilty of stressing the small things and not being able to appreciate the moment. I know thats a lot of things for just a few months, but its all ideas and thoughts that I've been working through for a while and just starting to piece together.

After Waiting Forever...

Serendipity! After that line, I was definitely having the famous frozen hot chocolate. This is probably one of the cutest restaurants I have ever been to, but it is obvious that it is a tourist spot, with that crazy prices and terrible service. We of course started with their famous frozen hot chocolate, which honestly was overrated and then we had dinner. The food was just okay, but we forgot about the food once we ordered dessert and they presented us with the craziest ice cream sundae I have ever seen. It was all worth it once we tried it. Instead of your basic brownie, fudge, ice cream, and whipped cream they make it with their amazing chocolate cake and fudge and home-made whipped cream. Best dessert of all time, hands down!

Happy Hanukkah

After a great week at home, I flew back to the city just in time for hanukkah. Having not a single jewish friend in the city, it was my job to teach my friends what we do, besides seeing a movie and eating chinese food on christmas. So I decided to have a little hanukkah party thursday night instead of going out for dinner. I made latkes and we drank some Manischewitz, because I had to bring a little tradition to my new home. Entertaining and dinner parties are in my blood, I love having a bunch of people in my apartment, nothing makes me happier.

Most Famous Thursday Night Dinner

Happy Thanksgiving! One of my favorite holidays of the year. My mom always does dinner for our huge family, but this year we had to do it a little differently. We went to my uncles and had a small, peaceful, beautiful thanksgiving, which was great, but just not the same. Either way it was so great to be home and see my friends and family after over three months. It's great to be home in a full house and catch up with friends over a huge dinner where, for some reason we still after all these years have difficulty splitting the bill. No matter how nuts everything get at home sometimes, I wouldn't trade it for the world.

ISTJ: Introverted Sensing with Extroverted Thinking

I am currently enrolled in a course called "Careers and Majors" which basically is for all those students who can't figure out what the hell they want to do with their lives. I thought it would just be something boring and an easy A, but I quickly realized it was so much more. The teacher helped us focus in on our interests through lots of personality tests and different exercises. She really makes me question myself and taught us how our personal values effect our job choices, which was an interesting point I would never think of. I think that a big "aha moment" for me was when we took the Myers Briggs personality test. After answer a series of questions in different ways at the end you come up with four letters that describe your personality. I ended up being an "ISTJ" which was very interesting, I met with my teacher and discussed my results. It was great because it really helped me understand how my personality will benefit me in the work force. I learned that I am a logical thinker, who values tradition, security, and structure and respect facts and concrete information. Although none of this was new information to me, it was very reassuring to me, because it helped confirmed a lot of things I thought about myself and hoped were true. The longer I take this class the more confident I am feeling about what I want to do when I graduate, which is good, because I need there to be something to look forward to. Besides the educational aspect of this class, I have learned what else I value and want later in life, I know I need a job that is structured and creates financial stability for myself. But something interesting I learned about myself that was shocking that I didn't think was a top priority to me, is I need to have a career that will be flexible enough to allow me to spend more time with my family and eventually allow me to have a family. This comes as a shocker to me because I never thought of myself as the married with kids type, but my personality craves stability and family-minded. Learning whats important in life, one class at a time...

The Best Part of Brooklyn: The River Cafe

When my family is in town, there's three places we always go; The River Cafe, Balthazar, and Trattoria del Arte, there the best of the best as far as I'm concerned. For my mom's birthday we decided to go to The River Cafe, and as usual it was absolutely amazing. Of course my mother made friends with the maitre d' who then opened a bottle of champagne for her birthday. They prepare the most amazing foie gras, that we end up ordering as an appetizer every time. And then last but not least, their amazing Brooklyn Bridge dessert! After that amazing restaurant we went and tried out, Colicchio and Sons, Tom Colicchio's newest restaurant that used to be Craft Steak House. The best part of the meal, Tom was actually there that night and came out and we got to meet him. I am not one to get star struck, but I am absolutely obsessed with Top Chef! He was so nice and talked with us and even posed for some pictures. What an amazing week of food and family time!

There's Always Room for Dessert

Since my friends were in town this week, I thought I would take them somewhere really fun. I decided to take them to Max Brenner in Union Square, which is famous for being a chocolate restaurant, yes it's a chocolate restaurant. They do serve lunch and dinner, but their dessert menu is longer than their regular menu. Such a fun, loud, crazy scene, with a wait list starting at an hour and a half! A very fun week with some good friends, who love to mock this blog, but end up reading it anyways.

Always A Great Time

SInce the weather is beautiful, I had to go back to a favorite, Stone Street. Its so great to sit outside at these huge family style tables and enjoy the great weather. We went to Adrienne's Pizza Bar for the first time and made our own pizzas, it was so much fun and our creation came out amazing! Stone Street is one of my favorite things about living downtown, you really can't go wrong with any of the restaurants.

New Slate

Its the beginning of the year again! So many things have changed in a short summer. I got to see a little bit of the world and met some really interesting people. I moved into my new fabulous apartment, with my lovely new roomie, Priya. I really want to begin to make New York my home, and my apartment somewhere I can come home to and relax away from the hectic city. Alright so things that are still the same; still in college, still working in SoHo, still flying back and forth to the west coast to see the family all the time. A few things different; some new friends in the mix and some that aren't anymore, a great new apartment, and last but not least I am single again. So with all this change, again, I feel like the next few years are going to be a transitional time in my life. Instead of being afraid of not being able to control the future, I want to learn how to enjoy the journey a little more, which is easier said than done.

Summer Through Photos

Tea at Harrods


Monmartre for Bastille Day


The Incredible Louvre


Loving Amsterdam

Yummy belgium waffles in Brussels!


Brussel's oldest citizen


Cutest little sailor's town in the Netherlands


Gorgeous green Netherlands

New Edition to the Family!

Meet George, our new mini schnauzer. Also known as Georgi, or as my dad calls him Jorge. My dad bid on him at a charity auction and won before my mom even knew what was going on. He's so cute and has the funniest little personality!

To Date Or Not To Date...

Ever heard the saying, those who can't do, teach? When it comes to the relationship aspect of my life, that about sums me up. Growing up as everyone experienced the heartbreaks and drama of "falling in love", I was the one waiting with a tissue box ready to fix a friend's relationship problems. Dating was just not a priority and I just never had time for that sort of "distraction". After moving to New York, I was finally starting to settle and get comfortable with my new life, when my pushy mother insisted that it was time to start dating. As I tried to convince her that I was open to dating and the right guy just hadn't come around, she was quick to point out I only spend time with fabulous gays and work on weekends not leaving much time for any sort of dating life. It was comfortable, no feelings involved and just fun, well apparently I was missing this whole portion of life. So I opened my mind to the prospect of dating, and something very strange happened, the next guy I introduced myself to asked me out. Interesting how the world works. After stumbling through a first date and second guessing every word I had said, I was told by some seasoned pros that this is how it works. As someone who doesn't deal with not being in control of my emotions well, the idea of feeling nervous or unsure overwhelmed me, I had entered the dating zone. This parallel universe where complete strangers basically give their resumes to each other, while flirting and looking cute of course. I had been putting this off for a reason, because its very stressful! Fortunately there is a light at the end of the tunnel, after a shaky beginning, I started to enjoy myself and have fun, while getting to know someone. I have never had someone take me to fun, new places in the city or just call to see how my day is, and I have to admit, I really like it. To a new part of my life, who knows where it will lead...

Yaffa Cafe

So imagine a time warp to a 50's diner plus leopard wall paper and hot pink decor. Looks like a fun scene, but its just to distract you from the bad diner food. This is probably one of the only restaurants that I cant find a positive. This is not somewhere I will be going back anytime soon.

Spring on Stone Street

For anyone who lives downtown, this is cutest Wall St. hangout. On Stone street you can sit outside on the cobble stone street and grab a pizza and a drink. We had so much fun sitting outside and checking out the crowd. Now on the food, we had a pizza that would make any lettuce hater like me, rethink that green waste of time. We ordered a prosciutto and arugula pizza and also a four cheese pizza, so good! Then when we finally thought it was summer, we were freezing and quickly order cappuccinos and a little tiramisu, because why not. Try any restaurant on Stone Street, you will have so much fun.

Passover: An Excuse to Get The Family Gossip

Happy Passover! A holiday where you are suppose to drink at least four glasses of wine by the end of the meal and no one can get mad at you. I know every jewish family is big, but every year my family seems to multiply and the seder table gets longer. Here's how I sum up family time, it makes me grateful for my friends. Forget websites like TMZ and Perezhilton, I've got Nona Lucy, my great-grandmother, who is the sharpest woman I know, not only does she know whats going on with every member of her immediate family of 35, but she always has time to put on lip-liner and lipstick before a picture. My cousins have better networking skills then facebook, being strategically placed at different schools all over the city and all a few years apart to cover all their bases. Now its fun, but growing up I hated it, everyone knew everything about everyone, which my parents loved. Even living across the country my family knew about every roommate fight, night I went out, and snow storm I battled. Although it can be overwhelming, I honestly don't think I would have it any other way. I kinda feel bad for all those people with quiet, some what normal families, they miss out on all the stories. I could write a novel on just my relationship with my mother and grandmother, the three of us together are crazy, but we can't go a day without calling each other. Even though they drive me crazy sometimes, I love them all, I wouldn't fly back and forth just for weekends if I didn't. My family is my number one priority, which I have to explain every time I am half asleep in class tuesday morning after a weekend at home. To which ever relative is reading this right now, your my favorite, don't tell anyone! Sending out some family love on this holiday, have a good one.

Hanging On Bourbon Street

ITS FINALLY SPRING!! So we chose to go to a fun restaurant where we could sit outside. Bourbon Street Bar & Grill has such a fun vibe, with a huge bar and balcony with a DJ playing some fun music. We chose to sit outside and listen to all the street noise, because it was the first night we could! Since it is a southern style restaurant we started with hush puppies and then my friend Dave order a great filet and I ordered a pulled pork sandwich. Of course we finished with pecan pie and donuts, which were amazing! We sat for hours just enjoying the beginning of spring. We will be going back very soon!

Weather Teaser

After a beautiful week of sunshine, not wearing boots and being able to walk through Central Park again, the weather decided to abruptly turn. The monsoon outside had me fighting to get to work on time and still looking cute and kept me inside my room the size of a box during the night. I finally got to watch "When Harry Met Sally" and to everyone who told me this is my life in a nut shell, I got the message Deej and Jess, thanks . It also gave me some time to think about how I feel about New York. I've been so busy with school, work and flying back and forth. I have no idea what I want to do, I know the things I enjoy, but how do you choose just one thing? My biggest passion in life is music, but I don't know what to do with it. Its just not a reliable career choice to follow. I grew up going to work with my grandfather and being surrounded by the business world, and I think that is why from a young age I always enjoyed being at work. So I have a business brain, but all I want to do is sing, where does that leave me? It leaves me with no answers, and if you haven't already figured it out, I am a complete control freak, and not knowing my next step is makes me a nervous wreck. So after chewing on some Tums and seeing a college counselor to decide on a major, she tried to calm me down and explain how being undecided is okay. After thinking about it, I started to believe her and feel better about the whole thing. I just need to learn that I can't be in control all the time, and just have some fun. There are no consistency in my life right now, but what I've learned the last few months is that I can get through anything and be okay anywhere I go. So even though I don't know whats next, I know that I will be okay and find a way to, as Tim Gunn would say, make it work. Does this mean I'm growing up?

Friday Afternoon Ritual: French Roast

Dave and I go to French Roast every weekend, and basically can't function without it. Not only do they make the best coffee I have ever had, but the food is always perfect and the service is always great. There croque monsieur is out of this world! We always sit at the bar and throughly enjoy people watching. The crowd is an interesting mix of local regulars and tourist who are smart enough to find something amazing off the map. Juan, the coffee barista, always makes me a perfect cappuccino and never fails to make the foam on top a work of art. A visit to French Roast always starts my weekend off right!

Late Night at Cafe Frida

After deciding that we were all craving Mexican food, we decided to go to one of my favorite restaurants, Cafe Frida. It a fun, authentic Mexican restaurant, right behind the Museum of Natural History that I stumbled upon with a friends who was visiting from out of town a while ago. During the week it has a fun, laid-back vibe, but don't plan on showing up on the weekends without a reservation. I went on a friday night for my birthday and the place was completely packed. Your not going to find any burritos or nachos on the menu, but you will find tacos al carbon and enchiladas suizas and pitchers of sangria. We all ordered different kinds of tacos and quesadillas. The food was so good and they have great Mexican desserts that my dad raised me on and made me feel right at home!

Cali Girl in the Big City

Although the main focus of this blog is great food in the city, I also want to use it to be able to look back at my experiences during school. I was lucky enough to be able to get the opportunity to move across the country from Los Angeles and a young age and start a new journey. I moved here not knowing a single person and hoping for the best. After stumbling through my first semester and struggling with the idea of sticking out another semester, I decided that I couldn't give up on the amazing city and that I was going to make the next chapter a better experience. So I decided that thursday nights would be a night for me and a few close friends to dress up and go somewhere fun and new and just sit and chat about the stressful week and forget about it over dessert. For me, food is memories, family, friends, celebration, comfort and so many other things and thats why I love talking about it. I am just a young woman trying to enjoy the journey more often by keeping track of every bite of it...

This is why "Sex In The City" is filmed here!

Can't even to begin to describe how amazing our meal at Cafeteria was! Well worth the wait! First off the restaurant was just filled with a great young crowd and lots of fabulous gays. So we started off with Mac n' cheese spring rolls with gouda dipping sauce, nice and light beginning. Then I ordered roasted chicken with cauliflower puree and brussel sprouts, Dave ordered catfish with jalapeno cornbread and Neysa had fried green tomatoes. Just when we thought we were full, it was time for dessert. How about some DEEP FRIED OREOS and apple pie raviolis? Cafeteria is a must! I now dream about those ores! This is our new favorite restaurant, and its open 24/7 which is great

Haru Japanese food

A friend of mine, Dave, told me about a great Japanese food chain. Another bonus, right in downtown, and in the bad weather the close location really helped us decide to go out. I ordered my favorite food, chicken, and they paired it with a spicy mustard and a sort of sweet teriyaki which was so good together. My friend Neysa ordered edamame dumplings, which looked so good. Then it was time for the best part of the meal, DESSERT! Banana spring rolls with chocolate dipping sauce and strawberries and whipped cream. A great start to the blog, we definitely enjoyed Haru!