Thursday, October 29, 2009

CO-NAMING CEREMONY ANNOUNCEMENT


Special street co-naming ceremony for the late Dr. Thomas Tam, tomorrow, Friday, October 30, from 12PM to 1:30PM, at the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center, 268 Canal Street, Chinatown. Be there!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

MANHATTAN FLORIST & GIFTS

Flowers are good for lots of occasions. Chicks also definitely dig them!

Here at this small, cute shop on Bayard, they make impressive arrangements. They deliver their flowers and fruit baskets around the city.

Support Chinatown businesses by sending someone special flowers. You'll make someone happy while supporting the community. That's a double plus.

MANHATTAN FLORIST
87B BAYARD STREET
NEW YORK, NY 10013
212-385-10013

Monday, October 26, 2009

BRIDAL SHOWER CAKE

My friend Em is getting married. I made her this awesome sheet cake that serves 50 + ppl. Her favorite flavors are lychee, almond cookie and black sesame. YUM!

Sunday, October 25, 2009

BBC RADIO
Christina spends Saturday night Co-Hosting the NYC LIVE hour.

Friday, October 23, 2009

CHINATOWN'S ICE CREAM QUEEN and LUMBER KING

(2nd generation Chinatown business owners chill in Chinatown. Arthur Mui is the owner of Chinatown Lumber)




MONDAY MADNESS IN CHINATOWN
A friend of mine had asked me to hang out after work. I close shop about 10 pm.
We met a bunch of Chinatown novices at Red Egg where we had a round of late night dim sum and lychee sakitinis. The night has just begun.
Chinatown is a late night city. The massage parlors don't close till the wee hours of the morning. The four of us went for an hour long foot massage at Foot and Back Heaven. The guys were impressed how great a foot massage could be. And at a mere $35 you can feel like you're on Cloud 9. While getting the massage, they chuckled reading the sign "Legitimate Service, and No Hanky Panky!"
Across the way was Doyers street. So I figured, why not go to Apotheke. My friends thought I was leading them through a deserted alleyway. Instead I showed them one of NYC's undercover bars. I like the speakeasy ambiance.
Then we ended the night at Whiskey Tavern. One of Robb's specialties here are the pickle shots. Don't ask questions! Just try it! They're yummy. Trust me.
OMG it's only Monday? What will the weekend be like in Chinatown?
Red Egg 202 - Centre Street
Foot and Back -Heaven 16 Pell Street
Apotheke -9 Doyers Street
Whiskey Tavern -79 Baxter Street

Thursday, October 22, 2009

HON CAFE

Hon Cafe sits in the middle of Mott Street. If you're in a rush, you can order through the take out window. Smoothies are the new thing that I've been getting in the morning. They're healthy and delicious!

If you decide to sit and dine in, you'll be happy you came. The food here is a bit of a Asian/Euro/American fusion? I think that would best describe it.

The other day, I had escargot served over little portions of mashed potatoes. DELICIOUS! I also am a fan of the baked ham and chicken with cheese over spaghetti. Yes, that dish must be a million calories, but it is Oh-so worth it!

HON CAFE
70 MOTT STREET
212-219-1431

Monday, October 19, 2009

HESTER STREET'S FRUIT VENDOR

There's a couple here who's been running this small fruit stand for forever and a day. Upon first impression, many have found this man to be rude. After going there, you'll find that he's just very protective of his fruit. Him and his wife will literally snap at you if you try to touch the fruit.
Unlike other stands, touching the fruits before buying is highly discouraged.

The prices for fruit here are also a bit on he high side for Chinatown. (keep in mind that it's still very cheap)

It is however one of my favorite places to buy from. It is almost guaranteed that whatever you get from them is high quality. I also think it's really sweet that the love their merchandise so much. I kinda think of them like the Sacred Fruit Guardians of Chinatown.

Check out the oranges here. They're top notch! I heart this fruit vendor!

(Located on Hester off the corner of Elizabeth Street)

Sunday, October 18, 2009



MARCO POLO DAY

Today was the first Marco Polo Day Celebration to celebrate the formal designation of Chinatown and Little Italy as one historic district.

Local politicians and political candidates like John Liu, Margaret Chin, and Justin Yu were in attendance.

The celebrations included speakers, performances and food at SPQR Restaurant.


Friday, October 16, 2009


MEI LAI WAH

Everyone who knows anything about Chinatown knows about Mei Lai Wah. The cha siu bows here are rated the best in Chinatown. You'll see long lines of people that will take a dozen at a time. It's not uncommon for them to sell out by early evening.

Mei Lai Wah is under different management than the old school guys that used to run the show. Though the new renovations have improved the restaurant, I miss getting the langlui 5 cent discount!

The dimsum here is also pretty good. I like their siu mai here.

When I feel the need for sweets, I order the "Dan San". It's like a big fried noodle that you eat like a pretzel that's coated in honey. It is oh so good!

MEI LAI WAH
64 BAYARD STREET
NEW YORK, NY 10013
XO KITCHEN

I like how XO Kitchen has pictures of their new concoctions on the wall. It makes it easy to order since my Chinese is close to non-existent.

The seafood dishes here are my favorite! They have the heartiest pieces of seafood in their congee. The mussels with garlic sauce and the scallops with cheese are also D E L I C I O U S!

You can also order a bubble tea or a fruit shake with your food!

XO KITCHEN
148 HESTER STREET
NEW YORK, NY 10013

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

NICE ONE BAKERY

Nice One Bakery is the only real bakery on Bayard Street. Yes, there is Mei Lai Wah, but you can't get don tots and other sweets there.

I like how this bakery has dimsum to go! I usually grab some dimsum for my kids (AKA the CICF employees) while ordering my fix of coffee for the day. I always order my coffee "light" which has a whole bunch of cream and sugar in it. YUM!

I also am able to buy freshly baked breads for a buck or two. They are excellent for making French Toast or strata at home.

NICE ONE BAKERY
47 BAYARD STREET
212-791-9365

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

FOOT RELAX SPA

Friends Zena and Catherine kidnapped me from CICF for a much needed massage. These chicas ventured all the way from Astoria. Foot Relax Spa is relatively new and sits on Hester Street btw Mulberry and Centre.

This spa is extremely clean and cheap. An hour foot massage is $35. If you search around Chinatown, it is possible to get that price but that is definitely on the lower end. Considering the money that was put into this new location, it's a bargin.

They do back massages as well for reasonable prices. I suggest making a reservation before coming in though walk ins are welcomed. You can even make reservations online on the link below.

Ah.... I hope to be kidnapped more often. An afternoon of Foot Relax-Bliss!


FOOT RELAX SPA
202 HESTER STREET
NEW YORK, NY 10013
212-226-8288
OGLIVY AND MATHER

Oglivy and Mather were scheduled to do their shooting for their Asian Women In Business documentary.

I kinda, sorta forgot. CICF has been keeping me super busy. I've been a slave to the ice cream!

I was wearing a kerchief on my head and had looked like I had just rolled out of bed. I think they saw that I was in need of makeup.

Ahh... a day in the life of a shopkeeper!

Thursday, October 01, 2009

(A dress by Peony Red that might possibly look better on my friend than me)



(Friends at dinner. I don't know what they're trying to do!)




(In this picture: Darren Wan (owner Red Egg), Me, Yanna Luo (owner of Peony Red)

BIRTHDAY AT RED EGG

This year, I decided to have my birthday at Red Egg. It made perfect sense. A place where it wouldn't be stressful to make reservations. It's both a bar and restaurant that works out perfect for a weekday party!

Yummy food, good drinks, and good friends. It was a very happy birthday!

RED EGG
202 CENTRE STREET
NEW YORK, NY 10013
212-966-1123

MOONCAKE TIME!

I heart Mooncakes! They are delicious. During this time of the year, people shop for boxes of the sweet treats. They are given and exchanged with family, friends, and neighbors.

These yummy treats can be found at almost any bakery or Chinese market.
THE NEW CICF FLAG

After a long wait, our new CICF Flag has arrived. The flag was designed by the kids at CPC 124 Division Street.