COCO FASHION

This cute little botique has a lot of HK flare to it. The prices are affordable and the clothing is a bit more unique than going to H &M.

The only problem I find when I shop at these stores, is that they often don't have my size. I tend to be on the taller side. I also have a bit more meat on my bones.

I recommend this shop for people who are petite and looking for something a little different.

COCO FASHION

5 DOYERS STREET

AAAA CHINATOWN SUMMER PROMOTION

The Asian American Arts Alliance has launched it's summer Chinatown Promotion. By visiting their website, you can print out coupons for deals in Chinatown. Deals include discounts to eateries and shops and of course to CICF.

Check it out.

www.aaaartsalliance.org/artsinchinatown

NAGOYA FASHION BOUTIQUE

Chinatown is notorious for selling knock-offs.  But did you know that it is possible to get a deal on authentic designer goods?  The catch is that they are second hand items.  They are however sold in good condition with the official certificates.   

Beware that although these used items are heavily discounted, they are still not cheap.  When girls are bummed out, they tend to indulge in retail therapy.  My sister says that there is no broken heart that can't be fixed with an LV Bag.  I think I'll take a second look at the boutique.  I am a fan of the bags but not a fan of the original prices.

NAGOYA FASHION BOTIQUE

12 ELIZABETH STREET

New York, NY 10013

BURGER KING

My friend Paul owns more Burger Kings than I can keep track of. He particularly owns the Burger King on Delancy Street.

Though Burger King isn't traditional Chinese cuisine, it is loved by many of Chinatown's locals.

This Burger King has also been particularly charitable to the Chinatown community. My workers have fond memories of contests sponsored by Burger King from their elementary schools. Paul also makes sure that his businesses give back to the communities they are in. He's making the BK a socially conscious product downtown!

Though I am not a huge fast food fan, I love the BK Whopper.

Burger King
146 Delancy Street,
New York, NY 10013

PJ KIM'S FUNDRAISER AT YELLO

My friend PJ is actually running for City Council for our area (District 1).  (Yes, I already know I am an underachiever.)

He's having his kickoff at one of my favorite places, YELLO!  There are free drinks and goodies for the first 50 people who arrive at his party tonight which is from 6-9pm.  If I wasn't his friend before, I think I'll be his friend now! Just kidding...

The extra bonus of the night is that PJ will be giving out gift certificates for Chinatown Ice Cream Factory.  I think PJ is on to something... ice cream makes everyone popular and loved. =)

Drinks, food, ice cream, and politics.  That's what I call a Friday night. I'll be dropping in so hope to see you there.

PJ KIM'S FUNDRAISER

6-9pm 

Yello

32 Mulberry Street (Btw Mosco and Bayard)

PENANG RESTAURANT

Penang is definitely one of the best Malaysian restaurants out there. My favorite appetizer is the Roti Cani which is an Indian pancake with curry sauce. It's great for sharing and it is must if you have never eaten Malaysian food.

Yesterday, we also ordered the Hainese chicken and the Pan Fried Pearl Noodles. Ummmmm. Um...

It was exactly what I wanted for dinner. A good, delicious, filling meal. It helped me get over my disappointing lunch that had still left me hungry and my wallet nearly empty.

Penang Restaurant

41 Elizabeth Street

New York, NY 10013

PEONY RED

Peony Red can be best described in short as a botique version of Pearl River. The shop carries a variety of Chinese inspired clothing that is a little more edgy. Yanna, who is the owner has a unique style to her apparel line.

My friend Sandra was wearing a dress from Peony Red the other night and was receiving so many compliments. The next day, I caved in to my shopping addiction. I went to the shop and purchased not one but two dresses!

What is also great about this place is the service. It's run with that Soho boutique feel without the expensive sticker prices. The super bonus is that they tailor your dress to you.

http://peonyred.com/

217 Centre Street, New York, NY 10013

CICF ICE CREAM AT THE COMPTROLLER'S APA CELBRATION

Tonight, Comptroller Thompson had his APA Celebration at Flushing's Townhall.

Of course, CICF ice cream made the night complete during the reception that followed.

Happy APA Month! 

Wo Hop Restaurant

Wo Hop is quite possibly one of Chinatown's most famous restaurants event for people who have not come to Chinatown. On the sitcom, Everyone Loves Raymond, Ray often talks about his love for Wo Hop's food.

The restaurant has an upstairs and a walk down area.  The walk down area is much more popular than the upstairs.  I would recommend it for the "real Wo Hop" experience.  The decor is adorned with photos of celebrities who are fans of the place.

The food however, is not traditional Chinese cuisine.  I would say it's kind of a Chinese/American fusion late night food joint.  

My friend Amy (who isn't Chinese) told me that her parents had their first date there.  Glad it went well, otherwise Amy wouldn't have been born! =)  Chicks must dig Wo Hop as a date spot?  Dig it, dig it? 

Wo Hop Restaurant

15 Mott St
New York, NY 10013

(212) 566-3841‎

GINGSENG AND HERB CO-OP

At this cute shop, they have barrels of different grades of ginseng. They sell everything ginseng from whole pieces to powders and teas.

Prices vary a lot and I am personally not a ginseng connoisseur. Ginseng in general is known to be very good for your health. I used to drink ginseng supplements instead of drinking coffee. It really does give you a bit of a boost. Ginseng is also good for your immune system.

Check it out!

188 Hester Street, New York, MY 10013, 718-886-1025

TURD at ELIZABETH CENTER

My friend came in with this cartoon turd mouse pad. She was ecstatic that she got it. (Keep in mind we are in our late 20's.)

This character is actually quite popular. I went to check it out at Elizabeth Center (E.C.). They have a whole section devoted to cartoon turd!

So they have everything from turd mousepads to turd photo holders.

Turd is the new craze!

Shop located at the lower level of Elizabeth Center (located between Bayard and Mott Streets)

SUNSHINE 27

Sunshine 27 had it's grand opening a couple of weeks ago. Lines to get into this new venue have been very long.

I'm dying to try it out. Seafood is their speciality. In Chinatown live seafood is a real delicacy. Many choose swimming fish from tanks or live lobsters. In merely minutes, they are cooked and served.

If you check it out before I do, email me!

Sunshine 27, 46 Bowery (btw Bayard and Canal)

TASTY HAND-PULLED NOODLES INC

I had been dying to try this new place for the last few months. I've always found their sign to be very attractive and appealing. It is one of the newest places on the historic Doyers street which was part of the old Five Points.

Tasty hand pulled noodles Inc. is indeed very tasty. I was pleasantly surprised. I wasn't particularly in the mood for noodles but fell in love with my dish instantly. It was love at first bite....

I recommend the duck with the hand pulled noodles in soup. That's my favorite. I also really liked the seafood with the hand pulled noodles.

All their noodles are made fresh in house. It's hard to believe given the small size of the restaurant. The store front makes it look so much bigger than it really is. I guess that makes it all the more special.

I found their staff to also be particularly friendly.

TASTY HAND-PULLED NOODLES INC

212-791-1811

The corner of Bowery and Doyers Streets

NEW TU DO

I love Chinatown because there are just so many restaurants. It feels like you never walk down the same street twice.

My friend introduced me to this Vietnamese restaurant that I had never been to before. New Tu Do has the traditional Vietnamese menu. The food is very fresh and the restaurant is very spacious.

My favorites are the lemon grass chicken and the summer rolls. The Vietnamese coffee is always a treat. It is follows through a coffee sieve and is mixed with condense milk. Super yummy!

Again like most of the restaurants in Chinatown, the food is extremely affordable. It is questionably cheaper to eat out than it is to cook at home. Great food is still a reality here in this bad economy.

102 Bowery New York, N.Y. 10013

212-966-2666

GCCA Yard Sale

Right now until the 17th the Greater Chinatown Community Association is collecting new or gently used items for its yard sale. It's a great way to sneak in a last minute tax deduction. Donating old items also makes me one to fill my closets with something new.

In NYC, the terms vintage and consignment is very in. I'm sure that there will be lots of hidden treasures sold at this event. All the proceeds also benefit the GCCA which works for bettering the Chinatown community.

The event will take place on April 18th from 9am-3pm. It will be held in the Transfiguration Courtyard across from the GCCA. (105 Mosco Street)

Attend with friends for a fun afternoon of bargain shopping! Hope to see you there!

CREATIVE SIGN PROJECT

The kids at CPC Division street have been redesigning our banner and awning. Today marks the end of their final design! The CPCers of course had to party with ice cream to celebrate!

I was blown away by the creativity of these elementary schoolers. When they grow up, I may one day be out of a job!

We should be celebrating our "sign make over" the first week in May! Stay tuned!

TWITTER

CICF would like to announce that it has finally started to Twitter!

ChinatownICF is our login name.

www.twitter.com

The Dining Room Management Group

Last night, I met up with a friend and a group of people for dinner and karaoke. Since I don’t like to sing in front of people, I went for the food. The place was called The Dining Room Management Group. It was the first place in Chinatown I have been to that has a formal and sophisticated name. Although its name stands out from the other restaurants in Chinatown, its cuisine was similar to most of the neighboring establishments. What was different and very cool about this place is their basement. There were 2 private rooms for dinner and karaoke- great for parties! Reservation was easy and the rooms were more than affordable; or borderline cheap. You don’t want to miss this! Check it out:

The Dining Room Management Group Inc.
102-104 Mott Street, New York, NY 10013
(212) 925-1118/6661

The Fortune Cookie Chronicles

Jennifer 8 Lee, author of the Fortune Cookie Chronicles is holding a party for the release of her paperback edition.  Powerhouse Books in Dumbo, Brooklyn will be jumping with a party that will also be featuring CICF ice cream and cupcakes.  (Now that's what I call a party! =) )

The Fortune Cookie Chronicles demystifies how the familiar Chinese American foods that we consume regularly came about. We know what General Tso's Chicken is, but who was he?  Where on earth did the idea of fortune cookies come from?  This is a total great read for any foodie!

Tonight, there will be a DJ, beer, ice cream and cupcakes that will be accompanying Jennifer 8 Lee's appearance.  

Tonight, March 11th, 7:00-1o:00 at Powerhouse Books

37 Main Street, Brooklyn

Please RSVP to rsvp@powerhousearena.com

CICF CAKES AT NY CARES

Our mini CICF Cakes made their way to the NY Cares 2009 Soiree.  

Despite the fact they were not laid out with marketing material, attendees recognized the cakes as being part of CICF.  They have already established an identity on their own! 

*Mini CICF Cakes available upon request.  For info, please email christinaseid@chinatownicecreamfactory.com*