PARIS SANDWICH

I love Paris Sandwich. It's one of my favorite spots in Chinatown. What is awesome about this shop is that they make all their breads there. Gourmet breads without the fancy price tag. (AWESOME!) The speciality here are their Vietnamese sandwiches. D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!

I am also a fan of their coffee and frozen drinks and Vietnamese desserts.

Do note that they close early. Lucky for me; otherwise I'd be 200 pounds!

PARIS SANDWICH

113 Mott Street

New York, NY 10013

212-226-7225

BO KY RESTAURANT

I ate at Bo Ky yesterday and last Friday. I really can't get sick of this place. They have literally hundreds of items on their menu.

I always happen to bump into someone I know there. It's one of the places where the locals eat in Chinatown.

Yesterday, I decided to be adventurous. I tried the fish dumplings with the wide noodles in soup. My usual is the country duck over rice. My friend got the lemon grass steak which is what I'm getting next time.

The average meal here, including a soda, tea, and a tip will run around $8. What a bargain!

BO KY RESTAURANT

80 BAYARD STREET

NEW YORK, NY 10013

212-406-2292

SATURDAY READING AT THE AAWW

This Saturday, I will be reading doing a book reading at the Asian American Writer's Workshop (AAWW).  It will be a fun filled Saturday full of great children's authors, arts &crafts, and ice cream.  This seriously sounds like heaven for any child.  You'll be the new cool adult for taking that special child in your life to this event!

Please join us!

Saturday, May 16 from 12-2pm

@ The Workshop 

16 West 32nd Street, 10th Floor 

(btwn Broadway & 5th Avenue)

$5 suggested donation; open to the public

www.aaww.org

KENDRA LEE

Kendra Lee's last day as the Executive Director of the Greater Chinatown Community Association (GCCA) was today. Chinatown will sadly be losing such a passionate APA advocate. Though Kendra loves the GCCA with all of her heart, she will be moving on to graduate school.

Sal Situ will be taking her place. He is a rockstar so the GCCA will be in good hands. I will also be staying on as Committee Chair of the YALT with Mabel Cheah. We got in under control. =)

Today, we celebrated over bowls of noodles at Bok Ky restaurant. I love Kendra as not only as an advocate but as good friend.

Lots of luck to her in the Young Urban Fellow Program!

FIRE at HONG KONG SUPERMARKET

Last night there was a big fire in the building next to Hong Kong Supermarket (HKS). The fire got so big that it spread to the supermarket. HKS has sadly burned down.

The fire had gone on for many hours. It attracted not only a lot of reporters, but a lot of photographers that wanted to document the event.

The market that sat on the corner of Pike and East Broadway was a favorite shopping spot for many.

DINNER at RED EGG RESTAURANT

I just came from dinner with good friends. Red Egg is for sure one of my favorite places in Chinatown. I love the unique decor. It reflects the influence of a young second generation of young Chinatown restaurateurs.

Tonight, we ate spare ribs, Peking duck and bok choy. Peking duck....ummm my favorite!

I'm dying to go back to try their seared tuna.

(PS This is a picture of my friend Yanna posing with our food. She is much prettier than me.)

RED EGG RESTAURANT

202 CENTRE STREET

NEW YORK, NY 10013

212-966-1123

http://www.redeggnyc.com/

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