BBC RADIO

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

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

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

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)

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.

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

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

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

http://relax-footspa.com/contact_us

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!

(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

www.redeggnyc.com

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.

THE RUN-OFF

Today is an important day in the democratic primary. There is currently a run-off for the positions of Comptroller and Public Advocate.

Chinatown has been a place where politicians have been heavily soliciting votes. For Comptroller, Chinatown is almost whole heartedly supporting John Liu. I joke around that I see John more than any other person I know because his posters are EVERYWHERE!

For Public Advocate, it seems like most of the people I know in Chinatown are supporting Bill de Blasio. He has also been endorsed by Borough President Scott Stringer who I think is a super nice guy.

Remember that if you are a registered democrat, that your vote counts! Find your polling site today!

WHISKEY TAVERN

Friends were out of town so I extended my birthday festivities...

We decided to go to one of my neighborhood favorites. Whiskey Tavern is a cool bar down the block on Baxter. You can catch sporting events while enjoying good food and good drinks.

I like how the bartender/owner Robb knows me. It kinda feels like the Chinatown version of Cheers, you know? Everyone there remembers your name.

For my bday, I got a very cool Whiskey Tavern T shirt. I like how the back of the the shirt reps Chinatown. Super-cuteness! I also got a cupcake with a candle and a special shot. Happy Whiskey Tavern Birthday to Me!

WHISKEY TAVERN

79 Baxter St

New York, NY 10013-4462

(212) 374-9119

FAMILY DAY AT THE MOCA

Cake Decorating Workshop

Book Reading

MOCA Director Alcie and her Lil' Sis

(MOCA chicks Daria and Jenny with Christina at Red Egg after the MOCA)

GRAND OPENING AT MOCA

From Tuesday September 22nd- Saturday the 26th, the Museum of the Chinese In the America (MOCA) will be giving free admission!

The MOCA will be celebrating it's new location designed by Maya Lin. It's core exhibitions are “With a Single Step: Stories in the Making of America,” a history of the Chinese American experience, along with an art exhibition, “Here & Now: Chinese Artists in New York,” featuring contemporary artists of Chinese descent living in New York.

Saturday will also be Family Day. I will be there doing doing kids' cake decorating and storytime. My workshop times will be 10:30-11:15am, 11:30-12:15pm, 12:30-1:15pm.

MOCA

215 Centre Street

New York, NY 10012

www.mocanyc.org

JOE'S GINGER

Joe's Ginger is a big hit with the tourist and the non-Chinese crowd. It is a neighbor and a shoot off of the more well known Joe's Shanghai.

I must say that the food here is very tasty. It's considered a bit more expensive than the typical Chinatown restaurant but it's nothing that will break the bank. Their soup dumplings with crab meat were absolutely D E L I C I O U S!

The waitress recommended the Joe's Special Seafood Noodles and it was a delight! There were big chunks for seafood; including crab claws over yummy thick noodles.

The bill for two full people came out to be around $30+ including tip. That's still a steal in Manhattan if you ask me.

Joe's Ginger

25 Pell St

New York, NY 10013-5168

(212) 285-0333

WO HOP

I don't have much of a life outside of work. On a Saturday night, my buddies tried to kidnap me from work...

Dinner at Wo Hop is always a treat. We ate Peking Duck, snow peas, and wonton noodle soup. YUM!

We of course ended the night at CICF with ice cream! Saturday nights in Chinatown can be kinda awesome!

WO HOP

17 MOTT STREET

NEW YORK, NY 10002