Close Enough to Home

T-Kettle

It's hard to find "home" when you are studying in a foreign country. But then again, America isn't quite so "foreign" for us Canadians up in the north. Regardless, the search for authentic and good Taiwanese cuisine remains difficult in most places outside of Asia. T-Kettle does a decent job of it. While I have not tried many of its main dishes, they do offer a good selection of bubble tea flavors and it's the first place I've encountered that sells the traditional 雞蛋糕. Worth checking out if you are ever in St. Marks

雞蛋糕! A sugary sweet pastry 

Val and I's bubble tea :)

Don't hate!

McDonalds

Now before all you healthy proponents hate on my food choice let me just say that McDonalds has its place and time. ONCE in a while we get these cravings... and what else can we afford other than to satisfy them? Hot 'n Spicy McChicken... while I'm not quite sure if the chicken in there was actually chicken, it did fulfill the urge. Although I was saddened to find out that in America, there's no such thing as a "Junior Chicken" like we have it up in Canada. Best deal you can get at McDonalds if you are in Canada: order two Junior Chicken and ask for an extra "patty" on both. If memory serves, it will be around $5 total and will definitely fill up that craving, stomach and other important artery/blood vessels that keep your heart pumping.

McChicken goodness

Harro!

Sorry for my absence but despite the busier workload, val and I still managed to continue our food adventure so look forward to many more posts to come (post-dated of course!)

Chipotle

I cannot believe I have not tried this place until only a month ago and I'm so thankful that I did. The entire experience from ordering to consuming the food at this Mexican grill joint is an experience itself. Ingredients are exposed past a clear glass division where you can watch and choose the preparation of your food whether it is just a "simple" burrito (not simple at all) or have it in their specialty and leave the burrito in a bowl. The kitchen design is meant to convey an open atmosphere (it really does), and apparently I just found out after a little background digging, it's the first American Platinum LEED certified restaurant! For those who care about the Earth and all :)

Burrito Bowl!

Initiation Process

Located in East Village, Udon West is one of my favorite restaurants in New York where. It's almost like coming here is an initiation process to be friends with me (val!). My usual dish is chicken katsu curry with extra radish pickle on the side. Most of the time we visit this small bar counter style restaurant, we spend some time waiting to be seated, but it's always worth waiting for delicious curry and udon with loved ones.

val's ~usual~ 

Our (official) first date meal (val) 

11 St Marks Pl

New York, NY 10003

How Insulting But Damn

Black Brick

A quiet hipster coffee shop, it is located in no other place than Williamsburg of course. The antique rusty decor matches with its simple motto: "we strive to serve good coffee". No, there is no motto. I simply paraphrased what the barista snobbishly said to me as I asked if any of their drinks were "sweet". He replied "I'll be honest with you, you came to the wrong coffee shop". Indeed, it is no Starbucks and thank god for that. Although I was insulted, being a former barista of a reputable coffee chain myself, I soon realized the fine barista quite lived up to his attitude with likely the most balanced and rich tasting Americano I've had since coming to Brooklyn. Likewise, Val's Macchiato is not some cheap imitation coffee drinks either. If only I lived in Williamsburg.

Val's Macchiato