Showing posts with label Flatiron. Show all posts

Paint Nite at Raymi

As a homebody, night time events like this is rare. Bestie C had asked if I would be interested in a painting session a month or so ago since she got a good deal for Paint Nite via Groupon. Being in the experimental mood lately I decided to give it a try. Plus, I've always been interested in learning to paint.

Paint Nite at Raymi

Our Paint Nite session was held at Raymi in the Flatiron district. It felt nice to be in the area that was near my now alma mater. The event was held in a private space at the restaurant with a few long tables set up for everyone. I was quite surprised by how many people attended. There was barely any table room available once everybody settled in.

Paint Nite at Raymi

The painting session lasted for a little over 2 hours and we had an instructor who guided us as we tried to recreate Starry Night by Van Gogh. But as our instructor said the point of the night wasn't to make a masterpiece but to relax and have fun! The restaurant had a bar area and waiters came around to take orders if desired. Bestie and I had drinks during dinner early so we passed.

Paint Nite at Raymi

At the end of the 2 hours, this was my final results. There were times when I definitely wasn't following the instructions given. Did a lot of swipes rather than dashes, but that's alright. Whatever works! It looks nothing like the original Starry Night but it's similar enough to the example we were shown...I think?

Salted caramel & Hazelnut Gelato from Eataly NYC
Salted caramel & Hazelnut Gelato from Eataly NYC

Bestie and I couldn't resist the temptation of getting gelato since we were near Eataly. I have walked past and near Eataly many times over the last 4 years yet never went in. The gelato was pretty good but I have had better waffle cones. All the flavors available are pretty classic: sweet milk, chocolate, hazelnut, pistachio, etc. There are also sorbets and seasonal flavors as well that I didn't try this time around. Maybe another visit?

Does painting & drinks night sound like something you would enjoy?

April & May 2014 Happenings

This post is very late... But here are a few mini "adventures" I had the last 2 months.

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook University
A friend and I made an overnight trip to Stony Brook University during our Spring Break. We decided to take the LIRR there. Although neither of us were familiar with that train system, we managed to make it in one piece. Hurray!

I was pretty excited as it was going to be my first dorming experience (even if it was just for one night). Since I hardly ever travel, I looked pretty overpacked; now I know better, right?

Even though Stony is infamously known to be a party-school, I thought it was rather calm for a Thursday night. (Not that I went looking to party :P) I love the convenience of the college I go to...but nothing can really compare to an actual campus and all it's openness & culture.

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Cutting Board
53 Bayard St New York, NY 10013
b/t Bowery & Elizabeth St in Chinatown
Cutting Board Chinatown NYC Calamari Sweet Potato Waffle Fries  Cutting Board Chinatown NYC Pancetta Cream Pasta
Fried Calamari w/ 3 sauces, Sweet Potato Waffle Fries, Pancetta Cream Pasta
I rarely go to Chinatown nowadays. There seem to be many new restaurants that aren't the typical Cantonese cuisine-fare. I hear there are also some good ramen places in the area now as well. (Next on my to-try list!)

Cutting Board offers an Asian fusion/Italian selection. I remember seeing many Facebook posts from Cutting Board last summer and they all looked pretty tasty. I can't attest to all their dishes but the ones I had weren't bad. Portions are big for one person but not quite enough to share among two people.


Chinatown Ice Cream Factory
65 Bayard St New York, NY 10013
b/t Mott St & Elizabeth St in Chinatown
Chinatown Ice Cream Factory NYC Red Bean
Red Bean Ice Cream & Waffle Cone
I've heard of this place and walked pass the store many many times before but have never tried their ice cream. The lineup for Chinatown Ice Cream Factory was really no joke. When paired with their narrow store space, it can get pretty overwhelming and fast. I would suggest taking a look through their website and/or Yelp first. As with other ice cream stores they do offer taste testing but it may be a little difficult get the busy employees' attention.

They had many flavors that I wanted to try but ended up playing it safe and getting the red bean flavor. I was a tad disappointed because there wasn't that much red bean flavor. But...if I ever feel like lining up again I would definitely go back to try some of their other unique flavors.


Melt Bakery @ Madison Square Eats
Melt Bakery NYC Mango Sorbet Cardamom Cookies
Mango Sorbet w/ Cardamom Cookie

Spot Dessert @ Food Gallery 32
Spot Dessert Koreatown NYC Smoked Coconut Cheesecake
Smoked Coconut Cheesecake
Bestie C's surprise treat after Finals week. She didn't really like this but I thought it was pretty tasty. Then again I don't think she's a big fan of coconut and I am quite the opposite :P


Sundaes and Cones
95 E 10th St New York, NY 10003
at 3rd Ave in East Village
Sundaes and Cones East Village Soho NYC Thai Ice Hazelnut Waffle Cone
Thai Ice + Hazelnut Ice Cream & Waffle Cone
I think this has to be the best ice cream I have ever had. They had many interest flavors but Thai Ice (tea) and Hazelnut was calling my name this time around. I really should have only gotten one flavor but I don't know when the next visit will be! The ice cream was oh so creamy and full of their namesake flavors. Deelish!

I wish they still had a storefront in Brooklyn...only just found out that they were originally based in the Bay Ridge area ;(

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blue dress Marshalls Chambray Shirt Floral Skirt H&M
Ah I think skirts and dresses are really starting to grow on me. I'm still not very confident in wearing either of them often but that can't stop me from trying them on in store!

Does anyone think the chambray/denim top + floral skirt combo look weird? I showed me Aunt (who's the most 'fashionable' in the family and she thought it was strange and an ugly combo...)

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How could 2 months possibly go buy without me doing something in the kitchen :P

Banana Flax Walnut Muffins
Banana Flax Walnut Muffins
I remember trying this once when I was volunteering with a bakery a few years back. That was also the first time I've ever heard of flaxseeds. After finals were over I took to the internet to find something similar online. After making a couple of batches, I think I have it down! I will try to share the recipe soon (after a few more tries).

Black Sesame Bread
Black Sesame Bread
My first time making bread! It was exceptionally easier since I have the help of a KitchenAid mixer. But a family friend/Auntie wanted to learn (from a newbie) so I had to figure it out via hands as well. It was definitely a fun and stressful process but experience nonetheless. Apparently I cannot replicate the same results because each batch of dough worked out differently each time. Alas I am no bread expert... As long as it is edible, right? Not sure if I want to tackle bread making again anytime soon but it is on my list to master.

Homemade Rice Bowl
Typical Lunch
Rice, Boiled Chicken Breast, Corn, 2 Soft Boiled Eggs, Good Food Tableside Greek Yogurt Guacamole
I had my first taste of Chipotle rice bowls a few months back and loved it. So many textures and flavors... Now I can see why so many people rave about it.

Since I can't buy it too often (pricey & high-calories!) I decided to figure something out at home. I guess this could be considered a "skinny" and "light" version, although the flavors are very much different. It is still very filling and of course you can vary it as you wish. The possibilities are endless in a rice bowl.

March Happenings

It is easy to get into a rut with school and work.
Somehow I was able to do some fairly interesting things in March.

red jacket juice
Red Jacket Orchards - Cold Pressed Juices
wilklow orchards
Wilklow Orchards
Stumbled upon a farmers' market in Downtown Brooklyn.
They were pretty much all selling things apple related. I thought apple season was in Autumn?

Otafuku x Medetai
220 East 9th Street New York, NY 10003

otafuku takoyaki otafuku takoyaki
Takoyaki
otafuku taiyaki
Taiyaki (Red Bean, Nutella with banana)
Had some takoyaki, taiyaki, okonomiyaki, and yakisoba
This was all shared of course! ... Except for the 2 fish breads that I devoured :P
I don't know of many other places that make takoyaki, but Otafuku is pretty well known in NYC for theirs. They have actually moved to a new store location that is just down the block from their previous "hole-in-the-wall" shop.

samsung studio 3d print
Visited the Samsung Galaxy Studio in Soho
Got a bunch of freebies & played with the Samsung gadgets
Made a few 3-D print-out key charms

Chaamlex Thai Delish
34 Lexington Ave, New York 10010
Btwn E 23rd & E 24th St

chaamlex thai iced tea chaamlex chicken pad thai
Rediscovered thai iced tea (That stuff is awesome!)
Pad thai here was alright. A bit too ... sweet for me? But can't complain much since this thai restaurant is really close to school.

Maison Keyser Flatiron
921 Broadway New York, NY 10010
Btwn 21st St & 22nd St

masion keyser parisienne cocotte maison keyser yuzu tart
Parisienne Cocotte & Yuzu Tart
Met with Kar Yi, lilladyslife, and Monkica
Had a French(?) meal for the first time
Tried a great tart that was surprisingly not very sweet at all (looks are deceiving!)

dove advanced care deodorant influenster uni voxbox
Dove VoxBox & Uni VoxBox
Received some goodies to try
I try to not use stick deodorants anymore, but gave the Dove Advanced Care Deodorant with NutriumMoisture a go anyways. I think that it works well. I'm not really sure how it compares with other deodorants but it seems to do it's job.

The Uni VoxBox came chockful of stuff. I haven't gotten to trying everything yet. But it seems that I actually picked the wrong foundation shade so I can't test that out properly. I have miixed it with lighter foundations though and a little bit of the Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation in Sand goes a long way in terms of color. I don't like the consistency of the product very much. It is a little too thick for my liking. Even when I mix it with liquidy products it is still pretty thick. It makes it a bit difficult to blend the product out.


Did you do anything interesting or out of the norm recently?