Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Last days of summer

Last Thursday... I started my last year of College. I went to school, got my schedule and had a mini panic attack. NotonlybecauseIdon'tknowwhatI'lldonextyear, but also because in two weeks I have a project due, and my life depends on it. On top of that, it's been over 30ºC hot in the past few days and it doesn't seem like stopping.


So for the most part of my day I've been enjoying my last days of summer.
spending quality time with relatives visiting from Germany
bringing them to La Banquise (for Quebec's famous poutine)
playing around with my kittens 
(before we give them away)

But to be honest, I can't wait for fall. I'm really looking forward to my last year of studies. I've got to get my creative juices going and hopefully I'll find time to blog. Kids, now I have homework to sew!

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Chinatown

The upside of having a Chinese friend is that you can beg him about bringing you to Chinatown and revealing all the must-go-to-places you would never otherwise know about simply because you're not Chinese. The kind of place where the menu is in Mandarin and the clientele is mainly Asian. The kind of place that is so hidden in Chinatown, I feel like a tourist when I go there.
That's where my friend Chiyu brought me on Thursday: Mon Nan.
Mon Nan is the place to go when you want a good Pekin Duck. When we arrived, Chiyu mumbled something in Mandarin to the waiter, and moments later I was sipping my duck tofu soup. Chiyu explained to me that the duck should be dipped into the plum sauce and with some green onions, rolled into a crepe. Again, had I not been there with Chiyu, I would have finished my crispy duck with a fork, curiously glanced at the crepes and onions (marinated or not) and went on with it. We also ordered Udon noodles. Now I know that the large noodles that I love so much are called Udon. And when the bill arrived, I couldn't believe it. Really cheap.

After the supper, Chiyu had the kindness of walking me through Chinatown, revealing more hidden treasures. Here's a list:

  • Sumo Ramen 1007 St-Laurent for cheap japanese noodles
  • Kagayaki 75 De La Gauchetiere O. for japanese fondue
  • Mongolian Hot Pot for ... go check it out. I went inside and it smells so great. You cook the food yourself. I'm eager to go there!
  • La Maison Kam Fung for dim sum in the morning and asian supper. This place is complicated to find. So much that Chiyu walked me there, and I raised an eyebrow when I saw that the dining room is huge... and there was a line-up. Needless to say, I'm going there soon.
  • Not in Chinatown BUT Akiko sushi on 5701Côte-Des-Neiges
  • Hwang Kum 5908 Sherbrooke Ouest for fine Korean cuisine
Also, if you go to these spots, or have already went, PLEASE REPORT. Comment. I'm dying to hear what you have to say.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Motorino

Ever since this, I've been dying to go to New York. Knowing me, (I went to Naples for the sole reason of going to Da Michele because Eat, Pray, Love mentions how fantastic Da Michele Pizzeria is (it truly is fantastic, if you're in Italy...) I'm ready to go miles out of my way for a great pizza. All I needed was a great excuse (a wedding is always a great excuse).

Margherita

Prosciutto di parma
The last time I had pizza this good was precisely in Naples. No words can describe how beyond this world motorino is so I'll stop trying. Next time I'm in New York, I'm spending my entire stay eating there.

MoMA

On Monday, I went to MoMA for the first time.
I was in an extreme rush, flying from one room to the next and now I desperately can't wait to go back... If you ever happen to go to New York, make sure to go to MoMA for a few hours, you won't regret it.

Friday, August 20, 2010

New York Wedding

3.1 Phillip Lim dress, Kenneth Cole heels

I don't recall the last time I went to one, so traveling to New York for a wedding was much fun. Located on 25th just above the Meatpacking district, the view was impeccable, the food was delicious, it was a night to remember.

New York Weekend

I really enjoyed my trip to NYC last weekend. Every time I visit New York, I feel so at home, like I belong, knowing that one day I will live there.
Times Square, the day marking 65years of the V-J Day photograph
Central Park
Greenwich
The school of my dreams
Statue of Liberty in the back 
Stopping at a bar on 8th, caught in the rain...
Flatiron