Weekend Trip in NYC ~ 紐約の敗金之旅

這個週末去了紐約幫媽咪辦些事情。忙完後就是玩樂囉^___^ 媽呀~~~~原來我敗金的能力真的很強耶(現在正在看bank statement而嚇倒的可憐的我)...嗚嗚...紐約之行吃到很多美味的好東西﹗大滿足﹗托朋友的福﹐有幸到L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon吃法國料理。太幸福了^0^

我在Kinokuniya書店買到很多點心﹑甜品書﹐所以很開心。還有買到很多在SF買不到的食材(edible gold, dragee等等)及模具(我買了15個慕斯rings)。天呀﹐我快樂瘋了﹗還有當然不能不去Fashion Ave囉...嘿嘿...怎麼說我都是未來的Vera Wang ~___~

我很滿意這個紐約之行。下一個目標存錢去日本~

I just came back from NYC and was bummed that I didn’t catch a glimpse of snow. I was in town for some family matter and stayed for a couple more days to do some shopping. I traveled alone, my 1st. Therefore, I did a lot of homework before the trip. I am not kidding you; I have a notebook full of shop names that I must visit, info & cost on how to get around and my drawing of simplified city maps. I am usually very spontaneous but I was told by many to be more cautious. Do not snap pictures of random things, do not walk around town with a guide book, do not act too bubbly, do not ask for avocado on salad and sandwich, do not repeat the same mistake from the previous NY trip (whatever), do not leave purse or wallet unattended, blah blah blah….. People, I took the advices and I came back in one piece! Aren’t you proud of me?


View of Central Park from hotel. People enjoying their afternoon at the park.

I stayed at Park 79, a boutique style hotel nestled in Manhattan's Upper West Side neighborhood. I intentionally wanted to stay away from downtown because I couldn’t bear with the hectic tourist traffic. I heart this hotel and would stay there again. Park 79 is a great choice for the young and savvy traveler because the hotel is savvy, stylish and affordable! The location is very convenient since Subway is only a block away so you can jump on and go visit SoHo, Nolita, Greenwich Village and etc in just a heart beat. If you just want to stay in the area, there is also an amazing selection of shops, museums, and fine dining near by. Check for yourself when you are in NYC!




When in NYC, it is hard to say no to shopping especially for a shopaholic like me! However, I didn’t buy too many cloths because I burnt all my money on pastry/baking related tools and ingredients. Trust me, they aren’t cheap! I have heard of Dean & DeLuca for the longest time and been dying to visit the store (I just found out that they have a location in Napa Valley, which is like an hour drive from my place.). When I finally step foot into their SoHo location, I was overwhelmed with excitement. The store was small but it has a vast selection of spices, condiments, and chocolates! I got myself some kumquat (hard to get in SF) so I can make that kumquat pound cake from Hidemi Sugino's book! The pastries in the café, colorful macarons (I had 3 with a cup of coffee for lunch!) in glass domes, the aroma of roasted coffee beans, I was in heaven =p




New York Cake Supplies appeared in the resource section of Martha Stewart’s Living and Wedding magazines very often so how could I not pay a visit when I am in town?! Getting there was a breeze by subway, 22nd and 6 Ave! I almost pass out when I stepped into the store because I was flushed with excitement! So many pans, mousse rings (I bought 3 of each shape you see here @__@), cookie cutters, candy molds, cake decorating tools, and BLOCKS of Valrohna chocolates! OMG~~~~~~~~~




Of course, I dash in and out some of my favorite stores on 5th and downtown. I told myself that I pay less tax; therefore, I save at the end >0< Also, I met up with a friend who is currently interning at Marc Jacobs. She gave me an I'm not a Plastic Bag by Anya Hindmarch (she has 4!), knowing that I would want one but couldn’t get any. Luv you, Kat! Mood Fabrics was another shop that I have to visit. If you're familiar with Project Runway then you must know about this place! Great store and is way bigger than Britex in SF.




Another thing to do in NYC is to eat around town! I ate most of my meals from local cafés and there were so many unique one in Upper West Side and Soho. I love the Dean & DeLuca café (several locations in NYC) coz that was where I rest and recharge after hours of walking! Another highlight of this trip was that I ate at the posh L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, thanks to Kat again! It was a marvelous dinner!






Everything was great except one thing: I don’t like to stay in a hotel by myself! I am afraid of ….you know...>< I left the light on all night and when I still couldn’t sleep, I turned to my sketch book! Then again, I love traveling on my own coz I can do things at my own pace ^0^