Author: F C

Alternate Reality

Weird experiences:

  • Met a Survivor. Turns out he’s a real nice guy.
  • Got mistaken for a waiter (maybe it was because I was wearing a tux).
  • Witnessed a cugine making several faux pas in a sushi restaurant, such as trying to order drinks from the sushi chef, but otherwise having a good time.
  • Realizing the said cugine lived down the street in the old neighborhood and went to school with my sister.

Places eaten out this week:

Cantoon Garden,  22 Elizabeth Street, Manhattan. Good when not rushed.

New York Marriott Marquis Times Square. Banquet services were good, if pricey.

Mura, 369 Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn. Recommended

Kim Paris Vietnamese Grill, 128 Montague Street, Brooklyn. Lunch menu excellent value.

Fresco Tortilla Court Street, 113 Court Street, Brooklyn. G0od cheap Tex-Mex made by Chinese people.

Uncertain Nostalgia

My landlord has listed the building for sale. While there are many unknowns, such as whether he can fetch the multi-million dollar sum asked for in this economic climate, there is the acute possibility we’ll have to find another place to live in the Spring.

What it is about this place that brings about nostalgia? There are plenty to gripe about the place, from the puny size, the multitude of deluges from the upstairs apartment, the painful walkup when hobbling around with injuries, and the general seediness especially at night. But overall, I have to say it is OK. There is the stone’s throw to work, the intersection with a number of classy neighborhoods, being within one hour of anywhere in the city — either via subway or a nearby Zipcar — and of course generally being safe and generally kept warm or cool.

I would be here ten years come March, and two for P-; this is just one more step toward the next phase of our lives. It’s gonna be all right.

Red Mango

South Korean frozen yogurt chain Red Mango was dishing out free cups of their treats with one topping at their new store at West 14 and 6th Avenue. Lines weren’t going out the door (freezing temps outdoors don’t inspire going inside for frozen treats), but all of the tables were filled with people trying it out. P- had the original with strawberries, and I had green tea with pineapples. Two things come to mind: 1. a much more distinct yogurt taste (with Real Active Cultures™), which is actually more pleasing than Pinkberry’s version, and 2. the toppings are better quality.

Survivor winner Yul Kwon apparently was recently thwarted from opening a Red Mango franchise in North Beach, San Francisco because of chain store zoning rules.

The next time I’m going to try the mochi rice cake topping, which is made by Little Tokyo bakery confectionery Fugetsu-do, one of the originators of fortune cookies in America. Recommended.