Category: partying

Categories
partying

The 2nd Annual TASTE OF BUSHWICK

This upcoming event in my new neighborhood of Bushwick looks really cool  $40 tix ($35 before June 9th) will get you tastings and drinks from over 30 local vendors/restaurants. It’s a benefit to support the Bushwick Starr theater. Sounds like an awesome party.

Tuesday, June 16, 2015. 6:30 – 9pm
Get tickets here.

The 2nd Annual Taste of Bushwick food & drink purveyors include:
• Deep dish pizza from one of the neighborhood’s fave late-night spots Archie’s Bar + Pizza
• Classic provisions and an on-site hot dog cart from event sponsor and host, Boar’s Head Provisions
• Beers, including their new (apropos) Bushwick Pils, from the brand-new Bushwick-based Braven Brewing Company
• Inspired Ethiopian cuisine and traditional coffee from Bunna Cafe
• Signature cocktails from the brunch and dinner favorite Café Ghia
• Local and sustainable “English country kitchen” fare from Dear Bushwick; plus a sneak peek of their soon-to-open (Summer 2015) “cocktail laboratory” next door, with cocktails from the valedictory Yours Sincerely
• Fresh-brewed coffee and espresso drinks by Express Yourself Barista Bar
• From former Northeast Kingdom chef Kevin Adey, fresh pasta and other delights from the soon-to-open Faro
• Farm-to-table rustic northern Italian cuisine inspired by the slow food movement in Italy from Fitzcarraldo
• Inventive sandwiches, burgers, and our favorite salsa-brined chicken from the cozy luncheonette Fritzl’s Lunch Box
• Sips from the selection at Henry’s Wine & Spirit and cocktails and treats from owner Henry Glucroft’s new bar Sunrise/Sunset (recently profiled in a New Yorker “bar tab”!)
• Charcuterie and cheese and their endless combinations, and craft beer from specialty provisions shop Hops & Hocks
• Farm-driven Basque-Columbian fare from former Il Buco pasta and pastry chef Ella Schmidt, at Maite
• “Exceptional, well-balanced cocktails without pretense” from Wilson Ave cocktail lounge Miles
• Classic French bistro favorites from the charming Mominette Bistro
• “A sliver of the backwoods” and “a taste of country living” (NY Times) from Montana’s Trail House
• Contemporary American food emphasizing the seasonality of the Northeast from Northeast Kingdom
• A nod to the Prohibition-era rum smuggler, sips of Bushwick’s own Owney’s Rum by The Noble Experiment NYC
• Delicious pastries served up from Knickerbocker Ave bakery nook Sweet & Shiny
• New Orleans-style BBQ out of Simon Glenn’s pop-up creation Tchoup Shop @ Heavy Woods
• Wine tastings from the hip and charming wine bar The Bodega
• Tastes from the well-curated craft beer selection at The Sampler
• Bringing together two passions: BBQ and motorcycles, Bushwick’s newest BBQ joint The Shop Brooklyn
• Mexican cuisine and fresh tortillas from Bushwick’s classic culinary landmark Tortilleria Mexicana Los Hermanos
• Asian inspired “Bunwiches” from the new late night pop-up shop UMi Bushwick

2014 Taste of Bushwick

Categories
partying

Atlantic City Weekend Warrior

Bally's Atlantic City Winning

This past weekend I was invited to go on an Asian American Press Tour of Bally’s/Harrah’s/Caesars in Atlantic City & Philadelphia. I didn’t know such things existed. Apparently, a lot of Asians gamble. I know that is fact, because the most Asians I’ve ever seen was at Resorts World Casino in Queens.

Anyway, it was fun as heck. I was hungover 70% of the time. Dinners, limo’s, drinks, bikini beach bars and cupcakes. You will see these posts in the coming days.

I gotta say, I started out envying our tour host, Jerry, who takes VIPs and Press out to show them a good time. That’s his job! He’s paid to party. By the end of the weekend, I did not envy him. Because if I was him, I’d be throwing up everyday and cry “uncle” after a month. But Jerry rules and is the perfect guy for the job. He knows his shit. I was already missing him on my bus ride back home. …I still miss him.

Here’s a photo of me in front of the Stanley Cup in the lobby of Caesars hotel and casino. The security guard photobombed me.

Security Guard Photobomb in front of the Stanley Cup

Categories
partying restauranting

Medieval Times is the Best Restaurant in the World

Dang, I loved my time at Medieval Times. It was seriously awesome. I don’t ever remember having so much fun within a dining experience.

Chris got us tickets to Medieval Times. It was reduced admission with some proceeds going to Sandy victims. It was only around $30 per person. It looks like it’s usually $60, but there’s always coupons knocking it down to around $40. You just have to browse around their website for the promotions.

It was a pretty quick ride from Manhattan into New Jersey. We got there right when it all started. The place was huge. I thought they were lip syncing to a CD. But it was really the M.C. talking in his mic. His voice was so strong and bold. I was impressed.

There were pitchers on the table and was about to pour myself a glass of water. Good thing I didn’t. The waiter came around and poured it into our bowls. It was Tomato Bisque Soup. That would have been a surprise if I thought I was sipping on water. Soup was surprisingly tasty.

Then they came around with nice big slice of Garlic Bread. That was so good. Probably the best thing …and I don’t mean that to diss the other food. It was just good Garlic Bread.

Then we got a big half Roast Chicken –tender and seasoned. Herb Basted Potato – uh, alright. BBQ Spare Rib – tendy and sweet barbecue sauce. All surprisingly pretty decent food. Much better than I was expecting …and a lot of it.

Dessert was a like a Apple Turnover pastry. It was okay. But I was stuffed by that point.

They also gave me two big mugs of soda, which I mixed with airplane bottles of liquor I snuck in. I didn’t mean to be a cheat. I just didn’t realize they sold beer and alcohol. I bought a beer to make it up. Pretty good price. I think around $5-6 that comes in a decent size 3D lenticular souvenir cup. I was expecting it to be $8-12 honestly, so that was a great deal.

Free coffee even after I said didn’t want it, but then did ask for it later.

All this while this awesome show was going on, with knight and horses and a flying falcon. It was pretty insane. But in the end, it turned out we were rooting for the wrong guys. It was like a surprise twist ending, where we realize that the King is a dick and the Princess is a bitch. Seriously, they were whipping the evil bad guy at the end while they were locking him away. Wok the heck?

At the end of the show, everyone was hanging out in the lobby, buying stuff at the many gift shop counters, and getting more drunk with their kids. I was in the restroom and I swore I thought I heard some kid say, “Dad, we’re out of beer!” And then when I walked out of the restroom, I saw the cutest thing. Two tiny boys sword fighting and next to them, two tiny girls in princess outfits sword fighting with their roses.

Seriously, I really think Medieval Times is the best restaurant I’ve ever been to. Maybe the food isn’t so amazing, but it’s not bad for what is it. It’s the total package though. I’m just thinking of all the fancy restaurants I’ve been to and really, fuck those places. It just doesn’t appeal to me. You eat fancy food in a dim room and then you forget about it. You know what is awesome is yelling at the top of your lungs, getting drunk and watching knights hit each other and a falcon flying around the arena above your head while you eat chicken with your fingers. That’s just the most fun I’ve ever had dining. …if only they did all that at Gordon Ramsey’s restaurants.

Medieval Times - 149 Polito Ave. Lyndhurst, NJ 07071

Categories
partying

Foodblogging Obama’s White House Holiday Party

Dang. Shonali got invited to the White House Holiday Party with her sister, Ruchi.  A few months back, I dreamt about winning one of those fundraiser dinner parties with Obama and George Clooney. I wondered if I could food blog it if I won. Will they let me bring my camera? Well, I didn’t win, but instead I got spammed like five emails a day from the re-election campaign. Shit. Joke’s on me.

Shonali went and reported on it! Looks like a lot of fun. Oh dang, she panned the lamb!

“A Christmas office party at the White House:

I accompanied my sister to her office holiday party this year and lucky for me she is the Deputy Cabinet Secretary and Special Assistant to the President of the United States.

I was excited to find out that we would be allowed to take pics in the White House during the party. Jason and I had talked days earlier about how cool it would be to food blog an event like the White House Christmas Party. I was certain it was an impossibility. Although I don’t have the skills of a Jason Lam when it comes to food pics, I did take a few showing the spread.

The holiday decorations in the White House are stunning this time of year. Every room had a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. Amazing portrait paintings of all the Presidents and First Ladies are hanging throughout the East Wing.

The champagne was flowing and although I can eat a lot, I was unable to try everything they had on the dining tables. My sister and I started w dessert where we each put different items on our plates. I had the coconut cream lemon cake, peach crumble, and chocolate fluffy cake. I loved it all. Yes, I did eat all that. My sister made sure she got a couple Bo Obama Christmas cookies for my nieces. Apparently they are collector’s items.

As for the savory foods, there was a long table… there were figs, cheese, roast beef, lamb chops, rolls, baked cauliflower/cheese pasta, green beans, fingerling potatoes, fennel salad, potato latkes, shrimp, oysters, and crab claws. I piled my plate super high w every intention of trying everything but after my dessert binge it was an impossibility. Standouts for me were the crispy potato latke and tender roast beef and the lamb was meh.

Honestly the entire experience was something I will never forget. I was lucky enough to shake the First Lady and President’s hands at the end of the evening with no expectation of such a thing. It was quite a fabulous event! Thank you (my sister) Ruchi!” —Shonali

Thanks, Shonali! Great job. I’m sure I would’ve been wasted in the White House.

Categories
asian partying sandwich

Lollipop Vietnamese Sandwiches & House of Vans

I headed out to House of Vans this past Thursday to see King Kahn and the Shrines. I ran through the crazy derecho storm to get to the subway. You gotta check out the crazy sky in this photo. It’s like Gozer.

Then when I got out in Greenpoint, I figured I should grab a bite at Lollipop. Jody told me they have really good Banh Mi Vietnamese Sandwiches, but they always take a long time to make. It’s true. I got the Classic ($4.75 plus tax) and it was great, but did take longer than I’d expect. The ground pork was really good in it. They spice it up and I loved it. It’s possibly the best Banh Mi in Greenpoint …although it might be the only Banh Mi in Greenpoint?

Lollipop - 685 Manhattan Ave (btwn Bedford & Norman Ave) Brooklyn, NY 11222

After the nice sandwich, I went to House of Vans –the sneaker company’s private skate park built in a old industrial warehouse in Greenpoint. They’ve been having free summer shows the past two years with some cool bands. Lots of people, but huge space with a gigantic fan on the ceiling. This night, the bass was booming for Nicky Da B, which felt like a gay club rager, with people booty shaking on stage. It was cool.

Apparently, it was an all-ages show and the Heineken Light all free. I’ve never seen so many drunk middle-schoolers. One girl was making out with her boyfriend and asking my friends about an umbrella, then tried to make out with another dude. There was almost a fight. But I think they were all 13-15 years old. I remember we used to be able to do dumb shit when we were young, but I always thought it was harder to that stuff now, since everywhere I go is usually 21+. I guess it’s good to know that kids can still be dumb if they want.

Categories
bar/drinking concert/event partying pizza

Where to Get Beer at South Street Seaport

There are plenty of places to get beer and drink in the open outdoors at South Street Seaport, but the best deal has got to be Simply Seafood in the third floor food court (Pier 17 Pavilion –the big mall at the very end next to the water). Check out these prices.

And the large is in a huge styrofoam cup. $4.16 for giant Bud or $6 for giant Sierra Nevada/Blue Point. You can take it back outside and watch the bands perform, where they have $6 for a small cup of Bud. I believe the pizza booth in the food court is reasonably priced as well. I asked Nathan’s/Arthur Treacher’s last night about their prices and it was $6 for a tall cup of Coors Light, but not as large as Simply Seafood.

I took this large beer back out to hear Eleanor Friedberger. The band that opened, Ex Cops, was really good. I really dug their second to last song, “Spring Break (Birthday Song)”.

Coincidentally, I made some friends at the show and one of them, Duane, hosts the radio show where I was able to find this Ex Cops song streaming. We all went to Lisa’s Pizzeria down the street so I could use the restroom. The pizza did it’s job and reminded me of 80’s skating rink pizza, but in a good way.

Lisa’s Pizzeria - 76 Fulton St (btwn Gold St & Ryders Aly) New York, NY 10038

Then they took me to a keg party in Bed-Stuy, where a band called Nude Beach was playing. I’ve been looking at apartment listings lately in Bed-Stuy. Some pretty good deals. But as I was leaving the party heading over to the G train, I got really freaked out. Everyone was partying so hard. It was like the young white ghetto, Bedford/Williamsburg 1999 (probably earlier). I thought shit, no way am I moving here. It’s so freakin scary. Then I realized that everyone looked like Rusty and me.

Funny enough, in such a sketchy neighborhood, I saw Asian hipsters with what looked like Prada sneakers and Alexander McQueen High Tops. Maybe this is my kind of neighborhood.

Categories
bar/drinking partying

Smorgasboat Party Cruise

I got on the Smorgasboat Party Cruise, from the people of Smorgasburg. It was only $45 ($20 of which is tax deductable). So it’s kinda like $25 for all you can eat and drink and vomiting.

Plenty of food for everyone. Most of it was small plates from some of the Smorgasburg vendors –Asia Dog, BK Salsa, NY Naturals, Pig & Egg, Sunday Gravy and some wings, pulled pork sliders, etc. Big rush for the food when we were boarding. I took my time with the drinks and no time later, the lines subsided.

I learned my lesson about boats last year when I went on Jody and Christa’s bachelor/ette deep sea fishing party. I threw up 16 times within 4 sessions. I don’t think those bracelet things work. I made sure to prepare and took 2 Dramamines an hour before the boat. I rather be drowsy on a party boat than sick out of my mind. It did well. I didn’t get sleepy until way after when I passed out from all the drinks when I got home.

Luckily I ran into some friends to keep me company. Also made some new friends and got invited to a birthday party tomorrow night. I forgot their names though. The after party rooftop was pretty. All in all, this party cruise was awesome. The tickets sold out quick. So know that next time. They said they are planning to have more.

http://smorgasboatbrooklyn.com/

Categories
partying

Call for Entries! The Food Film Festival

Dang. If you are a filmmaker and have a film about food, you gotta submit to The Food Film Festival. I had so much fun last year partying hard –free booze and food. Totally worth the $25 entry fee I paid for my short film.

The deadline is coming up soon. Start shooting!

Awards are presented in the following categories:

  • Best Feature
  • Best Short
  • Best Super-Short
  • Best Food Porn
  • Audience Award
  • Made In NY Award
  • Food Filmmaker of the Year

Entry Fees

Official Deadline – April 20th, 2012
$35 for feature films (over 35 minutes)
$25 for shorts (5-35 minutes)
$20 for super-shorts (under 5 minutes)

Last Minute Deadline – May 4th, 2012
$45 for feature films (over 35 minutes)
$35 for shorts (5-35 minutes)
$30 for super-shorts (under 5 minutes)

http://thefoodfilmfestival.com