Category: travel

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backyard bbq takee outtee travel

MKZ Day 3: Flushing Chinatown

The last adventure with the Lincoln MKZ. Before our trip out, Jody and Christa got sandwiches from an Italian deli in my hood. The big guy making Jody’s meatball sub seemed to get agitated when Jody asked for cheese after the guy already cut it. Well Jody was pushing it. Not going to name names of the deli in fear that I’d get my noggin beatin with a bat.

Back in the car, we realized it had air conditioned seats which was nice on this hot day. Also got to play around with the seat positioning, which included lower back support. It was cool. I couldn’t tell what it was doing at first because the seat wasn’t moving. I thought it was a back massager.

Headed to the Queens Museum of Art in Flushing to check out this cool Panorama exhibit, short scale model of the entire New York City. Jody was able to sneak some shots.

We finally figured out how to make the GPS work. Apparently the car can’t be moving when typing in the destination. The option was always disabled when we tried before while driving. This is our first time using GPS navigation and it was really cool. Only one day with it and we don’t know how we would live without it. It talked our way to Chinatown Flushing. My first time there. Seems a little more hectic than the Sunset Park version and a lot more storefront window food places. I got a Peking Duck on a steamed bun for $1 from Corner 88, spicy fish balls on a stick for $1 from AA Plaza, and pan fried dumplings 8 for $2 at Super Snack. I really want to try the point and pick take out boxes from Corner 88 some day.

We went to a grocery store there in Chinatown to pick up some salmon, shrimp, and veggies to bring back for a cook out. They had a bucket of live frogs that two little kids were kicking. The live bucket of turtles freaked Christa out. Who knew the spicy fish balls on a stick would be a precursor for the skewered shrimp and Rusty’s Cheetos on a stick?

Thank you Ford, Rachel and Social Media Group for the lovely car. Had a great weekend!

Corner 28 Restaurant – 40-28 Main Street Flushing, NY 11355
AA Plaza – 40-66 Main St Flushing, NY 11369
Super Snack – 4128 Main Street Flushing, NY 11355

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crazy night restauranting travel

MKZ Day 2: Chinatown in Sunset Park

We took the Lincoln MKZ down to Chinatown in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Our first time down there. It reminded me of Latino Brooklyn streets, but with older Chinese people. The sun roof made it food blog friendly for me to get some shots while cruisin. We Google texted Lan Zhou hand pulled noodles, the only place I’ve heard of down there. It sent us to a mobile phone store. So we stopped in the first place that looked good and cheap. San Ma Malaysian restaurant. I got the Curry Stuffed Combination Noodle Soup. I thought it would be combination meats, but it turned out to be fried tofu, eggplant and a fried fish & tofu in-one cake. The broth was creamy curry deliciousness. I didn’t care for the noodles. Jody got the Curry Shrimp Noodle Soup, where the shrimp was pineapple spiked carved. Actually I think it was squid, but was hoping he didn’t notice. Christa took a stab at the Sate Tofu, only because it was one of the only vegetarian items. She won and was so happy at what it was …satay peanut sauce over cubes of fried tofu.

Then we walked around the neighborhood. The Chinese people were laughing at Jody taking pics of fish in the buckets they were selling on the sidewalk. I wish I was as brave as him. I picked up some steamed vegetable buns (two for $1) at a cart on 8th Ave and 57th St. The bun was cold, but I’m sure it would it would be good microwaved. I also picked up a pork zongzi (sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves). We were able to get back in time for me to meet up with my friends Ryan and Meghan from Florida. We went on a pub crawl. The last shot did me in. We ran into an old friend which turned into some friendly street wrestling. It didn’t take long before the shirts came off. 10 seconds.

San Ma Malaysian Restaurant – 5918 8th Ave (btw 59th & 60th St) Brooklyn, NY 11220

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travel

Great Falls & Texas Wiener

Field trip to see the waterfall in Paterson, New Jersey. We explored the backside where the once industrial factories have turned to rubble. We ran into crates from the Colt gun mill, a viscous beaver, and a lone hooker boot. Then we took a break at the cute Libby’s Lunch diner and got a huge Texas wiener. I haven’t seen a dog like that before.

Great Falls – Paterson, NJ
Libby’s Lunch – 98 McBride Ave. Paterson NJ

“Behind Great Falls” …a suspense thriller directed by Jason Lam

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burger travel

Vegas Vacation: Monday

I had to do a buffet while in Vegas. Made a quick stop at Paradise Buffet in the Fremont Casino. I thought it was funny they had Japanese Miso soup on their breakfast buffet. Then I met up with Meg Ryan and Greg at Bay City Diner. How many times can we go to Bay City Diner? Let’s say at least once a day.

Off to Red Rock Canyon to get away from the casinos. We brought along firey red snacks like Flamin Hot Munchies, Fiery Habanero Kettle chips and Red Twizzler Nibs to match the scenery. I wanted to shut off my mind while I looked at the mountains. Ryan suggested having a mantra word to repeat. I started off with “pickle” then ended up with “Hinkle”.

After all the nature, we drove to an In-N-Out Burger. Yippee! My first time. We all got double cheeseburgers and fries. I see what all the hype is about. That’s one awesome fast food burger.

Waiting for my flight out at the airport, I ran into Jason and Paul from Yoshie’s Ramen & Friends separately. That’s whack. Small world or growing social network?

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burger travel

Vegas Vacation: Sunday

Back to the Bay City Diner to start the morning. I had to pass but not on the bloody marys. I got a taco from this cool looking Mexican restaurant in downtown –Mamacita’s. It was so windy, the taco blew onto my light blue sweater. I was asking for it. We sat around playing keno and got free cocktails. Went to this Irish bar, Hennessey’s, for a light meal of Irish stew, burgers and quesadillas. Then off to Circus Circus to play laser tag. I kept shooting the little kids because they were easy pickins, but they sure got me as they just swarm around like little ants. Over to Tony Roma’s at the Fremont casino for the steak and lobster $11.99 special. Where’s Jessica Simpson?

Mamacita’s – 611 Fremont St. Las Vegas, NV 89101
Hennessey’s – 425 Fremont Street. Las Vegas
Tony Roma’s – 200 Fremont St (in the Fremont Casino), Las Vegas

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travel

Vegas Vacation: Saturday

We stayed in downtown Vegas at the Golden Nugget. It’s supposed to be old and seedy, but it’s pretty touristy now. At least you can easily hop casino to casino. Plus they had the Knight Rider Festival.

We went back to the Bay City Diner at the Golden Gate casino for country breakfast bowls. They were awesome, but I’m sorry to say I had to cash out soon after. Could have just been the jetlag.

Back to the Golden Nugget where they have a pool slide into the shark tank. That was pretty cool. I think that was my first pool slide eva.

We headed to the strip. Took the New York New York roller coaster. Ate at this awesome French steakhouse at the Paris Hotel & Casino that Greg suggested. Steak Frites are the bomb. Get the classique with hotel butter. It’s better than the filet mignon with crème fraiche.

Saw the Titanic theme song fountains at the Bellagio and ran to the MGM for the Crazy Horse topless review. We barely made it in. The girls were cute. There were a few numbers where you only see their lower half. I was just waiting for the dancer to peak over at the end and it would be a guy. Hiiiiiiiiiii! …No luck.

Then Ryan found the best slot machine. You keep putting dollars in and you keep winning –chips, candy and soda. It was crazy how lucky he was.

Mon Ami Gabi @ the Paris Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas

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travel

Vegas Vacation: Friday Night

Out to Vegas with Florida Friends. Took Virgin America where you can play Doom, text cute passengers and order food on your personal TV monitor. I got the turkey wrap. Kinda expensive for $9, but not bad. You can get free bloody mary mix and pretend it’s liquored. I did.

Then met up with Friends down in downtown. Chandler threw me his daiquiri filled football and being Joey, I was able to catch it one handed while drinking my Tecate with the other.

Meg Ryan came in late. Ry and I scooted over to the Golden Gate casino where they have 99cent shrimp cocktails (with the club card, $1.99 without), but the snack bar was closed so we had to dine at the Bay City Diner in the casino for the $4.99 shrimp cocktail. It’s still badass, but I’m still curious about the 99cent ones.

Bay City Diner @ the Golden Gate Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas

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lunch travel

Trip to Jackson Heights

I was inspired from Sripraphai Night to walk around Jackson Heights and get some good Indian food. Instead I walked out of the subway stop in the wrong direction into the Latino neighborhood. It was really cool. A whole new neighborhood to explore. People walking around on such a nice day. Ecuadorian carts and trucks and taco stands. I got a $2 potato and sausage quesadilla from a cart on 82nd St and Roosevelt Ave. Then walked into a Colombian restaurant that had a goofy cartoon guy on their building. A guy with a guitar walked in to rock out some contemporary latino songs. I got a tamale that was frickin huge. It even had pork chunks with bones in it. That’s how big it was. It was awesome. And I got a side of chicharron which is deep fried pork belly slabs (crackling). Dang son.

Then I took a stroll around the Indian side of Jackson Heights. Headed over to Patel Brothers, the Indian supermarket, and passed by a guy selling books on the sidewalk. I was thinking in my head, “That table is going to have the book I want -Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now.” I had it in my mind that I was going to get that book that day. After I picked up some curry packs and Pillsbury naan from the market, I walked by the table again and the book was up front and center. The guy gave me a deal on two Eckhart Tolle books for $20. Thank you universe and book seller guy. Enlightenment here I come!

Los Arrieros Restaurante – 7602 Roosevelt Ave. Jackson Heights, NY 11372