We went to check out my friend Pavan’s art show Idea is the Object, that he’s curated with his lady, Tracy. Pretty cool. Open until August 24th. Afterwards we hopped around other Chelsea art openings. It’s cool because they often have free beer or wine (which attracts a lot of underage students). But for some reason on this hot day, no one had any. And we went to so many because Todd needed to find a place to pee. He found a place at the pizzeria around the corner, but had to buy a slice.
Then we decided to eat dinner next door at Chop-Shop. I guess it’s Chinese, Korean, Thai, Japanese. I’m not sure if that’s considered fusion, since all the dishes seem more separate in their ethnic cuisine.
We had the Zha Jiang Mian Noodles ($12), Shanghai Bok Choy ($7), Chicken Curry ($14) and Braised Short Ribs ($20). The food was pretty good. I remember thinking at the time that it was overpriced, but I must’ve still been in the art gallery/free beer & wine mindset. Plus this restaurant is BYOB. So it was actually a good deal. Good quality food.
I got this flyer in the mail and was like whoa! I kinda want to do all three.
I remembered Yoshie told me about this place opening up a few months back. I remembered watching this video and saw no real reason to go, unless I was trying to be ironic. But I do like the idea of a super fancy Vegas-style sushi restaurant plopping right down in Williamsburg.
We met up to try this Unlimited Bloody Mary/Mimosa/Bellini brunch special $20. Sounds like a really good deal. I’m assuming business didn’t start off as well as they hoped and so they’re having these specials to get the neighborhood kids in.
The restaurant is really awesome, again in a flashy Vegas-way. I love it. It seems so out of place in the neighborhood …maybe not so much these days I suppose. Maybe Disney is going to open a theme park in Williamsburg. I would love that, but I’m from Orlando.
It wasn’t crowded when we first sat down, but did fill up in the two hours we were there. Mostly tourists and families it seemed like …a place where you’d take your parents to if they came and visited you in NY. It felt like a fancy Denny’s.
We got to pick an appetizer for our brunch and I thought they were great. The Crab Bisque and Yellowtail Jalapeno were tasty. Unfortunately, the entrees were just meh. We had the Ribeye Steak & Eggs and Scottish Salmon. Nothing impressive. Kinda reminded me of Denny’s again. But I guess in this deal, it’s probably not going to be an amazing cut of meat …considering that I had three or four Bloody Marys. It basically made the meal free or really cheap if I was counting the drinks.
The first drinks came fast, but those later rounds not so much. I couldn’t tell if the waiter was just swamped or if they intentionally slow it down when you start to drink too much.
I still like Fushimi. It’s really cool. Even though the food isn’t really good, I want to say it’s the coolest place in Williamsburg. Everyone else is trying to be dirty or rustic. This place is the opposite and very bold about it. Look at the entrance way to the restrooms!
Walking around Williamsburg drunk in the middle of day is interesting. We were much willing to get foot and back rubs at those sketchy looking Chinese places in the neighborhood. We first went to the Back & Foot Rub place on the corner of Metropolitan and Graham. I’ve never seen anyone go in there and it looks dark and you can’t see what’s going on in there …and why is there 61 minutes? What is the extra minute for?
They couldn’t take us all at the same time, so Todd and I ditched Elissa there and we walked around the corner on Graham to another foot rub place -Â Mei Ying Qi Gong Tui Na. We got 15mins for $15. I was laughing the whole time because all I can hear is slapping from the other room …also because I’m ticklish.
Mei Ying Qi Gong Tui Na - 366 Graham Ave (@ Conselyea) Brooklyn, NY 11211
Suzy Q was in town and we ate at Cafetasia. It’s kinda like Sea or Planet Thai …trendy Asian Fusion packed with college students. I love the Malaysian Laksa Noodles with the coconut milk based broth. It’s the best thing. Although I haven’t had anything else on the menu, I can’t imagine anything being better.
Cafetasia - 38 E 8th St (btwn University & Greene St) New York, NY 10003
My sister was in town and took me out to dinner of my choice. Since her hotel was in the Meatpacking District, I was thinking of The Spotted Pig or Bill’s Burger. Somehow I went with Spice Market. I always assumed this was another Spice Indian restaurant, but it’s actually Fusion –inspired by street food of Asia. Looking at the menu, I wouldn’t say it’s really street food. I liked the Mussels. The Fried Squid Salad isn’t really a salad. The Beef Short Ribs was a big chunk of very tender pull apart braised meat. The restaurant looks pretty nice inside. I just don’t know if the food tasted as flavorful as what I would expect for a place called Spice Market, but I guess it makes sense for their clientele.
Spice Market – 403 W 13th St (btwn 9th Ave & Washington St) New York, NY 10014
At the Standard hotel, where my sister was staying, there’s this amazing video art display that scrolls as you ride the elevator. I want an elevator now.
