Tenth Annual Dumpling Eating Contest and Festival

Looking for something to do in New York City this Fall?  Visit Sara D. Roosevelt Park to watch the 10th Annual Dumpling Eating Contest.  Admission to the event is free, but if you are participating in the tasting, it will cost $20 for four tastings of  dumplings from around the world.  Visit www.dumplingfestival.com for more information.

Gaga's Workshop at Barney's This Holiday Season

Photo Credit:  Barneys.com

This Christmas Season, don't forget to add Barney's New York's Madison Avenue flagship store on your "Must-See"  Christmas Shop window tour.  During the Holiday Season, Barney's New York is collaborating with Lady Gaga, and a team of artists to transform the fifth floor and the front windows into a unique interpretation of Santa's workshop. Titled "Gaga's Workshop," the installation will include limited edition artwork and designs which will be seen not only on the fifth floor and windows, but also on the holiday shopping bags and packaging.  Lady Gaga also teamed up with Nicola Formichetti, Mugler Creative Director and Lady Gaga Fashion Director to create special small gift items available for a limited time only. 25% of the sales of these products will be given to a charitable cause of Lady Gaga's choosing.

For more information, please visit:  http://thewindow.barneys.com/lady-gagas-workshop/

Barney's New York is located on  660 Madison Avenue New York NY 10065

Newly Opened: Dominique Ansel Bakery

Dominique Ansel bakery opened its doors November 2 on 189 Spring Street in Soho.  The shop features an array of French pastry by Dominique Ansel, formerly of Daniel Boulud and Fauchon in Paris, respectively.  Bakery insiders informed me that it was a successful opening with most of their sweets selling out by 4PM on Wednesday.

On your inaugural visit, Dominique Ansel Bakery recommends:

Breakfast: DKA--Dominique's Kouign Amann (pronounced KOO-WEEN AH-MAHN) which is a pastry with a flaky and tender center and a crispy caramelized outer crust. Each piece is made by the chef, Dominique Ansel himself.

Lunch: Roasted Pork Club

Dessert: Paris - NY (a twist on the Paris Brest made with chocolate, caramel, and peanuts)

Gifts: Mini-Me's (their signature line of miniature meringues)

The bakery also boasts macarons, brioches and the ever-French pain au chocolat. 

Pastries costs $2.50-about $5.75

Dominique's Kouign Amann is about $5.25

Sandwiches and salads are between $9.00-$12.00

Find them at 189 Spring Street.  Closest subway lines are the A,C or E.  Call 212-219-2773. 

 

Bronx Brewery is Launching its Beer in Manhattan on November 10

Photo Credit Bronx Brewery

If you are curious about what Bronx beer tastes like, you can now check out their product at their Manhattan Launch:

Thursday, November 10, 6PM-10PM

Amity Hall

80 West 3rd Street

New York, NY

RSVP via Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=282598715094168

Enjoy and Bring Your Friends!

Back By Popular Demand: Free Korean Food in Central Park , Tuesday, 8/16

Photo Credit:  Taste of Korea:  http://yfrog.com/z/kgf1latj

Are you hungry for more free Korean Food?  Go to the Central Park Naumberg Bandshell on Tuesday, 8/16 from 11AM-7PM to sample free dishes. As a bonus, there will be performances, including a K-POP Contest.  Check out:  http://www.facebook.com/TasteofKoreaNYC?sk=wall for more information.  Happy eating!

Zang Toi Fashion Show Featuring His Greatest Hits

So, it's kind of been awhile.  While I have not been truly on hiatus--I've sampled a few restaurants; visited a few places; tried on some products; and attended events, finding the time to write about them was a bit of a challenges.  The workload picked up and I am just beginning to find some time to write again, even if it's a brief blurb.

Anyways, last night, a few friends and I attended a special fashion show entitled "Haute Couture."  The show featured highlights of Zang Toi's designs set in the New York Surrogate Court downtown.  "Haute Couture" was a special event held during the annual OCA National Convention in New York City.   OCA stands for the Organization of Chinese Americans, a nationwide advocacy  group that focuses on preserving the rights of Asian Americans in the United States.   Coupled with Toi's fashion show was a food tasting of different Asian purveyors in the New York City area.  Among my favorite purveyors were the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory which presented samples of black sesame and pandan ice cream, to name just two; "Fresh Ginger" ginger ale, an unfiltered drink so pure, there are ginger bits in the bottom.  For women who are in their first trimester battling morning sickness, this is a great product! There were also mini cupcakes and delicious dumplings.

Chinatown Ice Cream Factory goodies

"Fresh Ginger" ginger ale

Now, for the fashion show itself.  The words elegant drama characterizes the event.  The venue, with its architectural features coupled with the fashion transformed into a scene where the models are socialites, counts, and countesses entering a ballroom to be presented to the audiences in the style of movies like the ball in "My Fair Lady."   One of my favorite dresses was the green gown which inspires ladies at the opera and even Czarist Russia, just to name two thoughts that came to my mind when I was watching the model descend the staircase.  The fashion show's finale showcased a cape of the New York City skyline all hand-made.   Following the finale, the designer, Zang Toi who donned a kilt which is one of his trademarks.

Interior of the NY surrogate court lobby

 

The Green Gown

 

 

 

 

 

Model with dress and coat set

The NYC skyline cape

Detail of the cape as seen on the projection screen

Zang Toi with the models at the finale

Week 5: Free Korean Food in Manhattan

The "Taste of Korea" promo has come to a full circle.  For those of you who had the pleasure of attending these events over the past few weeks, please feel free to leave comments on your experiences so far.  Below, please find the Week 5 Calendar:

5/16: LA Galbi - 40th St. between 5th & 6th Ave.
5/17: Samgyeopsal (Pork Belly BBQ) - Columbus Circle
5/18: Spicy Pork Bulgogi - Park Ave. between 26th & 27th
5/19: LA Galbi - 6th Avenue on 52nd St.
5/20: Spicy Pork Bulgogi - Union Square (Union Square West at 15th St.)