Mermaid Oyster Bar: Happy hour for oysters!

There is something about oysters that make me drool and crave for them. My favorite ones are East coast since they aren't as briney as those from the West. I have been to a few places around the city and Mermaid Oyster bar isn't a bad place to get some oysters during happy hour. I have been there twice so far and each time they are packed! Luckily my friends know how to reserve tables, otherwise we would have to wait quite some time to sit down.

If you are craving some oysters, check this place out as they have them for $1 before 7pm on weekdays! They also have other things on their happy hour menu but we don't really pay attention to those, not that they are bad but because we go for something else. Do know that they only serve you twelve max at one time, but if you eat quick that should be no problem! I have eaten 24 of them within an hour, don't judge!

Okay, I lied. I have had their calamari before but its nothing special. It was just like any other place I have been to that served this as an appetizer. The good thing is, it's not too oily.

Throwback Thursday: Cathedral Rock @ Sedona, Arizona 2012

Two years ago, I had the privilege to go to Arizona for a business trip and I decided to stay an extra weekend and went out to Sedona with three other coworkers. It was a nice day in November and it was hovering around 85 deg Fahrenheit with no humidity. I have never seen red rocks before this day and it was amazing to see them slowly come up into view as we drove closer and closer to red rock country.

We decided to hike Cathedral rock because it was one of the closest hikes, it was easy enough for everyone involved, and the views were supposed to be amazing. That day, I did carry my Canon 7d up to the top but in a bag because I was afraid that it would hit something as I climbed up.

I am not sure how long it took us to reach the top but I am so glad that we got to go up! 

Biscuits and Barbeque : Southern comfort food goodness!

Went to eat at Biscuits and Barbeque for brunch this past weekend and this place is amazing. This small joint is located in the middle of nowhere in Mineola but they have a lot of good business!

We arrived as a part of 6 and we couldn't fit in the booths since they are made for four people. We could have been seated at the bar but they had pulled out a table to fit all of us. If you do plan on going there with more than 6 people, do plan on sitting on different tables. Don't let that deter you from going though as the food is really good.

I ordered the Delta Jambalaya as my main course but I got to try other things because my friends are awesome =)

Fried pickles - This was really good, not too much breading so that you couldn't taste the pickle. 

Fried Green Tomatoes - I had a taste after I ate the pickles and I couldn't really taste the tomato anymore. I don't know if the pickles were overpowering or if this wasn't that good. I would rather order the pickles than this though.

Chicken fried bacon -  the bacon was not bad. The breading to bacon ratio was unbalance though because the bacon strips were thin. I didn't really taste the bacon either

Delta Jambalaya - This was really good! It wasn't so spicy and there were large chunks of chicken and sausage mixed in. Highly recommend this!

I also HIGHLY recommend the grits and cheddar jalapeno mashed potatoes. The grits were very smooth and very tasty and the mashed potatoes was really cheesy.

Mak Kimchi - Napa Cabbage kimchi from Maangchi's recipe

So last month I used Maangchi's recipe to make kkakdugi (radish kimchi) and it was well received. This month, I decided to make the napa cabbage kimchi hoping for similar results! It took awhile for us to prepare the ingredients since we were dealing with 10 pounds of cabbage. Total prep time was about 2-3hrs since we had to wash, cut, salt the cabbage before mixing it with the kimchi paste.

We did leave out the squid since my husband is allergic but even before it fermented, it was already good enough to eat. I knew that after it becomes more sour, it was going to be hard for me to stay away from it. So far, I have already given away a good portion of it (about half) and I randomly pick at it from our containers.

If you love Korean food/dishes, you NEED to check out Maangchi's website and recipes! Her videos and recipes are so easy to follow and I absolutely love her personality.

Throwback Thursday - Niagara Falls, Canada 2011

In 2011, I went on a short weekend trip up to Toronto and Niagara falls with my aunt and mom. It was the first time I have been to Niagara Falls since I was about the age of 8, for all three of us. The last time we visited, we also only viewed the falls from the American side and honestly, its much more beautiful from Canada.

While visiting, we also got to eat at the Skylon tower that had a revolving restaurant at the top and rode on the Maid of the Mist. We didn't get to do much else since we were there with a tour and we had to leave for our next stop. If you ever have the chance to go to Niagara Falls, check out the Skylon tower for lunch or dinner!

Playa del Carmen, Mexico - Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda resort

Almost two weeks ago, I went to an all inclusive resort for the first time ever. It was for a friend's wedding and I was pretty excited to experience a trip that was relaxing. All vacations for me up to this point was revolved around seeing things and required a lot of walking. Usually I want a 'vacation' after the real one.

We only spent 4 days there but by the end of the vacation, I was ready to come back to NYC. Next time, I would like to go on excursions but for now, a beach resort has been checked off my list of places to visit for vacation.

We stayed at the Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda resort and it was pretty quiet which is a good thing. The first thing I was worried about was younger kids on spring break but we were quite far from the usual haunts. Upon arriving, we were greeted by welcoming staff that handed me a drink that was non alcoholic (thankfully since I hadn't eaten yet) and we sat down to wait for a room to be available.

We headed to our room to find it perfectly clean with one exception, MOSQUITOES! Over the course of the weekend, we killed around 20 of them which bit us up every night. I eventually gave in and bought 'OFF' spray and put it on right before I slept. 

Over the next few days, we walked around the resort early in the morning and around at night as well after dinner. The morning light and the night time lighting was amazing on the resort and I don't regret waking up at 5:30am to reserve spots right by the pool which was conveniently also located right next to the lunch time BBQ grill and drink station.

The resort also had some fun activities, one of which I couldn't pass up! I had to pay for the actual vase, but I got to paint one for myself! It was right by the pool and I honestly thought it wouldn't take me so long for something so small but it took me almost 2 hours to complete painting. I had to make sure that the paint was even and plus, it was very therapeutic. Much needed after drinking a little too much!

Throwback Thursday : Scups Restaurant, Boston, Massachusetts 2010

A few years ago, during our food road trip to Boston we discovered a random brunch place called Scups on a pier and sadly this place is gone/closed. All I remember from this place is the bacon they called "millionaire bacon". I have tried to figure out a way to make it myself but I failed miserably as I added salt to bacon. (Note to self, do not add salt to bacon)

The pier also featured artwork from artists and it was pretty cool to walk around. My favorite definitely is the Medusa/water creature sculpture that was on top of one of the buildings

Eating Solo Adventure #2 - Sushi Park - East Village, New York

Another day eating alone and this time I went for sushi. Like the first time, I ordered way too much food for myself but I still forced myself to finish it anyway. This time, I went to eat at Sushi Park in the East Village as suggested by one of my good friends. I arrived around 5:30pm and there was barely anyone there and I was able to request to sit next to the window.

Looking through their menu, they have a special dollar menu every Monday-Thursday. From that menu, I ordered gyoza and three pieces of salmon. I honestly was very tempted to order more but I figured that with my spicy platter, I would be satisfied. Thankfully I didn't order anymore because I ate so much!

If you are in the mood for cheap sushi that won't get you sick, check out Sushi Park. My whole meal was under $15 and it was not bad for the price. I have had better sushi at other places but they are always so expensive.

Throwback Thursday: Vancouver, Canada 2011

Back in 2011, I went on a trip to the northwest and stopped by Vancouver for some awesome food. We flew into Seattle and then drove a few hours north to Canada. Arriving in Vancouver, we were looking for places to eat and we happened to be in the city at the same time an annual night market was in town.

There were so many things to see, buy, and EAT!

More photos from a photoshoot with Little Vintage Rentals!

I know I haven't posted much recently except for Thursdays but it has been really busy in real life! I will actually be leaving this Thursday for Mexico and I can't wait. There will definitely be a post on my trip afterwards =)

For the time being, here are some more photos from a photoshoot I had with Mandy from Little Vintage Rentals last month.