I'm now home from a week's travel, where I went to New York, Chicago, and Milwaukee. I realized I travel alot - mostly for work, and luckily my work takes me to decent cities. How do I know I travel more than the average person? Well - here are the Top 5 reasons:
1. I know my passport # by heart
I've filled out my share of the US Customs forms
2. I feel at home at the United Red Carpet Lounge in Chicago O'Hare
I now hate sitting in regular waiting areas in those seats that have bars in between so you can't sleep. Too many loud annoying people. Trying to find an electrical outlet in which to plug my laptop, only to find that they are against the wall with no seats, so you end up sitting on the floor. And paying for drinks and snacks at the airport is unnecessary when you can get it all free in the comfort and serenity of the lounge!
3. I get EXTREMELY annoyed when travellers don't know what the hell they are doing through airport security
We all have to do it, and it's the same routine in every airport, so I wish people would just quickly proceed, remove their laptop, throw out their water, and move on.
The worst was one time at Toronto Pearson where the teenage girls in front of me were trying to negotiate with the security dude to let them bring through 4 bottles of water. There is no negotiation at airport security. NONE. Putting on a cute voice and tilting your head to the side will NOT make the security dude change his mind. This is not the VIP line up of a club we're talking about. Airport security, girls - ever heard of 9/11? The shoe bomber? As I stood there boring holes through their head with my eyes, I was contemplating whether to kick the girl in the ass to kick her through the metal detector, or pick her up and shove her through the bag screener. These are the rules girls, just follow them and everyone will be safe!
4. I have a collection of the best hotel bathrooms
It's easy to rate hotels by the quality of the bathrooms in the rooms. I don't always remember to take photos of them, but will soon post the Top 5 hotel bathrooms. The Hyatt Regency in Schaumberg, IL where I was for a few days this week had recently done an entire renovation and you could tell - beautiful bathroom counters and tiles!
5. My friend Dom moved to NYC about 18 months ago and I've seen him there 5 times
Yes, I do love New York, so whether it's personal, business, or study - I love hanging out there. All the better with friends that live there. And friends that have big apartments there. :)
Showing posts with label New York. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New York. Show all posts
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Top 5 Highlights of my Weekend in New York
I just had a chill weekend in NY and for the first time in my life - did NOT shop there! The only things I bought were "necessities" - a bluetooth earpiece for my BlackBerry, and a copy of "Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell. No shoes, no bags, no make-up, no clothes. A difficult challenge that I survived. And being on a budget, I strolled around and enjoyed cheap eats. Here are my highlights:
1. Dangerfield's Comedy Club (Upper East on 1st Ave. at 61st St.)
This was our biggest night out, and it wasn't cheap (with mandatory drink minimums and forced tipping), but worth the price. There was a great line-up of stand-up comedians that were all great. No amateurs, no bombs. All professionals with crowd experience. If you don't want to be made an ass of - do NOT sit in the front. The annoying LA valley girl in the front got slammed for her Paris-Hilton-esque annoying as hell voice. The only annoying thing was that each act that came up all asked the same thing to the people in the first few rows - "where are you from?". Some should remove this from their act, because hearing "LA", "Tallahassee", "Boston" - over and over and over from the 3 groups in the front is a little annoying. If you want to head there, print off the 2-for-1 coupons from here.
2. Taim Falafels in the West Village
My friend Dominic has taken a liking to cooking shows on the Food Network (god knows why since the only thing in his kitchen was saltine crackers and tuna). One of which is Bobby Flay's Throwdown, which featured this restaurant on his show. Since he's on a mission to do more sight-seeing in his own city, we went down to the West Village to check out this 4-bar-stool little restaurant for lunch. Great falafels and salad. Fresh ingredients, freshly made falafels, hot and crispy on the outside, tasty on the inside.
3. Top of the Rock
The big tourist outting this time was the Top of the Rock, on the 68th floor of Rockefeller Center - home of NBC Studios, Radio City Music Hall, the ice-skating rink. If you want spectacular views of NYC, this is a better bet than Empire State Building - since it's easier to see around (glass instead of cage). Great stop if you're on 5th Ave (it's between 49th and 50th St.), it's $20 to get to the top (no restaurants or anything up there, just the view and some souvenir shops), and you can get a $2-off coupon from the people in red jackets at the bottom of the building.
4. Observing the Recession First-Hand
Vancouverites are pretty sheltered from the US recession. When I was in New York in the fall, I felt the recession first-hand, as thousands of local people were suddenly out of jobs - having been laid off from Lehman Brothers and other fin services firms. But the hot restaurants were still full of trend-setters and money. This time, the friend that I stayed with was also not working full-time, and many of his friends were in the same boat. Consequently, the former spending crowd in New York - the ones with no kids and no committments - are cutting back and eating in, or eating cheap! It will be interesting to see in the next while, how many of those trendy restaurants and bars in New York actually survive.
5. Relaxing, relaxing, relaxing!
I actually had the time to get a mani/pedi (hmmm, maybe that wasn't in my budget), read, watch TV, and just chill out. Who would think that I would go to New York to do this, when I'm usually shopping till my feet are dropping!
1. Dangerfield's Comedy Club (Upper East on 1st Ave. at 61st St.)
This was our biggest night out, and it wasn't cheap (with mandatory drink minimums and forced tipping), but worth the price. There was a great line-up of stand-up comedians that were all great. No amateurs, no bombs. All professionals with crowd experience. If you don't want to be made an ass of - do NOT sit in the front. The annoying LA valley girl in the front got slammed for her Paris-Hilton-esque annoying as hell voice. The only annoying thing was that each act that came up all asked the same thing to the people in the first few rows - "where are you from?". Some should remove this from their act, because hearing "LA", "Tallahassee", "Boston" - over and over and over from the 3 groups in the front is a little annoying. If you want to head there, print off the 2-for-1 coupons from here.
2. Taim Falafels in the West Village
My friend Dominic has taken a liking to cooking shows on the Food Network (god knows why since the only thing in his kitchen was saltine crackers and tuna). One of which is Bobby Flay's Throwdown, which featured this restaurant on his show. Since he's on a mission to do more sight-seeing in his own city, we went down to the West Village to check out this 4-bar-stool little restaurant for lunch. Great falafels and salad. Fresh ingredients, freshly made falafels, hot and crispy on the outside, tasty on the inside.
3. Top of the Rock
The big tourist outting this time was the Top of the Rock, on the 68th floor of Rockefeller Center - home of NBC Studios, Radio City Music Hall, the ice-skating rink. If you want spectacular views of NYC, this is a better bet than Empire State Building - since it's easier to see around (glass instead of cage). Great stop if you're on 5th Ave (it's between 49th and 50th St.), it's $20 to get to the top (no restaurants or anything up there, just the view and some souvenir shops), and you can get a $2-off coupon from the people in red jackets at the bottom of the building.
4. Observing the Recession First-Hand
Vancouverites are pretty sheltered from the US recession. When I was in New York in the fall, I felt the recession first-hand, as thousands of local people were suddenly out of jobs - having been laid off from Lehman Brothers and other fin services firms. But the hot restaurants were still full of trend-setters and money. This time, the friend that I stayed with was also not working full-time, and many of his friends were in the same boat. Consequently, the former spending crowd in New York - the ones with no kids and no committments - are cutting back and eating in, or eating cheap! It will be interesting to see in the next while, how many of those trendy restaurants and bars in New York actually survive.
5. Relaxing, relaxing, relaxing!
I actually had the time to get a mani/pedi (hmmm, maybe that wasn't in my budget), read, watch TV, and just chill out. Who would think that I would go to New York to do this, when I'm usually shopping till my feet are dropping!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Top 5 Reasons I Love to Go to New York
Since I'm going to New York on Saturday on a 2.5-day before heading to Chicago, thought it'd be good to remind myself of why I love it!
1. Bright lights, big city
Literally. It's the best big city in North America. Even though I hate it when local New Yorkers say that it's the center of the world, and everything happens there. It's actually kind of true. Never admit that to a New Yorker though.
2. Dining
Love the food, and love to laugh at the insane handling of reservations in that city. Last time I was there with Michelle and Nicole, they made Michelle put her Visa # down to hold our Nobu reservation. And if we didn't show, they'd charge her $25 per head. WTF? Only in NYC do they take reservations SO seriously. Thank god Vancouver isn't like that - yet! This time, not sure what I'll hit up. Jennifer from our PR agency recommended STK Steakhouse, and the website looked pretty cool, so check that out.
3. Shopping
Hello, shopping! Love the variety in all the neighborhoods - SOHO, 5th Avenue, department stores, Chinatown illegal pure-making sweatshops. This trip, I will be removing myself and my Visa from these kick-ass shopping districts! It will be painful, but will be distracting myself by attending a musical or play matinee on Sunday. Shopped out and budgeted out after LA.
4. People, People, People
Everyone does and says whatever the hell they want. Black, Asian, Hispanic, White. Rich bitches, street purse sellers, ambitious ad agency and financial types, illegal Chinese immigrants making fake purses, students, artists.... they all mingle in the same city. People are friendly and helpful. There are undercover cops keeping people safe in Central Park. There are crazy hoochie-mama bitches working in Century 21 where you think they're a character in a movie, but really - they just speak that way! For real?! Uh huh.
5. Friends
Last, but definitely not least, it's great to have friends in the best city in North America. And friends with big apartments right in Manhattan that let you stay there and will hang out with you and put up with your friends. Where would I be without these friends? Definitely not in NY!
So after my trip, I might have other things to add to this. Or at least, specific top 5's from this trip!
1. Bright lights, big city
Literally. It's the best big city in North America. Even though I hate it when local New Yorkers say that it's the center of the world, and everything happens there. It's actually kind of true. Never admit that to a New Yorker though.
2. Dining
Love the food, and love to laugh at the insane handling of reservations in that city. Last time I was there with Michelle and Nicole, they made Michelle put her Visa # down to hold our Nobu reservation. And if we didn't show, they'd charge her $25 per head. WTF? Only in NYC do they take reservations SO seriously. Thank god Vancouver isn't like that - yet! This time, not sure what I'll hit up. Jennifer from our PR agency recommended STK Steakhouse, and the website looked pretty cool, so check that out.
3. Shopping
Hello, shopping! Love the variety in all the neighborhoods - SOHO, 5th Avenue, department stores, Chinatown illegal pure-making sweatshops. This trip, I will be removing myself and my Visa from these kick-ass shopping districts! It will be painful, but will be distracting myself by attending a musical or play matinee on Sunday. Shopped out and budgeted out after LA.
4. People, People, People
Everyone does and says whatever the hell they want. Black, Asian, Hispanic, White. Rich bitches, street purse sellers, ambitious ad agency and financial types, illegal Chinese immigrants making fake purses, students, artists.... they all mingle in the same city. People are friendly and helpful. There are undercover cops keeping people safe in Central Park. There are crazy hoochie-mama bitches working in Century 21 where you think they're a character in a movie, but really - they just speak that way! For real?! Uh huh.
5. Friends
Last, but definitely not least, it's great to have friends in the best city in North America. And friends with big apartments right in Manhattan that let you stay there and will hang out with you and put up with your friends. Where would I be without these friends? Definitely not in NY!
So after my trip, I might have other things to add to this. Or at least, specific top 5's from this trip!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Top 5 Restaurants in North America (Outside of Vancouver)
Since I did the Top 5 restaurants in Vancouver, I've gotta do the Top 5 outside of Vancouver within North America that I've been to. I'm lucky that my work travel brings me to the best cities in the US (in my opinion), plus I have friends/family in some of those cities so I get to combine business with pleasure while I rack up the travel points. So here are some great restaurants I've been to.
1. Nobu in South Beach, Miami
This is in the Shore Club Hotel in South Beach. Dave and I were lucky to go there while on a hurrican stopover in Miami. We were en route to Jamaica in 2006, when we were "forced" to stay one night in Miami while we waited for the hurricane to pass! I think Nobu started the fusion Japanese trend, and still has this mastered. There are great ones in Vancouver (like Hapa, Gyuu, Kingyo), and there are others like Koi and Asia de Cuba - but Nobu is the best of the best when it comes to flavorful fusion Japanese. The ambience of this location is uber uber South Beach, too, so a cool experience overall. If you're in NY and want to go to Nobu - note that the "original" location does not have the same modern ambience as the South Beach location and looks a little more run-down and traditional Japanese in nature.
2. Koi in LA
On La Cienega near Melrose and Hollywood, I originally went here because you read about celebs hitting this restaurant so much in the tabloids. Celebs aside, the food here is kick ass too.
Again, like Nobu - fusion Japanese with extreme flavor! And celebs do go there too. We saw Will Smith, Simon (American Idol judge) both there.
3. Katsuya in Brentwood, CA
Another great fusion Japanese. Guess I like this stuff. Not as good as Koi,but if you're in LA, worth checking out. Interior is very LA, and they have a big menu of lots of great dishes to share with friends.
4. Tao in Las Vegas
OK, another fusion restaurant. Don't remember alot of the details of the menu, but remember the food being savory and fantastic. Going here for dinner also lets you skip the insane lineup to get into Tao nightclub. So worth the big dinner bill if you're looking for an experience at a hot Vegas club afterwards.
OK, so this is supposed to be Top 5. I can only think of these memorable spots right now. But I'll add to this when I hit a few spots in some upcoming trips.
1. Nobu in South Beach, Miami
This is in the Shore Club Hotel in South Beach. Dave and I were lucky to go there while on a hurrican stopover in Miami. We were en route to Jamaica in 2006, when we were "forced" to stay one night in Miami while we waited for the hurricane to pass! I think Nobu started the fusion Japanese trend, and still has this mastered. There are great ones in Vancouver (like Hapa, Gyuu, Kingyo), and there are others like Koi and Asia de Cuba - but Nobu is the best of the best when it comes to flavorful fusion Japanese. The ambience of this location is uber uber South Beach, too, so a cool experience overall. If you're in NY and want to go to Nobu - note that the "original" location does not have the same modern ambience as the South Beach location and looks a little more run-down and traditional Japanese in nature.
2. Koi in LA
On La Cienega near Melrose and Hollywood, I originally went here because you read about celebs hitting this restaurant so much in the tabloids. Celebs aside, the food here is kick ass too.
Again, like Nobu - fusion Japanese with extreme flavor! And celebs do go there too. We saw Will Smith, Simon (American Idol judge) both there.
3. Katsuya in Brentwood, CA
Another great fusion Japanese. Guess I like this stuff. Not as good as Koi,but if you're in LA, worth checking out. Interior is very LA, and they have a big menu of lots of great dishes to share with friends.
4. Tao in Las Vegas
OK, another fusion restaurant. Don't remember alot of the details of the menu, but remember the food being savory and fantastic. Going here for dinner also lets you skip the insane lineup to get into Tao nightclub. So worth the big dinner bill if you're looking for an experience at a hot Vegas club afterwards.
OK, so this is supposed to be Top 5. I can only think of these memorable spots right now. But I'll add to this when I hit a few spots in some upcoming trips.
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