My Chopsuey

We’re at the last month of the year and I’m pretty sure most people are scrambling to get their holiday shopping done. Since we’re very well nearing the end of the year, no time like the new year for moving! I actually know of a couple of people who timed their house (and Direct TV) move for early next year!

They’re moving their Directtv from the old place and taking along the Direct TV in NY to their new residence. Since moving can be stressful, it’s good to know that they don’t have to deal with any hassle from their cable subscription. More time to deal with the much time-appropriate holiday stress!

We’ve been frequenting the Korean restaurant, Hahm Ji Bach, we went to earlier in the year more often lately. J and I pretty much nailed our favourite dishes from that place, and since Sunday is usually a lethargic day for us, we never bother to venture out of this tried and tested palate comfort zone, so to speak.

Spoiled for choice

The small plates are not to be missed, of course. As it is, these plates can be quite filling if you don’t remind yourself that main entrees are coming.

Starring Roles

The perennial favorites - Beef Bulgogi and Japchae noodles. The beef and noodles were exploding with flavor I clearly remember not wanting to stop eating even though I’ve stuffed myself to the brim. That, my friends, is an indication of a happy tummy.

Hahm Ji Bach
210-22 Northern Blvd.
Bayside, NY

I may have mentioned to a few friends that I’m planning to take Accounting for a second degree just because. I mean, obviously I would need Math help or that I would even consider Online Math Tutoring because God knows I need all the help I can get (haha). But seriously since a big part of my work has something to do with that, I might as well pursue it for whatever it’s worth.

One of my cousins who is an Accounting Major and at some point was an Online Math tutor to quite a number of people already, is actively cheering me on. She went on to say that accounting isn’t really about numbers, but about concept. I don’t know about that because I know for a fact that Me+Numbers=Disaster. But we’ll see, there’s always room for improvement, yes?

When J’s friend came to visit NY not too long ago, he raved about this ramen house in the East Village that he said is as authentic as the ones in Japan. We’ve been meaning to go for so long but since there are always new places to try, the trip to Ippudo just gets sidetracked.

It has gotten cold too soon around here, and what better way to fend off the premature bite of the cold season than to have a hot broth of soup, so off we went to Ippudo, finally.

Since the little boy was with us, we had to order chicken wings, because it is the only way he would ever sit still.

Chicken Wings

Hirata Pork Buns

Regular siopao has nothing on these buns. The unctuous slices of pork with that sweet and tangy sauce and a hint of spicy mayo hits the spot. It’s $8 for two, but you won’t get enough of it.

Classic Ramen

Akaharu Modern Ramen

The Akaharu Modern Ramen, perhaps one of the more popular choices and rightly so- the original soup broth with a dollop of what I call special sauce (darn, don’t you just love/hate anything with “special sauce”?), it has enough spice to tickle your taste buds. Now the broth. Oh, the broth. So rich and flavorful.

This place packs a punch when it comes to comfort food like the ramen (and it’s not the same as the ones you had in college!), and it being child-friendly is icing on this mommy’s cake.

Ippudo
65 4th Avenue (East Village)
Between 9th and 10th Street
New York, NY
(212) 388-0088
www.ippudo.com/ny

I haven’t been window shopping lately (well, a week is still progress, right?) because I’ve been trying to avoid buying things I don’t need on a whim. Unless I win the lottery and amass gold coins and bullion, it’s going to be a self-imposed purchase ban for anything right now (after I bought a couple of boots, gah).

I should allot some time to clean up and organize my closet because I know for a fact that unworn clothes, some with tags on them, are hidden in the back somewhere, and with just a little bit of time and creativity I should be able to put together ensembles that should be in season. But, who knows. I may just chance upon an H&M store, I’d see displays glinting like gold and I’m back where I started.

Due to the drastic change in weather and the flu season, we’ve been in and out of the waiting room in doctor’s offices and a hospital (good thing there’s Directv Business there) in the last couple of weeks. Some visits were precautionary, but one involving the kid is for treatment. He’s recovering well, thankfully, and I know this because he kept pointing at the boob tube like we have Direct TV Business or Commercial Direct TV!

In light of weather change, I can’t believe November’s around the corner! This year really flew me by. Before you know it, Black Friday sale ads will be all over newspaper and magazine publications and tv stints via Direct TV for Business. 2010 is rolling right in!

J suddenly has this fondness for Eggs Benedict lately we’ve been hitting brunch places so he can try them out. A few Sundays ago we went to Isabella’s at the Upper West Side to try their brunch menu. The place was unsurprisingly packed and we were made to wait for a few minutes to be seated, but I didn’t seem to notice since their wait staff was very efficient and accomodating. I loved that.

I was going for the waffles, it was calling my name! But I saw crab cakes on the menu and instantly changed my mind. So I got the Crab Benedict:

Crab Cake Benedict

While J got the Smoked Salmon Benedict.

Smoked Salmon Benedict

We were pretty restrained with our orders this time and did not ask for a gazillion other plates. Perhaps because their brunch menu was pretty straightforward if not lacking (in my opinion). Just as well, it was more than enough of what we wanted that morning. The verdict? Well, we’ve had better. I personally feel that Isabella’s rock it for people-watching and (brunch) price-worthiness. In all fairness, brunch food was never the true measurement of a restaurant’s greatness. Remember what Anthony Bourdain said about brunch? I’m sure they wouldn’t have a following if the food was not good, so for that we’ll definitely come back and try a different menu.

Isabella’s
359 Columbus Avenue at 77th Street
New York, NY

I started going to the office more frequently not too long ago so I bid adieu to getting glued on Direct TV. That doesn’t mean I don’t notice the rampant teasers of primetime’s upcoming new season! I’m looking forward to watching the few long-time favorites and seeing new ones.

We’re thinking of switching to a new cable service to cut costs here and there but upon checking Directtv.com and poring over other service providers’ websites and fliers, DirecTV seems to have the best deal so far. Their offer is just too good to resist. Anyway, I’ll make sure a decision is made before the Fall Season Shows kick off.

Fall is in the air and it is evident by the myriad ads of the upcoming season’s trends in fashion magazines and store displays and let me tell you, I just can’t wait! Autumn is my most loved season because of its crisp weather, the change of colors everywhere, and shopping!

A few months ago I went to one of my favorite stores and stock up on a few basic, staple pieces - most physical stores now have Fall fashion available, but you can definitely do it the online! As a matter of fact, I joined a few online friends and ordered a few items online in bulk order. The more the merrier!

Since the economy needs a little retail love these days now is the best time to take advantage and score some of the great deals out there. Especially with Labor Day coming up, I’m sure store sales are aplenty!