eating the big apple

Why is it that I always have more fun in NYC if I'm not planning the trip?

Oh yeah. Because I'm a noob.

But seriously, today was probably the best day that I've had in NYC with a friend - normally, I end up dragging people around to all the boring places. Or...I just don't go with the right people? :) jk. Maybe.

But anyway, today, I went with my best guy friend from high school, Dylan, and we went on a food tour! No, it was not part of a tourist deal. And yes, I do believe between the two of us, we spent about $30-35 the whole day. Which is about the cost of a meal at one sit-down restaurant. So it was an awesome day. But I got even fatter than before. Good thing I'm planning on working out this summer, LOL.

1. So, we started on E.14th and 2nd Ave with a tiny (and I mean tiny) little pizza place called Artichoke. I think they legit only have three different kinds of pizza - Margarita (basically cheese, tomato, basil), Spinach&Artichoke, and Crab. But it was awesome. We split a slice ($3.50).

 

2. Crif Dogs, a very skater-punk-esque hotdog place, on St. Marks Place. We split a regular crif dog with avocado and jalapeno. ($3.60ish...I think.)

3. Sugar Sweet Sunshine, a cupcake bakery on Rivington and Norfolk Streets. Pumpkin cupcake! ($1.50)

4. Doughnut Plant, a donut shop on Grand Street (Manhattan). Their donuts are supposedly "healthier" than regular donuts because they have no trans fat, no preservatives, no artificial flavorings, and no eggs. We split a rose donut. And yes, those are real rose petals, and yes, it does taste exactly like it smells. ($3.00)

5. Il Laboratorio del Gelato, on Orchard Street. We split a cup of mint and almond gelato (was better than it sounds.) It was super cute :) ($3.50)

6. Vanessa's Dumplings in Chinatown. One order of pork fried dumplings - the best deal ever: 4 for $1.

We took a detour at a Buddhist temple in Chinatown and picked our "fortunes" for $1.00. It was quite interesting and they both told us that we were going to be successful. LOL Makes the dollar well-spent, huh?

We also walked halfway? across the Brooklyn Bridge. Yes, Dylan does need to get a haircut, and yes, it was hot on the way to the midpoint.

7. Rice to Riches on Spring Street, a rice pudding bar. A pretty awesome place with lots of snarky little comments and descriptions decorating its walls. And I had rice pudding for the first time. The kind depicted below was chocolate hazelnut and was actually really good. But I think it was the most expensive item on our tour ($6.00). Oh, SoHo, must you take all our money?

8. And what trip to NYC would be complete without stopping by a yogurt place? Pinkberry is almost right next door to Rice to Riches, and there was quite a line. But I have to say, I think I prefer Phileo (you get more variety and more quantitatively for your money.) My green tea yogurt + blueberries&mochi cup was a nice end to the day though ($6.00).

And then we made a mad dash for the ferry because I had to catch the 4:10 one...but of course, I always run late (especially when I'm walking) so I had to catch the 4:30 one. However, no regrets! It was a pretty awesome day and I actually was not quite as near to the point of explosion as I thought I would be. My stomach has probably stretched out from eating with my family group last year, haha.

Yay food and friend! (Or friend food?) :)