Minca

Minca is my favorite ramen place in NY.

There, I said it.

Everyone wants to know where everyone's favorite ramen place is in NY, and mine's Minca.

Minca has been around for a while, and I know it has it's ups and downs, but all in all, I know I can count on them. 

This is Minca Shio, which has roasted garlic oil in it. Mmmmmmmm

Garlic is like the magic ingredient that will make any dish x100s better.

This with pork gyoza and a beer, need I say more?

Munchkins

the only time I ever go into Dunkin Donuts is when I need Munchkins.

I don't even buy them for myself, I get it for the office to share when we are busy and can use some sugar in the morning.

Problem is that I'm not too big of a fan of the jelly ones, but they filled probably half of the 50 count munchkin box with them, on top.

I have to wait till everyone eats those for me so I can get to the munchkins I like.....

Pan!

gotta love Sunrise (Midtown in this case) for the time sales they have!

5min before closing, I think they close at 9 or something, they have 2 for $1 Okazu Pan!!!

The picture above are actually both bread with tuna-mayo-corn in it.

Okazu pan just means any savory bread (not sweet).

I used to buy and eat them for lunch all the time in Japan! so good!

Wine well

This, my friends, is a Wine Well!

It is genius, it chills normal temp wine completely and perfectly in 4~5min!!!

It's basically putting your wine in an ice cold well and speeding up the chill process by vibrating the container.

It's the first time I saw it (they have it at Chelsea Wine Vault inside Chelsea market), and they called it in a different name but I could only find what they call "wine well" online...

Me on the other hand, I'm a bit more retro, and lack space in a freezer and the ability to think ahead and chill a white wine if I know I need it, so I get a bucket of snow and stick the wine in it for an hour or so...

...this is a fierce snowman my neighbor made with left over flowers from the flower shop....sorry had to put it up, so intense!!!

Anywayzz, a few days ago my friend kindly invited me to her office party@KOKO.

They are a very nice architecture + design firm with cute projects.

this is one of the cute models of a pool house they did...so pretty.

the wine chilled immediately with the Wine Well!!! sorry it's still covered but it was a cute wine I believe called Gavi.

and I just gotta say, the food catering was to die for!!

Bagna càuda pictured above was soo gooooood♥

Thanks KOKO office!!

The world's largest & best meatball

for those of you wondering where to find the world's best & largest meatball, I have an answer for you; it's at Lavo.

The picture shows a pan the size of a grown man's head with one huge meatball cut into four.  

Delieeeesh!!

You're welcome :)

Brunch

Brunch, is such a wonderful thing.

Gobble up good coffee and everything is game.

The picture above is a Huevos Rancheros plate at a mexican place.  

Yummmm

this is a typical brunch platter @Le Gamin.

They used to be next to Minca in east village but I never paid too much attention to it cus I love Minca so much!  now they have a place in Greenpoint, BK in addition to many other places throughout the city.

some people really like ice cream....

Washington Post Jan 27 article of the snow...

This guy, has his priorities straight; Ice cream comes first!

Kudos to him.