Peking Duck House: Chinese New Year Lunch

Dear Diary:
For Chinese New Year this year, my coworkers and I decided to wear red and have a Peking duck feast for lunch.

We went to the Midtown East location of Peking Duck House, closer to work (food is identical to the Chinatown one). I was anticipating this meal, after all, peking duck is one of my favorite ways to eat duck and the inspiration of my ChubbyChineseGirl sandwich.

[FLUSHING] New World Mall Food Court: Fire and Icy

Dear Food Diary:
The doors of Flushing's New World Mall are like a gate at the airport. The minute you take your flight down the stairs, you've arrived in Mainland, this could be any given food court throughout China. From the lights, sounds, smell and people, the 7 train has never transported you this far for a mere subway fare.

So many choices!!! from Taiwanese to hand pulled noodles, sushi to bubble tea, spicy pots to korean and so on and so forth. The Paradox of Choice came to mind the first time I made my round. After a couple visits, I have my Fire and Icy meal all planned out. From drink, appetizer, main to dessert, this can be helpful, specially if it's your first time. (Plus, why Beautiful Memory Desserts didn't live up to their name).

NY Restaurant Week (yet again... *sigh*)

Dear Food Diary:

It seems inevitable at this point that Restaurant Week Month arrives twice a year. You know how I feel about it, but like I've admitted in the article, if friends want to go, I would tag along. Over the years I've had mixed experiences. Some were decent and others simply not worth it. Dinner with wine+tax+tip usually comes to $60+ (I wouldn't call that a steal). I still prefer spending my money and tummy on regular menus.

Regardless, here's my favorite from Winter Restaurant Week 2010 (compliments of StalkerBoy, who selected the restaurants and invited me along). Colicchio & Sons stood out amongst the "just ok" experience at Aquavit (not participating this time) and the totally rip-off Socarrat Paella Bar Nolita who aren't participating this year either. Don't get me wrong, I love the original Socarrat, but for restaurant week, it was the perfect example of what not to do. Portions were small and choices were limited. The paella had less rice than the usual portion, so it was dry and crunchy all around, not in a good crusty way. Since 2 of the 3 aren't participating this time around, here's the best of the 3 and the one that's participating (in case you're making reservations):

LE BERNARDIN: One of my favorite meals of 2011... (pre-renovation)

Dear Food Diary:
I visited Le Bernardin right before their renovations earlier this year. Regardless of the new decor and trendy bar menu, the food and service I read, remain untarnished. As I looked back at this tasty and exciting year, this dinner was without a doubt top of the list and one I'll surely remember.

There's something nice about old school charm and elegance... I'll miss it. Based on the photos I've seen, the new modern and chic decor is nice, but I'm glad I had to chance to see what it was like...