A Week in the Land of Gastronomy

And I have not eaten a single pastry for the duration that I have set foot here. The one time that I had wanted to take a photo of pastries displayed at a window, I realized that I did not have my memory card in my camera. What the hey. So instead, I will just show my first home cooked meal. I don't consider instant noodles as home cooked so I didn't bother capturing that.

This is just rice noodle that has been stir fried in a wok with sliced red onions, scallion, sliced roast pork (called porc laque), garlic, soy sauce, oil, sugar, salt, and sesame oil. I think that was all I had put into it. It was made up on a whim with whatever ingredients I had at home.

I accidentally made too much so huzzah, I have enough for tomorrow's dinner as well! Then I ate half a petite mooncake as dessert. I hate the yolk.

So today, I ventured out and purchased the slip resistant kitchen shoes that were mandatory for classes. It came out to 25€, cheaper than I had anticipated! Then again, it was a no brand shoe so what can you expect? I just hope it will last.

According to the images provided by le Cordon Bleu, I saw shoes that had shoelaces. According to the sales rep at the store, shoes with shoelaces were not for the kitchen! Eh, so I had to get the Croc-like models. Here they are:

I feel like I'll look like a dork with these. Hopefully my pants will be long enough to cover them.

That concludes my boring entry in France. I'm hungry again so I'll munch on some shrimp chips now.

Transportation Dilemma

I have been debating on how to transport my 3 suitcases from CDG airport to the studio. My 2 options are taxis or shuttles (also known as vans).

TAXIS

They're more convenient and readily available as there's always a line of them outside the airport. You can take your dandy time collecting your luggage and that line will still be outside. But it's too confusing for me! The cost ranges from Rate A, Rate B, and Rate C. Each denoting a different time frame. Rate A is 10h to 17h (5pm), the cheapest I assume and also the time that I'll be needing it. Each day also has its own rates. Monday to Saturday incorporates the 3 rates. Holidays, Sundays, and Suburbs are Rate B and C only. Beyond the suburb is Rate C only. Where do I fall in this rate selection? I'm not so sure.

SHUTTLES

Multi-lingual! Not that I don't know how to say where I need to go in French. Super Shuttle and Parishuttle had some mixed reviews. Some customers claimed that their names were not listed on the roster even after they had paid for it (21€). So I looked into Shuttle-Inter. They seemed to be more reputable being on time and accommodating. Its rate, however, is less accommodating compared to the other two shaky companies at 55€. Luckily, you do not have to pay in advance. Did I mention that you get the entire van to yourself? Not too shabby!

So I sent a reservation to Shuttle-Inter hoping they will return a confirmation email. Yes! I'll have a driver at the airport waiting for me with my name on it. I should've told them that my name was Lucca. That would've been cool. hah. Worst case scenario: driver doesn't show up, I will just have to immerse myself in the mysterious world of taxi rates... and hope they're not a gypsy waiting to mug me of my empty wallet.

Food and Farewells

As it is my last week here in NY, I have been meeting up with a few friends here and there. And with friends comes my favorite activity: eating! I'm surely going to be missing some of these places that I am about to list for your reference. Send me care packages please?

Sugar Sweet Sunshine has some pretty tasty and moist cupcakes. Oh, not to mention their trifles. It's situated in LES of Manhattan (on 126 Rivington St.). Quite thankful to Sally to have introduced me to it a few years back.

And here she is smiling because I cannot eat the strawberries from the strawberry-lemon trifle (which I am not posting up because I wasn't allowed to eat much of it, damn my food allergies!). She has always been my dessert buddy. We scurry everywhere in search of the best cupcakes and other confections. Just thinking of her makes me hungry. :P

Lady M (on 41 East 78th St)! I finally got to visit the actual store. Quite fancy from the outside and inside. I wish I had a polarizer lens filter for this shot (so that it kills off the reflection of the trees and buildings on the glass window) but I guess it gives it a city feel. Eh, try to rationalize the insignificance of a filter because I can't afford one now.

Anyway, they're known for the mille crepe but I felt like I should try their other cakes. And so I did. The verdict? Stick to the mille crepe. Not to say it didn't taste good but it wasn't up to par. Not for the price they charge for it anyway. Looks pretty good in the photo though, right? Texture was consistent, which was good. Flavors are not too sweet, which is another plus in my book.

This one is savory and not dessert. It's Mexican food! There's a few different tacos here but the one in focus is the steak one. Cascabel Taqueria (on 1542 2nd Ave). Staff was friendly and knowledgeable. The food was flavorful (I actually didn't even eat the tacos, I ate some appetizer). Much better than what was served at Rosa Mexicano from Restaurant Week.

Anyway, I think this is running too long so to end it, here's a photo of a bunch of friends who went to the Mitsuwa Summer Festival and Bowling at Leisure Lanes with me two days ago. Fun times. :) Till next time! Maybe I'll be in France by then...

Bonne Anniversaire!

I turn a quarter century 25 today! Does it feel any different? Not exactly. I am still young at heart and I am still a glutton. Maybe my metabolism has slowed down another notch.

Only 10 more days until I fly out of New York to Paris on British Airways for my culinary endeavors, which leads to the spawning of this blog! I had originally thought of using Word Press but I think Blogspot/Blogger is more trendy? Anyhow, I still have yet to pack all my necessities into the suitcases. Just the thought of it nags at me and when I get nagged, I feel even less inclined to carry out the responsibility.

With that, I end the post with a picture of some madeleines I had baked last weekend for my coworkers as a farewell and appreciation treat. The recipe was taken from the Culinary Institute of America book.