Rickshaw Dumpling Bar - Aok

I am not a fan of "fast foods" so places like Rickshaw make me happy. Fast food but something a bit different to enjoy. I have had some of thier dumplings from thier truck before so I knew what to expect. I wouldn't go out of my way to go there, but when in Chelsea area and I need a quick bite, I would definately stop at Rickshaw's Dumpling Bar.

Rickshaw Dumpling Bar

61 West 23rd Street

Between 5 & 6th

http://www.rickshawdumplings.com/

Restaurant Grading System...what does it really mean???

Ok this restaurant got an A!!! Ok I feel safe dining here! Oh that one got a B.....hmmmmmm let me think about it....maybe. Holy moly that one got a C...........No way in hell!!

Grade Pending?????????? Should I should't I????

What does it all truely mean???

Got a clue? Would you dine at a B or a C? Or Pending? Thoughts?

A Walk in the West Village

Spring is almost here and its time for walking walking walking........A little walking in the West Village today.

The White Horse Tavern, located in New York City's borough of Manhattan at Hudson Street and 11th Street, is known for its 1950s and 1960s Bohemian culture. It is one of the few major gathering-places for writers and artists from this period in Greenwich Village that remains open. The bar opened in 1880, but was known more as a longshoremen's bar than a literary center until Dylan Thomas and other writers began frequenting it in the early 1950s. Due to its literary fame, in the past few decades the White Horse has become a popular destination among tourists.

If you would like to take a walking tour of the West Village here is more info:

http://manhattan.about.com/od/neighborhoodguide/ss/westvillagetour.htm

Karaoke is our new addiction

For the last two weekends we went to a Karaoke place and rented a room (I'm way too embarressed to sing in front of others yet)

We tried out Japas38 http://www.japas38.com/ which is where we will have my husbands 40th Birthday party in a couple of weeks. Also this week after one too many Margarita's we wandered into a place, and I do not remember the name. It was a few doors down from Karaoke Duet 35.

My biggest problem is that I only seem to know how to sing "Beatle Songs" with my number one singing hit being "I am the Walrus" (what's up with that) and second issue is I have to listen to the hubby sing off tune!

Looking for the best COSMO in NYC & the WINNER is...

Since we arrived I decided that I wanted to find the bar or restaurant that makes the best Cosmopolitan. I find I am never happy when I order a Cosmo. So I thought it would be fun to go on an adventure of finding who I think makes it the best.

The two main reason it is usually not good is 1. to small of a glass and 2. taste like cranberry juice! I do not like paying over 12.00 dollars for cranberry juice.

Come on! If you dare to charge me 10, 12, or 15 dollars for a Cosmo, please bartender put some vodka in it! There is nothing worse than paying such a high price for a drink and it taste like juice.

Well now I found the bartender and the place that makes it the best, and I wanted to make sure it wasn't a fluke so I have been back 3-5 times ordering them (such a tough job) and they have been consistently great! I was just back there last night and once again, the Cosmo is made to perfection. (Chilled glass, just the right mixtures of ingredients)

So the WINNER OF THE BEST COSMO IN NYC GOES TOO!!!!!

Hudson Yard Cafe - Bartender name - Barry!! Stop by and tell Barry that Deb sent you for the BEST COSMO in NYC and see if you agree with me.

Hudson Yard Cafe, 350 10th Avenue at 35th Street New York, NY http://hudsonyardscafe.com/

In search of the BEST Margarita happened quickly!!

Ok Best Cosmo...........done

Cowgirl - 519 Hudson St, New York NY 10014

212-633-1133

Next Best Margarita...........the last 2 weeks trying a Margarita here and there and not being impressed. My friend tells me go to" Happy Hour" which by the way is every day from 3-6pm at "Cowgirl " in the West village. http://cowgirlnyc.com/ We arrive and actually at first I was a bit disappointed to find out that only the frozen Margarita's were 1/2 price at Happy Hour. In the past I found frozen Margarita's not to be really strong enough. I usually get mine straight up with salt. Then I noticed on the menu you can add a "Floater" for only 2.00 dollars. (extra shot of tequila to the top of the drink) So I figured that would help liven the drink up to make it to my liking and for only 2.00 dollars! What a bargain!! Usually I have to add a shot or two and pay 10.00 or more for the extra shots!

Well first let me say this Frozen Lime Margarita which is 9.00 but 1/2 price brings it down to 4.50 (add the 2 dollar shot = 6.50) probably didn't even need the floater. This was a GREAT 16 oz (pint size)Frozen Margarita (by the way they have many flavors like Cherry, Mango, Blood Orange, etc) and I had the lime flavor with the floater and I was floating in no time!!! Of course I had to have a second (such a sacrifice) to make sure it was as good as I thought it was, I had to have a second one and the second one was just as yummy!

We had to absorb some of the tequila with some Black & White Nachos! Great!

By the way, the prices for tequila shots are really reasonable at this joint starting at about 3.50 per 1oz shot.

To absolutely positively make sure that this is the BEST Frozen Margarita we will be back next weekend to test it again!

My day at the New York Times Travel Show - Feb. 2011

The New York Times Travel Show is a yearly event held at the Javits Center in New York City. I have never had the chance to go, but now with living in that area I decided I wanted to go.

Pretty much the event has booths set up and you can visit tour companies, hotels and more all over the world. Many are offering prizes, but I was a big fat loser that day! There are some booths with food and snack samples from that destination. There are stages in each area of the world set up for entertainment.

The other part of the show which I really felt was the best part was the seminars. I got to go to 3 seminars.

Karen Brown Guides - which were guides I loved to use when I was a practicing travel agent - Best B&B and Inns in many destinations all over the world

http://www.karenbrown.com/

Another seminar was done by "Rick Steves" with Suggestions for traveling through Europe's back door. http://www.ricksteves.com/ I found his suggestions to be great, because I agree that you need to travel and just not do touristy stuff. Going to Europe and doing what the people of that area do, makes you really feel part of the country you are visiting. There is so much more to see than just the tourist trap stuff!! So read and explore before you arrive so you see more! Do your homework!!

Last I saw Samantha Brown - who was very lively, spunky and funny. A native of Brooklyn NY and working for Travel Network now for 11 years. I always like watching her Europe shows, though they are a few years old already, now the newest are Asia travel shows. I highly recommend watching one of her shows if you are going to that destinations I really find them helpful.

http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Samantha_Brown

I definitely recommend considering going to the New York Times Travel Show when it returns in 2012! Worth 15.00 per ticket and if using the AX card my tickets were only 12.50 each! That is a bargain for a day of fun, entertainment and traveling all the continents of the world.