Little Miss Saigon

Cuddles and I met our friend LL (Lady Longhorn) when she visited NYC from the Other Coast.  She brought with her adorable Baby K, a little Longhorn in training, I'm sure.  (As soon as those tiny fingers gain dexterity, they're gonna be flashing those horns.  I just know it.)

We met for lunch at Saigon Market (formerly Saigon Grill) for some warming noodles and soup to stave off the biting chill still in the air.  Saigon Market (which was surprisingly child-friendly) may not be the best Vietnamese food around (the "chicken" in my noodles was several large steps removed from actual chicken), but the setting is spacious and comfortable.  And the company, of course, was impeccable.  Baby K charmed the stuffing out of everyone.

In fact, towards the end of the meal, Cuddles unveiled her decision to keep Baby K.  Only LL's swift intervention prevented a totally understandable Babynapping.


Union Square.  On Canon Powershot.

Rebirth, Renewal

Waiting for spring.


Madison Square Park.  On Canon Powershot.

Loud and Crowded

How NYC sometimes feels.

Lower East Side.  On Canon Powershot.

When Grocery Stores Become VIP Events

Okay, so here's another "only in New York" moment that I haven't encountered before - a line to GET INTO Trader Joe's.  Oh, and Sarni and I were at about the middle of the line - there was a slew of people behind us, too.  Not to mention that the line to check out started as soon as you entered the grocery store, so Sarni had to wait in line while I squeezed past dozens of irritable line-goers, just to collect our food (most of which was missing from the shelves).  Yes.  Only in New York is getting groceries like going to an exclusive club.


Union Square.  On Canon Powershot.

What's in the Most Common Name?

Don't let the common name fool you.  This is a great place to eat.

I had lunch with a friend at The Smith the other day, and was reminded of what a good lunch place it is - the setting is hip, the food is tasty (I particularly love the egg-white omelette with wild mushrooms), and the service is (usually) pretty friendly.  Or at least not unfriendly which, let's be honest, is about as much as you can hope for in NYC.

I actually think it's all in the name - just like the "The" bands of 10 years ago (The Vines, The White Stripes, The Strokes), The Smith knows that if you slap a strong preposition in front of it, it doesn't matter what comes next.  People are gonna be intrigued.

This post was totally not thematic, but Happy Valentine's Day.  :)

UPDATE:  LB just informed me that there was also a famous band called The Smiths.  What are the odds??  Anyway, my bad for not knowing that.  Hmm.  I wonder if The Smith is aware of The Smiths?  I'll raise it next time I'm there.  I am sure they will be impressed.



East Village.  On Canon Powershot.

Run Rabbit Run

I'm a little late on this, but happy Year of the Rabbit, my loyal blog peeps!  I was actually reminded of this celebration by the elaborate decorations our apartment building set up in the lobby.

According to Wikipedia (nothing but the highest quality of research for you, my pets), those born under the sign of the rabbit may be some or all of the following:  gracious, a good friend, kind, sensitive, soft-spoken, amiable, elegant, reserved, cautious, artistic, thorough, tender, self-assured, shy, astute, compassionate, lucky, flexible, moody, detached, superficial, self-indulgent, opportunistic, stubborn.

I don't know about you, but that seems pretty broad.  Was "sometimes sleepy" and "occasionally hungry" not available?

But I cast my cynicism aside in honor of the Adorable Bunny.  Seriously, between this, Easter and those freaky Cadbury Egg commercials, this furry little guy's having a pretty good year.


New York City.  On Canon Powershot.

Keepin' It Real

New Yorker critics weigh in and provide a thoughtful review on the awful new reality show filmed in NYC.


Lower East Side.  On Canon Powershot.