Jason's Hearty Birthday at Vinegar Hill House

I celebrated my dear friend Jason Ishikawa's birthday tonight at Vinegar Hill House in DUMBO, and in true Jason foodie fashion it was at an awesome restaurant with a very "hip" (in the authentic creative way) ambience. We feasted on a delicious dinner of fennel salad, chicken liver mousse, mussels and entree of pork chops, cast iron chicken or bass with cheese grits and brussels sprouts on the side--and if that wasn't enough hearty grub--for dessert, a guinness chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting! The silver lining about birthdays in your mid-20s is that you spend it with good food, good wine and good company instead of trashed or blacked-out with your head in the toilet. Wasn't that how you celebrated? I really have to thank Jason and my close group of awesome friends in New York (if you've played on the bus then you're included) for making my time here special, and now I understand why they chose to film a show about Friends in New York, BECAUSE THERE WOULD BE NO NEW YORK WITHOUT FRIENDS. Think about it.

Anyways, Happy Birthday Jason! Now, how about that shot of 151 and Rock Star?

Adventuring DUMBO

My labor day was very much laborious. I did the one thing I do best--walk. I walked along the FDR riverside park (or whatever it's called) from 10th Street all the way down to the Brooklyn Bridge. I'm always discouraged by throngs of tourist, but as you walk across the bridge, the crowds dwindle exponentially.

I've heard a lot about some pizza place and some ice cream place on the 'other side'. Pizza + Ice Cream = Enough Motivation for me to explore the cute neighborhood of DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). Like the elephant, DUMBO is very cute with its cobblestone streets, abandoned warehouses and boutique bakeries. It's feels a little like Brick Lane meets downtown Seattle.

Two pieces of advice:

1) DUMBO is a cash-only type of place. ATMs are rare and most of them are out of service. Don't bet on finding a BoA (Bank of America).

2) Expect to wait for 1-2 hours at Grimaldi's. Local advice is to call in your order for pick-up. If they ask where you live, say the 'Eagle Storage' building.

Photo Recap:

FDR park

Yay, I'm in the BK.
Grimaldi's--great example of a mom&pop shop.
Plastic bag flags--I saw a Boston Garment District bag.
A must-go park
18" italian sausage and onion pizza for two. yummm.
Three slices each--one to go.

SUCCESS
BK ice cream factory. I wanted Strawberry. They ran out, so I got Peaches and Cream. A worthy replacement.
What the 'other side' sees