Hello from New York!

Dear....

I'm finally able to write again with my friend now gone.

Our week was spent in the city trying new restaurants some of which did not impress. For a newbie who relies heavily on the Google search engine aside from recommendations from the girls, sometimes it's hit or miss. The highlight of the week though was "War Horse" a major production staged at the theatre of the Lincoln Center (I didn't even know there was one there). Not a musical but a straight play but my gosh!... there were huge horses, not real, but perfectly crafted and maneuvered by actors under them that the way they moved looked so real! It was turned into a movie or I think it's the reverse but it definitely is not the same as what you watch out for here is the way these artificial horses are made to move so realistically! After that we had a light dinner then looked for a bar but being Fashion Week, most of them were closed for private parties. We ended up at the Ace Hotel where the lobby is turned into a bar in the evenings with the lights dimmed and music loud enough where one can still converse without having to strain your throat! Anyway, it's so funny three men offered Hermitz and I drinks and when I said no as I still have a long way to Brooklyn, he told me he'll pay for my cab if I stayed for a drink. Haha! Of course I refused!

Our last weekend was very interesting as we explored Williamsburg in Brooklyn which has been drawing a lot of interest from yuppies and hipsters, art aficionados and foodies. It's amazing how some streets are lined with restaurants, very casual, some even with period themes like Pierre Maison which serves Absynth, known to have been the drink of Van Gogh. This and all the others have a certain charm none of the restaurants in Manhattan have. At least the ones I've been to. On weekdays, Pierre Maison serves unlimited oysters for a dollar from 4 to 6 pm. I will certainly be back for more! And with Williamsburg known for serving brunch much like a competition, one can have a wide assortment of my favorite Eggs Benedict every which way you turn. You can have it Italian style with prosciutto on toasted foccacia or you can have the traditional ham on English muffins. In one popular place very appropriately called Egg, I had an egg fried in the middle of a buttered brioche from Amy's bread and topped with cheese. For someone who loves eggs, this one is heavenly! And unlike other restos especially diners that serve watered down coffee with breakfast, here you can have an espresso or have it french pressed.

On the second weekend of October, another friend will be visiting from San Francisco for a Food and Wine event. Tickets are available to the public so I will definitely be getting tickets to some of the individual events one of which is a Williamsburg food tour. There's just so much more to discover in Williamsburg, no wonder Regina loves it here!

There are also a lot of new apartments but I would rather live in a more quiet area like mine and hop on a train just two stops away. It's like wanting to go where the action is but retreating to your own quiet space. I can also imagine the rent in that area especially on the north side which is just by the river.

Life for me as it was then in Virginia some thirty years ago comes back now as I remember having to suffer the week after for not being able to do the household chores after a much enjoyed weekend. Something we have to do though once in a while. So I plan to stay home today to clean and do my laundry, something I cannot escape as we're required to come to class in our chef's uniform, immaculately white and pressed!

Unless I get a dinner invitation from Paching tonight or have to go to Curves fitness to discuss details about a Hot Hula class which they definitely want to have I will just be holed in my apartment the whole day today. Oh and by the way, I had a fun master class in Long Island last Friday night. It was the first time I taught with a wireless mic and discovered what a difference it makes. While I try not to stop cueing especially with the Flat 8 and the Hands Up as it can be so tiring, at least my mouth does not get so dry as much like when I don't have one. Too bad we forgot to take photos and that explains the caption "last one's standing" on FB.

I better go now so I can squeeze in an hour of pilates in my little "gym" before I do my chores!

Hope everyone's well. Give mommy a kiss for me. The more I look at her picture, the more I realize how much I look like her, as everyone tells me! Miss you all!

Love, Minnie

17 September 2012