NYC Sightings 2014

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Mobile deposit – check deposit just by taking a photo and sending itNYC Sightings 2014 (7)

 The Peninsula Hotel NYC in 5th Avenue has  a Halloween car!!  A Mini Cooper 🙂 NYC Sightings 2014 (8)

 Love this wall in Le Pain QuotidienNYC Sightings 2014 (1)

 Park Hyatt New York is located in the heart of midtown at 153 West 57th street between Avenue of the Americas and Seventh Avenue, across from Carnegie Hall and a short stroll from Central Park. The hotel, designed by world-renowned, Pritzker Prize-winning architect Christian de Portzamparc, features 210 generously sized guest rooms including 92 suites, designed by Yabu Pushelberg. The state-of-the-art guest rooms are among the largest in the city, starting from 475 square feet or 44 square meters.  The hotel is part of a 90-story mixed-use tower ( One 53 )  that features 94 Thomas Juul-Hansen-designed luxury spaces with breathtaking views of Central Park and the New York skyline. NYC Sightings 2014 (9)

 Stack Bower’s  ATM machine in 57th street which dispenses gold bars and gold coins!  A 10 gram gold bar at US$ 470.00 and a 1 oz. gold bar costing US$ 1,272.00  The prices are updated every 60 seconds and are realtime prices.  Accepts only cash

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Love the Halloween set up in our buildingNYC Sightings 2014 (11)

I am always looking out for the Limited Time Only Pringles flavour.   White Chocolate!NYC Sightings 2014 (12)

 432 Park Avenue. With 104 condominium apartments and a height of 1,396 ft, it is the third tallest building in the United States, and one of the tallest residential buildings in the world. It is the second tallest building in Manhattan, behind One World Trade Center. When measured by roof height 432 Park Avenue is the tallest building in New York. Designed by Rafael Viñoly around what is described as “the purest geometric form: the square,” The tower’s condominium units will range from a 351-square-foot (32.6 m2) studio to a six-bedroom, seven-bath penthouse with a library, already under agreement for $95 million. (Fr Wiki) NYC Sightings 2014 (13)

 Lotto Jackpot!!NYC Sightings 2014 (6)

Everyone who goes to New York takes a photo of the Flat Iron building. So I will post something else .  The Lipstick building 885 Third Avenue (at 53rd Street) Philip Johnson and John Burgee 1986

The Lipstick Building is Johnson’s second postmodern contribution to the Manhattan skyline, following his nearby AT&T Building two years earlier. This time the unusual shape, which has given the building its nickname, was a requirement of the developer, to make the building stand out and compensate for the less fashionable location of Third Avenue. The elliptical shape also claims to make all the exterior offices “corner” officesNYC Sightings 2014 (5)

 Before even Din Tai Fung existed, we already loved Xiao long bao.  In NYC we go to Joe’s Shanghai for the crab meat Xiao long boa.  If you’re walking on 5th Avenue and craving for these dumplings it’s very near – 24 West 56th street ( bet 5th and 6th Ave )NYC Sightings 2014 (4)

 Our concierge in the building we stay in in NYC, Raymond. He super duper looks like Conan O’Brien! He gained weight so it’s not exact but a few years ago he was the same exact lookalike.  Raymond started as a porter, then became doorman til they promoted him as the Concierge. He was the youngest concierge in the building but they knew he could do the job. He’s been in the building for 19 years already. His daughter was only 3 months old when he started working here and now she’s second year college! NYC Sightings 2014 (3)

 Cookie Dough Oreo!!!  NYC Sightings 2014 (2)

 Coca Cola Life – Sweetened with Cane Sugar and Stevia coke life

 While travelling, I like Naked Juice Green Machine as my green smoothiegreen machine naked juice

 Dog sofa 🙂  at the Delta Sky Mall!dog sofa delta skymall[email_link]

Plaid to Meet You

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Old Navy Philippines is jumpstarting the holiday season with Plaids, Plaids and Plaids. Yes, you heard it right! It will be all about the exciting and merry Plaids this November. From oxfords, flannels, shirts, scarves, accessories to shoes. Plus, it comes with a holiday offer and everything paired with it.

From Nov. 15 – 23, 2014, Old Navy is “Plaid To Meet You” and offering 25% OFF on all Plaids and any item paired with it. You can easily match it with your favorite Old Navy Famous jeans, flip-flops, shorts and even a tumbler; anything paired with a Plaid is 25% off. Good deal, indeed.

The trend was big during the 90s and it’s coming back with a bang for the same reasons. This time around though, Old Navy is making it more accessible for the whole family. So drop by at your nearest Old Navy store and be one of the firsts to finish your Holiday shopping list.

In the Philippines, Old Navy is exclusively distributed by Casual Clothing Retailers Inc. (CCRI), a member of the SSI Group, and is located at Bonifacio High Street, Glorietta 3, SM Megamall and Fairview Terraces.

Plaid to Meet You[email_link]

Marta by Danny Meyer

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Jerome took us out to dinner, and we always look forward to this 🙂  This trip he took us to Marta, the latest restaurant concept of Danny Meyer at the Martha Washington Hotel.  It’s very hard to make a reservation and we were lucky to get one

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 Rustic thin crust Roman pizzas!!!Marta by Danny Meyer (1)

We sat right in front of the brick ovens 🙂Marta by Danny Meyer (3)

Our host and good friend, Jerome 🙂  Thank you for this wonderful experience!!Marta by Danny Meyer (2)

 LOVE!Marta by Danny Meyer (3)

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A simple one page menu!Marta by Danny Meyer (4)

Insalata Verde! YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Marta by Danny Meyer (8)

 Polpettine di ConiglioMarta by Danny Meyer (6)

Frito Misto di MareMarta by Danny Meyer (7)

 There are so many pizza places opening left and right and you would think how else can you make a pizza?  Well, the pizzas we had here were so  unique and so yummy!!!!!  At Marta there are two sections Pizze Rosse ( red) and there is Pizze Bianche ( white).  Not many places have white pizzas and I am so happy there is just as many white pizzas here as reds 🙂  We did not try all but this pizza was so so good!! I love thin pizza!!!  Patate Alla Carbonara – potatoes, guanciale, black pepper, pecorino and egg.  It looks rich but you don’t feel too heavy after having it

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 Coppa Cotta – YUM!!!!!! Marta by Danny Meyer (10)

Salsiccia!!  SUPER YUM also!!!Marta by Danny Meyer (11)

In between pizza and dessert, Jerome and Caloy spotted Danny Meyer!!!!! I was following him and I was so glad he went nearer to our table.   I made sure I called his attention to take a photo!!!!!  Of all the times to not have my camera!!!!  So this is a phone photo! I hope to see him again one day, hopefully in the Philippines with a Shake Shack branch!!!  Danny Meyer if the owner and founder of Shake Shack  He owns theUnion Square Hospitality group ( USHG) which include Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, The Modern, Cafe 2 and Terrace 5 ( located at the MOMA ), Matalino, Untitled at the Whitney, North End Grill and of course Marta!

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 Ice Cream Panino!!! SUPER YUM!!!Marta by Danny Meyer (13)

Marta by Danny Meyer (14)Click below to go to their websiteMarta Manhattan website[email_link]

Flip and Tumble

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Last Christmas our friend, Ina, gave us these recyclable bags!!  Mine of course was the pink one 🙂 Flip and Tumble (2)

It is my most favourite bag because it is so easy to bring along since it becomes a ball

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and when you use it even if it feels so thin and light, it is very sturdy

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I don’t see it available yet here, but it is available online in amazon or  in their website and it gets cheaper as you buy moreFlip and tumble shopping cart website

HOME - flip & tumble - shopping bags (20141104)[email_link]

Traif

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Super enjoy being with these two. I could laugh the whole time because Caloy even with a straight face is cracking jokes and saying funny things.  Ria on the other hand I love because she loves pork belly like us haha!!  They took us to Brooklyn where they both used to live and it is now the trending place to be with many new restaurants opening here and just many things happening on this side of town.  So we are happy to explore and hoping to visit and try more new places in this area.  It was raining that day so they were not able to take us around during the day- next time! 🙂  Traif (2)

We tried Traif which was recommended by a friend of Ria and we all loved it especially me!! Small portions and all yummy.  Even if it was small, we still shared all so we can all try it.  They can actually make a degustation for US$ 50.00 per person with your choice of 9 dishes. I wish we could try everything in the menu!!!Traif (1)

Buffalo milk burrata cheese, piquillo pepper romesco, black olive caramel challuhTraif (3)

 Hampshire pork belly, tippy’s black lentils, brown butter apple sauceTraif (4)

 Dayboat scallops,  butternut quash risotto, huckleberry , pistachio sage brown butterTraif (7)

 Sauteed broccoli rabe, roasted mushrooms, truffle toast, fried egg, aged asiagoTraif (9)

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 Baked Muenster cheese, smoked chorizo, golden apples crostiniTraif (10)

 Our parmesan spaetzle, slow cooked broccoli,  vodka sauce, braised leeks, mushroomsTraif (11)

 Spice crusted lamb tenderloin, toasted sesame hummus, pomengranate walnutTraif (12)

 Pomengranate braised tamworth pork cheeks, quince, persimmon, toasted barleyTraif (13)

 Quail n’ biscuit buttermilk fried quail, sausage gravy, duck fat drop biscuit, honeyTraif (14)

 I can’t seem to remember what this is – but everything we had was good including this 🙂Traif (15)

traif dessertsTraif (6)

Traif (5)Click below to go to their websiteTRAIF NY (20141119)[email_link]

Let There Be Bright

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Starbucks PLanner 2014 PRStarbucks Philippines Planner 2015 (1)Starbucks Limited Edition planner 2014 pr2Starbucks Philippines Planner 2015 (2)

Ignite the warmth with a thoughtful gift from Starbucks

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HOLIDAY MINI CARD

The first-ever Starbucks Mini Card in the Philippines. Available at an initial consumable load of ? 500.

Starbucks Mini christmas Card 2014

HOLIDAY TREE AND SNOWMAN CARDS

Available at an initial consumable load of ? 300.


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New food items and returning favorites celebrate the flavors of the season

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Let There Be Bright (1)[email_link]

The Smith

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Love this new place in midtown, The Smith.  The original one is in the VillageThe Smith (2)

We came at 1130am which explains why its empty, but a few minutes later, the whole restaurant was fullThe Smith (3)

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Love the bread! It came in a brown paper bag like it came straight from the supermarket or bakeryThe Smith (6)

YUM!!!! Hot Potato Chips Blue cheese FondueThe Smith (7)

Crispy Fried CalamariThe Smith (8)

Bacon Wrapped ApricotsThe Smith (9)

Bone in Rib Eye- Yum!The Smith (10)

Love the ketchup!!The Smith (12)

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and the bernaise!The Smith (11)

Grilled ShrimpThe Smith (13)

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Brooklyn Blackout CakeThe Smith (16)

Restroom 🙂
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With a photo boothThe Smith (19)

And a shoeshine 🙂The Smith (20)

The Smith (1)Click below to go to their website

The Smith Restaurant NYC (20141117)

[email_link]

Cherche Midi

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Jerome, Marco and Jackie organized brunch at Cherche and they told us to meet them at 1 pm.

jackie jerome jpcastiyo marco cherche midi

Oh my!  Brunch in New York means up to 4pm! 🙂  Jerome is our Zagat and we just ask him where to go when in NYC and he took us here.  Cherche is by Keith Mc Nally, the same restauranteur who brought these other restosCherche Midi Restos Keith Mc Nally Cherche MidiCherche Midi (2)

I love the place though the lighting is a bit too orange 🙂  Which explains the orange menu and all the orange photos 🙂Cherche Midi (3)

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French Toast – YUM!Cherche Midi (5)

Pot de Fromage ( parmesan custard with Anchovy butter toast )  which Jerome and Marco ordered! YUM!!!!!!  I like how the cheese custard went so well with the anchovy bread!!

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Yummy anchovy bread!!

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BeignettesCherche Midi (8)

Kale salad which was a specialCherche Midi (9)

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Lobster scrambled eggsCherche Midi (11)

Cherche Midi OmeletteCherche Midi (12)

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Vermont bacon – side dish
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I love the restroom!!  Cherche Midi (16)

 These two doors actually lead to the same place!!!  🙂  Cherche Midi (17)

Here it is from the common area 🙂Cherche Midi (18)

They both open to the washing area – then it is only when you go to the toilet, there are separate doors/areasCherche Midi (1)Click below to go to their websiteCherche Midi NY (20141117)[email_link]

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