NYC STREET FAIRS..FULTON ST. FOLLIES

How many NYC street fairs have you been too? I love street fairs..It reminds of home (India)..Street food for cheap, ppl hanging out on street corners...aroma that's let's just say (not always pleasant) just unexplainable! Street fairs are just another excuse to get out...street shop or just hang out. So that's what I did during my lunch break on Friday..it was just the break I needed..From Louis Vitton knock offs to Italian sausages with onions or chocolate bananas the Fulton St. fair had it all! These fairs are pretty much the place for anyone and everyone to sell food or market whatever they may be selling jewelry, scarves, african art or even some sort of wierd chochky..for which there always seems to be an audience for...like "The World's Thinnest, Smallest & Lightest Wallet" LOL yes we all need that!



"The World's Thinnest, Smallest & Lightest Wallet"

Anyway I like supporting street fairs, even if it just means showing up and taking a stroll...Stay posted for up-coming fall street fairs...(I'll do my best to make it to a few!)

GEN-THE BEST RASTA SUSHI SPOT IN NY..

WHERE THERE IS SUSHI..THERE'S SAKE!

Graduation Party @ Gen good old memories!

Located in Prospect Heights (gun shot!lol) right on Washington Ave. and St. Marks, GEN is the ulitmate SUSHI haven! Since I live right around the corner from Gen, I try to support it as much as I can. During the summer the $2 house Sake, and $1 beers are prefect. They recently redecorated their patio/Garden which is the perfect place to kick back in the summer and sip on sake and fresh salmon salad (TRUST I WOULD KNOW). In all seriousness, Gen does the best Sushi in the City... I have eaten at many sushi joints, and Gen is a step ahead -a whole different level.

Unagi-eel Sushi (check out the presentation!)

The chefs pay close attention to presentation/detail making the food even more appetizing. They are also very friendly, and fun to hang out with...Most of their utensils (plates etc) are hand-made mostly earth tones-it gives your meal that real personality. The aura of Gen has a reggae vibe going-which I love one of the Chef's is actually a Rasta-(Japanese Rastaman!)-please keep checking my blog for udpates-I will have a special story on the chef shortly).

My favorite on the menu is Saku Saku a tuna-avocado-scallion roll with macadamia nuts and crispy fried potato toppings. Godzilla rolls are great as well-Broiled eel and ripe avocado make a perfect pairing! The Rasta rolls you just have to try cause they are cute! Wash it down with a dry and refreshing sake, opt for Suijin-(40% proof!).

My favorite night at Gen was when I had my graduation party last summer when my folks were visiting. It was one of my favorite nights of the year...All my good friends were there, and most importantly- moms and pops who mean the world to me! After 4 LARGE BOTTLES of Sake, or was it 5...we were singing tunes from Sound of Music (Edelweiss)..acting crazy....and just having a good time!

MOM & DAD @ GEN (EATING SUSHI FOR THE FIRST TIME! lol)
I LOVE THIS PICTURE!

A BOOK FESTIVAL GROWS IN BROOKLYN...(big up!)

The Brooklyn Book Festival (2006) was held at Borough Hall, Saturday 9/16. I heard about it through a friend...

As I cralwed out of bed Saturday morning watching my bollywood desi videos...I thought to myself why not! I'm not an avid reader-but have been getting into reading books lately..so I was intrigued by the event (not to mention the potential Brooklyn eye candy for us single women-always worth checking out-ladies get motivated trust!) So I called my friend Moco McCauley out of the blue- (he's a writer himself-so I thought it would be beneficial for him)...and surprisingly both our lazy asses were all of a sudden at the event on a sunny Saturday afternoon (there was no WAY I was staying home!) Anyway...we had a blast. The energy was invigorating and sort of made me fall in love with Brooklyn yet again! It was so great to see indie publishing houses promoting their authors, books, events and more...

Famous Authors who were there included-Jhumpa Lahiri (“Interpreter of Maladies”) love her! Jonathan Lethem (“Motherless Brooklyn”), Rick Moody (“The Diviners”), Colson Whitehead (“John Henry Days”) and Pete Hamill (“Forever”) and more.

Steven Hindy Founder Brooklyn Brewery ( I do plan to read his book someday!)

DID YOU KNOW? STEVEN HINDY ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF BROOKLYN BREWERY IS A WRITER TOO.... (HE WAS @ THE FESTIVAL DOING A READING FROM HIS NEW BOOK BEER SCHOOL....) GOT HIS BEER MAKING SKILLS WHILE HE WAS AN A.P. WAR CORRESPONDENT IN THE MIDDLE EAST! ( I CAN SO RELATE TO THIS!) ALCHOL IS BANNED IN MANY PARTS OF THE MIDDLE EAST LIKE SAUDI ARABIA..SO PEOPLE WHO CRAVED ALCHOL LIKE HINDY AND MY PARENTS (THEY ARE NOT THERE ANY MORE SO NO WORRIES) CREATE HOME MADE ALCHOL LIKE BEER-IT’S THE BEST! SO ANYWAY HINDY MOVED BACK TO BROOKLYN....FOSTERED HIS SKILLS WHILE HE BREWED BEER FOR HIS FRIENDS/FAMILY AT HOME..AND VOILA...BROOKLYN
BREWERY!! MOM DAD-WHY DIDN'T YOU THINK OF THIS! WE COULD HAVE BEEN MILLIONAIRES BY NOW!!ALWAYS TOO LATE!! DAMN!

We gotta stop talking the talk...and seriously start walking the WALK ppl! (not my quote-I know its lame it's by bosse's I like it though!)

Moco Thanks for being a trooper and accompanying me- it was a blast! Glad you made your Liberian connection...

MOMOFUKU

$ (Cheap for a whole lotta flava!)

Who would have ever thought Ramen Noodles could taste so good! Located in the heart of the East Village on 163 First Ave, between 10th and 11th st. Momfuku is the perfect place for people who love their PORK! The pork buns are -hands down- the best pork buns in NY! Soft, puffy, and full of flavor-as you take your first bite, you mouth will be filled with soft pillowy dough, and spicy pork mélanged with crispy onions, mushrooms, and yes PORK and just a whole lotta flava! FYI-you can get the chicken if you are not into PORK. You will not just be able to stop at 1, I would recommend going in for 2!

Yes the wait is long, every now and then you can get lucky and get a table in 10-15 mins. But good food is always worth the wait-as long as you are in good company. Seating is minimal and a little cramped- you'll be sitting on bar stools (it is after all a Noodle bar)...and if you get to sit near a lesbian couple who talk about oral sex the whole 45 mins they are chowing down on their noodles...lol don't hate (speaking from experience!)Take the F to 2nd Ave.

Chef David Chang deserves all the applause/rants/raves and crazy hype he's been getting for this place!! People we need to appreciate the true artists who are in the steamy kitchens making it happen for food lover's like us! Ever wonder what these Chef's look like-here's Momo's-David Chang..

Go David..Go David!!

DID YOU KNOW? MOMOFUKU MEANS LUCKY PEACH!

TANGRA MASALA

$(Not pricy at all for the quantity/quality)

Located on 87-09 Grand Avenue Elmhurst, Queens NY, Tangra Masala has become one of my favorite spots! It came highly recommended from a colleague at work and I couldn't believe how genuine the Indo Chinese flavors were! For those who follow the Islamic dietary regime, this is the prefect place for you can eat without reservation, as the meat is Halal. Indo-Chinese food is one of the most popular types of foods that comes from India, which adapts Chinese seasoning and cooking/techniques to South Asian tastes. Manchurian-(a sweet and salty brown sauce) is my favorite culinary style of this cuisine. Now to mention the most important part of Tangra is-BYOB for those who need a translation-(Bring Your own booze!) Take your favorite 6 pack of Heineken, or a nice bottle of white (reds don't go very well with Manchurian) you'll need the white to cool you down. Although our dear Indian Aunties and Uncles may give you a couple daunting stares- don't let it bother you-its a cultural thing "the staring part" that is. The food is extremely spicy-which is how authentic Indo-Chinese food is supposed to be-so be prepared for that! But if you love flavors, and feel like getting out of the city for a change-make the extra trip-it's worth it. Take the R G or V to Elmhurst Ave via Subway.

Try the Popcorn Chicken for starters! It's my favorite!!

DID YOU KNOW? "Manchurian" derived from MANCHURIA- either falls entirely within China or is divided between China and Russia.hmmm

FATTY CRAB

Fatty Crab is located on 643 Hudson St right in the heart of the Meat Packing district. The uniquely mastered flavors with a "no holds bar" type of intense "UMPH" belongs to Chef Zak Pelaccio chef of 5 Ninth also located in the Meat Packing district. Although "Scenesterish" at first encounter, given the prentious over the top Meat Packing ambiance-I must say once seated, the friendly staff, and aroma of fresh cilantro, lime, curry and sea food, sets the laid back atmosphere at this tiny Malay western infused get away. The Chill Crab with White toast is the ultimate flavor orgasm for those who love south asian red curry paste-Its on the same playing field as my mom's south Indian Crab curry-and that's a pretty high rating! The Assam Laksa brings pineapple, and steam fish together in your mouth with a darring attitude that made every bite taste different and complete. Fatty Crab is a visit worthwhile for those who are willing to get your hands dirty with crab chilli paste (don't worry they provide you towelettes)...nothing like eating food with your bare hands...trust me it's the only way to go...



MMMM CHILI CRAB WITH TOAST...



DID YOU KNOW? The form of the abdomen usually reveals the sex of the crab; males have a narrow abdomen, while females have a much wider abdomen (they carry the eggs obviously-thus the large tummy!) Also True Crabs have 5 legs (the first of which is modified into a pair of claws or chelae) learn more about crabs!
Love me some shell fish!! YUM YUM!!