Restaurant Supply Stores

Chinatown is full of restaurnt supply stores. You don't actually have to own a restaurant or buy in bulk at these places.

It's really shi-shi to buy things from these upscale stores in Manhattan, but in reality a lot of their cookware is not all it's cracked up to be.

At the restaurant supply stores, you're getting restaurant grade equipment which is really study at the cheapest costs.

I love cooking and baking so this is pure heaven for me. The items in these stores, don't have the fancy labels and packaging but they also don't have the fancy prices. HOORAH!

The place I visited today is on 110 Bowery Street. Even though I wasn't buying in bulk, the staff was extremely attentive and kind. Check it out for some holiday shopping!

Shanghai Kitchen

This restaurant used to be Moonhouse. It got taken over by their chef and now has a new name.

The food is more or less the same since they have the same chef. Some people say that they can taste more Cantonese influence over their Shanghai menu after the transition of the restaurant. I think the changes are quite subtle.

The soup dumplings here still remain one of my favorites. I read Time Out NY about these foo fah new places with their dumplings but my #1 picks remain constant.

I had eaten dinner already when a friend had asked me to join him for dumplings. How could I refuse? I love their dumplings if you can't already tell but my picture.

Yummy!

SHANGHAI KITCHEN

67 BAYARD STREET

NEW YORK, NY 10013

Thanksgiving in Chinatown

People usually would not think the words "Thanksgiving" and "Chinatown" go together. I beg to differ...

Chinatown is one of the liveliest places in the city during the holidays. Many of the restaurants and shops are closed on Thanksgiving whereas, Chinatown is the real city that never sleeps.

NYC is full of singles, away from their families. Many of them living in small apartments don't have room to cook the traditional Thanksgiving meals. What better alternative than to go to Chinatown for great Chinese food with friends? (and finish with some pumpkin pie ice cream at CICF!)

*Another cool thing to know: If you don't want to cook your own turkey; bring it to a Chinese restaurant a few days beforehand. Many of the places that have the chickens and the ducks hanging in the window, will cook your holiday bird for about 10 bucks. It winds up tasting amazing, with a bit of the Chinatown flava!*

Terrorist Trials

The trials for 9/11's Khalid Sheik Mohmmed are being held across from Columbus Park. This sucks for all New Yorkers, especially Chinatown-ers.

Many locals are worried that the increased security will turn the area into an armed area and drive out businesses and residents.

Chinatown has been through so much with the proximity being so close to the 9/11 site. It doesn't seem sensible to me to have the trial in the area that it devastated. Our community is fighting to bounce back form 9/11 and now the recession

The Turn On Delancy and Allen

From my commute in from Queens, I have to make this turn off Delancy onto Allen street. This turn has gotten worse and worse.

This morning I especially hated this turn and hated life, when I got into a minor "accident".

This is a very busy turn. First it went from being two left turning lanes to one. Then they decided to put a bike lane there with picnic tables. It's really the strangest and most dangerous thing ever.

Another thing that I found out today is that the traffic cops alternate their locations. This means that they are (A) often not used to the current location (B) not used to working with the other traffic cops that they are put with.

This morning one traffic cop was directing 2-3 lanes to turn quickly as the opposite street turned to a quick green. Ongoing traffic was coming fast.

I felt really bad that I tapped the car in front of me. I felt even worse that the traffic cop estimated that the "bump" on his car would at most cost $100 but that the guy wanted to file through my insurance company and give both me and himself hell.

After beating myself up over it, I found out that I was already the 2nd accident where the same thing had happened just this morning. I sought solace in that, and the fact that my Daddy still loves me...

I hope the city reconsiders the design of this turn.