i finally made it to coney island

After living in New York for 11 years, I finally made it to Coney Island! HHH got an invitation to check out the opening party for Coney Island Art Walls, and when I heard that there would be free Smorgasburg food, I got in the car. :) 

Boardwalk snacks. Photo by hhh.  

Boardwalk snacks. Photo by hhh.  

We arrived early so we could wander a bit and check out the boardwalk. It was a gorgeous, breezy day and perfect for a walk on the beach. Even though it's just at the end of the R line, it feels like a different world. The beach itself is not anything special to look at, but it's sand, sun, and water right in Brooklyn! (And clam rolls and oysters and Nathan's hotdogs. Yum.) 

image.jpg
Sweets. 

Sweets. 

We went over to the Art Walls party after our walk, and ate a lot. I'm not even going to say all the things I ate, since there's no need for written records of that kind of thing. The art was pretty cool too. 

The party setting up in the shadow of the roller coasters. 

The party setting up in the shadow of the roller coasters. 

The band getting ready.  

The band getting ready.  

I ate here. 

I ate here. 

I ate this.  

I ate this.  

I may have also eaten a lobster roll. 

I may have also eaten a lobster roll. 

Some of the other vendors, including Blue Marble Ice Cream. 

Some of the other vendors, including Blue Marble Ice Cream. 

More art. 

More art. 

The famous Nathan's.  

The famous Nathan's.  

taiwan series: maji maji

It's been a few weeks since I returned from Taiwan, and I'm already again craving all the delicious food that we ate there. One of the new-to-me spots for tasty treats was Maji Square, an outdoor food court/flea market that occupies the former site of the international flower expo a few years back. There are clothing and tchotchkes, wine and Taiwanese tea-flavored ice creams, and a long line of savory food stands with all different types of food (Taiwanese, of course, but also Middle Eastern, Indian, Thai, American, etc.). The Maji Food and Deli is also pretty cool! There are lots of locally made and produced dry goods, but also a deli where you can get bento lunches, and more ice cream. There are also some nice kitchen wares. 

The entrance. 

The entrance. 

A line of non-food shops and vendors.  

A line of non-food shops and vendors.  

Some more of the shops.  

Some more of the shops.  

Inside the food market.

Inside the food market.

Some kitchen goods.  

Some kitchen goods.  

Soups, teas, and all manner of pantry goods.  

Soups, teas, and all manner of pantry goods.  

A view of the deli.  

A view of the deli.  

Some additional restaurants around a courtyard. 

Some additional restaurants around a courtyard. 

Our visit was pretty short, but I'm definitely looking forward to going back next time around!  

a sunday in greenpoint

I'm almost packed for another trip to Asia...Hong Kong and Taiwan this time. I'm going to eat a ton of dim sum, Din Tai Fung, and mangoes. Can't wait! Before I go, I thought I should post these photos from last weekend in Greenpoint, where Julie and I checked out BKLYN Design 2015 at the Greenpoint Expo Center. Last year, I went to the stalls at Industry City and saw some great locally-made furniture and accessories. Here are some of the displays from the 2015 event:

image.jpg
image.jpg
image.jpg
image.jpg
image.jpg

I wandered around a bit after and found some fun secondhand shops, and this adorable coffee shop+florist place called Homecoming.  

image.jpg
image.jpg
image.jpg

And of course, I never go to Greenpoint without dropping into Bakeri, where I snagged the last apple cider flower (like a financier, but flower-shaped!). Those things are soooo good. 

image.jpg
image.jpg
image.jpg