Highlight Two: Foods

When it comes to lifestyle,

It also comes to styles of eating.

So I guess you figured out already what this post is all about:
Foods I tried in the US.

American Authentic // Diners and Street Eats

I must admit, we visited like, thousands of diners while visiting US. Let's start mentioning! Crown Diner near Yankee's Stadium -the sunny side up was the best, The Diner in Adams Morgan -I ordered a turkey platter but my thumbs go to their mashed potatoes, Artie's by the Upper West Side, 82 Cafe, another one named The Diner in Meatpacking District -first time eating the genuine grilled cheese, oh Lord! But the best one was Boar's Head in Staten Island. I don't know, the place was good, the Filipino waitress was nice, the bacon--TURKEY bacon was top notch, it all just blended too well.

On the left is Crown Diner, I was so excited because that's the first diner experience,
and on the right is the meals served by Boar's Head.

And yaaa, we also spent much dollar on street foods. You know, sometimes we need to secure our money just to shop more HAHA. But it didn't necessarily mean that the foods weren't the best choices. We tried both American and Arabian street foods. The gyro, cheeseburger, wraps, lamb and chicken over rice... Sometimes they tasted boring but, I missed them :(

The authentic street-made cheeseburger and chicken gyro

Asian Delight // Spice and Ollie's

Some other night, a local friend wanted to meet me over dinner at some Thai restaurant. She's Vietnamese and was longing for some Asian spices so, Spice it was. I liked the restaurant. No lights, just candle-lighted. I didn't really read the menu -because it was dark anyway- so I ordered some, I don't know, weird sweet chicken and sticky rice. It turned out that sticky rice is fvckin LEMPER in Indonesian. Worst dinner ever, since I have to pay like $14 and didn't manage to finish my food. But well, at least the place was good.

Near Columbia University, there's this Chinese restaurant where students usually dined in. The girls and I kinda liked the place. Also the food. I once ate some chicken rice with spinach, and share-ordered a big bowl of noodle soup on the other day. The best meal? Was the pan-fried dumplings. I'm telling you, if they apparently double the price of the dumplings, I don't care and will still buy it anyway.

Italian Regale // Sofia's and Eataly

Well, we only ordered one big plate of pizza for the four of us. It wasn't that remarkable, but this Sofia's restaurant was in Little Italy area. And the area, was too damn cozy. It was more like blocks of restaurants in Europe with people hanging around with their friends, chatting and laughing, sitting in front of the building, seeing others walking down the streets checking out each restaurants' menus... Delightful.

Another Italian experience I had was Eataly in Flatiron District. It wasn't just a restaurant, but also a market. Too bad when I came down there, the place was so full that I could only bought a raspberry sorbet. Now about the sorbet. Okay imagine this. The weather was kinda hot. Hot enough that on that day, we actually went to Coney Island and had a brightful beachy experience, and the sour-fresh-berry sensation could actually made my day. Get it? No? Well that's simply because I can't describe how tasteful that sorbet was.

Mid Eastern Feast // Ilili

Just when I was on my mood to spend more money and try some fine dining experience, another local friend of mine asked me to go with him to this Mediterranean restaurant. First step in, some Arabic music welcomed me. Some Arabic scent rushed into my nose. And some Arabic menu confused my mind. Okay, do you know moujadara, tabbouleh, shawarma, atayef, and mouhamara?? Yea he ordered them all.

Now though I had no idea what the hell those were, I actually enjoyed everything. Turned out that those foods, are small bites called mezza. Some kind of appetizers I guess -but since we ordered like six different appetizers and better yet, it was all American people's portion, so I considered those as full main course. The unique part was, those foods could be eaten all together because the rule is

"There's no exact way of eating these,

Mix everything with everything else."

Mexican Fiesta // Chipotle

Along the trip in US, I saw like many times, people wandering around the streets, bringing this huge paper bag with name "Chipotle" written on it. Finally I knew that it was some kind of Mexican fast food restaurant but I never get the chance to try one. So on my last day, before going back to the hotel to get the girls and grab our luggage before heading back to JFK, I stopped by and got a spicy chicken burrito.

Oh my God, American tummies, they're seriously big. I ate this stuff for my early dinner -in the airport, yes, and those girls just stood there doing nothing, it rushed me really. I was so hungry because I skipped lunch and that's why I bought this big sized burrito. But when I tried to finish it, still, I gave up.

Saturday Night Out // McGee's

While Ted, Barney, Robin, Marshall and Lily get together at MacLaren's, Vicky, Ammy, Salsa and Ami hang around McGee's. Lol yea. The place is where the series take place. Lol kidding. McGee's is the pub where MacLaren's was based on. So the shooting's not at all done at McGee's, but inside the building, you can always find all gimmicks related to HIMYM.

The food was so so. The margarita was the highlight of the night. What's the best was the fun times I spent with the girls. You know it was Saturday night. And the weather was totally splendid. We laughed, we did stupid stuff, honestly we always do that the whole trip but I don't know, what we did at McGee's, it felt kinda different. Guess I just realized I love hanging out with them so much.

Drink Spots // Domain and Serendipity

As a part of MUN agenda, I was invited to Domain Bar to attend the head delegates social night. It was a new place. Small yet cozy, but the best thing was the open bar. Got some cranberry water and joyed myself near the snack buffet. Now aside all those chips, tortillas, nachos and any other snacks served upon the table, my favorite one was the goat cheese. Red drink and goat cheese, and the attire was my slim fit formal suit. Feelin like a fancy gentleman, eh?

Another noted place for drink that I paid a visit was the place where the famous frozen hot chocolate originates: Serendipity. In NY, it was seriously that famous that we had to wait to be seated just to taste two big bowls of frozen hot chocolate and a plate of apple pie for four of us. Worth it? Of course. Until we visited DC and spotted another Serendipity, where people didn't really have to take queue for drinking. Still thinking it was worth waiting in NY? Ha-ha we just laughed in bitterness and left.

Small Bites // Nathan's and Georgetown Cupcake

Okay so I mentioned visiting Coney Island. It was bright, sky was clear, the best food I could ever had was something small and chunky. So I bought a mini box of melted-cheese potato and a freaking ice cold strawberry lemonade -God, the drink came down straight from heaven! Oh did I say I had a mini box? Hm. Yea I didn't finish it. Americans and their gigantic portion.

While in DC, the girls dragged me to Georgetown cupcake. Naaa I'm not a cupcake kinda guy, but hey at least I stepped my ass on that worldwide famous cupcake store. But don't worry, I still tried the cake anyway.

Home Savored Meals

There were foods I bought outside, there were also foods I ate indoor, like a local citizen. Peanut butter and jelly for breakfast, taken away Chinese food from Ollie's -I've always wanted to feel how it is like eating Chinese food from a box like Monica Geller and Sheldon Cooper had always done, frozen pizza-in-a-box, frozen bowled fried noodle, and, delivered Cuban meal.

Okay for the last mentioned meal. I was invited by my local friends to have some Cuban dinner over their apartment. Dumb stuff was, I came late and the feast was over. The food entered the fridge already so they had to heat it up for me. *ting!* the microwave said, and there goes my leftover roasted meat with red bean sauced rice. And guess what. That was the best cold meal I ever eaten. The roast meat was still so juicy and tender, and the salad was still fresh. Those Cuban cooks made their meals with heart, I'm sure.

No matter how great the foods were and how fancy the restaurants looked, to be honest, the best culinary experience came from the last category.

You can always do fine dining everywhere.

You can always have someone cook for you, or serve you, everywhere.

You can always eat what you see in some restaurant, at some other restaurants everywhere.

But to eat like locals,

To eat what locals eat,

Not everybody can, want,

And will ever do that sincerely.

Wow.

I'm so proud of myself,

For being a semi local traveler

Quick

So last weekend, Saturday to Sunday, I went to Singapore. Yes, it was only two days. My mom was wondering, my dad thought it was a waste, my brothers said that, yea, in summary, they criticized me.

But somehow, traveling for only two days was really effective. I mean, the time limit you have will force you to spend every second wisely. You won't even think about slacking off or just lying around at your hotel rooms. It's like, "Move, move! Chop, chop! Sauté, sauté!" all trip long.

Then I guess I'll make this post quick as well.

Day One: Universal Studios Singapore

First of all, before I entered the gate of the studio, I warned myself that I'd turn like a freak geek when it turns to cartoon characters. Then yea, I did. Seeing Woodpecker, I freaked. Getting saved by animated Bumblebee, I thanked. Interacting with Donkey, posing with Gloria, having myself scared by the mummies... Gotta say, I acted like a fool there.

But the main spotlight was awarded to the Sesame Street. Well no, it's not because of the ride -the ride was amusing tho, but that wasn't it- it was more because of the souvenirs shop. You know what turned me on? The hand puppets. They're crazy. They have it all. From Cookie Monster to Big Bird, they do have it all.

Day Two: Symmetry

Before shopping for mom's sake, my friends and I had a brunch at this cool restaurant named Symmetry. It's placed on Jalan Kubor, which, literally, there are graveyards there. One of my friends had this idea that name "Symmetry" is another way to say "Cemetery". At first I thought it was just a make-up fact, but when I explored that they put Jack and Sally dolls in front of the restaurant, I now believed what she believed.

Now about the food, it was all brunch-time meals. I ordered Eggs Benedict which was a portion of two roasted bread, with poached eggs and bacon--well, beef bacon on top of that, served with hash brown and salad with olive oil. And seriously, that was the best brunch and, the best yolk I've ever had. I never liked yolk, anyway.

Done.

Overall, I liked every single detail of my trip.

But these two made that even cooler.

Now quick, get back to reality.

Close your blog, forget about your wonderful journey,

Go find your boss and ask for something important to do.

You do realize that you're typing this from your office desktop,

Right, boy? :)

Old School Meals

You know when you have some habit, something you usually do, somewhere you regularly check, especially with people you do care about, although such things are totally out of date, you will always, always love to keep it on your list.

Like this restaurant I've always been into.

Jadi di daerah Menteng, ada tempat makan nyempil di depan SD Obama. Namanya Restoran Miranda. Atau Tan Goey? Well I don't know, they use both names on their menu and the name board. Yang gue tau, udah dari jaman orok gue diajak makan kesitu.

Tempatnya gak cozy cozy amet. Homey sih, ada kolam ikannya terus teduh gitu ada atepnya. Tapi bagian luarnya, which is the smoking area, which is the place my family always look for at a restaurant, kadang -kadang suka panas dan banyak nyamuknya.

Makanannya semacem makanan Belanda gitu. Banyak makanan lokal juga sih. Seafood juga ada. Banyak pilihan deh pokoknya! Tapi tiap dateng kesini, gue sekeluarga gapernah mikir panjang buat pesen makanan. Selalu menu yang sama dari waktu ke waktu, dari orang ke orang.

Asparagus Soup & Chicken Steak

Sumpah ya ini recommended banget kalo ada yang tertarik kesana. Seporsi sup asparagus cukup buat berlima sampe enam orang, trus stik ayamnya... Gue yakin banget itu ayam-ayam diternak di surga sebelum akhirnya dimasak. Pokoknya setiap dateng kesana, selalu pesen 5 stik ayam gapake tapi tapi.

Hhh entah kenapa gue sekeluarga seneng banget kesini. Damai, sepi, makan diiringi percikan air dan ikan-ikan berenang, suasana 70an gitu deh macem jamannya Dono Kasino Indro. Waiter nya pun udah pada tua. Kostumnya mirip di film Warkop DKI pas mereka kerja di hotel.

Kata nyokap, itu semua waiternya  udah kerja disono dari jaman batu, pas mereka masih pada muda muda. Satu hal yang amat sangat gue suka, mereka ramah banget. Setiap kita dateng, muka-mukanya langsung pada sumringah. Mereka juga kayak udah pada apal gitu apa yang mau kita pesen.

Kadang gue suka sedih sih liat mereka. Karena restoran itu kadang sepinya suka keterlaluan. Gue sih seneng-seneng aja karena jadi berasa makan di rumah sendiri. Tapi ya gimana ya, kalo terus-terusan begitu lama-lama kan bisa tutup trus... Kenangan gue... Sirna...

Oh God. Deep inside my heart, I seriously pray for their existence.

Grandpa succeeded introducing my dad the warmth of the restaurant.

And my dad, succeeded introducing me the memories of his childhood.

So now I don't want to miss the chance, introducing to my children, about

The essence of living retro times

Finest Sick I Ever Suffered

Once, there are two fictional super annoying characters named Monica Geller and Sheldon Cooper. She's from F.R.I.E.N.D.S. and he's from The Big Bang Theory. Although they are irritating, most likely to be hated or something, I uh, find them attractive.

Picture of hers was obtained from here, while his was from here

Why? Because they're my people.

So there are times when I want everything is right in order. Where all things are placed, structured and organized in where they are supposed to be. When every single detail, or how those details work, is uniformed well.

This, is what people call as an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. 

Yes, it's an illness, actually, but it's not something that might kill you.

Those two guys I mentioned earlier are exactly the same, as me. Sheldon can't stand seeing untidy rooms, and brains, that work different from his way of thinking. While Monica... Monica, ahh she's the master of OCD I must refer her as the goddess of this.

Me? Pretty much the same. Like how this blog works, for example. Ah well it's all under the rule of this OCD thingy. And there are some other things!

I don't like seeing my room messy -just don't like, but sometimes I'm too lazy to clean that up so I have to suffer a massive OCD attack each and every day. Also I have to order my money in my wallet from the smallest to the biggest nominal, with those heroes faces out. Then I always rename contacts my friends saved on my phone, to similize the pattern as any other contacts inside. I can't even stop thinking why Agumon and Gabumon did Digivolve up to the Mega Level while the others stuck only at Ultimate! It bugged my childhood a lot!

Weird, eh? For us, everything has to be perfect.

Like last night. When I went to Sushi Groove. I ordered Mayo Dream Roll and Twisted Chicken Karaage. Long after, it was down to two bites; one chicken and one roll. Well, since I wanted the best for my dining experience, it took me long enough to decide which one to be eaten first, and which one could be the best closure of my meal.

The pain didn't end, yet. When the bill came up and my credit card handled it all, the waiter told me that actually I could use their student promo to obtain like 15% discounts. What. The. Hell. Why didn't you tell me earlier, I cursed her down inside myself. Up 'till now I'm typing this word, I still can't stop thinking of how happy I could be if I paid those meals less.

It's not because I'm cheap,

Not even because I'm stingy,

It's all because subconsciously,

I want everything works perfectly

New Life: The Beginning

So gone are the final exam!! Gosh I'm so psyched in welcoming the long long holiday. I got this plan for an intern in my dad's office next week, which actually I'm not officially recruited yet. So yes, if I'm accepted, this gon' be a simulation of my future.

Now as the opening of this glorious moment, also as the celebration of the end of that hectic term back then, I started all these with an unforgettable trip. A friend of mine called me by Tuesday last week, telling me that on Saturday there will be a tremendously cheap flight to

S I N G A P O R E

Will I ever reject that? Of course not! The next thing I know, by Wednesday I said yes already and so two friends and I, Dicky and Nana and I, flew to the island of lion for three days and two nights.

And since this was such a spontaneous trip, I committed some new things I've never done before.

New Experience: Dealing With Airports

This is a total brand new thing to do. I've been to Singapore times but all of the things are settled by my dad. Now that I went there by myself... I did the check in, the immigration, the boarding all by myself.

New Places: Spots Untouched by My Fam

Chinatown, never knew it was that oriental. Marina Bay Sands, never knew it was that exclusive. Holland Village, never knew it was that cozy. Arab Street, never knew it was so Pasar Baru. Beach Rd, Suntec City and Bugis Rd, never knew it was... there. Singapore's not just about shopping -tho got to admit, I went there because of the great sale too.

New Dishes: Usual Malay Meals That're Unusual to Me

Seafood laksa, nasi briyani, beef noodle and nasi lemak. I picked the best, I guess. And the beef noodle, I know it's just ordinary. But I don't know, I felt like that's the best beef noodle I've ever tasted. The cook was Chinese so I supposed that umm, maybe I also tasted a liiiiittle bit of pork. Haha just a guess.

New Way to Love Starbucks: Soy Strawberry Frappuccino

http://www.flickr.com/photos/schtumple/5038670366/ 

I am not a big fan of coffee, I said. So when I came to Starbucks, it's always either chocolate or green tea. But this drink, man, I'm into it. The frappuccino can barely be tasted. And enjoyed it while chit-chatting with my half Singaporean friend, made this beverage officially Singaporish. Can't wait for them showing up in Indonesia.

New Me: It Boy

You noticed my G+ headline? Yea besides my regular me, I also have a wild me whom I met him last year in Bali. Now on this trip, I explored a brand new side of me. He's more like an attention seeker. Thirsty of being looked at. And judgmental. Ahh I miss him already.

New... Lies

Lies will no longer be called lies if they're told. So I left 'em back in Singapore ;)

In summary, I love cheap flights... It got me doing things I never thought I would ever done. Ugh I can't wait for my solo trip to KL and Bangkok on January. And after this, I'll be regularly checking all low-fare airlines like, every time.

I'm gonna get back to you, Singapore.

And this trip, is sooo not a closure.

In fact, it's just a start

When Coffee Chose Us Over Others

Something bizarre yet exciting happened today.

Jadi tadi gue kuliah Perencanaan dan Pembelian Media Periklanan (Media Planning and Buying). Dosennya namanya mas Arya, doi masih muda gitu deh jadi asik ngajarnya. Nah beberapa hari lalu kita dikasih tugas buat nyari insight orang-orang di sekitar kita.

Basically I belonged to Ridho's group along with Olip, Nanda and Indra. Tapi tadi tiba-tiba gue baru tau kalo Yabes juga ternyata sekelompok. Dan secara mengejutkannya mas Arya bilang kalo satu kelompok ada yang empat orang, ada yang lima orang. Hening kan nih kelompok gue. Trus dengan sukarelanya gue melepaskan tubuh gue dari belenggu kelompok jejaka itu dan gabung ke kelompok Kinta sama Cika, karena mereka baru bertiga sama Fierda, dan Fierda nya lagi sakit.

Yang lebih mengejutkan lagi, ternyata ini bocah dua masih belom fix sama insight yang mau mereka presentasiin. Muka gue udah nanar nih, kelompok gue sebelumnya tuh udah hampir siap maju malah. Si Cika ngidein soal anak-anak kosan, tapi gue agak cemas dan kurang setuju.

Sampe akhirnya kelompok kita dipanggil, gue sama Cika masih aja berdebat. Kinta udah nyerah, maju tuh doi. Setelah basa-basi yang diperlambat dan diulur-ulur itu, akhirnya tiba juga ke inti presentasi.

Yaudah akhirnya secara alami semua setuju kalo kita jadinya ngomongin soal anak-anak kosan. Berubung kita bertiga ngekos dan tau banget gimana merananya jadi anak kosan, presentasi itu pun beralih fungsi jadi sesi curhat. Segala unek-unek -terutama soal uang- diumbar semua dimari. Awalnya sih garing gue akuin, tapi lama-lama jadi kebawa suasana haha.

Selesai selesai selesai, kita pun duduk. Bodo amet dah gimana nilainya, yang penting udah maju dan kesannya udah kayak ngerjain tugas.

Ketika tiba saatnya pengumuman kelompok teroke, gue bertiga sih udah ongkang-ongkang kaki aja. Yakalleee kelompok yang baru aja nentuin insight lima menit sebelum disuruh maju ini bisa menang.

Tapi pas mas Arya bilang, "ini bukan karena saya kasian..." sesuatu di dalam hati gue berbisik, "selamat vick, lo menang :)"

Dan bener aja, kelompok manusia-melarat-muka-sayu-anak-anak-kosan gue pun keluar sebagai juara. Sontak kita bertiga meliar, teriak-teriak macem menang undian naik haji, lari-larian ke depan buat nyalamin si masnya, trus nerima 4 voucher Starbucks sebagai hadiah.

Norak yak? Iya sih, gue juga setuju. Tapi yaudah lah yaa, selebrasi kemenangan tuuuhh, mohon dimaklumi

Hhh ngaco emang ini kelompok.

So spontaneous but damn spectacular.

But wait, there's a thing that still bugs me

How come we won?

P.S. : Pas lagi panik-paniknya nentuin nama kelompok, si Cika muncul dengan ide STADIUM, dimana esensinya adalah "karena kita selalu berpikir kritis sampai pada STADIUM keempat." sadissss... emang ya ide sensasional itu selalu muncul dalam keadaan tertekan :')

Am I Changing Or Is This A Drop of Heaven?

Gue ini bukan pecinta kopi. Serius, kalo bukan karena fungsinya yang bisa bikin mata melek, gue sama sekali gabakal nyentuh minuman biji itu.

Tapi...

Pada natal tahun ini, tahun 2011 yang menyebalkan ini, Starbucks ngeluarin benda ngaco ini

Cranberry White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino

http://jasonkingong.blogspot.com/2011/11/starbucks-christmas-food-drink-items.html

Dan gue suka. Banget. Gatau kenapa. Biasanya kalo ngelipir ke Starbucks paling gajauh-jauh dari cokelat atau green tea things. Mungkin karena keluaran yang ini emang enak-enak kali ya. Eh tapi nggak juga sih. Gue udah ngerasain dua temennya yang lain, dan tetep gak doyan.

Kayaknya dipelet deh.

Tapi gapapa sih, selama enak.

Asal gak ketagihan aja tapi ya.

So please just be nice, caffeine