Thursday, January 26, 2023

New York City - To Do (25Jan23 Brooklyn Bridge, Manhatten Bridge, Chinatown, The Evolution Store)

New York - To Do
New York - To Eat

NYC - To Do
 Check out our Instagram #abbatravel @ABBATRAVELS
Brooklyn Bridge

Catch the sunrise/sunset, run/walk on the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge on the return journey. Each bridge has its distinct flavor and charm.
*Feels safe with loads of runners at the break of dawn taking this iconic route*
Opened on May 24, 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was the first fixed crossing of the East River. It was also the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time of its opening.
Signs are easy to follow to join the elevated wood-laden walkway above the bustling traffic below. You get great views of the city, Manhattan Bridge and you can even spot lady liberty. For a closer look, take the Staten Island Ferry. Click here for full review and tips!
Of the two bridges, Brooklyn and Manhatten, Brooklyn takes the cake. More charm, good pedestrian, elevated and spacious walkway.
*Photos taken on 13May24*

*A picture perfect day*
*Photos taken on 13May24*

Manhatten Bridge
*Taken from Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass (DUMBO) Click for location*
 
Manhattan however does have its charm. It's more steel and emotes a more raw emotion and feeling. With the regular subways running-by, it's felt through the pedestrian walkway and great views of the Brooklyn Bridge. The walk-ways are definitely more truncated. 
From Wiki "The bridge was designed by Leon Moisseiff, built by The Phoenix Bridge Company, and opened to traffic on December 31, 1909. An innovative design, it was the first suspension bridge to employ Josef Melan's deflection theory for deck stiffening, resulting in the first use of a lightly-webbed weight-saving Warren truss for its construction. Considered the forerunner of modern suspension bridges, it served as the model for many of the record-breaking spans built in the first half of the twentieth century"

Chinatown
Just because of the Chinese New Year period. Things open up much later around 11am-12pm would be good. Most roast and rice charge at about USD10 or so per serving.

The Evolution Store
at NOHO
*Featuring replicas and actual skulls if I remembered correctly.*
A unique natural history kinda shop that deals from the prehistoric to taxidermy. Very similar to unique small curated Grant Museum of Zoology in London (Highly recommended to check out), but everything here can be purchased!
Featuring the chameleon USD450
*Bottled sharks*
*Blue Peacock at USD3000 while the white at USD3500. Basic care of Taxidermy involves spraying once or twice a year to keep bugs away.*
*Beautiful posters at USD19 each*
*Can only be sold within the state with a special permit. USD20,000*
Very interesting, intriguing and excellent shop experience with Julie who shared all the intricate details. A worthwhile drop by within the NOHO area or even to take a trip here before a meal!
Click here for location of The Evolution Store
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New York City - To Eat 24Jan23 ( Los Tacos No.1, Butler, Katz's Delicatessen,Lexington Candy Shop,Papaya King,Artichoke Basille's Pizza)

New York - To Do
New York - To Eat

NYC - To Eat
 Check out Instagram #abbatravel
IG: @ABBATRAVELS
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Los Tacos No.1
Recommended by Zul
Opens daily 11am -10pm except Sun at 9pm
5min walk (Chain establishment)
Click here for ABBA location of Los Tacos No.1
Authentic Mexican. For the more adventurous, one could go for the cactus and their traditional drinks, which I think were a miss for our pallets.
*From left to right. Horchata (Milk, rice, cinnamon and sugar. Taste like Christmas. Jamaica is hibiscus tea and Tamrndo taste like it spells.*
 
Remember to keep your ticket! No ticket no tacos. Pass your tickets to them! Everyone's really friendly, select your wrap and toppings and you're perfect to go. The fresh squeeze self-help limes make a fun dining experience like the pickles station at Sper-Duper in SFO for amazing burgers and best damn garlic fries!.
 
Ordered On:
24thJan23
Carne Asada Grilled Steak USD4.75
*One serving is for a snack but usual orders is two for a meal would be just nice. Excellent char on the beef cuts, with the mix of fresh herbs and lovely warm spice, creamy refreshing  guacamole, made it for a delectable, four-five chomp bite. Reminds me of Middle East Cafe for Auckland's best city eats for their serving of Chawarma, or Stalactites in MEL for the chared meats.*
*Taken 31stDec23 Still just as good but prices have gone up close to a USD1 more!*
Food 4/5
Service 4/5
*Shared samples of the rest of the drinks and servers were super friendly.*
Value 4/5
Ambience 3/5
Great authentic Mexican eats for a decent value and opens till late. Another great reliable, value option is over at Joe's Pizza. 

Butler
(located beside the Brooklyn Bridge)
Opens early from 7am weekdays and 8am on the weekends. Closes at 6pm.
*A side order window for take and go coffee*
Nice start or mid point break when I walked both bridges. Starting from Brooklyn to return via Manhattan and have iconic views from Dumbo - Manhatten Bridge View.

Ordered On:
25thJan23
 Breakfast Sandwich
Sunny Egg, Bacon, Cheddar and Truffle Aioli on Scallion Brioche + Avocado
and side order of Latte
 
Food 4/5
Service 4/5
Ambience 4/5
Value 3.5/5
Total USD23
Simple good eats with every element shining through. Coffee was nice too and the with the Brooklyn bridge in the background, making for a nice pit-stop and meal. 

Katz's Delicatessen



As per website"Our corned beef and pastrami is cured using a slower method, which best flavors the meat, without injecting chemicals, water, or other additives to speed the process. Our finished product can take up to a full 30 days to cure, while commercially prepared corned beef is often pressure-injected (or “pumped”) to cure in 36 hours. Yep, you read that right. 30 days vs. 36 hours." You will taste the difference!
Famous already, even before Harry Met Sally.

ABBA Tip:
- Pastrami is the number one order here! The next most popular would be the beef brisket but you gotta request for their gravy on the side or it'd be a little dry as shared by staff on checkout. Go for the Pastrami for sure!
- Too much for a single order? Go for the Half a Sandwich with salad or soup option.
- Have mayonnaise for the condiment spread as mustard is available table-side. 

Ordered On:
25thJan23
Half Sandwich with option of Combo Meats (Pastrami and Beef Brisket)
and traditional Jewish Matzoh Ball Soup. Pickles come complementary.
*Try their Dr Brown's Draft Root Beer. One of the classic must order pairings when here!*
*A check in the box to having tried a Matzoh Ball Soup. Clear chicken soup basically. Didn't really resonate and the ball tasted doughy. Taste like it looks Stick to the Pastrami and ask for gravy on the side if going for the beef brisket.*
Ordered On:
25thMar23



Food 4.5/5
Service 3.5/5
Ambience 3.5/5
Value 3/5
Total USD27.50
Amazing! The Pastrami is juicy, fatty, full of flavor and the MUST ORDER! They have a delivery package option for shipping and would totally get a set next time so that loved ones can experience the flavors back home. It is a little out of the ways and a single order is best enjoyed with a party of two. A must when in New York. It is slightly on the pricey side but you get your 'weight' in pastrami cuts.
Click here for ABBA location of Katz's
 
Lexington Candy Shop
As seen on some recent viral posts. The original way. In house made cola syrup and ice-cream. Breakfast eats are available here but I wouldn't recommend it. We should have known better by the shop name. Its a Candy Shop. Stick to the sweet treats of Cola and their milkshakes which looks to be made the classic way. 
 
Come for the Coca-cola only USD3.20-5.50 if on a budget but for the full experience splurge on the Cola Float USD11.45 for the full experience. The ice-cream was really dense, rich and creamy all in a great way.
*Just pass on their breakfast. Its overpriced for the quantity. Total fed 4 at USD68.10. Better off having breakfast at George's* 
Food 3/5
Service 3/5
Ambience 3/5
Value 1.5/5
A big yes for Cola fans and the experience of having Cola like back in the good old days to enjoy over a float and a shake perhaps. Skip on the eats!

Papaya King
What else screams New York? Bagels, pizza and off course hotdogs. For good simple cheap eats, try the dogs a Papaya King whilst looking for decent dotdog places in the area.
Food 3.5/5
Service na
Ambience na
Value 3.5/5
Bite sized dogs like the size found in Singapore Ikea. The beef sausages are a little on the salty side but a good snack. Don't expect Costco sized one or fat meaty sausages like those found in Germany. Simple snack fix. Their Papaya juice is interesting and worth the try as well.
Click here for ABBA location of Papaya King
 
Artichoke Basille's Pizza
(Chain establishment recommended by Andrew)
Warmed up lovingly and keeps the heat. Its nice they have a proper dining area after payment with all the condiment fixes and cutlery. A two-in-one. Come here to shop for your groceries as well as grab a bite when in the wall street area of town. 
Ordered On
25thJan23
*Their signature Artichoke Pizza for USD7.62*
Food 4/5
Service na
Ambience na
Value 3.5/5
How does this place compare to Joe's. One might think they are getting less, for the higher price but you get your weight in ingredients. One slice was more than enough for myself. At Joe's with their high turnover and thinner pizzas, minimum two slices to fill a meal which works out almost the same, price wise.

Looking to do super-marketing and get a meal while you're at it, this would be the place to go. Pizzas here were beautifully heated through over Joe's quick heat, probably due to high turn over rates.
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