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Paquito’s

Because it was Cinco de Mayo. Why not? Carbs don’t count on Cinco de Mayo, right?????

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Vandal

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VANDAL

Can you say overpriced and overrated? Okay, the food was awesome. I tried a few small plates but my favorite was the torta (pictured). Buuuuut, I live uptown. If I want awesome street food, I can go to any bodega and pay 1/5 of the price! Go for a drink with friends on a special occasion, A DRINK. Take your trendy instagram picture then take your ass to the nearest happy hour and truly enjoy yourself. The place was surprisingly filled with corporate professionals, probably because they’re the only ones who can afford it. 

Pass. 

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There is something so magical about going somewhere you’ve never been. Not only that, theres an excitement in your heart that doesn’t leave. Knowing you are so far from home, but that you are totally at peace.

Lima was a beautiful city. The food was amazing. The locals were soo helpful (as much as they could be to straggly Spanglish-speaking gringa) and I met some funny individuals along the way.

I experienced beautiful coastal scenes, being in the complete center of the dessert, and exploring some crazy ruins. There is something for everyone! Even for the lux explorer, there was some serious high-end shopping and eats in the town of Miraflores.

I recommend eating everything you can! The craziest things I tried were beef heart and guinea pig (I clearly was never a pet person). They both taste familiar, like salty steak or chicken. Don’t let the full body plating scare you.

Peru, I can’t wait to be back in you.

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I came back from my first real international trip with a change of soul. 

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Cold peanut noodles from Hong Kong Street Cart

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Hong Kong Street Cart: Urbanspace Vanderbilt at Grand Central, NYC

I am obsessed with peanut noodles and when I saw that a vendor at Urbanspace was selling them, I had to have them. And guess what? You need them, too. These noodles are delicious and they were only 7 bucks for a MASSIVE serving. If you're not into cold peanut noodles, Urbanspace Vanderbilt has tons of additional options. Mexican, lobster rolls, ramen...bring your Tinder date. Do it.

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Scallops with shredded veggies at Il Violino

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Il Violino: Lincoln Center, NYC

Looking for a date spot? This is NOT the spot. It's not trendy, it's full of older people (nothing wrong with that but), and almost too quiet. The food was alright and the wine was cheap. It's what I get for going around Lincoln Center...

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Acai Bowl from Super Bowls in Sayville

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Super Bowls: Sayville, New York

I've been back and forth between Long Island and NYC recently so I'll be posting a good amount of home town spots. I recently went to one of my favorite spots which sells acai bowls, the most delicious bowl of tasty berry granola-ey goodness. You will not understand the hype until you try it. Just, just go get one.

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The Local Burger

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Local Burger: Bay Shore, New York

My boyfriend and I went to our friend's art collective event...at a coffee shop. That means hours of sitting around without real food. Needless to say, when we left, we were starved and this place was the first joint that caught our eye. I ordered the local burger. It was their signature and only six bucks (I was in Long Island, not in NYC). It was delicious and even local and organic. This place also had amazing Moscow mules, wine on tap and a cool selection of beer. Highly recommend if you're on Main Street in Bay Shore.

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Camelback Mountain Resort, Pennsylvania

I went skiing once before about four years ago. I remember myself being really good but having a little bit of trouble stopping.

I went into my most recent ski trip super confident because I only got older, smarter, and more athletic! Right? Wrong. Speeding down the bunny slope, I instantly filled with fear as I literally could not stop. This time was very different...I went 10x as fast and stopping was 10x as hard. I went back to how I stopped last time--I threw myself on the ground. I mastered the art of faking that I was alright to the staff because I was afraid of getting kicked off the beginner hills. 

The last time I threw myself on the ground, I earned the gnarliest of bruises (pictured below) and stopped my ski endeavors before I hurt myself too seriously and decided to enjoy the waterpark and arcade for the remainder of the trip. I don’t look that cute in a snow bib, anyway. Did I mention I was one of the oldest people on the slope and probably the only one who could not stop? 

I would recommend staying at Camelback solely for families. I felt weird even drinking a beer anywhere but the few bars inside the resort...including the oddly placed swim-up bar. (That was awesome, though.) Go to the Trail’s End bar on the ground floor instead of the buffet. It’ll be cheaper and so much more delicious. Also, beers sold there are half the price of a New York bar. I tried the Stegmaier Cellar Series Grand Hoppa IPA (note: 8.9% ABV) and it made all the pain from my self-induced falls go away. 

I ended the trip tubing. I’m much better than at that than skiing. ;) 

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Chicago

“Why would you go to Chicago in January?” To be honest, I’ve never cared what people say. So, when a bunch of people called me crazy for planning a trip to Chicago in January, I thought nothing of it.

I stepped out of Chicago’s stuffy Midway Airport to a chilly wind. No big deal, I thought. The breathe of fresh air tricked me. Soon after, I would have to bundle up from head to toe to even walk outside. I travelled to Chicago in January, but not just any week: the coldest week. My SnapChat filter temperature reached below 10 degrees Fahrenheit on more than one occasion that week. Why did I go to Chicago in January?

Listen, I’m a tough gal. I wasn’t letting some measly below-freezing weather stop me from my travels. I paid a whole 40 dollars for my plane ticket here and wasn’t compromising my trip for a little frostbite!

So, I did every tourist activity a lady could do with my best friends and boyfriend by my side. The Adler Planetarium, the John Hancock Observatory (cough, expensive drinks), Sears/Willis Tower, the Field Museum, a Bulls game (they lost), and a whole lotta bar hopping. I have to say that my favorite thing we did was a tour of the original Goose Island brewery. Cool tour guide, 10 bucks for a beer tasting and tour, and awesome food. 10/10 would recommend.

I was also told that I must try Giordano’s deep dish pizza. As a health-conscious New Yorker, pizza is a favorite but a once-in-a-while delicasy. But pizza with a one inch inside of thick-ass cheese covered in sauce...this little piggy ran all the way home. (Uber...ran...same thing). 

A lot of bar food was to be had, but we did want one fancy-ish meal. We headed to The Purple Pig for some small plates and wine. Salt-roasted beets, deep fried almonds, and ricotta cannolis were all awesome. I also found out that I do not like bone marrow...acquired taste. Don’t go if you’re not down to try something new. It’s a menu full of bizarre pairings. 

Chicago was cool, and I’ll be back again. Just next time, not in January. 

I sorta got a selfie on Lake Michigan! You can almost tell I’m a human!

Deep-fried almonds from The Purple Pig (above)

The bean. 

World famous Giordano’s deep-dish pizza. (You will need a nap after one slice)