Dining Done Right

For months New Yorkers await one special week to arrive in order fully experience the fine culinary delicacies available around every city block: Restaurant Week.  Restaurant Week began in 1992 to promote fine dining experiences around the city.  These days New Yorkers and international travelers alike look forward to the two weeks in the year where they are able to crash some of NYC's superior dining options, sans financial worries.  

What exactly is Restaurant Week? A handful of the city's dining locations feature a prix-fix menu of some of their best dishes.

The interesting lesson that I learned this past week however is that Restaurant Week is not limited to bargain-hunting daters or girls-night-out.  It seemed that businesses and employers are now taking advantage of the slashed menu prices to pool together industry talents, thus turning what was once a social gathering into a full-blown networking event.

As I spent the week mingling among these bright minds and fresh acquaintances, I couldn't help but notice that some of them possessed dining skills that were slightly under par.  It got me to thinking the importance of perfectly mannered etiquette and the first impression it leaves upon new acquaintances.  And so after much research and discussion with some of the city's top etiquette and career coaches, I have compiled some fixes to the common dining mistakes and mysteries.

•  In formal scenarios, enter your chair from the left and exit at the right.
• Be cautious when ordering alcohol.  Never during lunch and limit it to one glass at dinner. To veer  on the safe side, substitute mineral water for wine.
• Cut only one bite-size at a time
• Keep you glass on the right side so as not to confuse your fellow diners.
• Utensils usage starts from the outside and works its way in.
• Always pass the salt & pepper even if no one asks.  
• Speaking of passing, pass from left-to-right
• Place your napkin on the left side of your plate to signal that you are ready to leave

Spoon? Fork? Or is it your fingers? There's nothing more awkward than not knowing which utensil to use on certain foods.  Here's a cheat sheet.

The french fry paradox: fork or no fork?

Spoons

Ice cream, melons, peas, and souls

Forks

Cakes, clams, Ice Cream served on top of cakes, pizza, french fries, pastries, shrimp, and fish

Fingers

Caviar on toast, corn on a cob, cheese on crackers, olives, hamburgers, onion rings, and berries with stems

Our Great Shore Escape

It's ironic but as hard as many of my friends and I worked to move to New York City, the one thing we want most this summer... is to get away from it.  

The rising temperature.

The increased tourist traffic.  

The lazy summer breeze.  

Would you want to stay in this concrete jungle?

And so getaway we did.  Our destination: Long Beach!

It seemed that everyone else in the city however had the same idea as our entire train to Long Island was packed with beach bags, towels, and the scent of sunscreen filled the cars.  Thirty minutes and one express train later we made it to shore!

It was certainly refreshing to have so much open space to be able to roam.

A very crowded Long Beach.

Sunset on the boardwalk.

Even at 10PM, the train home was getting full with passengers.

Sunburned and exhausted, we journeyed home.

Treasure Hunting

I love a great intrigue - especially one that ends in unexpected discoveries.

Allison in Little Italy's market
during Feast of Gennaro.

This is probably why I am so intrigued about street markets in New York City.  Sure these markets seem repetitive at times: the same cliche display of 'I HEART NY' shirts. The same selection of churros, fresh fruit smoothies, and Italian sausages for sale.  And the same selection of skyline drawings of the city on display. And yes, sometimes these street markets are more of an inconvenience to someone who needs to get somewhere because they block of major streets blocks at a time.  However it never fails that once the summer season starts - the festivals pop up. From Little Italy to the Upper West Side, every weekend a festival is there for you to crash.

This is where I discovered my new hobby: treasure hunting in the city.  

Ready, Set, Search & Shop!

My favorite street market
adventure: jewelry shopping!

See, while at a first glance these street fairs carry the same selection of items, there are times where new vendors and tents are available to rummage through.  Upon closer observation however you would notice the differences: vinyl records, antique decorations, and vintage jewelry are just a few examples of what's waiting.

Yes, while it takes a very patient person to go through the chaos of these street markets, there is no telling what treasures are just waiting to be rediscovered!

Some of the city's best markets include: Brooklyn Flea, GreenFlea Market in the Upper West Side, and Hell's Kitchen Flea Market. 

Enjoying a relaxing Sunday afternoon in one of many street markets.