Ginger & Lemon Grass Restaurant (Queens ny)

So our day started out with music class for my toddler and then we were supposed to go to the Japanese Festival at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.  Well we got through the music class, then my husband decided to do some detours.  After that and an hour plus time passage, we decided to head to Brooklyn.  Yeah, because we can and well right before we crossed the bridge, we started to examine our plan.  There was already traffic, it was warm outside (oh late April weather), we were starting to get hungry and also, we knew that it would be at least an hours drive from that point.

What to do, what to do!!  So we racked our brains and decided that going to the festival at that late time would not be that great as all the cool stuff always happens early on as well as we would only get to enjoy a few hours.  Also, it was 30 dollars per person.  That would be 90 dollars just to enter and then if we wanted to buy food, who knows, plus parking if we could not immediately find a spot.  It was looking like an expensive day.

So because of the traffic, we had a few moments to think. We turned to Yelp and Trip Advisor.  We found ourselves in Whitestone, NY.  It is in Queens, off the Whitestone Bridge.

When we arrived we were excited, as there were people waiting outside, which was a good sign.

We sat close to the corner and just smelled all the wonderful odors. We wasted no time in ordering. The taste of the curry dish we ordered reminded me of the ones I had while travelling. The chicken curry included bamboo shoots as well as sweet potato–that was great on day 2. I had a stuffy nose so only randomly did I taste the food but the following day, post stuffy head, the food was better. We also had one of the spicy short rib sandwiches, which was large and had a strong 5 spice taste. That we liked. Lastly, we had the seafood and chicken pancake as well as spring rolls.

I noticed the cool herb garden on the wall. It actually inspired my husband. The restaurant also makes this refreshing drink that includes water, cucumber, ginger and possibly one other ingredient I forgot. (nice differentiating feature)

What everyone seemed to be eating was the broth with a large bone in it. Not my thing but I am sure it was great as that many people cannot be wrong.

The service was decent and the place was nice in terms of decoration. It is a small place, so not much wiggle room and large groups need not apply. Parking can be a challenge but that just means a longer walk from your transportation. The bus does pass by it though. It is in a partly residential area so only if you search (internet) for it or drive by it accidentally, will you see it. Its not on a main street.

The small menu works well. When I am hungry I am easily frustrated if I have to turn through a book.

I would return.  I give it a 7.  Small place, good food.
HAPPY EATING!!

Slum Tourism

Yes it sounds sounds a little off right.  I heard it on the radio this past week (last week of July 2017).  My husband and I did a double take and we immediately turned to youtube and google to investigate.  We watched one documentary where the people were in Brazil touring one of the “slums/favelas.”  I have mixed feelings on this.  People smiling and gawking might be weird.  On the other side, people are venturing into the unseen/unpopular/untouched which means , as the program we watched put it, there is the recognition that these places and problems exist.  There is so much to say about this.   There is one concern and real at that, that with these tours, people do not give any money to the community.  So essentially they visit, take some selfies, peer into some doorways (not even sure if they shop) and then they bounce.

My husband, who always presents the other view said that it is the same as driving/touring in beverly hills, etc and taking pictures.  I pointed out that, we are gawking but no one is dealing with starvation, malnutrition, disease or being disadvantaged with no/lack of education or opportunity.  Also they do not need our patronage.

So this is happening all over the globe.  For me, I think this is the backpackers way.  I mean they mesh into the area and stay where they can, slum, or not and usually see the real deal. I jumped around here a bit while writing but you get the gist.

If you have any thoughts or comments,  please feel free to share.  
Till then, safe travels!

Macadamia Nuts

I am about to hit you with some macadamia knowledge and fun facts.

So I just made a batch of macadamia white chocolate cranberry cookies.  I used one of the first recipes I found (a little cake-ish) .  Note to self, try another recipe. Its great when toasted though.

So why are macadamia nuts so expensive and it is like the other nut that no one uses.

Well here are some things to know about the nut–

Not native to Hawaii. It is really from Australia.

where are macadamia nuts from

 

Health Benefits

health benefits

 

recipes

cookies white chocolate  

oatmeal white chocolate

white chocolate 2

hummus hummus

savory dishes

 2 savory recipes

Helpful website with more savory dishes.

https://www.australian-macadamias.org/consumer/taste

NUTS ABOUT NUTS!!!

If you habe a favorite nut, let others know and also your favorite dish.

June(Tri)Borough Tripping with Toddler

what did we see this past month (June 2017)

1. Coptic Christian Church in Queens- (Whitestone area)-cool building
2. Jefferson Market Library- ( lower Manhattan) formerly a courthouse
3. Fort Totten-(right by Throggsneck Bridge)-Old Buildings

What we did recently

Museum of the City of NY (July 2017)  They have special craft days–on this particular day, they gave us a free pass for next visit.  Yippie.  Also the exhibits are loud and eye catching so 3 year olds can enjoy it for a little.

My toddler likes trains and buses.  She almost cried because we were not taking the bus a few times. It was pure madness.  I guess it is exciting–seeing all the people, the movement, listening to the bell, waiting, whatever it is, she really digs it.  I call it, life’s simple pleasures.

In August, we hit Guilford CT beach.  Different kind of beach–no public facilities and not really soft sand (shells and rocks) but when tide goes out, its nice).  Its not a real day trippers beach as there are no amenities. (bath house, public toilets, places to by food and beach paraphernalia- but its FREE)

We also had a picnic, according to my toddler. We ate on the park benches and watched the day go by.

We recently did a portion of the OCA–Old Croton Aqueduct.  That was fun.  If I had running gear, I would have jogged alongside my toddler. Its a runner’s, walker’s, and biker’s paradise.

Our most recent was taking the bus to Lyndhurst  Mansion in Tarrytown NY for free jazz concert. The bus drops you right at the gates.

We have not done any  real NJ, unless you count the birthday parties we have been to.  We also did a guest visit at a friend’s home only to have him not be home.   (NJ is great if you know what you are looking for, AKA-go with a plan. I wonder if the malls are still closed on Sundays! Google where are you?)

Local travel is great for discovery and culture!!  More to come–lets use the phrase “Winter is Coming!!”

More adventures to come in late September and October.