2 Restaurants in a day... oh my tummy

I just came back from Brasserie 8 1/2 with my team. There are 9 girls in my team and the only guy is our VP, so we always get this girl's day out kind of lunch thingys planned out.

The decor is very sultry and swanky sexy, very open and air-y for a midtown restauant. It's one of those place where you'd take your client to impress them. They are in the basement of the building that hosts Bank of America IB, so that gives you an idea of where to got that business-ish sexiness from.

Food was good in my opinion. It's marked as French, but I'd say nothing on the menu surprised me. No snails, no ox tails. Off of the Restaurant Week menu, I had:
- Trout Tartare with horseradish ice cream (looks and tastes like salmon, had pine nuts in it, but overall, it was ok, I wasn't that bothered by the pine nuts.)
- Rissotto with rabbit confit and spinch (not a huge spinch fan, but there weren't too much of it. The rabbit confit, on the other hand, tasted just like CHICKEN! argh, why does everything have to taste like chicken!)
- Blood orange tart (had 1 slice of blood orange on top of the creme tart, triple berry sauce, and a piece of burnt marshmellow... I really like blood orange, but this is just a total false advertisement! 1 slice? what a rip-off)

I give it 6 out of 10. Rissotto wasn't cooked evenly and the rabbit confit, c'mon, could have done better. Oh yea, right in the middle of us eatting, I mentioned to my coworker that the rabbit doesn't taste like rabbit. She had the rissotto too. She's like, what rabbit? I'm like... the meat in the rissotto is rabbit. SHE THREW HER FORK DOWN and looked so shocked. RABBIT? what? I thought it was chicken!!! See, only if I kept my mouth shut until she was done. Oh well, then she proceed to pick out every single piece of rabbit out. Reminds me of my favoriate fortune cookie saying: That wasn't chicken. =)


Anyways, I still have another one to test out tonight. EN Japanese Brasserie in West Village. They are famous for their fresh-made tofu and yuba. It's made at 6pm, 7:30pm, 9pm and 10:30pm each night. Our reservation is at 6:30pm. But I hope that our waitter would take my request to give me only the 7:30pm tofu. The tofu is served warm or chilled. I will definitely get BOTH!

I don't see the Restaurant Week menu on their website, but they seems like the Omikase type - leave it up for the chef to choose your dishes. So you get an assortment of small dishes and get a taste of everything. I like-y.... =)






The second picture is the yuba sashimi. Yuba is the wrinkly film on top of a hot soy milk that's getting cold. I don't know what's it called in Chinese, but I'm sure we have it in China.


I wish I could just chew the food and spit it out, so I don't gain weight. Like the episode in Sex and the City, where Miranda's LA friend spits out the steak after chewing it.


Sat. night is trio-couple night. Judy, Hannah and I are the Jersey Trio, and now we have all boyfriends. So it's turned into a +1 night. Triple date, yay~


Have a fabulous weekend girls!

Vong New York

Last night was H and I's date night. We are well into our second year of long distance relationship (220mi), and each chance we get to spend with each other is nothing to take granted for. (I love you baby!)

As I've mentioned before, it's NYC Restaurant Week and basically you get to have a Gourmet Prix-Fixe Menu offered by many of the famous high scale restaurants in the city for a much lower price, $24.07 for lunch and $35 for dinner. Ok, maybe not so cheap compare to most reatarants, but compared to NYC standard, that's a great price to pay to test out the expensive restarants.

Vong is a Thai-French fusion restaurant, and a part of the restauant group owned by Chef Jean George. He's a cool old man, he's even got his own blog! Vong's a pioneer in southeast Asian fusion food in NYC since it's inception in 1992. I've always wanted to try the Spice Market (same owner) in the meatpacking district, but never got the chance. So Vong's a perfect introduction to the world of Jean George.

Side note: I rarely eat out in expensive restauants when H's not here. I simply don't enjoy the food as much when H's not here, because he's my parnter in critiquing crime. Here is the scene: I'd act as if I'm the judged on Iron Chef. Start by looking at the presentation of the dish, take a tiny bite of the food... slowly chew it.. taste it... get it all over the tongue... make sure every taste bud has met the mush of food in my mouth.. Then take a sip of water.... swallow... then asks H:"Can I have your food? I don't like mine". Of course, he surrenders his plate in exchange for my tasteless tofu, cus I was supposed to be eatting healthy... =)

Ok, maybe I don't always order the best tasting food, but the point is we LOVE FOOD! Our sizes should explain that, when combined, we are a whopping 380lbs. You be the judge when spliting that number between the two of us.

ok, back to Vong. We simply cannot just spend $35 each on a dinner, that'd be so not like us. So here is what we've ordered...

2 cocktail drinks
2 appitizer sampler
1 coconut chicken soup
1 spicy beef salad
1 duck with tamarind sauce
1 roasted pork
2 desserts
Grant total = $175

The appitizer sampler was the best~!!! omg, the crab spring roll and roasted spicy quail were so gooooooood. I really didn't like my entree - Duck. I don't usually eat duck, but for some reason I ordered it last night.. Now I remember why I hate duck, it smells disgusting. And the sweet tamarind sauce didn't help either. H finished my dish and I ate the garnishes.

I'd say, go for the appitizer and dessert. The condensed milk ice cream was really good - it's like a good ol' vanilla ice cream without the overly sweet taste.

Anyways, I'm going to rate this restauant 8 out of 10.
Pro: great appitizer and very friendly services.
Con: dimmed lighting and sometimes overly noisey enviornment

Next: Brasserie 8 1/2. EN Japanese. Sushi Samba. Ben Benson's Steak House. 4 Restauants, 2 weeks. I'm budgeting around $50 per dinner and 5lbs of weight gaining.

Go away winter...

By the way, did everyone had Monday off??? Your truly was lucky enough to enjoy the "Bank" holiday. I never knew that there were so many holidays! My friends were so envious of me that I got Monday off, but then again, I feel kind of old that I am one of the fews who have MLK day off (most people that get "Bank" holidays off are more "settled").


Anyways, it's not like I went anywhere or did anything fun. Thanks for the cold ass winter weather. All weekend, all I did was shop for home stuff move stuff around to put in the extra home stuff. The joy and pain of owning your own condo.. sigh... But with the help of my hubby (the sarcasm only he'd understand), I now have a vanity!!! I can't wait to put all my makeup in the drawers and place my pretty perfume bottles and jeweleries on top. Now I need to look for a mirror with lights, for easy makeup application of course.


Since much of my time is constrained to being inside, I made sure I do all my winter bath rituals.


Did y'all ladies catch the L'Occitane sale that started before the new year's? Well, I nab the extra volume bottles for the sale, since it was 50% off of those DELUXE sizes. I've heard much talk about the Almond Shower Oil, and decided to give a go, but instead of paying full prize for the regular size, I picked up the 13.5fl.oz one. Along with the Almong Milk Concentrate.


Almond Shower Oil
8.4 fl oz. - $22
13.5 fl oz. - $28 (Sale)


Website says: A customer favorite. Transforms into a lavish, softening foam-- original and unique in texture--that leaves a satin-like softness all over the body. Rich in almond oil and nourishing lipids. Cleanses. gently to impart a delectable perfume. Keep handy in bath or showeras an extra-pampering alternative to Shea Butter Soap and our fragrance soaps. Suitable for men and women


For $6 more you get 60% more. But for a product I've never tried and have nothing to leverage off of, I was skeptical about my purchase.


The shower oil is like nothing I've tried. I knew about the in-shower lotion and tried the body wrap creme, but the shower oil was a surprise for me.


A good surprise. The oil goes on thick, and warms on contact (I felt warmer, maybe it's just me). You kind of massage it over your body and can feel some what exfoliated, since the oil is so thick. Once you rinse off, it emulsifies and turns milky white and leaves skin very supple, not greasy and you can't scratch up those oily gunk with your nail (those happens to me with salt oil scrubs, yuck, i hate those!). It'd compare the experience to a cleasning oil, but for your body. I'm a loyal Shu Cleasing Oil user, I don't use anything else to remove makeup. So I'm quite used to that to my face, but not for my body. The Shower Oil is thicker though, which is sooooo nice to calm down the itchy winter scaly skin.


I'd say this is perfert for the winter. I felt clean and my skin wasn't tight after showering, even with the piping hot water I like to use. The scent is better than average. Anyone who knows me knows that I HATE ALMOND. I hate nuts in general, but almond, OMG, the smell and the taste just drives me off the freaking wall. But with this one, surprisingly, I LIKE IT! It's light and refreshing, quite comforting too. Which is really weird, I'm suppose to hate it. But, whatever works right?


I've got the Deluxe size of Almond Milk Concentrate too. $48. 13.5 fl oz.

I'm still on my last 2 scoops of the 20% Shea Butter, so I haven't cracked into this baby yet. But it looks promosing when I tried it on in store. It's very light and absorbs quickly. It says to firm the body too. Oh well, we'll see about that. I don't believe cellulites can actually go away, but I guess it'd be nice for a little tighting since I'm trying to loose some winter weight.

One more thing ladies, if you've purchased anything ON SALE from L'Occitane, it is UNRETURNABLE OR UNEXCHANGABLE. I wanted to trade in this huge tub of creme for the smaller size and got denied. =( Boo hooo.... Once I've gotten over my impulse, I've realized $50 for a freaking lotion is INSANE! But then again, I've learned from my mistakes. At least I'll have Almond smelling yummy supple tight skin right?


Oh! I checked out the YSL Spring limited edition POP BLUSH in Nordstrom yesterday. But that needs a post by itself. I'm getting off work ON TIME (5:30pm) and heading to Vong's with my hubby for NYC Restaurant Week. If you are in the NYC area, make a reservation quick! I've got 2 dinners and 2 lunches booked. Can't wait! I will be posting Foodie entries. Stay tuned....

Prada for $15

I went to B&N last night to check out some GMAT prep books. Of course, I had to accidentally wonder next door to TJMaxx. Ever since I discovered this discount store offer beauty product, I've been a somewhat frequent visitor.

There wasn't anything that caught my eyes, plus almost everything was opened and tested every single dirty paw out there. So just I was about to leave, I saw this white box that's secured in a plastic cover. Hmm... what is it that need extra security? It was hard to find the description of this product, since it only has wording on one side of the box.

Prada Exfoliating Concentrate/Face

Ah, I see. Some gimmick by a fashion house. Then I looked at the price, I get a kick out of seeing how much discount everything is in that store. Originally $65, and now it's Red Marked in $15!! Holly cow, that's a huge discount! I snatched it with the quickness thinking I'm a exfoliating whore anyways, so why does it matter I'm spending another $15 on something I will always need. =)

So here is the info from Neiman Marcus, Click for more info

Visibly re-texturize skin with Exfoliating Concentrate/Face, a potent resurfacing treatment. FOR: Dull, devitalized skin.
FUNDAMENTALS: • A highly concentrated serum with 10% alpha hydroxy acids to biologically help accelerate cell turnover and smooth out epidermal layers, while moisture keeps skin soft and supple.
TEXTURE: Crystal clear serum.
USE ALSO: Reviving Bio-Firm Moisture SPF 15/Face during the day.
WARNING: Not for sensitive skin. Avoid eye area. Always apply an SPF product prior to sun exposure.
ASSURANCE: Dermatologist tested.
AMOUNT: 10 mono doses—individually sealed packages that keep out light, air, and bacteria. Hygienic and fresh. Each mono dose is .04 ounce.

And the listed price is $130 on NM website. I almost fell over and cracked my head open. Who the hell in their right mind would buy something that small for $130? I could barely justify spending $15 on something I don't even know if it will work, let alone $130. What have this world come to?

My verdict:
The size of the mono dose is the size of a cigarette butt. It's clear runny serum with a twist open cap (so you can't close it and save it for next time). On the box it says, for the first 7 doses, rinse off in 15 minutes. For the next 7 doses, leave on.
First of all, it only got 10 packets in there. Secondly, who leaves 10% AHA concentrate on their face over night? Maybe I should try it since it didn't really sting me when I put it on. But I had to wash it off after 15 minutes, it gives my skin that "I can't breath" feeling, and slimy and runny feeling.
Nevertheless, IT WORKS. I don't know how it is compare to other AHA products, but it did make my skin feel smoother and softer. It's just I can't handle the price tag. It gives me that feeling of use the Philosphy Microdelivery Peel PAD (not the 2-step one). Like, it kind of burns you a little bit, but leaves you feeling smoother. I'd say Prada gives me a gentler feeling, I could take the 15 minutes wait.

Point of the story is, TJMaxx got some real good discount on gimmick high fashion brand beauty prodcuts. I got a 88% off the real price tag.

What's your biggest discount item?

Family Weekend - New Beauty Finds

My cousin from Canada is visiting for a few days since she's going back to China for Chinese New Year (Envy~). We went to Woodbury Commons on Sat., all 5 of us, mom, dad, me, Carol and Daisy. Of course, I went to CCO and was in there for god knows how long. I picked up a Prescriptive Finishing Brush, MAC 188 and MAC Lightful Protective Moisturizer Hydratant SPF 30/ PA++ . Then on Sunday, we went to SOHO and did some damage in Bloomingdale's beauty department, my little brown bag was filled with Kiel's Lip Gloss in Pink Rider, Doggy Conditioner for Daisy (lavenderrrr), and GA Designer Compact Foundation SPF22.

I'm very happy with my purchases this weekend, except for the brushes. The Prescriptive Finishing Brush is SOOOOOO SOFT!!!! But I wonder what the hack you can use it with? It's the size of a blush brush, but longer bristles. I thought I'd do some research once I get home, but found nothing on this brush! WTH? If anyone knows the purpose of this brush, pls leave a comment. As far as I know, Prescriptive doesn't have a "Finishing Powder".

Question for the MAC Addicts, #188? I have the #187, love it for beauty powder and highlighters, but.. what about 188? what do you use it with? Where on your face that you need to highlight with a 188 that you can't do with a 187? (I don't highlight my nose, btw).

But, aside from the awarkard brushes, I've come across some of my *hopefully* HG products. First off...

MAC Lightful Protective Moisturizer Hydratant SPF 30/ PA++

Price: $35

I've never heard of the Lightful Collection until I see this. I thought, eh, interesting. Since I'm on the hunt for a good sunscreen, I thought, I'll give a shot.

OH MY GOD! It's heaven sent! Most sun screens make me look like a grease ball, but this one just immediately sunk into my skin and I couldn't feel my finger slippling on my face.

It's said to be Asia-exclusive? To accommadate to the "white" skin that all Asian craves after? I don't know about you, but I sure as hell don't want to look any whiter. But I believe that's all a bunch of bull. No one can look "whiter" in my opinion. A better description is to have even skin tone and brightened face. Asian with yellow undertone tend to look sallow, which could due to sun damages or age, it's just some form of discoloration that Asians thinks makes them look tired and dirty.

I love this sunscreen because it has SPF 30 and PA++, it doesn't have that light diffusing purple or pinkish sheen (like those in the Strobe cream), and it really moisturizes my crazy ass winter dry combination but sometimes oily face. I was so happy with the result, that I immeidately went to put on my face makeup to see how it holds up in that department. A perfect 10, ladies! My foundation didn't slide off of my face by the end of the day (10pm) and it didn't oxidite (happens often to me). So yes lord, thanks for answer my prayer, I knew you always had my back homie~

GA Designer Compact Foundation SPF22 in 5.5

Price: $65

Yes, that's right. $65 for 15ml. That's GA for ya. But what can I say? When the MA put it on my face and my nose area, I had to seriously use a magnifying glass to find my pores! It's that good.

It goes on velvety soft, like mousse but a bit harder. Then it turns into soft powder. And all you can see if your flawless face that probably just cost $5 to mask.

It comes with a cute little half moon brush. I'm not one that likes the brushes that comes with anything, I just think it doesn't do the job and it's a waste of money. But girls, you've got to feel THIS brush. It's sooooo soft. My man really didn't go cheapo on this one. This is the real deal brush. I haven't had the chance to use it, because I don't want to ruin the pretty little glass jar it comes with. But I will let you know whenever I get the courage to break in. I don't say this too often, but YOU HAVE GOT TO TRY IT!

Last but not least...

Kiel's Lip Gloss in Pink Rider

Price: $13.50

Whoever doesn't have a Kiel's #1 lip balm should be shot. No but seriously, everyone who knows anything about good lip balm, it's got to be Kiel's. It's ultra creamy and moisturizing. It's like a N.A.P blankie for your lippie.

I wanted the Pink Rider ever since it came out. It's the perfect "my lips, but better" color. It's #2 from the right on this picture. I like pinkish mauve color, it makes my lips look... well... more alive. Frosty colors makes me look dead, and berry colors are just too POPPIN' for me (sorry lil' mama). I've been sticking by my Philosophy's Kiss Me in pink for as long as I could. But it starts to get really solid in the cold winter month. Some times I feel like I've put butter on my lips and then it got hard when I go outside. You know what I mean?

So all in all, I've made some great purchases this weekend. I just need to figure out how to use those damn brushes. By the way, I stopped by SPACE NK. Seriously, don't know what all the fuss is about. Maybe I'm not that "age" yet, but I personally can't find anything in there that suits my skin. It's for... "older" women I think. Everything's like $100 and over! But I did stumble upon the SPACE NK Powder Brush.

Space.NK
powder brush
an incredible blend of super fine goat and blue squirrel, this brush ensures perfect pick up of both loose and pressed face powder for a smooth and easy finish.

Price: $65

It was Chinchilla on my face! sssssoooooooo plush and soft. I've never felt a face brush like that! But then again, it's $65, it better be chinchilla.

Sigh.. This is got to wait... Maybe next month.

How about you my friend, any great finds?

GMAT Prep

Originally I signed up for Kaplan Classroom prep to prepare for my upcoming GMAT test. This is mainly due to the discount I get from my company, almost 40% off. These classes are not cheap, the original price is $1440, I only had to pay $880. So I took up on that offer and set to start the class on 1/26. Another great perk is that if for ANY REASON you are not satisfied with your score, you can retake the class again FOR FREE! So even if I was just lazy and didn't want to go to the exam, I could just go back to the class again and start studying again - given that you've finished all your homework and never missed a class.

As tempting as it sounds, Kaplan never seemed to impress me. I've taken it while I was a senior in College. During my last semester, I only had 2 classes and was mainly focused on my internship and job searching, so I thought why not get GMAT out of the way? Great thinking... but that was $1440 wasted. I went to the classes, and probably only did half of the homework and never went to take the exam at the end of the semester - I was shopping somewhere in Waikiki on the Hawaii Islands, lol.

So here I am again, gearing up for the challenge. I know for a fact that any failure of my attempt to beat the GMAT was due to my laziness. My brain wasn't thinking about all the solutions and explanations, I thought just by doing problem is gonna get me a 700. WRONG! So I've came up with a brand new study plan.

1) Do a full length practice exam EVERY WEEK for 10 weeks.
2) Cancel Kaplan and switch to Manhattan GMAT.
3) Focus on ONE AREA of the exam and practice that area only for a few days.
4) Blog as much as I can about my progress to keep myself motivated.
5) Participate in forums regarding MBA and GMAT to keep myself updated.

I'm going to an info session for GMAT Preview at Manhattan GMAT to see what the hype is alll about. Though I've already made up my mind about switching to Manhattan GMAT after reading their website. https://www.manhattangmat.com/

What's interesting is that they offere Virtual Classrooms, so you can participate in a classroom setting without physically being there. Also, their classroom sessions are $1440 (same as KAPLAN), but the Virtual one is only $990. Plus they ship you the Official Guide of GMAT, which is the only publication of real GMAT questions from GMAC, the writer of the GMAT exam. Virtual classes runs on weekdays from 8pm - 11pm, which is great, because then I have sufficient time to go home, eat, walk Daisy and then sit in my pjs to study for GMAT.

Interesting forum: beatthegmat.com

Registered for the NYC MBA Tour on Feb. 9th, 2008: thembatour.com it's free!

I love the internet! Free time at work = more time to prep for MBA.

INSEAD - where I want to be

http://worldmbawire.blogspot.com/
even just by reading the blog puts the fire back in me. my brain just had an hour bliss in my pre-graduation memories. a sweet smile on my face, as if I'm in love again...

http://www.insead.edu/home/