Cafe Lalo

So Raquel takes me to have brunch at Cafe Lalo on the West side between Amsterdam and Broadway before what would be the death of the best $25.00 hair blow dry I've ever had. Apparently the place is known for the movie "You've Got Mail" and if you know Raquel, you'd know that's her favorite movie.

I had the Moroccan Delight which might not look appealing to the eye but believe me, it taste better than what you think. Of course, I didn't eat the olives nor the pickles. I'm so picky.



Some diet coke to wash it down. I seriously need to lay off the coke. Wait...WHAT?!?

To Jersey and back!

After leaving our sweat and tears behind in Brooklyn, Raquel and I headed back home to freshen up and part ways for some hours. She had some family matters to attend to back in Passaic, NJ so I took advantage of time and took the train into the city to meet up with Janelle at her job. It was my first time riding alone and if I may add, I did pretty good. Once I met up with her, we took a 30 minute bus ride to her temporary place in West New York. Her aunt has the one of the nicest views of Manhattan's city line.

Once Janelle finished getting ready, she and I drove up to Passaic to rescue our damsel in distress and headed back to the city to Serendipity which is a real charming place also known for their colossal desserts.

The decor of the place is that of a page from Alice in Wonderland. Its a whole bunch of things put together so there is a lot going on but i loved it.

I don't like coffee nor $15 mugs.

My Ladies and I ordered a gigantic Banana Split the size of your head. We shared it amongst us three and still couldn't finish it.

Dig in!

I wanted to buy something from here for all of my friends and family back home but their souvenirs are way too pricey for what they're worth if you ask me. I still recommend the place to everyone and if you go, you can buy ME a souvenir! =)

Vagabond

My long time friend Aholsniffsglue invited me to Vagabond. They have an event called (((SHAKE))) which is held every Thursday and he's been inviting me for the past year. I never go because I'm an old fart and wouldn't be able to wake up early the next day for work. But I finally gave in and brought the boo and my friends from Jersey along.

The crowd was too "young" for my taste but the art and old school hip hop made up for that. Oh, and how could i forget the free drinks? Thanks Ahol!

I bumped into an old friend from high school. Monica and I were on the cheer leading squad together. Don't judge!!! Shes super cool. And that's my buddy Ahol on the bottom right. =) His face might look familiar because hes a known graffiti artist from Miami.

Yes. All this LOVE.

Fun in South Beach with Janel and Dre

My friend Janel and her lover boy Dre came down from Jersey to spend their summer vacation in Miami and I had the pleasure to hang out with them. I met Janel my freshman year of college at MDC and soon into becoming friends with her, she moved back up north. We have kept in touch ever since and always try our hardest to see one another when one goes to visit the others home town.

This is Janel. Her mother tried naming her after me, but she took the extra L for an N. LOL. Lies! Please excuse the glistening off my body. Drinking under the sun does that to me. =/


My trustworthy sidekick of a boyfriend came along. I bring him with me everywhere only because he knows how to tell time. Gooo Casio watches!


For a moment, I thought that was the Dominican flag on the lifeguard house.


You're damn right I told my friends that they could stand under my umbrella ella ella, eh eh.


Or sit under it. =)


I bumped into Mr. Fire crotch again while tanning with my friends. He said hello.


Once we were able to drag Dre out of the water, we walked on Ocean Drive, adopted a guy named Carlos (kidding, hes our friend who happened to join us after work), and saw a 50% off dinner deal at a restaurant whose name I forgot.

Carlos and the boo.


We washed down our salt less chicken Alfredo dinner with Margaritas the size of YOUR face!.


The Jersey couple enjoying their huge drinks.

Both the service and food was no good. I guess that's why A. The name of the restaurant wasn't memorable AND B. It was 50% off! Overall, I had a good time with friends.

Doughnuts and a hot day in Brooklyn

I was still pretty full from brunch but Raquel dearest always has space for sweets. ALWAYS. She ordered about 10 different doughnuts at Doughnut Plant just to try all the flavors.








There was an extended list of their diverse flavors inside. I contemplated on trying a Tres Leches doughnut but decided to try the Lavender instead.





Tasted like Mistolin floor cleaner but in a good, edible way. I took about 3 bites and saved the rest to share later on with Amy. I was stuffed.

We walked it out afterwards, and when I say walked, I mean it. Think of the longest walk you've ever had on the hottest day you've ever experienced and it could very well be equivalent to our walk to the Brooklyn Bridge.

We walked through China and back to get there. I felt out of my element. lol As if the never ending walk wasn't enough, we had to walk up the slightly steep walkway to the bridge. Too many people. Too damn hot. That's why 1. we only made it to the beginning of the bridge 2. That's one of the most fake smiles Ive ever had to pull out of my bag.



You try genuinely smiling at the camera when you re sweating like you just got out the oven and your hair has become a mess from all the humidity.

Brunch on the Lower East Side

Before running around the city like a chicken with its head cut off, I had brunch at Stanton Social. Reservations were made for 11am, yet the place opened at 11:30am. I don't know what that was about but the yummy food made up for the small wait under the blazing sun.

Huevos Rancheros

Caramelized Banana Pancakes with Candied Pecans. =}

Maple Syrup? Yes please.



Please excuse my friend's finger from the picture. She was anxious to eat her food and was ready to drop my camera.

Lupa, In the Heights and Ava lounge.

One of my favorite nights of my trip to NYC this past weekend!



Dinner at Lupa located by West Broadway. I had Bavette Cacio & Pepe and Pollo alla Diavola. Oh my god, so good! If you're into spicy food, you ll love it.



After dinner, we took a cab to the Richard Rodgers Theatre to watch In The Heights on Broadway.



Not so bad seats.



The show was energetic, upbeat and real modern. The music and choreography part of the show were my favorite along with the set. Look at it! Looks so real! Its a must see if you're ever interested in catching a show while in the city.



We walked to Dream Hotel on 7Th and Broadway once the play was over to meet up with my friend Janelle from Miami.



Shes staying in West New York while interning at Escada for the summer, so we took advantage of the time to catch up. She had a 30 minute bus ride ahead of her before getting to us, so we killed some time in the lobby.






Once Janelle arrived, we went up to Ava lounge which has an indoor area and a rooftop area with awesome views of the city.





Its safe to say that dinner, Broadway, and lounging are ingredients for a fantastic evening. I Had a great time with the ladies.