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Got back from New York with lots of yummy food in my stomach and a cold. I was overly optimistic about the weather forecast and forgot that New York is windy too sigh.

I finally opened up the sencha from Ippodo in Kyoto to celebrate the quasi-arrival of spring:

Not sure whether time has made the tea stale or I just can't taste anything because of my cold (hopefully the latter). At the very least I appreciate how smooth and gentle this tea is.

forwards

Some photos not posted to Facebook.

Williamsburg: this park is amazing to watch the sun set over Manhattan from:

Astoria: funny how my AirBnB this time is literally the building next door down from where I stayed last time.

The southbound platform is in the sun during the morning, a much needed heat source because I didn't bring enough warm clothing.

Manhattan: I should really go to new areas instead of repeatedly wandering around the same midtown / chinatown blocks.

feather

Flying to New York this time was my first missed flight. I clearly did not heed my boss' experience of facing long lines at security early in the morning. Also forgot that Pearson does US customs before boarding the plane. But AA was amazingly gracious and sent us to the next flight out to DC and transferred there for no cost.

The silver lining of approach New York from the south is flying over the city before landing:

brisk

Clearing my backlog of food photos because off to New York again. This is perhaps the most needed getaway yet.

There are many cans of tomato sitting in my cupboard, although I'll repurpose some for cooking Indian food. Cream cheese is a fine addition.

Pickles galore! In fact this meal encompasses all of the pickles I've made: the daikon pickle as a side, while the daikon kimchi, kale stem and even the super gingery carrot is fried into rice. Fried rice is the solution to pickles. Meal also featuring Indian spiced carrots and chickpea topping mixed with 老干妈.

...

Mom and I resumed our weekly lunches:

 Katto Sushi, which opened up shop in the place of ND Sushi. Brownie points for presentation (although mom's first comment was: now they serve sushi on chopping boards?). Taste wise, some hits ands misses.

Colaba Junction: steps away from Mumbai Street Food and I order the chaat to compare. Yelp also tipped off that the Thali came with a fancy plate so that was ordered as well. Overall the two are pretty darn similar.

...

Jeff eats here a lot:

I approve of the bibimbap
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elbows

Okay I'm convinced that the blue hour is just as magical as the golden hour. You'll just have to believe me since the atmosphere is not conveyed at all through these photos.

nanyan

This week's study music:

turf

I need to finish about 7lbs of potato hopefully before I leave for New York...

So far I've added them to roast meat, and made a tortilla:

I added enough oil to make it effectively not stick to my cast iron, but washing the pan took off another layer of seasoning... "orz When will I finally get a layer that sticks?