Happy Lunar New Year from Nom Nom Cat!

January 23, 2012

Alice Uncategorized , , , , , , 1 Comment

Chúc mừng năm mới, everyone! We’re taking a quick break from our One Week, Three Cities series to wish you all a very happy Lunar New Year. It’s the year of the dragon (my zodiac year!) and we are looking forward to a fantastic 2012! Lunar New Year is also known as Chinese New Year, which is a bit of a misnomer since many Asian cultures celebrate this time of year with their own festivals, traditions, and customs. This past weekend, we visited my parents for an early celebration of Tết, the Vietnamese word for Lunar New Year.

Source: chinesenewyearcards.blogspot.com

Read more about our Tet traditions!

Day 3.5: Seattle – La Buona Tavola and Pike Place Market

January 20, 2012

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We allotted a whole afternoon to exploring Pike Place, the iconic farmer’s market of downtown Seattle, so we thought it would warrant its own entry in our One Week, Three Cities series.

Obligatory Sign Shot - Super Touristy, We Know

Read more about Pike Place Market and La Buona Tavola Truffle Cafe!

Day Three: Seattle – Portage Bay Cafe, Seattle Caviar Company

January 19, 2012

Martin Nom Adventures , , , , 1 Comment

Recommended by Alice’s friend Rei and conveniently located next door to the University Inn where we crashed for the duration of our stay in Seattle, Portage Bay Cafe was a “must visit” locale near UW. The line was already out the door by 10:30am on the day after Christmas, even though it was a Monday. The wait was about an hour long according to the hostess and we just about ready to leave when the hostess told us we could stake out a counter spot. Being from LA and highly familiar with restaurant lines, we did not hesitate taking the only two remaining counter spots next to the door and condiments table that nobody seemed to want.

Phil's Breakfast

Read more about Portage Bay Cafe and caviar tasting at Seattle Caviar Company!

Day Two: Seattle – Dim Sum and Henry’s Taiwan for Christmas

January 13, 2012

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What we hadn’t anticipated about holiday travel was just how many places would be closed on Christmas Day. We asked around for ideas on what to do, and the general consensus seemed to be “Go to Chinatown.” Sounds like a plan!

Christmas morning, while children around the world are eagerly tearing up wrapping paper to uncover their presents, we stood outside of a cramped doorway packed with others who apparently had the same idea that we did – DIM SUM. Harbor City Restaurant and its neighbor Jade Garden Restaurant are local favorites for this weekend brunch of sorts. Did you know that dim sum is thought to have given rise to the Western concept of brunch? Who would’ve thought that thousands of years of traditional ‘yum cha’ with hot tea and dumplings would one day evolve into pancakes and French toast. But I digress.

Dim Sum Staples: Cha Siu Pao, Chicken Feet, Har Gow

Click here to read more about dim sum and Taiwanese food!

Day One: Seattle – Elliott’s Oyster House

January 11, 2012

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This year for our holiday vacation, the one time of the year when nonprofit and for-profit organizations alike are more generous with approving Paid Time Off, Martin and I decided to take a week off to travel north and really experience winter (we heard LA was having summer in December while we were gone – consider us a bit envious). Our first stop in our One Week, Three Cities series: Seattle.

Jason the Oyster Master of Elliott's Oyster House

Read more about Elliott’s Oyster House!

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