Neighbor Digest 02
confessions of a teenage drama queen, $34 tea, and a baby basset hound
I think we can all agree that February went by in the blink of an eye. Full of yucky weather with a couple of sunny days sprinkled in, we’re in the final stretch of winter and can look forward to welcoming spring later this month. March is when we slowly transition out of hibernation: more outside time, more friend time, more of all that. This is why I included the New York Botanical Garden in this month’s digest!
I’m looking forward to visiting the farmer’s market and indulging in the spring produce soon. I have been dying to make rhubarb muffins. It’s also soon-to-be gardening season, and we can all start thinking about what we’d like to grow this year. I will not be growing corn in my shared Brooklyn backyard, but I am currently fixated on several corn recipes that I really need to try: corn tiramisu, corn cream pie, and Vietnamese corn milk. The only problem is that I don’t live with enough people to justify making all of that. I guess I could throw a corn party, so let me know if you wanna come over?
I have this thing where I eat Honeycrisp apples and only Honeycrisp apples because at some point in my youth, my grandma began feeding them to me and I have been obsessed ever since. I did a little research and their cells have been bred to be larger than other apple cells, which is what gives them that distinct juicy crunch I guess? I buy four a week and slice them up, I eat most of the slices and feed the last bites to my dog. It’s our little routine. I do not eat any other type of apple, and I don’t really have an interest in trying any other apples, but recently I spoke with someone about this and they disagreed with my opinion on Honeycrisp superiority. So this month I am hosting an apple poll and I need others to chime in.
MARCH PLAYLIST
Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen is one of my favorite Lindsay Lohan movies. The ending where she performs in Eliza Rocks is permanently engrained in my brain and probably my mom’s because I frequently forced her to watch it with me. I’m including David Bowie’s Changes on this list in honor of the movie.
Changes - David Bowie
I LOVE YOUR GIRLFRIEND - Omar S, AF13
These Days - Nico
diva virtual - iuky
Hot In Herre - Nelly
Simple and Clean - Hikaru Utada
Cool Cat - Queen
RIP - Triathalon
Thank you, Lindsay.
EVENTS/ARTS/CULTURE
Atelier Sucré Croissant Baking Class: My mom signed us up for this class as a gift and it was so cute. We made ham and swiss, chocolate, and plain and learned about the dough-making process. We really had to work together on this one because Christian and I have very different styles in the kitchen and I wanted everything to be perfect while he was focused on stuffing the maximum amount of cheese in the croissant.
NYBG Orchid Show: The New York Botanical Garden is back with their annual orchid show, and this year’s theme is Mexican Modernism. The show draws inspiration from architect Luis Barragán, exhibiting vibrant colors and geometric shapes all throughout. Buying a pass to the show also gives you access to the whole garden, so go on a sunny day that you feel like walking around! It’s a bit of a trip to get to, but I recommend taking the Metro-North from Grand Central instead of the recommended 4 or 6 train route Google Maps gives you.
Happy Medium Art Cafe: This is a really fun place to bring a friend or a date if you’re feeling the urge to make something with your hands. My coworkers and I came here together and you get to choose from a menu of art mediums to work on. I chose air dry clay, but others picked watercolors or pastels. The session is self-guided so you don’t have an instructor, but they give you all the things you need.
FOOD/DRINK
Shaxian Snacks: I am very obsessed with this place right now. It is so delicious and reasonably priced. I went one day when I was craving hot and sour noodles and that was the only thing I got there for a while. But recently I tested out their peanut butter noodles with pickled mustard greens, steamed dumplings, and braised pork and rice lunch set, and all of it was great. The peanut butter noodles are only $3.50!! In New York City!!
Kelloggs Diner: I really didn’t expect to like this place because I had been hearing mixed reviews, but my best friend has been going there like twice a week so I needed to give it a go. I never went to the old Kelloggs diner but I think a lot of people went to the revamp expecting it to be the same menu and prices, and that’s where a lot of the disappointment comes from. It’s Tex-Mex food with diner classics, and it’s open 24/7. I got the enchiladas and they were very good, I also tried the patty melt which was insane. GET THE QUESO DIP.
Hamburger America: We randomly bumped into this place one day while strolling around and it’s kind of out of the way but the burger was so good and I love that they put the onion and pickles on the side so you can dress it yourself. They also have a monthly special burger, which I didn’t try, but the classic was awesome and only $7.50!
Foster Sundry: Not only a great fromagerie and amazing butcher, but their chorizo breakfast burrito is the first thing I ate when I moved to NYC and I still order it to this day! I like to buy artisanal pantry things here, and their meat is my go-to. If you want to buy a nice steak, this is the place to go. They also have fun specials sometimes like a meatball sub and red pozole.
NOTEWORTHY
Hot Chip Nail: My bestie does nails in East Williamsburg, everyone should go see her. We’re going on vacation together and she created a literal 3D STARFISH to sprawl out on my nail and it is so cute I can’t stop admiring it! I’ll let her work speak for itself.
Marcella Hazan’s Bolognese: Such a comforting sauce, cooked low and slow for hours and the meat just tenderizes so well. I had red wine that I saved for cooking in my fridge, so I took a risk and swapped that for the recommended white. Honestly it turned out great! This bolognese needs to be served with pappardelle in my opinion, I think it holds the sauce better and elevates the dish.
Dr. Singha’s Mustard Bath: Last September I went home to Seattle and took the ferry to Bainbridge Island, something I had never done before. I got a cup of Ivar’s clam chowder to eat during the ride as I watched out the window for orca sightings. It’s so tranquil on the island. My friends and I went into a wellness shop just a few blocks from the ferry terminal and they had single packs of this mustard bath, we bought it and I have been hooked ever since. Especially as we navigate all these viruses going around, this stuff is great for detoxifying and has helped me when I felt a little stuffy nose or cough coming along.
Hojicha: So I already spoke on this a bit on my Instagram but I went to Happier Grocery the other day and I was in a really good mood. That place has a way with people, everyone’s feeling joyful and healthy despite knowing they’re about to pay $27 for a salmon filet and halloumi (Not judging, I do it too…) Just stepping into that establishment makes you feel detoxified. Well I went to the tea and coffee section and found a pack of ground yamabuki hojicha powder that I swear was marked $14. Long story short, it was not $14 it was $34 and me being too passive and embarrassed to say anything to the already annoyed and busy cashier, I bought it and spiraled on the train home. But the good news is it’s REALLY good and I swear I’m not just saying that to make myself feel better. A little goes a long way so you can probably get like 25 beverages out of it. So actually, it’s a steal?
Know My Name by Chanel Miller: I remember when I first read her victim impact statement, I had just graduated from high school and was headed into college. I couldn’t stop thinking about all the potential Brock Turner’s on campus. I started Chanel’s memoir this week and have not been able to put it down. She is a phenomenal writer and somehow captivates her story and the story of so many other survivors in such a moving way. I’m only half way through and I have already cried/laughed/smiled so much. It’s not an easy read, be prepared to feel all the things, but well worth it.
I hope you all enjoyed this month’s digest! Xx
let’s go to farmers market soon <3
i’ll be expecting all the corn creations. ty in advance