Stacy Z.'s Profile
Date
232 N 10th St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 627-5831
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 627-5831
International Bakery I
Categories:
Restaurants,
Bakeries
Neighborhood: Chinatown
A visit to Alphabet Soup is not unlike taking a stroll through one's childhood. It's like being in kindergarten again, surrounded by colorful building blocks and old-school toys like marbles and picture books. Every time I come here, I'm struck by how some of my standby favorites are still popular with kids (The Paper Bag Princess, I Spy). Sometimes, I'm tempted to walk in just to oogle over the Hello Kitty display.
Alphabet Soup is the perfect place to shop for a small child, but I've been there plenty of times with my friends. We've yet to notice any odd looks. Definitely the best place to go if you're in the mood for elementary school nostalgia or you want to buy Little Billy something that's not a new Pokemon game for his PS2.
Alphabet Soup is the perfect place to shop for a small child, but I've been there plenty of times with my friends. We've yet to notice any odd looks. Definitely the best place to go if you're in the mood for elementary school nostalgia or you want to buy Little Billy something that's not a new Pokemon game for his PS2.
Madeline's okay if you're more into the experience and atmosphere than the actual food. I'd rather go to Taste of Thai and then drop by here for dessert.
They do have great desserts. Their tiramisu and black forest cake are delicious and decadent--which makes up for their slightly overrated food. Save yourself the cash and go to Viva Taqueria or Taste of Thai for dinner.
They do have great desserts. Their tiramisu and black forest cake are delicious and decadent--which makes up for their slightly overrated food. Save yourself the cash and go to Viva Taqueria or Taste of Thai for dinner.
Saying that Ithaca's big on reading is a bit like saying that rocks sort of hurt when someone throws them at you.
That said, the Friends of the Library Book Sale is a bi-annual event that I look forward to every October and May. (And each time, I act like a kid in a candy store.)
I've gotten everything from SAT practice books, trashy chick lit (Bridget Jone's Diary, anyone?), even trashier movie soundtracks, extensive biographies of members of the Tudor family, and Japanese comic books from the book sale. It's amazing because I walk in with the intention of buying maybe a French verb book and coming out with about forty other things for less than $15.
It's worth noting that if you're a fan of children's lit, there are always tons of old copies of Sweet Valley High and the Babysitters Club book. I should know because I used to buy them from there in bulk when I was in elementary school.
That said, the Friends of the Library Book Sale is a bi-annual event that I look forward to every October and May. (And each time, I act like a kid in a candy store.)
I've gotten everything from SAT practice books, trashy chick lit (Bridget Jone's Diary, anyone?), even trashier movie soundtracks, extensive biographies of members of the Tudor family, and Japanese comic books from the book sale. It's amazing because I walk in with the intention of buying maybe a French verb book and coming out with about forty other things for less than $15.
It's worth noting that if you're a fan of children's lit, there are always tons of old copies of Sweet Valley High and the Babysitters Club book. I should know because I used to buy them from there in bulk when I was in elementary school.
Really good Chinese food. Probably one of the most authentic you can find in NYC. My family comes here every few months since I was about four so a couple of the waiters know us by name.
From past experiences-- I love their peking style pork chop (ging do pai gwut) and their deep fried tofu. Their braised seabass is also pretty good, as is their snails in black bean sauce (I've been eating them since I was little, and before I knew that they were--ahem--snails). Their chicken (with a side of prawn crackers) is also excellent.
Highly recommended for anyone who wants good Chinese seafood but doesn't want to go all the way to Flushing.
From past experiences-- I love their peking style pork chop (ging do pai gwut) and their deep fried tofu. Their braised seabass is also pretty good, as is their snails in black bean sauce (I've been eating them since I was little, and before I knew that they were--ahem--snails). Their chicken (with a side of prawn crackers) is also excellent.
Highly recommended for anyone who wants good Chinese seafood but doesn't want to go all the way to Flushing.
29 E Broadway
New York, NY 10002
(212) 962-3634
New York, NY 10002
(212) 962-3634
Oriental Books Stationary and Arts - CLOSED
Category:
Cards & Stationery
Neighborhood: Chinatown
I always forget that I'm in Chinatown when I go here because it's so serene and quiet. Like David S. said, it's a bit hard to find unless you know where it is. Almost all the books are Chinese so if you're illiterate in the language (like me) then you might have to resort to flipping through books and looking at the occasional pretty picture.
That said, it's my favorite spot to pick up beginner's Chinese books. I pretend that the children books are for my younger siblings, but I don't think I fooled anyone.
That said, it's my favorite spot to pick up beginner's Chinese books. I pretend that the children books are for my younger siblings, but I don't think I fooled anyone.
49 Bayard St
New York, NY 10013
(212) 566-6833
New York, NY 10013
(212) 566-6833
Vivi Bubble Tea
Category:
Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: Chinatown
The cutest bubble tea shop I've ever visited! Their prices are decent. Maybe I'm weird, my taro bubble tea tasted fine-- just the way I liked it.
The staff has always been nice and sweet. They gave me a VIP card which I still have. Really, I'm easy-- I'd go there just for cute logo and its convenient location.
The staff has always been nice and sweet. They gave me a VIP card which I still have. Really, I'm easy-- I'd go there just for cute logo and its convenient location.
65 Bayard St
New York, NY 10013
(212) 608-4170
New York, NY 10013
(212) 608-4170
Chinatown Ice Cream Factory
Category:
Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
Neighborhood: Chinatown
This place is actually amazing. I don't live in NYC, but I wish I did simply because their Almond Cookie ice cream (with actual pieces of cookie, I almost died of happiness) made my life. I also like their taro and red bean-- both flavors are subtle but perfect on a nice day.
The staff has always been friendly and efficient. Definitely my favorite place to bring friends!
The staff has always been friendly and efficient. Definitely my favorite place to bring friends!
As others have pointed out, Viva Taqueria isn't authentic Mexican food by any means. Do Ithacans care? Judging by the I Love Viva Taqueria group on Facebook and the long lines every time I've gone there-- the answer would be no.
If you don't mind pseudo-Mexican food, Viva's the place for you. I've yet to had a bad experience with any of my orders and honestly, I think this will be one of the places I miss most when I leave Ithaca (right after the Almighty Wegmans).
Even though I'm not vegetarian, my favorites are the Tofu Superburrito and Tofu Quesadilla. Their beef nachos aren't bad either. If you're ordering it to-go, be prepared to wait in line for at least five minutes and then another five-ten for your order to be done. I'm not kidding when I say that Viva always has lines.
If you don't mind pseudo-Mexican food, Viva's the place for you. I've yet to had a bad experience with any of my orders and honestly, I think this will be one of the places I miss most when I leave Ithaca (right after the Almighty Wegmans).
Even though I'm not vegetarian, my favorites are the Tofu Superburrito and Tofu Quesadilla. Their beef nachos aren't bad either. If you're ordering it to-go, be prepared to wait in line for at least five minutes and then another five-ten for your order to be done. I'm not kidding when I say that Viva always has lines.
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"the cloudy dreamer"
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Review votes:
7 Useful, 2 Funny, and 6 Cool
Location
Ithaca, NY
Yelping SinceJune 2008
Find Me InThreadless tees in Ithaca (soon to be Bryn Mawr)
My HometownManhattan, NYC
My Blog Or Website When I'm Not Yelping...I'm working, blogging, or on Facebook.
The Last Great Book I ReadJhumpa Lahiri's "The Namesake"
My Last Meal On EarthAlmond cookie ice cream and sushi
Don't Tell Anyone Else But...I've watched High School Musical 2. (And liked it.)
I also like their chaa siu bao (roast pork buns) and their pork sung buns are also decent. The ladies behind the counter are always sweet and cheerful and will always ask if I want my stuff heated up.