Top 5 Literary Events in NYC

Are you on your way to New York City? Are you looking for a good show? Do you live in NYC and you're wondering what kind of literary events are hosted in here? You are in luck. NYC is filled with literary events once a month that are both entertaining, cutting edge, and educational for adults! Here is a list of 5 of my favorite events that usually happen once a month.

#1 The Happy Ending Reading Series hosted by Amanda Stern. This is a monthly event held at Joe's Pub featuring authors of all types and genres. The authors read pieces of their original work and then take some sort of "public risk" on stage. There is a musical guest. The artist must try to sing a cover song and get the entire audience to sing along. Amanda, your host, sets the stage and tone with humor. The talent she recruits is truly incredible. If you are in NYC at the start of the month- see if her show is playing that night and come check it out! You will leave with a new set of books to read.

#2 Nerd Nite is hosted by Matt Wasowski. This monthly event is held at Galapagos in Dumbo, Brooklyn. This evening features three speakers who give a little lecture (usually with a PowerPoint presentation) about a topic or issue in which they hold some expertise. The presentations can be anything from a PHD thesis (understanding how paint dries) to helping save endangered species of weeds in Staten Island (this presentation was given by the woman in charge of wildflower week in NYC). It is a great event to learn about a topic that you may never really explore on your own. You'll leave smarter than you came.

#3 The Moth is hosted by many different people, Dan Kennedy, Sara Barron and more. This event is held throughout NYC. They also host The Moth in other cities like, Los Angeles, Chicago and Detroit. You can submit your name and if it is called you have 10 minutes to tell your story- no notes, no texts, only your memory. The audience then scores you. Yes, by the end of the evening there is a winner. This event definitely resembles a poetry slam. Very fun. Very literary. You may even be persuaded to tell your own story.

#4 The Rejection Show is a hilarious show, hosted by Jon Friedman. Each artist gets up for 10 minutes and talks about/ performs something about a personal experience with rejection. It is also a monthly event at the UCB Theater in Chelsea.

#5 Bowery Poetry Club has weekly and monthly events on their calendar. It is a great place where poets hang out and listen and read to each other.

Need an interesting, intellectual evening out? Head to one of these events!
In your city, what literary events do you have?
What monthly/weekly events/shows are in your two? Please post here!

When on the West Coast, Head North of Seattle

When you come to Seattle, why not travel north. Head up towards Mount Vernon and discover the beauty of small town living! You can drive north to Vancouver, Canada. Be sure to take scenic Chuckanut drive on the way up.

Before you go, eat brunch in Bow, at Rhododendron Cafe or in Edison at the Edison Cafe, the hometown of Edward Murrow. On your way out of town, grab some Tweets for the journey north.

You will pass Bellingham WA, a cute college town. When you are in Vancouver, visit Granville Island and Stanley Park.

On your way back down south, explore Deception Pass - a beautiful bridge, park with trails and beach to visit. Anacortes is a cute little town. Take a stroll and then head over to the ferries. The ferries take you out to: The San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island.

Another great little town is LaConnor. If you want to have dinner, try the bistro Seeds or have lunch at The Calico Cupboard. There is a great independent bookstore in town, The Next Chapter! No worries, they have coffee and WiFi.

As you drive around the Mount Vernon area, there are fields of fruits, tulips and pumpkin patches. In the springtime, enjoy the Tulip Festivals. As you drive up and down the roads, you'll see farms with cows, horses, llamas, and buffalo. In the winter time, the Trumpeter Swans fly down from Canada for warmer weather. Ever wonder why they are called Trumpeters? Yes it is because they sound like trumpets!

Mount Vernon has some antique shops and a co-op. There are many local artists living in the area. Some make beautiful organic toys and clothes for kids like Kristin Loffer Theiss. Check out her products on Etsy. Etsy features other artists selling their handmade things online. Take one of her pieces home as a souvenir.

For dinner you have a few options. Try the Porterhouse. Great locally brewed beer and bar food. There is a Thai place just next door, another dinner option!

Enjoy yourself in the Northwest. If you get a chance, head north and enjoy all that it has to offer.

GUEST BLOGGER: Alison Slattery- A Culinary Tour of Korean Food

Ali traveled extensively in Korea. If you are traveling in Korea, here are Ali's favorite picks of what to eat! If you can't make it to Korea- check it out in a restaurant. Enjoy her descriptions! Enjoy her choices! Be adventurous. Happy travels and eating.

Bbq Food

1. Kalbi/Galbi Bbq beef ribs (boneless) cooked on a grill at your table. Galbi Sal are marinated and very tender.
2. Samgyupsal Known as the three layer of fat. It consists of pork and fat in layers. This is also grilled right at your table and is extremely cheap.
3. Dakgalbi This is a large pan of diced chicken, rice cakes (with cheese), cabbage and veggies, and some sweet potato wedges, all drenched in red pepper sauce. Some restaurants have a mild recipe, others are quite spicy. These restaurants are designed for dakgalbi so large pots are found at every table.
4. Bulgogi Literally meaning fire meat in Korean. These slices of grilled meat marinate in soy sauce and sesame oil. They are served with leafy greens like lettuce which can be wrapped around the meat with a dab of a condiment such as ssamjang ( a thick, spicy paste used with food wrapped in a leaf).Soups : Anything that ends with a Tang or Guk
   
5. Galbitang This is a beef rib soup and stewing beef with radishes and onions.
6. Manduguk Meat stock soup filled with meat filled dumplings. This is popular in the autumn and winter.
7. Haemultang Assorted seafood soup and can be very spicy.

Stews : Mostly anything that ends in a Jjigae or Jeongol

• Doenjang Jjigae This is made with vegetables, tofu and bean paste. It can be very spicy depending on the restaurant. Some times there is either meat or seafood in the dish.
  
• Kimchi Jjigae Made with kimchi and other ingredients such as scallions, onions, diced tofu, pork, or seafood.
• Sundubu Jjigae This is hot and spicy made with uncurdled tofu, seafood, veggies and chili powder.
  
• cheonggukjang-jjiggae Made from fermented soya bean. I was completely put off this dish while teaching at my school because of the strong odor from this stew. It literally smells like bad socks and I could not bring myself to taste it. I was convinced by a teacher that it did not taste as bad as it smelled and I finally gave in. It became one of my favourite stews. You will enjoy it if you can get over the initial smell.

Rice Dishes : Anything that ends in a Bap

• Bibimbap Literally means mixed rice. Bibimbap is served as a bowl of warm white rice topped with cooked veggies and pepper paste. A raw or fried egg and sliced meat is also added in some restaurants. This is a very popular dish.
• Dolsot bibimbap (stone pot) - is served in a very hot stone bowl in which a raw egg is cooked against the sides of the bowl. The bowl is so hot that anything that touches it sizzles for minutes. Before the rice is placed in the bowl, the bottom of the bowl is coated with sesame oil, making the layer of the rice touching the bowl golden brown and crispy. This rice is known as Nureonji.
  
• Bokgeumbap is fried rice served with some other meats or veggies.

Noodles

• Japchae This is a stir fried cellophane noodle (clear noodle) dish with various vegetables (typically thinly-sliced carrots, onion, spinach, and mushrooms), sometimes served with beef, and flavoured with soy sauce. It is served hot and cold.
• Rameyon The cheapest of noodles and can be bought in any supermarket, grocery store or restaurant. Restaurant noodles tend to be very very spicy to the point where your lips will burn and you will sweat.
• Udong This is a thick white noodle broth.
  

• Bibimguksu Noodles mixed with the hot pepper paste with veggies of course.

Other

• Donkatsu Traditionally Japanese this Deep fried pork cutlet is served with rice and salad. Can sometimes be served with curry sauce.
  

• Shabu Shabu Traditionally Japanese, it is like a hot pot, and consists of thinly sliced meat and vegetables, and usually served with dipping sauces. It is considered a winter dish but is eaten year-round.

• Mandu Korean dumplings with meat or veggies.
  
• Pajeon Pancake like dish made of eggs, flour and onions. Seafood and kimchi can be added to it. Koreans sometimes call it a pizza.
  
• Kimbap Korean fast food made from steamed rice and thin veggies wrapped in kim (dried seaweed), and served in bite size pieces. Extremely cheap in Korea.
  
• Tteokbokki is a popular Korean snack food which is commonly purchased from street vendors. Made from rice cake and covered in a spicy orange coloured sauce.
  
• Hotteok Eaten usually in the winter this pancake can be bought from street vendors for about a $1. It is filled with cinnamon and brown sugar and the dough contains green tea.
  
• Odeng Another winter favorite by the street vendors. This is a seafood cake served on a stick and cooked in broth. They also give you a cup of the broth to drink with your snack. Very cheap and delicious.
• Hwe or Hoe - This is Korean Sashimi and is well worth a try if you are a raw fish lover.
  

For the Brave

• Beondegi (번데기)- Silkworm Larvae. I did not try this due to the horrific smell.
  
• Sannakji Live baby Octopus. I did try this my first month in Korea after much peer pressure from my Co-Teachers. They cut off the tentacles in front of you and pop them on a plate and voila, dinner is served. They are all still moving and you have to dip them in spicy sauce to stun them before you swallow them. Some people have choked because of the suction cups on the octopus but this is very rare.

When a Friend Moves to a New Country, Go Visit: Phllippines and Vietnam

My friend moved to the Philippines a few years ago. She was unsure if anyone from the States would travel 24 hours to come see her. As I was planning my summer vacation, I thought to myself- what perfect opportunity. When your friends move to a new country- it is a great way to get to know a new place. Sometimes it is not the place you were planning on visiting next. You should ignore your rigid plans and follow your friends. They have an insider's view of a country that you may miss when traveling on your own or even with a tour group!

I flew into Manila. We toured a couple of days in the capital together in order for me to adjust to the time difference and lost of a day! We went to the old city, a couple of malls, the movies, an organic market, and her favorite restaurants in Manila!

We then decided to travel to Hanoi, Viet Nam. A 2 hour flight from the island. We flew in and stayed in a small hotel in the center of town, close to everything. We were in walking distance to a park with a lake, museums, shops of all kinds and tons of galleries! We ate pho, visited Ho Chi Minh's art museum and history museum. We then took a tour of the many contemporary art galleries that are filled with beautiful pieces of art! We even saw a traditional puppet show.

We then wanted to take a tour of Ha Long Bay. We took a boat out into the bay for a couple days. Went swimming, hiked into caves, and visited a national park preserved by UNESCO. We ate delicious sea food the entire time and even watched, Indochine at night on the boat.

Upon our return to the Philippines we headed to an island called: Boracay. We got there in a middle of a typhoon (aka hurricane)! We read our books in hammocks. Before the storm cleared we spent the day at a delicious spa retreat down the road called Mandala Spa. When the rained ceased we swam and walked the white, sandy beaches.

You want a unique trip? Visit Viet Nam and the Philippines. If your friend moves to a new city or country- plan a vacation to visit them. It won't disappoint!

How far have you traveled to visit a friend? Post it here!

Visit Tampa's Urban Life and Natural World

Welcome to Tampa! Not many people choose to travel to Tampa. People usually head to South Florida- Miami or Central Florida to Orlando. Why not take a stop in Tampa? Tampa both offers an interesting downtown experience as well as a wealth of wildlife and nature both on land and in the ocean!

If you find yourself traveling in the Tampa area or are looking for a vacation with beach, city, and state parks, Tampa should be your next destination.

On the outer edges of the Tampa city limits are a group of state parks that have some wonderful hikes and variety of wildlife to see. The trails take you through beautiful swamps and woods. Lettuce Lake is a haven for bird watchers and reptile lovers. Yes, there are snakes and alligators! The flora, as well, is pretty spectacular!

Downtown Tampa has much to offer for adults and kids. The downtown has restaurants, cafes, sporting events, parks, a river, shops, and museums. There is an old movie theater, The Tampa Theater. It mostly plays old favorite films. There is a bookstore called The Old Tampa Bookstore. L'Eden is a sweet little cafe that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The owner, Gerard Jamgotchian, French-Armenian, is also the chef. He and his wife are very friendly with their patrons and have created a comfortable spot to enjoy a meal.

Take a walk along the river on the Riverwalk. It will take you from Channelside to the downtown- around and over- to The Heights. Along the walk you can visit the new History Center, The Forum (hockey stadium), and there is a water taxi to take you along the river. The Family run- Columbia Restaurant- is a fabulous Cuban place to eat. There are 4 different locations. The original is in Ybor City. My mom swears that the new one, beside the river, is the best one yet!

Bayshore Drive is in the area, a nice long strip of sidewalk along the ocean, that makes for beautiful bike rides or paths for rollerbladers. If you head back towards Channelside you can take the trolley! The trolley will take you past the aquarium and heads towards Ybor City. The aquarium has a wonderful display of wildlife, great shark exhibition, and a touch and feel tide pool. They have large fish tanks. One that reaches from floor to ceiling. They have sting rays, ducks, penguins and other birds. They have turtles and alligators as well. Pet tanks and animal shows makes this an interactive and educational stop on your tour. You can also take a boat ride out into the ocean to view dolphins! Ybor City, the old cigar factory town, has shops and theaters and nice farmer's market on the weekend.

Davis Island and Harbour Island are in walking distance to downtown. On the other side of the of the river, on Davis Island, is Chez Brice. This is a wonderful little bistro! Harbour Island has Cafe Dufraine and That's Amore. Two great little eateries.

Soho and Hyde Park are two areas also close to the downtown that have shops and great restaurants. My parents recently went to my favorite sushi shop in Soho, Water and

saw Derek Jeter! You never know who you will see in Tampa- Baseball-landia. Inkwood

Bookstore is a little independent shop with a great variety of books and frequent authors who visit and give readings. Byblos- a Lebanese restaurant is a great place to grab bite. It has a great ambiance, friendly service and delicious food.

There are great beaches in the Tampa Area: Apollo Beach, St. Petes Beach, and Clearwater Beach. All beautiful, large, and sandy beaches. Great for long walks, dips into the warm sea, and spectacular sunrises and sunsets. In Apollo Beach you might stop by an unusual wildlife sanctuary next to an electrical plant. This sanctuary is the home of many Manatees. Here you can see them in their water habitat as well as visit a small museum. Here you will learn information about the Florida Manatee, conservation and ways that you can help preserve their habitat and help them to survive. Afterwards you may decide to eat at a locally owned Tampa eatery, called Circles.

Clearwater Beach in Pinellas County is not far at all. There are many restaurants right along the beach over looking the ocean. Grab a She-Crab soup. It is rich with flavor and a specialty in this area.

St. Petersburg is close by as well. Filled with beautiful beaches they also have a museum dedicated to Salvador Dali. Take the afternoon and go to a pub for some fish and chips or Indian food. Very good. Very British!

Take a chance on Tampa. Come to the other side of Florida and check out all that it has to offer. Wishing you travel smiles.

Next Stop: Montreal! Take a Food Tour

I just got back from an amazing vacation to Montreal. Montreal is a charming place to visit in the summer or winter! There are many parks, museums, and wonderful places to eat! If you have a week or even a weekend- you can take yourself around this city and literally eat the world!

My favorite neighborhood to visit in Montreal is the Plateau! Below you find a detailed food tour of a "mock long weekend" of culinary places to visit!

Enjoy!

#1 If you drive/fly into Montreal on Friday night, you may need a place to chill out and have a drink along with some delicious food- Laika is your joint! Each day Laika has a new menu, "menu du jour", which has three to four main dishes the chef creates! There is a disco ball and a little turntable in the corner spinning music. The place is filled with young Canadian Hipsters- often during the days with their laptops and backgammon boards. Check out their website and menu.

#2 Saturday morning you may decide to wake up late and have a delicious brunch. Resevoir is one of my favorite spots. They too, each day, have a new menu written up on their chalkboard. Brunch fills up quickly there, so don't wait around too long. It resides on one of Montreal's most charming streets- Duluth, filled with shops, restaurants, and beautiful arichetecture. In the morning you can have "Thon rouge saisi, courgettes, padano et estragon"- That's right, get your French on! Resevoir is a cool place at night too- fish and chips and a homemade beer (they brew their own!) makes for a fun night here too. In the summer the roof is open!

Spend the day in the plateau, shop on St. Denis, St. Laurent, Mont Royal, Laurier, St. Viateur, Bernard. Great French book shops, furniture stores, galleries, clothes, shoes and jewlery to be had.

#3 Saturday night- you should definately check out- 786- Pakistani food in the neighborhood just north and west of the Plateau, Jean Talon. This resaturant is known for its reasonable prices, large portions, and friendliness to children and families! My family always gets an order of Dahl Mash (Lentils), Butter Chicken, Sarsoon Ka Saag, and a Lahori Fish. Yum yum delicous! I always leave super happy! Must be the chilis in the food! Get ready for super spicy!

#4 Sunday morning- head to Chinatown and get some Dim Sum! We frequent- Ruby Rouge- on the second floor of a mini mall! Huge ballroom space- they allow you brunch/lunch with leisure! This will get you close to the old city. It is a fun place to stroll- go iceskating in the winter and take a boat or bike ride in the summer!

#5 Sunday night- what about visiting the neighborrhood- NDG for some Korean! Hwang Kum. My sister and I have spent a great deal of time looking for some delicious- tofu soups and bool koki! Hwang Kum is one of our favorites. Super small, but super delicious.

#6 Monday Morning- you might feel like brunch- at Beauty's- a jewish delicious diner or you may decide to pick up a coffee and croissant at one of Mont Royal's many boulangeries. Another possible option is lunch at the famous Schwartz- always a line and always long- even in winter. The smoked meat and cole slaw are super yum! A true Jewish deli.

During the day, visit a museum, the botanical gardens or go to the Biodome! Great visits during the day to be had!

#7 Don't eat too much at lunch/brunch- save up for a delicious sushi meal for dinner! Tri Express is my favorite all time sushi place- so far in life. The chef/owner is a creative chef with sushi and has some special rolls and souces that he uses to make your mouth feel like its dancing! It is small, small and is just east of Marquette on Laurier. If you don't eat raw fish- there are great dishes cooked as well, a red snapper and black alaskan cod! If you get some rolls- get number 48- LE FAVORI DE TRI- either tuna or salmon or yellow tail. If you like pieces of sushi- definatley try the "ebi a la tri".

#8 Tuesday may be your last day and you still have so many choices- middle eastern at Rumi, The Outdoor Market in Jean Talon. I suppose I would be remiss if I didn't give you a taste of the Canadian/Quebecoise cuisine- a place to eat, "poutine"! Poutine is a dish consisting of french fries topped with fresh cheese curd, covered with gravy and sometimes additional ingredients. Maamm Bolduc certainly has some delicious choices of poutine to have and share amongst eachother.

There is much to be enjoyed here in Montreal- but this culinary tour of The Plateau will surely leave you filled to the rim with food and happiness! Please post your favorite places to brunch, chill, and eat in Montreal! Happy travels to you!