Carrot-Walnut Coffee Cake

Even though I am not sweet eater, but I cannot resist a bit of any kind of coffee cake (coffee sounds more attract than cake!). This carrot-walnut cake tastes perfect with honey. I was super happy about the pictures - the lighting is just right and warm. 

{China Highlight} A Set of China

Many of you know that China is the fastest growing economy entity in the world, but do you know "China" got its name from a small town called "Chang Nan" back to 18th century? At that time, a set of plates and dishes from Chang Nan were exported to Europe since people valued them a lot. Over the time, people called these plates "China" according to where it came from, and then more and more people called the country "China" since it was known for producing those previous and luxury plates. 

When I was in China in December, my father took me to a museum & restaurant house where many award-winning China plates and dinner dishes were exhibited, and I got to have the opportunity to eat with these very elegant tea cups, plates and bowls. Can you believe a set of these China dishes is even more expensive than one of my MBA classes? 

{New York} Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge is a bridge in New York City and it is one of the oldest suspension bridges in USA. In the Spring & Summer time, many NYC citizens will come here for a long walk and you definitely feel the air you breath here is different. Dream big, and play hard. 

{Brooklyn} Tea Lounge

I came to this cafe after the trip to Brooklyn Bridge (I thought the two places are pretty near each other but it turned out that I had to spent another 0.5 hour to walk here - a good workout before the treatment!). I tried hot chocolate and chai tea latte here, while which attracted me more is the comfy culture. It could be a super nice place to just chill on couches and sip the coffee. Moreover, the place even provides live music, events and comedy shows. Good coffee is for sure important, while isn’t it lovely that a place can give us a sense of the beauty of life? 

{Saigon} Something to Remember

There are many many things to be remembered from my 2nd Vietnam trip. The Top 5 are:
1. Fruit especially passion fruit and dragon fruit, you just can not see it easily in US;  
2. PHO (Vietnam noodle) 
3. Strong coffee with condensed milk & ice - Vietnam people cannot start their day without it!
4. Vietnam milktea - it is my favorite beverage because I cannot resist the milky and creamy mouthfeel - Yum! 
5. 3D postcard. 

{Shanghai} Jing An Restaurant

Jing An Restaurant is located in a 5-star hotel - Puli Hotel in Shanghai. Famous for it is quite and luxury environment, this place seems to have a secret charm. It is dark, spacious and very simply decorated. Although the food here is very western, the decorations here all have a South-eastern Asia flavor. Next time if I have the chance to visit the hotel again, I will definitely spent more time walking around, appreciating the elegant decorations, and enjoy a cup of coffee in its splendid lobby. 

{Shanghai} 大蔬无界

A splendid vegetarian restaurant in Shanghai, China. The name of this restaurant means “no boundaries of vegetarian food”. It is truly amazing to see how creative and how skillful the chefs are to be able to turn vegetables into not only "meat", but paintings and arts. 

Masterpiece!

{Rochester} Owl House Restaurant

Suddenly missing Rochester and those busy school days. Going out for a nice dinner was such a luxury thing for me back to then. The tofu salad is very creative!

Applebee's

As a healthy eater (trying to be), I seldom dined in fast food chains or even American quick service restaurants just because it is very hard for me find something both light & delicious at the same time, and I never liked any place putting “low calorie burger” or “low calorie french fries” as healthy choices to attract customers - how healthier can a burger or french fries be…? However, if I really need to choose, I always go to Applebee, especially they have a wide range of delicious salads and my beloved tomato soup. Sometimes if I want to have something heavy to satisfy my stomach, I will share a plate of pasta with my friends. Plus, as a marketer I like the fact that Applebee uses tablet to help you order, and you can play games with friends & families while you are waiting.