Broadway Dance Center Children & Teens, Summer Camp

8 weeks later, Chase during his finale Show Case: last group dance of the season with his awesome counselors!

Hello! If you're on this blog post, you've probably watched Chase's dance life evolve this summer on Instastories (click here for videos)! Or if you're new to us and interested in a summer camp or dance camp/classes - you've landed on the right page!

WHY DANCE

We looked into different types of camps for the summer, but when I saw "Broadway Dance Center Children & Teens" it caught my eye because Chase loves dancing at home!

HALF DAY or FULL DAY

The longest class Chase attended prior to dance camp was 3 hours. When we partnered up with Broadway Dance Center Children & Teens, I wondered how he would handle a full 9-4 day, Monday through Friday. Or rather, I wondered how I would handle a full day away from Chase! Ha. Turns out we both fared very well and the 8 weeks flew by for both of us! The full day schedule gave me a chance to get work done at home and Chase had a blast all day!

Camp starts at nine, but campers are welcome starting from 8:30am which is great for dropping them off before heading to work or to get a head start on your day.

WELL ROUNDED

The great thing about BDC is that it's truly a summer camp and not just dance all day. Once, Chase took a sick day and he told me he was sad to miss crafts and play times. They often venture out to Central Park as well!

If you're a parent who follows me on Instagram, your child might be on the younger side. There is nap time after lunch, and you can even bring something snuggly like a stuffed animal for your child which they will keep for them in their cubbies.

They bring home arts and crafts nearly every day.

You can also see how clean the facilities are kept!

Chase learned to do headstands and forward rolls during tumbling time!

SHY AT FIRST, BUT NOT FOR LONG

Chase was excited to go somewhere new, but he had just graduated as one of the biggest kids and it was his first time being in a setting as the "little one". On the first day, the teachers blew bubbles and his face lit up and I knew it'd be fine to leave him.

When I asked him about camp the first week, I could tell he was particularly intimidated by moves he couldn't master yet.

At first, he would rather not participate than try the moves.

FIRST WEEK DOWN

After the first week, it was clear he already had a best friend. They were glued at the hips! 

Each week the theme (Superheros, Wild West, Space, etc.) changes as do the teachers. The faculty members are really invested and encouraging! 

SHOW CASE

Then came the first Friday. Every Friday of summer camp, the school has a special Show Case where the students show off what they learned that week! I knew it would become the highlight of my week, and I absolutely counted down the days until each showcase. It was a chance to see what Chase leaned toward. For instance, he turned it UP for Hip Hop!

His performed first Show Case facing me, lol! As the weeks progressed, he made lots of friends who cheered for him, barely noticing I was even there.

Shouting along to the lyrics while he performs! Excited much? Haha

PROGRESS and CONFIDENCE

It was clear Chase was becoming more comfortable with the school, the routines, and of course the dance moves. There is no doubt he enjoyed every minute of it!

Chase wrote to his teachers, “Thank you for teaching me new moves!”

Confidence level week 7! YEAH!

COMMUNITY and BIG KID LOVE

What I did not anticipate was the intense warm fuzzy feelings witnessing the community at Broadway Dance Center Children & Teens.

Around week 2, Chase came home one day talking about whether or not big kids are scary and we had a conversation.

I had no idea that they would get to know each other so intimately over the following weeks to build real connections and friendships. I can't thank the teachers enough for facilitating this!

They are always hugging and chanting encouragements. "Go Chase!!" 

Sharing is caring - Even hugs!

Chase was in the 3-5 year old class. Dance parties with other age groups, as well as practicing for numbers together.

She wanted a photo before flying back home. We met a lot of International students who fly to NY to attend camp here!

"SHOWS" AT HOME

Dancing has lit up our lives. The first experience was when I was watching TV one evening, Chase wanted my attention. He made me turn off the TV as well as all the lights to set the mood, imitated his teacher's introductory words, asked Google Home to play his song, and put on a "show"! It's been a nonstop dance party ever since in our household!

MORE INFO

• There are Winter, Spring, Holiday camps in addition to Summer camp.

• Semester and Annual Enrollment

• Drop-In and Guest Classes

• Special Events (birthday parties, Parents' night out, etc.)

email:   w65info@bwydance.com

http://www.broadwaydancecenter.com/children-teens/about-children-teens

Located on 65th street, west of Central Park, the neighborhood is surrounded by restaurants and Lincoln Center itself!

Pack snack and lunch (no nuts allowed)

There are monitors in the waiting areas to observe your child. Chase often asked me if I saw him do such-and-such on the screen. Once I saw him help put away a SLIDE! He looked like a little ant carrying it and I was proud of him. :)

Located on the 3rd floor, strollers and younger siblings are welcome. (AKA future dancers!)

Dress code: Sneakers and comfortable clothes

Fantastic way to keep kids active!

THANK YOU

We can't thank everyone at Broadway Dance Center Children & Teens enough!!

Thank you so much for having us, and we hope to see you very soon!

And POSE! :) Until next time!

Summer in the Garment District

Culture Espresso, Image via Instagram @jourdanhull_

M&J

M&J

Spyglass 

Spyglass

Spyglass

Spyglass, Image via Yelp

OM Factory, Image via Yelp @ginaeverkim

The Garment District is near and dear to my heart, because this is where I spent the bulk of my time as a young designer - sourcing not only fabrics and trims, but the production of my ready-to-wear line as well. It's made up of hardworking, friendly people I will never forget, some even treated me like their own daughter.

Today, I can go back for leisure and though the Garment District is always changing, it's nice to see the familiar "classics" stay the same. 

Nestled between Bryant Park and Herald Square, its in the heart of the city: 6th to 9th Ave, and 35th to 40th St. This small area is bustling with life, tons of shops big and small, but let's start with first things first: Eats!

This summer of 2018, the Garment District closed two blocks of traffic from 39th - 41st streets, and created an Urban Garden. Going on now until Sept 1! You can see photos from my stroll here and the endless temptations for a cheat meal ;)

There is still plenty to eat outside of the Urban Garden area from delis to coffee shops. The next time I am there in the morning, I'm going to skip Starbucks and try Culture Espresso on 38th st and 6th Ave.

Next stop, Shops.

Well, it is the Garment District after all! Note: most of the shops here are open Monday~Saturday, and normally close at 5pm. The general vicinity of the shops are located around 37th through 39th Streets, between 7th and 8th Ave.

Mood Fabrics
225 West 37th Street, 3rd floor

B&J Fabrics
525 Seventh Avenue, 2nd floor

New York Elegant Fabrics
222 West 40th Street

Mokuba
137 W. 38th Street

M&J Trimming - pictured
1008 6th Avenue

Pacific Trimming
220 West 38th Street

Now finally, off to my favorite part of the day, rooftop bars!! Man, a refreshing cocktail with friends, paired with a view of my favorite city never gets old.

If you're traveling or getting off work early, Spyglass rooftop opens earliest so I would start there to grab some snacks and drinks, and then bar hop over to the Refinery Rooftop. There, you can catch one of the endless stunning sunsets the city has to offer with an Espresso Martini in hand, to carry on through the rest of the night.

For a more intimate vibe in this touristy area, continue downstairs of the Refinery Hotel to Winnie’s Jazz Bar. I need to check this place out myself, for an easy night out of live jazz. I imagine sitting back and just melting the stimulating day in the city away.

Lastly, while researching the Garment District, I discovered OM Factory! They hold anti-gravity Yoga classes there - I would definitely like to check it out sometime. Would you?

Thank you to the Garment District for sponsoring this post and sharing it's gems with us.

PSA: Lyft now has Car Seat Mode!

Hello Riders with little ones!

I often get asked by out-of-towners how I travel around Manhattan with kids and if they will need to bring a carseat on their trip to NYC.

If you're not comfortable taking the subway and/or prefer taking a car, I definitely recommend taking a Lyft! Not only is Lyft affordable, but the ridesharing app it also provides the option to request a car seat, ensuring a safe and enjoyable ride with your little one.

Every Lyft driver who participates in Car Seat Mode is extensively trained and tested by third-party child passenger safety technicians. Our precious children's safety is a parent / guardian's priority!   

So make sure you update your Lyft App and select “Car Seat” mode next time you need to get around the city with your child. 

Your ride arrives with the car seat already safely installed, so make sure to book a few extra minutes in advance to give the driver time to install the car seat. 

Chase loves to strap himself in!

Enjoy your ride with peace of mind and no extra car seat to pack on your trip to NYC.

My personal advice: For parents who have children that get motion sickness easily, NYC's grid layout can be tough with all the "stop-and-go" action. So I always prepare a large ziplock bag and paper towels (way better for trapping in the odor and mess than a plastic bag) just in case for Chase. As soon as I get in, I ask the driver to please drive smoothly because Chase gets nauseous easily and to take it easy on the accelerator and brakes.  ;)

Use code PATRICIACHANGNYC for $5 off your Lyft Car Seat ride!

Sponsored by Lyft*

Cherry Blossom Hunt NYC

I've always loved Cherry Blossoms. They truly make me happy and I think a tree absolutely covered in flowers is simply stunning. My husband and I have gone to D.C. to see them, and perhaps we will find ourselves in Japan one day. But my obsession with hunting down Cherry Blossoms in NYC began in 2014 when Chase was born. He was born mid April aka the peak of Cherry Blossom season~ I had a complicated delivery which kept me on bed rest for a month. Hence, missing out on any Cherry Blossom sightings. This was the start of my FOMO for Cherry Blossoms! They bloom for what feels like a second. I have gone back to many spots the NEXT DAY and all the petals were blown away~ or brown on the floor.. This year I made it my mission to catch every glorious moment up to post bloom. I'm going to share with you my finds because timing these trees can be frustrating!

Let's do this chronologically - here are my photos from the past few years. Here we go!:

White Blossoms:

As early as March 15, 2016 - Cooper Union

April 20th - Plaza Hotel, 5th Avenue

Central Park:

April 28, 2015 - Upper West Side around 85th street

April 11, 2017 - Sheep's Meadow North West Corner

April 9, 2017 - South West Entrance by Columbus Circle

April 18, 2015 - South West Entrance by Columbus Circle 

April 11, 2017 - Sheep's Meadow North West Corner

April 11, 2017 - Sheep's Meadow North West Corner

April 14, 2017 - West 72nd st by the Lake, Cherry Hill

April 14, 2017 - West 72nd st by the Lake

April 14, 2017 - West 72nd st by the Lake

Flatiron Building, Madison Square Park:

April 19, 2017

April 19, 2017

April 19, 2017

April 19, 2017

April 19, 2017

East Village:

April 22, 2016 - 17th st & 2nd avenue Park

Washington Square Park:

April 27, 2013

Brooklyn Botanic Garden: Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival - last weekend of April

Note: No picnic mats or food allowed. It is very crowded during the festival and $30 versus the usual $15. Free on Tuesdays and 10~noon on Saturdays. 

April 28, 2015

April 28, 2015

April 28, 2015

Central Park:

May 1, 2017 - 70th & East Drive

May 1, 2017 - 70th & East Drive

Brooklyn Botanic Garden: Again, No picnic mats or food allowed. It is very crowded during the festival and $30 versus the usual $15. Free on Tuesdays and 10~noon on Saturdays.

May 4, 2017

Photo by Agata Young

May 4, 2017

Photo by Agata Young

May 4, 2017

Photo by Agata Young

May 4, 2017

Central Park:

May 4, 2017 - 76th st by The Loeb Boathouse, East Dr

May 16, 2014 - 72nd st Terrace Drive west of Bethesda Terrace 

Madison Square Park:

May 14,2015

More:
Central Park: the bridal path at 90th Street

Sakura Park aka Riverside Park Cherry Walk in Morningside Heights along the Hudson River

Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom Festival at Roosevelt Island, last Saturday of April

New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx

Laduree Soho - April 25th, 26th, 27th (photo from Laduree, still on my bucket list!)

May 14, 2013 - Ah! I can't remember where downtown this was..

THE END! Tag me in your photos @patriciachangNY ;D

Valentine's Day Story for Old Navy

The story of how we met: Hank and I met the night of September 25, 2010. It was our mutual friend's birthday party. I seldom go out alone, but that night I really wanted to wish my childhood friend a happy birthday so I did. Call it fate or destiny because I know if I went with friends or even a singular friend, I wouldn't have had the chance to make conversation with a complete stranger! I was at the bar with the birthday boy when Hank turned around and offered to buy the birthday boy a drink, and by default bought me one too. The birthday boy, being the birthday boy, got pulled away and that's how our story began. Hank was lively, spontaneous and most of all, fun. We chatted the night away~

That night he mentioned planning to check out an art fair in Dumbo, Brooklyn the following day with his friends. He called me first thing in the morning (I can tell he had just woken up from his voice), asking me if I'd like to join him. Behind the scenes he told his friends they no longer have to go with him, making it a "date". Hank wore a beige argyle sweater and I wore a loose fitting t-shirt with a graffiti print of monster characters on the front and back. Hank recalls thinking I must not be interested in him to wear an outfit like that!

It was our first time exploring Dumbo. Being by the water and both Brooklyn and Manhattan bridge, it was very scenic. The best part being that there was art just everywhere, both inside the studios and spilling out on the the streets - even a huge installation on the rocky "beach" that leads into the water. 

It was then it became apparent we make a good fit because I am extremely right brained (creative, visual, imaginative), while he is far left brained (practical, logical, analytical). It was almost like we needed the other and clung to each other. We've been inseparable since. This is where we are different and compliment the other's weaknesses with our strengths, but over time we found ourselves very compatible in many ways. I think traveling with someone, anyone, really reveals a lot about your compatibility. That's when we knew there was something long term. We went on our first vacation together to Napa only a couple months in and were engaged and living together by 6 months. It also helped that we had both been in long term relationships in the past and knew what we were (and were not) looking for.

Hank is the most patient and even-tempered person I've ever met. He makes me feel loved the entire range of ways. From the big gestures to being the most hands on husband/father on an every day basis. On top of that, he loves to make me laugh. I don't think there's enough I could do to live up to how he makes me feel. I've learned what love is from him, it's selfless and about doing whatever it takes to see the other person happy.

All relationships take work. In our case, it's about quality time - especially now that we have a child together, and one on the way! Hank doesn’t have the shortest work hours, so we have to make an effort to make time for each other. I'll even follow him into the bathroom while he showers to take any extra chance to talk to each other. When we are home together, we implemented a no-technology "family hour" for eye-to-eye face time. I think it's really important to connect and cherish what we've built so far, not taking a moment for granted. 

This Valentine's Day, we'll probably celebrate it over a nice relaxing and romantic dinner either out or at home. We often leave the house taking turns watching our son, but rarely just the two of us for dates. When we do get alone time, I love how it reminds me of when we were dating and those early butterfly feels.

Thank you Old Navy for this mini Pre-Valentine's day date around downtown!

Read our more from our interview on Heymama.co!

• Photographed by Stevi Sesin

Shop Old Navy

A day in Dumbo

Fun Fact: Hank and I had our first date in Dumbo Brooklyn - we went to the art fair in 2010!

Over the long weekend earlier this month I spent a fun-filled family day in Dumbo Brooklyn with my husband, son and sister. We left the house without eating breakfast so I quickly yelped brunch spots, and came across AlMar. The Egg in a Cloud dish sparked my interest, but being a family friendly restaurant solidified our decision. The restaurant has high ceilings and the food was as tasty as it looks. It was an ideal brunch! Next time I'd love to try Atrium.

After lunch we wanted Chase to run around so we headed to the nearest playground which was at Pier 5. He loved the sandbox shaped like a boat. Dumbo is a residential neighborhood so here is an extensive list of playgrounds in the area~ 

Then to relax, we picked up some snacks at Peas & Pickles for a picnic at Brooklyn Bridge Park. The views are beautiful right by the river and the iconic bridges. We strolled to Jane's Carousel and Chase (finally) fell asleep in his stroller (he was too excited and stayed up way past his usual naptime).

We figured it's a good time to grab an early dinner with Chase napping, and it's not often we come to Brooklyn so we headed for their famous pizza! We figured the lines wouldn't be too bad considering it's a holiday weekend and everyone was out of town, but both Juliana's and Grimaldi's lines were still too long. So we headed closer to the water where we can always rely on Luke's Lobster. We ate outside and I love that you feel a bit like you're on vacation.

When Chase woke up, we needed to find a bathroom so we got some treats from One Girl Cookies. We got a sample of flavors though Chase ate most of them. It was right by the park so we picnicked again to change his diaper. It didn't feel right to leave without checking out the shops so we went to a bookstore we saw across the street from the cookie store called Powerhouse and then Shibu, a Japanese furniture store. Sadly, both were going out of business.. and almost everything was on sale. I got a blank textbook from Powerhouse to use as a sketchbook which I'm excited to fill with designs and ideas.

We grabbed one last strawberry smoothie for the subway ride back home. It's unfortunate that none of the subway stops in Brooklyn have elevators! I suggested walking over the Brooklyn Bridge but by the end of the day we were all pretty pooped!

Outfits wise - I wasn't planning on blogging the day when we left, so it's simply weekend casual in a white top, denim shorts, and my most comfortable sneakers.

P.S. We stumbled upon this amazing flower garden! It is located by River Cafe between Luke's Lobster. Nothing is more soothing to me than the sound of trickling water and there is a lovely little stream by the entrance to the garden. It's a sweet spot from the urban environment when the flowers are in full bloom!

• Photography by Deborah Chang and myself

Paris: Eats

As you may know from Instagram, I just came back from Paris with my girlfriends! I was there for nearly a week and here are all the food spots we hit up - not one was a bust~ So I thought I'd share them with you! I will definitely be going to back to all these places if I'm lucky, and I hope you get to try them too. Special thanks to my friends Grace, Nancy, Jen, Hyunmin, Carol, and Carin (and even their friends) for the recommendations :) 

La Cuisine de Philippe

Restaurant, 25 Rue Servandoni

Hands down - I had to start with this gem that we fortunately discovered on yelp about an hour before we sat down for dinner. I find myself often calling places a "gem", but when I do I really mean it. The space is quite small and the chef, the sweetest old man, came out with a big smile and greeted every table which made the dinner more special. He must have known what he was doing because I felt like I experienced "made with love" for the first time from an establishment the way you would at someone's home. Once you take the first spoonful of the soufflé you will know what I mean even if you don't catch him. Just writing this makes my heart ache for one right now. I felt like I've never had a proper soufflé until now. Both the savory and sweet were the dreamiest things that ever touched my lips. The "salted caramel" I ordered for the sweet one may sound rich, but is light and elegantly not too sweet at all. The soufflés felt like eating a warm cloud that could cure anything. I would probably hop off the plane and go straight here next time. I also really loved looking at all the authentic posters on the walls. 

 

Little Breizh  

Restaurant, 11 Rue Grégoire de Tours

This is the spot my friend Hyunmin would "sing praises" about 5 times a day. She's been here before and I feel so lucky she brought me back with her for brunch! Gosh, writing this post is more difficult than I expected it to be as my mouth is drooling onto the keyboard. They got that perfect crunchy texture down and paired with a refreshing cider. I'm pretty sure I'll order cider from now on whenever I can with my crepes. We tried the egg and tomatoes - look at that presentation! Best part is, it tastes better than it looks. I'm pretty sure this is the epitome of the art of the crepe.  

Angelina  

Tea House, 226 Rue de Rivoli

Our hotel was on the same street as this cafe so we came every morning for a croissant, coffee, or a midday pastry to go. My personal favorite is the chestnut flavored, super smooth mont blanc pastry (though I'm biased since I haven't tried them all). On our last day we were about to have breakfast next door at Hotel Le Meurice (where the president of Korea was currently staying!) but once we got there, didn't feel that the menu or venue (though absolutely stunning and screams "Paris") justified the breakfast price. So we dashed to our now familiar cafe and were happy we did in the seated area. The fruit salad came with a perky sauce that I loved, the only flavor I could pinpoint was the lime zest which I detected with my eyes first. Please get this to share, it's so fresh and I would love to try to recreate it if I could for a picnic. The truffle eggs could have been amazing but I couldn't really taste the truffle, so you might as well just order the normal eggs and save the extra euros. The smoked salmon came in a croissant cut as a sandwich which I haven't really seen in NY (going to recreate this delicious idea as well!) They are known for their "famous" hot chocolate - apparently I tried it in their other location (just across the street from La Cuisine de Philippe - a more modern interior with beautiful gray chairs) last time, but to be honest I don't remember what it tasted like.

Pirouette  

Restaurant, 5 Rue Mondétour

Grace kept thanking us for coming with her here because she wanted to try it, but hello? We are the thankful ones for her finding it for us to try! Hopefully you will too! The ambience is all wood with large wine shelves which has a nice feel but casual at the same time. The price point reflects this at 40 euros for 3 courses. If you are a New Yorker like myself, this is amazing because the plates are equivalent, if not more interesting than the fine dining here such as Jean Georges. "On the bistro side for its prices and friendliness, while clearly gastronomic for its top level cookery." Worth every penny!

Carette  

Pastry Shop, 4 Place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre

This is a quintessential girls brunch spot right by the Eiffel Tower. Most of us will order the fluffy eggs again every time (make that extra chives) with juice and coffee. The salads here are a hearty portion and the presentation will wow you. I am a huge fan of their lovely plates and when you visit, do notice the sweet flower tiles on the entrance floor! I am reading other reviews online that the pastries are yummier at some of the other shops mentioned in this blog post - so go for lunch, pop over to the Tour Eiffel, and then get dessert at the next spot!

Sadaharu Aoki

Chocolate and Pastry Shop, 35 Rue de Vaugirard

This is the ultimate gift stop for friends, family and coworkers back home. I'm not particularly a chocolate lover except when it comes to this place! The texture is so smooth and really feels luxurious. I love that these chocolates have "flavors" besides the obvious chocolate flavor. I'm such a big fan of the yuzu that I got a package of just yuzu ones for us to snack on. Another stand out piece is their wasabi flavored chocolate which is surprisingly delectable, not too strong yet not too subtle! Their sesame pastry was a stand out for me and I have a new bucket list to try next time: the sesame noir macaron and green tea croissant. They have locations in Tokyo but there are items on their menu exclusive to Paris.

Le Clown Bar  

Modern European Restaurant, 114 Rue Amelot

When my friend Carol, who has been a chef for literally the world's best restaurants, suggested this charmingly small and whimsical restaurant for dinner I knew we would be in for a treat! Sure enough, it's one of those special meals I will never forget in my life, which considering my memory is saying a lot. During our meal I was made aware that it is run by Japanese chefs cooking French cuisine and won "Best Bistro of 2015 in all of France" which is pretty remarkable. Having known that, I could see the Japanese undertones which they worked beautifully into their dishes. Back home I am not the most adventurous eater but something happens to me when I travel and become more open minded, especially for local dishes. For instance, I figured as long as the cow brain was not served looking like one, it would be alright? Nope! It was presented looking exactly the way you would picture a brain - a whole cranium. There, sitting in a clear broth. You know what? Once I got passed that it objectively tasted very pleasant - perfect for the rainy night that it was (and we were sitting outside under heat lamps). After that, the pigeon dish (a dark meat bird) didn't seem very foreign at all and the claw didn't phase me as much as it otherwise would have. I believe that is one of their star dishes. We ordered many dishes to share and paired the meal with an orange wine (a type of rosé) which happened to be a live wine! (I just wrote about the first live wine I tried a couple blog posts ago in the South of France). It was fun to experience new things with friends and learn so much in one unforgettable dinner. We ended the meal with a few desserts where the plating was thoughtfully done until the end. The fresh strawberries were garnished with dainty local white flowers. The attention to detail all around is probably why they are so successful.

Café de Flore  

Cafe, 172 Boulevard Saint-Germain

Café de Flore is simply iconic and a full Parisian experience with big names associated with it. Apparently Karl Largerfeld is a frequent diner - check out Chanel Fall 2015's collection and you will see the inspiration everywhere right down to the green and red chairs as the texture of their boy bag. I even ran into Maya of 'Jack's wife Freda' (a charming restaurant in NY) in the bathroom stall last time I was here! It seems everyone comes here to be inspired! Food wise I found myself reordering the green beans and french onion soup, and shared what felt like everything on the menu as a table. The outdoor area is first come first serve - I wish you luck on a beautiful sunny day!

Colette  

Store, 213 Rue Saint Honoré

Under the "cool" (for lack of a better word) store, great for hip nice gifts, is a restaurant with very satisfying tasty food! The truffle risotto played a big role in that opinion. Anything bursting with truffle flavor is pretty much automatically amazing in my books, but the texture, temperature and marrying with the crunchy fresh lettuce was really excellent. I also loved that their salad was overflowing with fresh ingredients. Citron pressé (simply lemon juice where you add the sweetener and water as you please to make lemonade) is served in France, and I really savored it because the batch was extra sour and the portion was larger than I'm used to. Cute random note: the bathroom here is labeled "Pipi room" :)

Les Marquis de Ladurée  

Chocolate Shop, 14 Rue de Castiglione

Though I didn't buy anything this time around (last time I got a cat box for my Laduree box collection since it's cheaper here as a local shop than in the US), it's a stop I just need to make and pop in ever since I saw in on my friend Carin's Instragram page (@ParisinFourMonths). Though its another small space, the decor is SO MY JAM! The difference from the Laduree we are all familiar with is that this one specializes in chocolates and macarons.

L’Eclair de Génie  

Pastry Shop, 32 Rue Notre Dame des Victoires

Also one I spotted from @ParisinFourMonths' instagram feed - I must be a sucker for yuzu flavors because I keep getting that one even though some of the others are more beautifully decorated. I always think I wont be able to eat an entire eclair and then am surprised how quickly they disappear into my tummy without making me feel a thing - it must be because the pastry is airy and not too sweet. They are perfectly portioned delicious treats! 

Café Pouchkine  

Restaurant, 2 Rue des Francs Bourgeois

We popped into a different location across the street from Café de Flore, but that one was darker and moodier so I tagged this location for you guys. Though it's in a department store and not quite a sit down cafe I prefer that it's much more charming and over the top fabulous. I regret not trying the rose shaped pastry pictured above - I always admired it's beautiful craftsmanship, I wonder how it tastes!

Relais de l'Entrecôte Saint-Germain  

French Steakhouse Restaurant, 20 Rue Saint-Benoît

It seems like everyone already knew about this place for its steak frites. There was a long line - probably the only line we waited on even considering the rain. There's only one thing on the menu. I absolutely love places like that (Korea has a bunch of those joints whereas I can barely think of in NY). You KNOW it's going to be good. I licked my plate. If I had a photo of my plate - it was white after. Their dessert menu was much more extensive which was fun. The atmosphere is similar to an American diner, but obviously French. I loved the experience, probably more than the food. If I had eaten it elsewhere I wouldn't have thought it was something extraordinary. Who am I kidding though - like I said, I licked my plate clean! (There's a location in NY but I don't think it's as popular here).

Kunitoraya  

Japanese Restaurant, 5 Rue Villedo

I remember Grace ate here multiple times and I did not want to leave Paris without trying it. It seems the Japenese really know how to do it well in Paris. The udon noodles had that perfectly chewy texture. The decor was creative for such a small space with the large kites (?) running across both sides hanging from the ceiling. Decor can have a tremendous impact because the ambience would have been ordinary without them. (The photo above does it any justice - it's much more vibrant in person). Maybe it's because I'm Asian, but I can have Asian cuisine anytime anywhere. The broth and beer was equivalent to a spa treatment - soothing and relaxing, especially on a rainy day. (It rained pretty much the entire time I was there, but it was romantic)

Michel Cluizel

Chocolate Shop, 201 Rue Saint Honoré

Jen and I were scurrying down the street when we halted in front of the window display. The adorable miniature baguettes caught our attention when we immediately realized they were chocolates! I was so distracted by the chocolates disguised as baguettes and sardines that I didn't bother to look around the rest of the shop. This is a really cute place to grab some gifts as well - Nancy had left Paris by then and regretted not being able to buy some after seeing our finds. Well! Great thing I am writing this post because while researching, I found out that NYC has it's very own - baguettes, sardines and all! On 199 Madison Ave 35th street! Pst - you can just buy some here and pretend it was from Paris if there were any gifts you forgot. ;)

Paris is one of those cities you can keep going back to and not have enough days to eat (and see) everything. Please feel free to add more recommendations in the comments below! 

• Photos are both my own as well as found images from the internet