NYC for my Bday
On Tuesday night, Jes and I took a red-eye to JFK and we celebrated my 36th birthday in the Big Apple. Jason had to go to class and Jia had work so Jes and I went exploring and found the halal cart that we went to 2 years ago.
It was just as delicious as we remembered with the cream sauce AND the extra-spicy sauce. Mmm…
In the afternoon, we stopped at Jia’s office to get our eyes checked and I got a pair of new birthday sunglasses! Woohoo!
Afterward, we got some ice cream from Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. I love this place.
For dinner, we took the train to Brooklyn for a delicious steak dinner at Peter Luger. 
We ordered the bacon with tomato and onion along with Steak for Two. It was a huge slab of meat and enough for the 4 of us since we also ordered two baked potatoes.
For dessert, I was treated to a key lime pie, shlag (the whipped cream), and their famous gold coin chocolates.
I was happy happy happy on my birthday.
For Jes’ birthday, I got him tickets to the opera. He’s always wanted to see Puccini’s Turandot and it was playing at the War Memorial Opera House this fall. We went on Saturday and got there a little early so we hung out on the balcony for a drink and a view of City Hall.
The opera house itself was beautiful and they had subtitles on a skinny screen above the stage. Our seats were up in the Dress Circle and in the center. Turandot was really good and I recognized the music from the CD that Jes used to play all the time. It was so good that I’m looking forward to watching it again at the ballpark next weekend.
The show finished a little before 11 pm and went on Open Table to find a reservation at a place down the street. We had a really late dinner at Boxing Room, which served creole fare. Jes ordered a huge shrimp po’boy that came with a side of hushpuppies. It was delicious. I also got a small bowl of gumbo and it was equally good.
This year for Jes’ birthday, we were actually in town. In the past, we’ve taken our annual trip out of the country during the Labor Day weekend. Last year, Jes spent his birthday in Paris, France. The year before, we were in Florence, Italy. And the year before, we were coming back from Belize! What a lucky guy.
Well, this year I threw him a birthday party with all his friends over the weekend and then took him out for a nice dinner on the night of his actual birthday. On Sunday evening (9/4), we threw a party at our house. We had food everywhere – including the coffeetable where Koa sat and stared at the food all afternoon.
We had a house filled with people and the Scotch was flowing all night.
The Suminos even came and I got to pull out my old GameBoys to help entertain them. When I took them out, Brandon and Cole asked, “What’s GameBoy?” Sheesh. Once I showed them how it worked, they were hooked.
Victor had a good time coaching them on the finer points of wrestling. I guess he enjoyed watching them play as he used to with his own little brother. The boys had fun but Marie wasn’t happy. Victor…the trouble-maker.
Jes made a prime rib roast and we sliced it up for some tasty prime rib sandwiches on Acme rolls. Everyone ate it up along with all the appetizers and sides that we had out all night. It was nice to actually have no leftovers at the end of the night.
Jes also got a yummy Coldstone ice cream cake compliments of the Masayas and then some cupcakes that the Fernandos brought too.
On Tuesday, his actual birthday, we had dinner at Benu. It’s a relatively new restaurant that is run by a James Beard Award winning chef who worked at The French Laundry back when Thomas Keller was still working in the kitchen there. They have a $180 tasting menu that was very intriguing but we didn’t have the stomach for it this time. It included 19 different items on that menu!
So, we opted for a few dishes off the a la carte menu that was equally satisfying and didn’t give you the roll-me-out-the-door feeling afterward. Everything was made so perfectly and the presentation was whimsical and pretty. The food was all very good and there were combinations that I hadn’t had before. The dish above is a chicken porridge with thousand-year quail egg. It was savory and delicious.
We also had abalone, foie gras, lobster, beef, and a very unique dessert made with chocolate ganache, peanut pudding, and miso sorbet. At the end of the night, they served a box of fancy chocolates that were also very rich and flavorful.
On Friday night (9/2), Dayantha and Krissy flew up for the weekend and we all met up for drinks, then dinner, and then more drinks. We were out pretty late but it was fun having everyone together again.
The Suminos were also in town for the weekend so we met up with them at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning (9/3). It was so fun to see them all again and the boys are getting so big. We took them to Roli Roti and had the Porchetta Sammich.
It was so fun to see Brandon hold it with just one hand and stuff his face. That’s my boy!
Cole was insatiable and even got his own cone of meat from the salumeria inside the Ferry Building. No wonder he’s getting so tall.
Later that afternoon, we drove to Alameda. I dropped Jes off at Jimmy and Eleen’s where Dayantha and Krissy were staying. I then went down the street to KM’s house to see Mai (in town from LA) and Ranee (in town from NYC). We were supposed to go to Zachary’s for pizza but ended up having an impromptu potluck with Stephanie’s buffalo chicken dip and Mai had bought two containers of ja jang myun. Tasty.
Afterward, I went back to the Agustin House where I got to make my very own elephant necklace thanks to Eleen’s help and supplies.
Krissy made a pair of fancy earrings too. I’m so inspired! Might have to start making my own stuff again.
On Saturday, I had a slow start and was feeling EXTRA lazy but somehow I got my butt out the door and ran 5 miles in under 50 minutes. I was shocked. So, I stopped at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market and bought some fresh produce and cheese.
Later that afternoon, the Sokol-Juns came over to play in the pool for a bit. It was fun to watch Jack and Reese play in the water while I got some sunshine.
I caught this photo of Reese and Jack together at the end of their swim. So cute.
On Sunday, Jason came over and we went to the Fillmore Jazz Festival. We watched a few performers including Kim Nalley and also stopped by Matt’s apartment down the street for some respite from the sun and Jes borrowed a pair of shorts.
When we got home that evening, we met up down in the courtyard for a Korean BBQ with the Masayas. Susie’s mom packed her a huge cooler of spicy pork and kimchi last weekend and we were lucky enough to enjoy it. Susie prepared and bought all the sides for a complete meal.
On Monday, it was July 4th and I actually had the day off. We had a lazy morning and afternoon while I made chicken tortilla soup for Jes who has been sick all week. Then around 7:00, we walked over to the Caltrain station where a shuttle drove us all the way to Pier 39. 
We walked down to Aquatic Park and Ghiradelli Square and found a small spot on the lawn. We’ve tried to watch fireworks a few times in the past but always ended up with colored fog.
This year, it was clear and we were situated in the middle of the action with music and a perfect view of the show.
It was a sunny day today and it happened to be the first day of summer! I came home from work to a sick but chipper husband who suggested that we take a visit to the AT&T store to upgrade my phone. I was eligible for a full upgrade to an iPhone4 and now Husband is a proud owner of my 3GS. Score for me!
On top of the upgrade, I got a cute cover for 50% off! Yesh!!
Afterward, we picked up a six-pack and a pizza from Amici’s and enjoyed them up on our roof. It was a nice way to end the Longest Day of the Year.
With this view, we should hang out on the roof more often.
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