Countdown: (Chinatown Gems)

5 days

I'm even starting to get that warm fuzzy feeling

about Chinatown when I think about PK

or maybe I'm getting that feeling because I discovered

some great food spotsI've been ignoring for all these years

Lucky King Bakery, and Quickly, both on Grand Street

I'm sure its no secret that I'm a slave to pastries

I'm especially weak for cutesy anything,

mostly cupcakes with hot pink frosting

and anything covered in glitter

Lucky King Bakery gave me all that, think mini sponge cakes

encrusted with rainbow sprinkles and decorated like adorable mice

or pink and seafoam layer sponge cakes topped

with a sexy strawberry and white chocolate twirls

I'm not gonna lie, I was never the type of little girl

that would set up her stuffed animals, around a table

and pretend to have tea

but with these mini-delights I might,

yes at the old age of 19, start doing that

I could see it now,

me, my ducky, my hippo, my pink poodle, and my pony

enjoying these Technicolor treats, it would be magical

when I was younger I remember taking the F train to East Broadway

and without fail my mom would stop at a Chinese bakery and

buy me a delicate, fluffy sponge cake

after all these years, they are still my favorite

perfect simplicity

have I mentioned that all these inventively adorable pastries are under $1.50 each?

the pink white chocolate strawberry treat is only 80 cents

some girls love handbags, I love bargains....and cake

Quickly, on the other hand, not only delivers

exotic and delicious bubble teas, and slushes

but also happens to be one of the best places to experience Shabu Shabu

What is Shabu Shabu? That's exactly what I wondered

when my boyfriend suggest we go after watching some Cooking Channel show

on the Japanese food craze

its basically a cook-your-own-food bonanza

all the tables are set up with heating devices and you get a pot with water

inserted into your table, as well as a tower of different raw vegetables, noodles (and meats)

the water boils and you drop in your assortment

as well as any seasonings and condiments, like garlic, chives, and soy sauce

to make your own broth, and veggie combinations

its DIY dinner, and its super fun

I, being a novice, made quite the mess

there were noodles, and hot water spread all over the table

not to mention that I was eating my noodles with a ladle,

instead of chopsticks, what a Westerner

it beats the stir-fry station at school by a million.

I'll miss you Chinatown

you're the only place where a naked little girl

can sell "ice crean" and get away with it.

She's my hero.