Cruisin' for Bruisin'

ROBIN EGG BLUE

"Let's sit and talk awhile.."

Hold on tightly, let go lightly..

Blue skies over the Freedom Tower

Ride & Roll My Blues Away

Last Sunday was a beautiful day to be on a bicycle. The perfect mild temperature with sun shining through blue skies, made me go bike riding in the city. I started cruising in Midtown Manhattan and when I reached Columbus Circle, I randomly bumped into an old friend. We decided to catch up and chill by Lincoln Center's Revson Fountain. After our brief meet up, I continued my bike ride. Riding on the West Side is my favorite bike route, I entered on West 72nd Street of the Riverside Park and rode south and enjoyed freewheeling in my comfortable Yosi Samra flats on the scenic Westside Highway bike path to Battery Park. I love riding on this traffic-less bike path along the Hudson River. I continued cruising until I reached South Street Seaport where I found this cute Fiat. I wanted to put it in my pocket and take it home with me. -This is what I love about discovering New York City on two wheels, I stumble upon random cute things along the way. 

"Race for Pink Slips"

I rode my way back on West Side Highway, and when I reached Pier 82 on West 12th Avenue, I cut through West 45th St. to get back to Midtown. After (3.5) hours of riding my bicycle, I felt hungry and developed a sudden craving for Ramen. I thought of going to my favorite ramen joint, Ippudo  (also considered to be my 2nd home) on W 52nd St. and 8th Ave. As I was riding on 11th Avenue, I passed by this huge industrial looking commercial space which looked like a fancy upscale food-court, I was intrigued and immediately fell in love with its motto: EAT.DRINK.RIDE.PLAY.COOK. 

Gotham West Market is the new Food Hall to check out in Hells Kitchen. It offers an impressive array of food choices plus a bike shop (Velo). -Need I say more? Oh did I mention, you can pick up groceries and take up cooking classes at The Brooklyn Kitchen. I could probably spend the whole day at this place, but since it was getting late and I was already starving, I only got to do the EAT part (and will definitely come back to DRINK.RIDE.PLAY and possibly COOK.) -It's truly a heaven for a Feinschmecker on Wheels like me.  http://gothamwestmarket.com

  Roasted Garlic Mazemen-Fully Loaded

(nori, dashi + chicken broth, egg, sundried tomatoes, chasu pork)

Try Ivan Ramen's Slurp Shop for your Ramen quick fix. Unlike like the other Ramen joints, such as Ippudo and Hide-Chan which use tonkotsu (pork) broth, Ivan Ramen uses chicken broth and rye noodles. The one I picked was Chef Ivan Orkin's most talked about dish, it was good, but it might be too rich and intensely flavored for me. In my opinion, it's comparable to Hide-Chan's dark garlic broth Ramen. I will definitely come back to try their Classic and Shio and Spicy Red Chili Ramen and their rice bowls. 

Country Ham Board with Biscuit
 (Cannibal is the best place to satisfy your charcuterie cravings)

Fun-size hugs**

Until our next date..  Ride Along With Me..