Mitsuwa Market is a Japanese mall in Edgewater, NJ with an impressive food court,?market and shops. We started, of course, with the food court where I was stopped in my tracks by the tempting offer of spicy cod roe over udon (which I ordered cold). Laura and Shaun meanwhile stood in the long line for ramen and got us a bowl of salt broth ramen. A plate of gyoza was split and Mont Blanc cake for dessert.

Every morsel was incredible. The mild cod roe dish was my favorite but Mike also faired extremely well with his spicy pork and kimchee that he let me try. The filling and creamy ramen was also note worthy and delicious. I'd recommend all three dishes, but if you're more of a visual person, all the menu options are available in plastic form to insure no surprises.

The Mont Blanc was a bit surprising though. It's topping made of red bean paste rather than the french meringue. Mike opted for the cream and bean cakes, hot filled pastries with oddball images on the crusts.

After he had our fill in the food court we strolled a few of the other shops. First was a book store filled with strange and intriguing book covers I couldn't understand. Not just the language, either. I mean, what kind of story calls for a photograph of some roasted chicken and an anime child in a rabbit suit on it? Next door was a store crammed with expensive weird Japanesey stuff. We were tempted but passed on some sweet Totoro stuffed animals there.

We had less will power in the market place where we all managed to fill Mike's trunk. I got some roe, regret not getting octopus sashimi, found a sake we enjoyed at Zenkichi (called Watatake), grabbed a bottle of bright red Sochu, some fancy beers, some cute candies, some Ponzu sauce, red pepper seasoning, and my favorite (hard to find) Hot and Sour Egg Flower Soup Mix. Phew.

The great thing is even if you don't have a car, you can still get to the market from the city via bus. Information here.

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Posted on July 28, 2008

My friend Shaun has basically become obsessed with Cafetasia, an 8th Street spot that, at first glance, doesn't quite seem like a probable candidate for a fixation (Shaun is kind of… particular). It looks like one of those typically fakey, vaguely Thai places in the middle of the NYU campus that serves cheap, bland fare to starving college students who don't know any better. And it very nearly is just that–except, inexplicably–the food is actually quite good.

The real draw is the lunch special where, for ten dollars (tip and all), you get a large dish and a small dish. I usually get the daily soup selection; their Tom Yum is surprisingly refreshing with crisp, bright veggies, it's very unlike the cookie cutter versions you might be used to. Shaun opts, always, for the fresh spring roll.?

He also never fails to order the Spicy Bail Noodles (pictured) which are not only actually spicy (unlike so many disappointing claims on menus all over town) but can, at times, produce beads of sweat on my brow and a slight rumble in my tummy. Other yummy dishes I've tried from the lunch menu include the mild Garlic Black Pepper, the rich Malaysian Laksa, and the warm weather pleaser Shrimp with Glass Noodle.

It's a big space, with tons of two tops and long communal tables. The decorating ia bit cheesy and it's run like a very efficient cafeteria. Lunch never takes longer than thirty minutes, which makes it ideal for a sit down option if you work nearby.

It's not likely to be a place foodies and tour guides will mention but, like lots of steady nearbys, it continues to draw a crowd by having the two most important parts of a restaurant down pat: good food at the right price.

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Posted on July 28, 2008

David Hicks was as volatile as his rooms were tranquil and lush. In his obituary (he died in 1998) he is described as having an “apoplectic rage” and his wife said, ''He was an absolute volcano to live with, but so life enhancing, I already miss his slamming of doors.”

While I'm not quite envious of that part of his legacy, I've recently become very envious of anyone who can put a room together with flair for interior decorating. It may be the fact that I have a bit too much stuff for my abode or that Jim has a soft spot for plastic bins, but I can't manage to keep most of my apartment from looking like we just moved in. I've decided to do a thing or two about it, but that's another tale.

I have no illusions that I could possibly the luxurious career of Hicks, whose clients included Helena Rubenstein, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, and King Fahd as well as the interiors for the Julie Christie film (and Brix Pick) Petulia. But we can all at least be inspired by the extensive archive on this site, curated by his son Ashley, who carries on the design tradition.

These images are just so fun. Imagine sitting in this corner, organizing your porcelain, or greeting your roaming peacock during breakfast in this informal kitchen at your country estate, or gazing at your Bill Blass heavy wardrobe while bathing in this indescribable room, or starting a torrid affair with a David Bailey type in this sauna.

See more: Style Icons: Male

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Posted on July 28, 2008

Being the celebrity that got himself kicked out of the exclusive Milk and Honey by acting obnoxious isn't the only thing you have to give credit to Quentin Tarantino for. He also happens to have pretty impeccable taste in music, if you can forgive him for the fact that the Reservoir Dogs soundtrack was overplayed by every guy you didn't want to date in high school–then again in college–and accept that it was a revolutionary soundtrack that pretty awesomely got millions of awkward teens grooving to Harry Nilsson Schmilsson.

Strawberry Letter 23, most famously recorded by the Brothers Johnson in 1977, was featured in his best picture to date (in my opinion), Jackie Brown. It was originally written and recorded by a seventeen year old named Shuggie Otis (who I imagine looks like a teddybear) about his girlfriend who wrote notes to him on strawberry scented paper.

Jesus, if I had a lover writing me on strawberry scented paper in 1977, I'd be inspired to write a song about it too–though it's debatable if mine would have as much soul. But, on closer inspection, maybe there is something of teenage Brittany in the lyrics:

In the garden – I see west
Purple shower, bells and tea
Orange birds and river cousins dressed in green and

Hello, my love
I heard a kiss from you
Red magic satin playing near, too

Ahh, this song just makes me feel good. Like a rainbow flying into my ears. And by the way, both versions are worth a listen.

The song title is also the name of a Dear Abby type show where you can ask Steve Harvey to solve all your problems. Seriously.

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Posted on July 28, 2008

Cotton candy, candy floss, fairy floss.. where ever you call it, we all know it as the irresistible pastel treat at ballgames, fairs, circuses, and amusement parks. It's almost as close to magic as food can get, the way it transforms in the mouth.

But don't partake in the sweet goody too often. Aside from pure sugar, I learned the food coloring used in the pink and yellow varieties, tartrazine can cause (in large doses): lower intelligence and hyperactivity! It's advised that from now on you might want to stick to the blue colored ones, even if it dyes your mouth.

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Posted on July 21, 2008