Chalkboard Menu

When I lived in Astoria (in northwest Queens) three years ago, I used to get dinner from a lunch cart like this that sells really delicious Middle Eastern food. The cart was parked right outside the subway station and the food was made fresh to order. It was really convenient and as you can see on the chalkboard, it was also really inexpensive. Before that, I had never had Middle Eastern food before. Now I'm a huge fan of falafel sandwich.

So what would you like for dinner?

Mellow Yellow

This photo was taken in front of Cipriani Downtown, an Italian restaurant on West Broadway and Bloom Street in SoHo. Exactly a year ago, I featured a photo of the same restaurant and here it is again. It was purely coincidental because I chose to post this photo before I realized the date of photo posted last year. It was a total surprise.

So when was the last time you had a coincidental moment?

Coin Fountain

This photo was taken at one of the fountains at Rockefeller Center. It seems like people were tossing coins into the fountain hoping their wishes would be granted. I tossed some Italian liras into the Trevi Fountain when I was a 10-year old boy. My wish was to visit Rome again in the future. So far, the wish hasn't come true yet.

So have you ever tossed a coin into a fountain and made a wish?

Spring in SoHo

I saw leaves on some trees this weekend so Spring must really be here. But before we know it, summer will take over and it will be hot and muggy again. And I will be praying for the cool weather to return.

My favorite season is winter because I love the cold weather and I love the holiday festivities. So what is your favorite season?

Look At Me

I was at a furniture store in SoHo yesterday and I saw this cute little dog lying on the floor, looking totally bored. When I walked over to take her photo, she immediately sat up and posed for me. She knew she had my attention. In return for the photo, I gave her a pat on the head, a chin rub and she was thrilled to bits. Her owner was too busy talking with a friend to notice anything.

So what do you usually do to get people's attention?

Daffodils at Central Park

These daffodils are among dozens of fields of daffodils in Central Park right now since Spring has finally arrived. As you can see, the trees are still bald and slow to catch up. Hopefully, in the next month or so, the leaves will grow into the trees.

Some of my new photos have been added to New York Street Shots recently so please stop by and take a look at them. Other photographers have contributed to the site too and they are all super talented. Check out the list of photographers on there.

Old Chairs

I am always fascinated at how some people can make old things, like these chairs, look so cool and appealing again. An artist friend of mine always managed to find interesting pieces of broken furniture left on the street, take them home and turn them into beautiful useable items in her apartment.

The last time I spotted something on the street, picked it up and put it in my pocket was when I found a beautiful, black, smooth river stone in Union Square.

So when was the last time you picked something up from the street?

SoHo Street Scene

I took this photo because of the interesting cobbled stone pattern on Mercer Street between Prince and Houston in SoHo. As you can see, the street is not level and there are many holes between the pieces of stone. I hear women wearing stelleto heels hurt themselves on these streets all the time.

So do you have cobbbled stone streets in your city?

Time Flies

I saw this clock with wings in a store window display of Anthropologie at Rockefeller Center recently and I loved it. Time really flies when you are having fun.

So what do you do for fun? I love to sleep so every chance I get, I try to sleep as much as possible.

Mid-Month Theme: Subway Day

I took this photo on the No. 7 train early one morning during my commute to work. I was in the last car of the train and it was before rush hour traffic (at 7:10AM) so the car was empty. I took a lot of photos from different angles and this one was taken with the camera over my head.

Subway day is a mid-month theme shared by the following blogs:

New York City Daily Photo - Peter's Paris - Stockholm by Pixel

So when do you set off to work every morning?

Virgin Mummy by Damien Hirst

Last year, I posted a photo of the Virgin Mother by Damien Hirst that was located outside the Lever House on Park Avenue and 50th Street. Earlier this week, I saw the statue again but it was wrapped in plastic and tape, looking very much like a mummy. I assume it was being prepped to be moved to a new location.

So when did you move to your current home?

The Love Wall

The Love Wall is a sculpture by Robert Indiana that was installed on the meridian of Park Avenue and 57th Street. The art installation is one of New York City's Parks Department projects and will be stay on 5th Avenue until May 15.

So when was the last time you fell in love? It can be for a dog or an object; it doesn't have to be a person.

Not So Cool Kids

I saw this sticker on the parking meter at Union Square and thought it was hilarious. It is so cool to be uncool nowadays.

So were you a cool kid or an uncool kid?

Surfing in the Wind

I saw this cute dog enjoying the breeze (actually it was more like a gust of wind) during his walk in the city a couple weeks ago. He looked like he was really enjoying the wind in his face but it was actually very cold. So maybe he was closing his eyes to avoid from cold.

What do you think? Was he cold or was he enjoying the breeze?

Naumburg Bandshell

This is the inside view of the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park. The structure, built in 1923, is located at the end of the Literary Walk near the 72nd Street entry to Central Park off of 5th Avenue. Musical performances are held here throughout the year for the public.

So when was the last time you attended a musical performance?

You Don't Bring Me Flowers Anymore

This is a macro shot of some flowers I saw at Central Park this weekend. It would appear that Spring is here but then we had a burst of cold weather on Sunday and Monday.

So what is the weather like where you are at?

Grilled Octopus @ Philoxenia

In keeping with the National Greek Parade theme, here is a photo of a grilled octopus dish from Philoxenia, a Greek restaurant in Astoria, where my friend and I went for dinner last Saturday night. My friend wanted to go to Philoxenia because she read a review of the restaurant in the New York Times and I, on the other hand, was more than willing to tag along because I used to live in Astoria and I love Greek food.

So have you ever had grilled octopus or grilled calamari?

National Greek Parade

The National Greek Parade was held yesterday on 5th Avenue at Upper East Side. I was on my way to Central Park to take some photos and came upon the start of the parade. One of the most spectacular scenes at the parade was this gigantic Greek flag held up by a dozen or so marchers.

So have you been to Greece?

Central Park Lamp

This is one of many street lamps that light up the pedestrian path on the southern stretch of Central Park. Across the street from the park are some of the most expensive hotels in New York City.

So where is the most luxurious (or favorite) hotel you have ever stayed in?

Communal Table Dining

I had breakfast at the SoHo branch of Le Pain Quotidien a couple weeks ago. It is one of the many restaurants in New York City that offers communal table dining. I love the idea of sharing the table with total strangers, especially when I am eating alone, because I get to meet all sorts of people. But the restaurant does have smaller tables for those who do not want to dine with strangers.

So what is your opinion of communal table dining?