Korean Dumplings (Mandoo) Bar

This photo was taken at Mandoo Bar, a Korean dumpling restaurant in Koreatown on 32nd Street between Broadway and 5th Avenue. The dumplings are filled with a variety of meats and vegetables, including kimchi (fermented/pickled cabbage). I am a huge fan of Korean food and kimchi is an acquired taste for me.

So what taste have your acquired?

New Lawn at Bryant Park

This photo was taken a couple weeks ago after Bryant Park had laid down new sods on the ground. There were signs everywhere requesting the public to stay off the lawn. Everyone appeared to respect the signs because nobody was on the lawn.

So do you always obey the law? What kind of offenders annoy you most? I really despise litterbugs and people who deface public properties.

Roasted Corn on the Cob

Roasted corn on the cob is a street fair favorite of mine. At this vendor stand, each piece cost $1.50 and came with two different toppings: melted butter and/or sprinkles of parmigiana cheese. I like mine with parmigiana cheese.

Do you have a street fair favorite?

Gaucho Grill

This gaucho grill was one of the food ventors at the street fair on Greenpoint Avenue and 48th Street in Sunnyside, Queens. I believe these meats on the spit are skirt steaks and they are served with boiled potatoes covered in salt and plantains (fried green bananas).

I'm not a fan of grilled steak but I do love a good juicy burger. What is your meat of choice?

Librairie de France

This French bookstore, Librairie de France at the Rockefeller Center sells only French books and magazines. Even the logo for the store has that French street sign look. I hear Paris has a famous English language only bookstore called the Shakespeare & Co.

So do you have a favorite bookstore in your city?

Can You See Me?

This photo was taken while I was standing on the three-storey high Queensborough Plaza subway station. Across the street from the subway platform is a new condo construction that is built almost entirely of glass. I took this photo because I could see my reflection in the glass surface.

So can you see me in the reflection?

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?

Ming the Peeping Tom

This photo is the result of one of many experiments I did with my little point-and-shoot camera. I love the movie In The Mood For Love, which was filmed to resemble someone watching a story unfold through open windows or behind street corners. So this was my attempt to explore that feeling of "peeping from behind the trees" via photography.

So what or who inspires you?

Disclaimer: This project was purely an artistic experiment. No trees or pets were harmed in the making of this photo.

Private Garden in Jackson Heights

Here is the photo of a private community garden tucked behind one of the co-op buildings in Jackson Heights, Queens. As you can see, only residents of these buildings have access to the garden. One of my co-workers live in one of these buildings. When the weather gets warmer, I will ask her to take me for a walk inside the garden.

So what is your most cherished possession?

Jackson Heights Co-ops

These are one of the numerous co-op (somewhat like condo) buildings I mentioned about yesterday. Majority of them were built around 1920's and fashioned to resemble the English garden apartments in London. Behind these buildings are elaborate private community gardens that are accessible to the residents only.

So do you have a garden in your building/house?

N.B.: I posted this yesterday but realized it was theme photo day so I had to "withdraw" this post and put up a new one to reflect the selected theme: water.

Theme Photo: Water

Today is April 1st so it is theme photo day again. This month's theme is WATER and this photo shows the southern most tip of Manhattan where the Staten Island docks. You can also see a ferry approaching from the ferry station.

Today, 177 other photo blogs are participating in the theme photo. Stop by the sites and check out their photos: Adelaide, Australia by Gordon, Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Ararat, Australia by Digger, Arradon, France by Alice, Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Guntur Purwanto, Barton (VT), USA by Andree, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Paja, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Bibi, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Boston (MA), USA by Fenix - Bostonscapes, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Brookville (OH), USA by Abraham, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cape Town, South Africa by Kerry-Anne, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chicago (IL), USA by b.c., Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Cypress (TX), USA by Riniroo, Dallas/Fort Worth (TX), USA by A Wandering Soul, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, East Gwillimbury, Canada by Your EG Tour Guide, Evry, France by Olivier, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Guelph, Canada by Pat, Gun Barrel City (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Hamilton, New Zealand by Sakiwi, Hampton (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Haninge, Sweden by Steffe, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Old Hyde, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jakarta, Indonesia by Santy, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jogjakarta, Indonesia by Jogja Portrait, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Juneau (AK), USA by Gwyn, Katonah (NY), USA by Inkster1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Lake Forest Park (WA), USA by Azure, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Maria João, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Mo, London, UK by Ham, Mainz, Germany by JB, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Marseille, France by Alex, Mazatlan, Mexico by Kate, Melbourne, Australia by John, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Mexico City, Mexico by Poly, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Minsk, Belarus by Olga, Monrovia (CA), USA by Keith, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Montego Bay, Jamaica by Ann, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by Magiceye, Mumbai, India by MumbaiiteAnu, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Nancy, France by yoshi, Naples (FL), USA by Isabella, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, New York City (NY), USA by Ming the Merciless, Niamey, Niger by Dinabee, Norfolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norman (OK), USA by Chad & LaCresha, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Odense, Denmark by ania odense, Omsk, Russia by Nataly, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Oslo, Norway by Lothiane, Paderborn, Germany by Soemchen, Paris, France by Gordio, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Pont-à-Mousson, France by Tintin-j, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Townsend (WA), USA by raf, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Portland (OR), USA by NWgal, Portland (ME), USA by Corey, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Riga, Latvia by Prokur, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Salem (OR), USA by jill, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by Eric, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by atc, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Francisco (CA), USA by PFranson, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sequim (WA), USA by Eponabri, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Shanghai, China by Jing, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Stouffville, Canada by Ken, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Suffolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Sydney, Australia by Nathalie, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Tacloban City, Philippines by agnesdv, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, The Hague, Netherlands by Lezard, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Toruń, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Turin, Italy by Livio, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Victoria, Canada by Benjamin Madison, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Virginia Beach (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by Rachel, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Williamsburg (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,