8-Bit (NYC)

One unique place we went to was 8 Bit Bites

As all mom and pop restaurants are in NY, this place is small too.

There are 5/6 ables, where it's tied to a station and you can choose from menus upon menus of arcade games from the 80s, 90s, 00s, and variations of those games.  

It is expected that you order food before getting a table.  And each table is expected to play for 30 mins during peak times.  Their staff actually does a g read job in managing that traffic.  And they will tell you to hold off ordering when they see that guests just sat down.  And once they see things are moving along, they have you order, sit down play and your food will appear. 

I got the Retro Loaded Fries. It has onion, I skipped the japaleno peppers, and beef bacon with cheese drizzled all over. Trust me that's a meal to itself, and it's alot of food.  Totally designed for you to take it togo.

Given it's mainly fast food, it's appreciated the staff manage the flow for the clients not have to have cold, fried food while we're playing.  This is a unique place for kids big and small.  They also have milkshake, burgers, chicken tenders, so it's no gourmet, but it's great for entertainment.

8-Bit Bites - Chelsea 

197 7th Ave

New York, NY

646-398-8188

https://8bitbitesbk.com/

 

Lysee (NYC)

This really has been a tour of bakeries.

Saw Lysee on IG, and everything os so pretty that had to make a stop.

You walk in, it's dining/cafe on the ground floor and shop on the 2nd floor.  The lay out is like an atelier. 

Each item gets it's space to be featured.

There's some cute ones.

Some seasonal ones.

Some full cakes.

Some individual, personal cakes. 

and cookies.... 

which I had to bring home. 

It's the chocolate flavors

But you know what, the cookies part is not all sweet, it has a bit of saltiness to it. 

Not to mention the cookie texture was soft and not crunchy.  The texture is perfect for Fall weather and a cup of tea or coffee.  Wish I'd gotten more.  Also secretly hope that they ship it to me.  This will definitely be on my list next time I'm in town.

Lysee

44 E. 21st Street

New York, NY

https://www.lyseenyc.com/

 

Krispy Kreme (NYC)

Since there's only 2 Krispy Kreme in the Houston Metro area, seeing Krispy Kreme everywhere in New York is such a novelty to me.

What they offer, which is totally fitting for a commuting city, are these on-the-go donut holes.  Actually, they come in a link of 3, and they would squeeze 4 sets of those links in a cup.  Think about it, it's almost 4 donuts there, and it's easy to grab a coffee along with this.  It's $4.09 per cup.  Don't worry, it's just as nice and pillowy as you remember them to be, except bite size.

Krispy Kreme 

994 6th Ave

New York, NY 10018

https://site.krispykreme.com/ny/new-york/994-6th-ave

 

The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory (NYC)

It's been 12 years since I've been back to the Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory.

They have partnership and support local artists, like this is from Wonton In a Million.

Super cute picture on flavors displayed.

Or if you need to read it for yourself.

Lots of unique flavors that caters to the Chinese palette.

They also have merch - like t-shirt, stuff animals of the dragon.

I'll just stick with ice cream. This is the red bean, it's nice, not too sweet, but has the bean every single bite.  Good balance between the sweet and the creamy goodness.

The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory

65 Bayard Street

NY, New York 10013

212-608-4170

https://www.chinatownicecreamfactory.com/

 

Ando Patisserie (NYC)

Saw this feature by some NYC locals.

Ando is a French Patisserie with an an Asian twist.

Small little coffee shop.

Clean design.

Got the Passion Fruit Tea - light and easy going.  Great for on-the-go walk and drink.

Finally sat down to have the Black Lava Cream Crepes Roll

Here's a closer look.  They pack little bit of crunchy for you to add on top.

I will say, highly recommend enjoy it there because the poor thing kinda congeal together after we got back to the hotel. 

I will say, the flavor palette strongly resemble that of the Black Sesame Soup.  Mainly came from the cream.  The wrap is layers of crepes from the black sesame, and there's some soybean powder sprinkled on top.   Pretty light and easy going flavor palette.  Definitely something different and never tried before.  I originally going to try the Mont Blanc, but they were sold out.  Highly disappointed, that just means that I have to come back and try it another time.

Ando Patisserie

214 E. 10th St

New York, NY 10003

https://www.andopatisserie-official.com/

 

Mabu Cafe (NYC)

One of the cha chan teng that's been pretty strong on their IG game is Mabu Cafe in Chinatown, NY.

They totally played up the kitch of the Hong Kong time of the old.

Yet play up the new mix of culture.

For example, they know these are buzz words for Chinese playing mahjong.

Cool neon signs for wishing you plenty of wealth.

Each table has mahjong tiles designs like this one has a heart.

More nods to what Hong Kongers love, being wished to have great luck.

This one wishing you get rich - and who wouldn't like that? 

Even wall art and wall paper and the like.  Totally kitch.

These are signs for Minibus in Hong Kong.  You can also get these at El Dage.

No, this is not a giant fridge, it's the door to the bathroom.

Even the table ware are nods to the time of old in Hong Kong.

Of course, must get, Curry Fish balls, it's really fish paste made into the ball shape, it's a well known street snack.  Back in the day, they would sell them in a skewers style. 

Also got some Cheung Fun - and they provided Plum sauce mixed with Peanut sauce for dipping. Truly a nostalgia thing.

Popular on-the-go dish, Spam and Egg over instant noodle. Served in a hot pot bowl. 

Oven baked macaroni - this is truly Mac and Cheese with spaghetti sauce.  

Then we have little bear in a spa...

...er, I mean, in Lemon Tea.  My only complaint about this is that albeit is super cute, the cup is super small.  Poor bear is not melting fast enough and took one sip and need to re-fill.  So, cute for the 'gram', not practical whatsoever.   The tea is fine, not too strong, not too sweet; just right.

More decor on the way out. 

Cool neat decor, design to transform you to another place.

The place as most NY places are, tiny and small.  There's plenty of seating, and the upstairs has a few tables as well.  Typically if they're busy, they do have virtually 'get a number' but since we went on a weekday, we just got in fine.  There are workers nearby grabbing lunch, so there was a little but of a rush but not so pack that you have an extended wait.

As you can see, they really play up the nostalgia thing and get you to post on the 'gram' to promote for them.  I will say, food is not bad, so I don't mind the promotion.  It was neat and kitch.  Now that the other Cha Chan Teng is closed, this serves as a great alternative.

Mabu Cafe

18 Doyers St

New York, NY

https://mabucafe.com/