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  • Magnolia Bakery – Greenwich Village, New York City
    American Restaurant Reviews By 

    If you didn't know already, I am a HUGE fan of Sex and the City. Its humour, clever writing, tongue-in-cheek fashion and witty characters, captivated my imagination and perhaps is a large influence in my writing today. When my sisters and I were arranging a trip to New York City, I was adamant that we go on the Sex and the City tour. They all agreed that it would be a lot of fun. We got to visit a few places that were featured in the TV Series. We bought a Manhattan drink at the place where they shot Steve and Aiden's bar. We walked past the stoop to Carrie's apartment (apparently Sarah Jessica Parker only lives down the street from there). We visited the sex shop where the girls bought Charlotte her infamous rabbit. The one place that we visited and left a lasting impression with me was the…

  • Homemade Pop Tarts – AMAZING!!
    American Recipes By 

    Pop Tarts were my preferred choice of breakfast back in the days of high school. My mother was always concerned that I was not getting a healthy breakfast, but I was never an early riser and these were ready in a matter of minutes before I rushed out the door. After ten years, I no longer eat pop tarts, but I still rush out the door to head to work. Old habits die-hard. I was looking to make a sweet pastry pie, so I bought Bubby's Homemade Pies. (I will use any excuse to buy a beautiful cookbook). Sweet pastry pies are not very widespread in Australia like they are in the US. The only ones I find easily available are from Sara Lee in the frozen food section at the supermarket. Movies & TV Shows like Fried Green Tomatoes, Waitress and Pushing Daisies, have propelled my craving for this…

  • Lunar New Year – Tet Vietnamese Festival
    Restaurant Reviews By 

    Vietnamese Lunar New Year falls on the same day as Chinese New Year. It was (and still is) my favourite time of the year as a young child. My sisters and I would eagerly wait for the auspicious red packets to be handed to us from our parents and our older relatives. They were considered lucky money and were given to young children and the elderly. We would always compete with each other on who got the most money and red envelopes by the end of the day. It was a lot of fun teasing the least successful recipient. What were we to do with all this money? Personally, I couldn't wait to spend it all on food, rides and games at the Tet Festival! The carnival was once held at a park in Cabramatta, during the suburbs troubled times. It was occasionally overrun by gangsters and I recall on…

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