Over the past few years, Copenhagen’s Noma has consistently ranked among the world’s top restaurants. No one who remains up-to-date on food news can go more than a few minutes without reading something about Rene Redzepi, the gastronomic temple’s star chef. Freshly foraged Scandinavian plates are all the rage in the culinary sphere today. Thankfully, we New Yorkers don’t have to travel to Europe to sample the fare.

I was lucky enough to snag a table at Aska this past week, and in doing so virtually transported myself to the frostbitten Northern lands. New York City is harried and frenzied, a muddled conglomeration of hundreds of ethnic groups, religions and histories. In general, it’s hard to tell where one culture ends and the next begins. Aska, however, bucks the fusion trend that results when diversity meets urban density. Sharing a Brooklyn street corner with Kinfolk Studios, Aska represents the new Nordic culinary movement at its purest.

At Aska, excess of any kind is absent—something I recall observing throughout Scandinavia during my travels. The restaurant’s decor is marked by simplicity and minimalism, honoring its Scandinavian heritage while appealing to modern Brooklynites simultaneously. At the direction of the young, Swedish-born chef, Fredrik Berselius, Aska’s menu treats diners to the clean solitude that seems to reign in Scandinavia. But that doesn’t mean the food leaves you feeling  cold.

The food at Aska is solid, though at times it can seem strikingly unusual, even for a person such as myself who’s accustomed to trying bizarre things. More than quirky, the dishes offered stay true to the Scandinavian culinary austerity currently taking the world by storm. Earthy pork blood is served dried into a crispy chip, three squid rings comprise an infectiously comforting plate and buttermilk is whipped with wild herbs into the next “it” ice cream. Each concoction is carefully crafted from freshly sourced ingredients, then manipulated into obscure bites that appear scant but are deceptively rich and warm. While familiar flavors are tweaked to the point that they’re virtually unrecognizable to diners, foreign ingredients provide unexpected comfort.

A juxtaposition of clean and complex defines Aska. Like Scandinavia itself, Aska both keeps you at arms length and beckons you in.

Aska, 90 Wythe Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, 718 388-2969, Mon-Fri & Sun 6pm-2am, Sat 6pm- 4am

*This story was originally published on NewYorkNatives.com on May 20, 2013. To read this and other stories from my Around the World in 5 Boroughs column, click here. 

The Great GoogaMooga festival is back in Prospect Park this weekend for the second year. Issues of crowding, disorganization and planning which plagues last years festivities are said to have been corrected and hopefully the festival will stand up to lofty expectations. Dozens of performers and food vendors will serve festival goers each day, and this years lineup of both are bigger and badder than ever. Friday night, the Flaming Lips, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the Darkness will kick off the music and food fueled weekend. Great GoogaMooga, Nethermead Meadow, Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Fri 4-10PM, Sat & Sun 11AM- 8PM, ticketed but free

May 17-21: Classic Cocktails

The Manhattan Cocktail Classic is back with dozens of alcohol fueled events for partipants to drink at. Festivities range from a full out gala to a mezcal tasting or a booze and bacon themed brunch. For a full list of this years activities click here. Various locations, various times

May 18: Get Out and Dance!

Dancers from around the globe will showcase their ethnic dance genres this weekend in a parade that will dance its way down Broadway this Saturday. Fantastical floats, live bands and DJs will join the performers in a chronologically ordered event that will trace the history of dance from the ancient to the contemporary. The Dance Parade will start at 21st Street and Broadway making its way to Tompkins Square Park, 1PM 

May 18: Taste Tribeca

This years Taste of Tribeca will both honor the neighborhoods culinary scene and do some good for a few of its schools. Seventy restaurants from the area will come together this Saturday to host what can only be described as the epitome of an epic street fair, all proceeds from which will go towards benefitting P.S. 150 and P.S. 234. To purchase tickets and for full event info, visit the Taste’s official site. Duane Street between Greenwich and Hudson, 11:30AM- 3PM, $45

May 18-19: Foods of the World, Unite. 

The annual Ninth Avenue International Food Festival is back this weekend for the 40th year. Restaurants and vendors featuring cuisines from around the globe will showcase foods for every taste. Along with edible bites, the festival will feature international music, crafts and more. Ninth Ave between 42nd and 57th Streets, 12- 5PM

May 19: Momo Who?

You’ve heard of dumpling, mandoo and shumai but now the Himalayan momo is taking center stage. The Second Annual Momo Crawl will take tasters on a culinary tour of Jackson Heights this Sunday, all stops featuring the delectable dumpling known in the Himalayas as a momo. Jackson Heights Plaza, 37th Avenue, Queens, 516 428 4085, prices vary

May 19-27: Can’t Get to Africa?

Then let Africa come to you. The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) hosts its annual celebration of all things Africa. African and African-American music, dance and culture will be put on center stage for the eight day event that brings performers together from all over the world. For tickets and full event info visit www.bam.org. Times, locations and prices vary

chef Fredrik Berselius at work

on my plate (from top left): scallops and dill; pork blood and fruit; herring, egg yolk and dill; sweetbread, nettle and asparagus; caraway bread and butter; squid, radish and oyster; leak, brown butter and roots; pike, ramp and hay; pork belly, spinach and beet; sweet cracker; dill, buttermilk and cream

Stay tuned for part #2.

street stall dining

Street food foraging resembles the tapas style dining I enjoy so much while at home. Instead of sitting down to one meal, I enjoy a few. I don’t need a whole plate of one thing, I’d much prefer little bites of many.When traveling this couldn’t be more true. Food is a great window into a culture. The little bites we pick up along the way are insights into the history, religion, geography and people that define a place. The compilation of these tastes are some of the best meals I’ve ever had- like a seven course chefs table, only in my version, each plate is served at a different street stall.

Philippines nom

I’ve already planned my street food tours for my upcoming trip to France, Croatia and Montenegro. Along with experiencing the visual beauty of each destination, I plan on indulging in the gastronomic delights of each as well. And yes, while I do enjoy sitting down for a meal (and have a few reservations planned already), I enjoy my renegade style of eating much more.

bottoms up!

A noraebang is a Korean bar focused on one of the more popular forms of entertainment in the country: Karaoke. Many a noraebang is open 24 hours. Much like New York City hotspots, noraebangs are decorated luxuriously and offer enticing amenities: Oversized leather couches fill marble clad rooms lit by the bright yet subtle glow of crystal chandeliers. Brand new big screen televisions are a must. But unlike the New Yorker club-goer who orders bottle service to get drunk and muster up the courage to hit the dance floor, patrons of noraebangs drink to get the tunes flowing.

While living in Seoul, I became quite fond of these palaces of musical ineptitude. There’s something about belting one’s heart out to 80’s rock with friends and some soju at one’s side that makes for an incredibly satisfying evening out. Luckily for me, living in Manhattan means that I can revisit this experience because one can literally find anything and everything within this city, no matter where on earth it originated.

Around 32nd Street between the 5th and 6th Avenue corridors, Koreatown takes me right back to the streets of Seoul. As in the Asian capital, the neighborhood is defined by buildings stacked high with Korean establishments, from smoky barbecue spots to lively beer hofs. Koreans tend to build up, and so do those who have settled in Koreatown, New York. Hidden on the upper floors of these midtown buildings are my beloved noraebangs. And as in my one-time home of Seoul, they are are jam-packed with revelers belting out tunes until the wee hours.

The spirit of a noraebang is unlike any typical New York club. Rather than who you know, it’s who you’re with that matters; egos are checked at the door. Whether you chose to sing your heart out in the community space or to rent a private room, noraebangs are about letting lose, having fun and embracing the scene. They’re not about impressing anyone—a good thing, since we all know how well the average person can sing.

celebrating the end of grad school with friends this weekend

It’s easy to get caught up in the glitz and glamour of New York City, and to fixate on chasing whatever’s ”new” in nightlife. Daily newspapers and magazines feed the beast with constant gossip, decreeing who and what is fashionable. In the midtown microcosm that is Koreatown, it’s possible to leave that superficial world behind and to focus on having a good time. Koreans and Korean-Americans have transformed a few New York City blocks into an escape route to Seoul.

Two of my favorite K-town noreabangs:

Radio Star Karaoke: 3 West 35th Street, 212 564 2520, Mon-Wed 3pm-2am, Thurs-Sat 3pm-4am, Sun 4PM-12AM

Grand Karaoke: 23 West 32nd Street, 212 629 7171, Mon-Sun 2PM-6AM

*Originally published on NewYorkNatives.com on May 13, 2013. To read this and other stories from my Around the World in 5 Boroughs column, click here. 

La Paz, my home for the summer; photo by 4photos.net

My base in Bolivia will be in La Paz but I’ll be spending the summer traveling around the country and hopefully will get to see and experience it all. Rosetta Stone is downloaded to my phone and I’m pretty much ready to go, but as always your tips, tricks and general suggestions are appreciated.

It seems as if as Americans, we have always been told American Express is the best credit card for travel. And maybe that’s partially true. In the time of travelers checks, it certainly was. Now in terms of assistance, sure. Amex has a great travel team to help you coordinate your plans, and if anything goes awry while you’re gone, American Express will always work hard to get you out of a bind.

However, what no one seems to tell us, is that the card probably won’t work anywhere at all. My first time to Vietnam, I broke an ATM trying to pull out 3 million dong (the equivalent of roughly $150 USD) for a friends who’s Amex, no one in the country wanted to accept.

A friend of mine perhaps said it best:

“I called American Express to tell them I would be traveling for five weeks in Asia and wanted to make sure they wouldn’t block my card for fraud. Instead of saying, ‘don’t worry, we’ve cleared your card for travel’ they should have said, ‘don’t worry, you won’t be able to use your card anyway’”. 

As a frequent traveler and foodie, I think this commercial is truly priceless.

Beers, burger, bowling. Basically all you need for a solid night out in honor of NYC Burger Week. Hosted by Get Real Events at Bowlmor Lanes attendees will get to sample three artisanal burgers and 24 craft beers to help wash them down. One thing’s for sure, you’ve never had a beefier Friday night than this. Buy your tickets here. Bowlmor Lanes, 222 West 44th Street, 6-9PM, $38

May 3-5: Lucky Rice

This weekend is not all about the Mexican celebrations. Lucky Rice will highlight the best of the best in Asian cuisine with bold flavors created by celebrated names. The multi day festival kicks off with the ever popular Grand Feast, brings attendees to the night markets of Asia and and culminates appropriately with a Dim Sum Mahjong Bloody Mary Brunch. Visit the LuckyRice official site for tickets and full festival info.

May 4: Cultural Passport

You don’t need to cross international borders to make use of a passport. This weekend, the New Yorker is hosting a Passport to the Arts, a self guided tour through 19 Chelsea and SoHo galleries. Pick up your passport and set off on a true New York journey. Sign In at AFA Gallery, 54 Greene Street, 11AM- 3PM, $55

May 5: CINCO DE MAYO

Aka: my favorite holiday. Spots all around the city will be getting their margarita and guacamole groove on. You should too. 

May 5: Cinco’s Not All About the Margarita’s….

… it’s about the guacamole too! Nachos NY gets in the Mexican holiday spirit and kicks off the festive day with an all out guac showdown. Twenty amateur guacamole masters will prepare their avocado centric creations for the first round of competition. Later that night guacamole renditions from New York’s best will highlight the Latin dip. The Bell House, 149 7th Street, Brooklyn, 6PM, $15-28

May 7: Not Over Mexican Food Yet

Back Forty will be celebrating another Mexican feast this week, this time in the form of a traditional Spanish Calçotada dinner. The meal will highlight the seasons savory spring onions and a variety of dishes and wine pairings to go with them. Tickets to the fiesta can be purchased here. Back Forty West, 70 Prince Street, 212  219 8570, $100

Well, Delta Air Lines is looking to change that.  Major changes have been happening to better the dining options available to travelers at the airport, and now Delta Air Lines is taking this strategy to the friendly skies. The airline has been working with celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein to upgrade the quality of their in-flight fare. Luckily, for those who are curious to try the new offerings, you don’t need to purchase a ticket to do so.

Beginning today, Delta Air Lines will relocate in part to New York City’s SoHo neighborhood in the form of T4X,  a pop-up experiential restaurant to promote the new bites.

Open to visitors on Tuesdays through Sundays between 11 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon, T4X the perfect stop for a lunchtime getaway. Meals at T4X are much cheaper than what you’ll have to pay to sample them in the air; each meal will be available for only $4.

hopefully the menu at T4X won’t resemble any of these (photo courtesy of myamusedbouche)

Make sure to stop by before May 22nd, when Delta will shift focus to opening it’s actual 1.4 billion dollar terminal space at JFK.

T4X, 376 West Broadway, Tues-Sun 11AM- 3PM

The truth is, it’s not easy. But the difficulties for me are not what you may expect. I can do without the comfort of my apartment, first world stores and other material goods. I actually revel in exploring multiple new locations as much as I enjoy spending periods of time in one. To me, travel is an endorphine rush I can’t quite get through any other medium and one I have come to ache for.

I live to travel, one can probably even go as far as to say I’m addicted. And like all addictions, travel too has serious side effects. For me, the most daunting is actually pretty simple, I miss my friends.

My experiences have taken me to far-flung places, have allowed me to experience the wildest adventures and have given me an education one could never formally receive in school. However, my traveling has also caused me to miss multiple birthdays, dinners and moments of bonding with my friends I will never be able to recreate. Last summer I may have been traipsing through Europe or lounging on Tel Aviv’s pristine beaches, but I was not at the rooftop barbecues and did not experience the weekly 1PM summer friday exodus East that define New York City summers and are the shared practicalities my friends and I have grown closer through.

A pseudo only child (I have two much older siblings I have never actually lived with), my friends are my family. They are who I turn to when I am in pain, in need or just want to have fun. Though I don’t regret my travels, the times I have missed with my friends and know I will miss in the future, haunt me.

After my European excursion this summer it looks like life will take me on another extended trip (I’ll post more specific details soon). I’m excited for the opportunity  and for the guaranteed adventure that is sure to come with my three month abroad stint. While I really have no reason not to leave, my friends are every reason why I would stay.

I guess the point of this post is to say “thank you” to those friends. Thank you for being there while I’m gone and always when I return. For making sure things never change and that no matter where in the world I am, we always keep in touch. I’m excited about the opportunity I will soon embark on, but know the whole time I’ll be thinking of you.