Second night of some random week, our Senior Managers decided that we would go for a team party with the client. And what better way to spend it at a Rangers game!


While the chances for the Rangers to win was low, the Rangers won!


And the best part of the game was where those girls with the flags would run every time there's a home run. I don't know why, but I found it super amusing.


The next day, a coworker and I decided to go downtown after work, and the experience was amazing, even though it was probably 30 degrees celcius. Yes, I was able to leave at 5PM for once whereby my coworker and I headed for downtown Dallas! It was a long ride, because of traffic, but why wouldn't there be no traffic? It's rush hour. So we waited. As soon as we got off, we were near enough to the Reunion Tower for a nice picture.


But the key attraction that day was not the Reunion Tower. It was more of the JFK Assassination Memorial that was there along with the Reunion Tower in the background.


I believe there's still a lot of controversy about how he was assassinated (i.e. who was it really, and where was the shot fired). Even my uber driver today talked about it. But what we know for sure were the two shots that were fired, and the "X"s marked on the road. Can you spot them?


We stopped over at a smokehouse afterwards for some classic style Texan BBQ. The place looked sketchy, but it's often the sketchiest places that you find surprises!


To wrap it off the night, my coworker and I went to West Elm to try out some beers at a local brewery. Brain Dead suited us, since we were pretty much brain dead from work. I loved it!


The beers were great, and definitely a lot of options to choose from!


And to heading back to the hotel for the night, we spotted something. Do you see what I see?


(Answer: Sunset in the reflection, but the correct answer is my firm's office in Dallas :P)

Rise no. 1 is a French Restaurant in Dallas that is famous for the souffles. They serve both savory and sweet souffles. But if you don't like souffles, you can also order their other main dishes. It's perfect for brunch, but since it was a team dinner sort of deal, I went during the evening.


This little restaurant in Dallas was super cute! The interior looks like it's Christmas all year round. And the table set up is on point: with a wine list in a Paris themed folder and scrabble pieces and blocks to play with and start up random discussion.


To start off this team dinner, we ordered wine and cheese. To be quite honest, I am not really a cheese person. I shy away from it unless it's brie. But the selection they had was amazing. My new favourite is now the truffle infused cheese.


After the cheeses, we moved on to the soup. It's called Marshmallow Soup, which sounds disgusting, but it was delicious. This soup is literally tomato puree soup with puffed up goat cheese and egg white (looks like marshmallows) drizzled with pesto sauce. It's a must if you ever get a chance to dine at the restaurant.


The main dish is just as amazing. Three of my coworkers decided to share three different kinds of souffles, because we are all curious as to how the savory souffles are. So we ordered: Cauliflower and Brie Souffle, Truffle Infused Mushroom Souffle and Crab Meat Souffle. They were heavenly!


To end off the night, we all had something sweet. I swear that we tried all the sweet souffles on the menu. My favourite, was the Banana Foster and the Pistachio :)


That was one great, healthy meal at Dallas. And to end off my reflection of the 1/4 of the year that went by, I am very happy and proud to say that I've achieved half of my new year's resolution this year! Hopefully the next three quarters of the year will be just as, or even more amazing.

Chinatown
I still remembered the last time I came here riding on the citi bikes on a nice summer day. And then having all you can eat hot pot! This time, after getting off the flight, I went for all you can eat skewers. Not sure if AYCE is a Chinese thing, but it seems like every time I go to some place in Chinatown, it's all you can eat. Maybe it's the Chinese mentality - biggest bang for the buck?! Who knows?


After some delicious skewers, I am off for desserts! Found this gem while browsing through facebook one day. Also in Chinatown, Soft Swerve, serves soft serve ube (purple yam)! I got the ube soft serve with shredded coconut on a dark chocolate waffle cone. It was delicious!


Manhattan
Friday was still a work day for me even though I was travelling to New York for fun. And to keep this fun food adventure going, I made my way to Bibble and Sip. I have been hearing lots of great things about this little cafe in Manhattan. The lavender latte was on point! And so was the earl gray puff pastry. Thinking about it makes me hungry again.


I was very fortunate to have found a seat at this cafe just before noon. Sitting there working, and watching people come and go. This is a day of a life of a consultant ... consultant's dream. LOL.


West Village
After all my Friday meetings, I made my way down to West Village with a friend and had some yummy late lunch at Buvette. I had the Croque Forestier and it was delicious.


By the way, West Village was beautiful. I wish I chilled there a bit longer.


But as night slowly creeps in from the skylines, I made my way to Lady M for some layered crepe cake before heading to a fancy restaurant for some mutton!


K-Town
Next Stop - Keens Steakhouse (it's actually in K-Town). This place was decorated by a lot of pipes, you can find them everywhere, as soon as you walk into the building.


And for starters, of course I will have some seafood...


And then comes the main course: mutton! It was so tender, apparently a must try on yelp too!


Harlem
Not sure why I went there, but apparently my friends' friends have a house party there. And that entire trip just freaks me out. Literally, as the uber driver was dropping us off, I turned, and I saw a group of big guys standing in front of this apartment front door. Thank goodness it wasn't the apartment I was going to. The party was okay... I guess I was too shock from where I was. Left maybe after a couple of hours too. But before I go, I guess I had to take a picture here - for memory sake. Never again.


K-Town (again)
Leaving Harlem, and heading back to K-Town. Going to one of my favourite restaurants Pocha 23 for some late night Korean food, and watermelon soju! :)


Somewhere in Manhattan
Starting off the next day at Bea for a bottomless brunch, sipping some cava sparkling wine. Life can't be better than this.


Brooklyn

Then make my way to Brooklyn on my four inch high boots. It was dumb of me, but Brooklyn was so pretty! I wish I had spent more time here! But I mean, walking on the Brooklyn Bridge does take a while. Maybe next time I will start off having brunch in Brooklyn.


Instead, I got a nitro cold brew at Brooklyn. Should have stayed for longer if not for the rain.


Chelsea
For dinner, my friends and I headed to Chelsea Market and had some really really good seafood at Cull and Pistol. Found this gem while browsing through instagram. I guess by now you know where I get my food ideas from for my food adventures - social media.


Rockafeller Centre
Starting my day right with a coffee in one hand from Blue Bottle Coffee and Halal Guys in the other. I think my last day in NYC is going to be awesome.


Fifth Avenue
So it was a Sunday, I guess I must go to church. Oh... this is a Catholic Church - never mind then, a picture will be suffice.


And as we walked by the Trump Tower, doing the tourist kind of thing, takes picture.


Upper East Side
Went all the way here so I can get some Laudree macaroons and then chill at Central Park.


Upper West Side
Then went all the way to Levain Bakery for some delicious cookie that was crunchy on the outside and soft in the inside. Just as the bag puts it, a "little piece of cookie heaven".


By Union Square
To end it all off, some cold thin udon with uni and a glass of green tea cocktail at TsuruTonTan Udon Noodle Brasserie.


Gained so much weight from this trip, but I guess it was worth it. Time to hit the gym again at the hotel. And I'm going to ban myself from steak for a month! Until next time! TTFN!

Living the life of a true consultant now, traveling weekly to Dallas for the foreseeable future. Raking those points, yes, one of my 2017 year resolution (I joke).

Jokes aside, that glamorous life that everyone thinks of consultants is not true. Yes, there are perks from travelling, earning status, going to 'exotic' cities, but that's we don't only go there to see the city; we are there to work. Long hours of working is the norm. When we aren't working, we either go back to the hotel to rest, or bond with the team members onsite. And when it comes to team bonding, what better way to bond, than over food and drinks? First week's highlight: charcuterie tasting and venison with wine. It's like my taste buds went to heaven.


(My apologies if the pictures don't look too great, but trust, the food was delicious!) Never had I had such variety on a charcuterie board or such tender venison.

The second week got overwhelming as more new/old team members came onsite. After a rough morning at the customs due to the Trump immigration ban and the shutdown of the Nexus machines, some Philly steak omelette kick started my day in Dallas, for yet another long day.


Long hours continue, and I was only able to order in to my hotel for the rest of the week in order to rest and eat and work at the same time during some late nights. Beginning with my new favourite from Little Greek Fresh Grill: Steak Skewers that comes with a huge salad, soft naan bread and rice


and some rib eye steak.


Third week came around and I was in charge of lunch! Yeah, I love picking lunch options in an unknown city, because I expect the least of them, but they turn out to be the best. Yummiest lunch ever from The Poke Point; mine was the Ohana Special. It's like rice, sashimi and salad combined. Everything I love dearly, and I mean, what can go wrong when there's sashimi.


Also got some amazing filet mignon back at the hotel. I mean, steak is the only good meal without cheese I can get at the hotel. I wish Texas has more salads.


While I really like travelling, travelling for work has definitely drained me. The only thing that I really enjoy is during the flight back home, when I get to see a sick sunset in the sky.


Back at home this week and I am sick. It could have been the dump of snow that happened over the weekend, or the change in whether from hot to cold in just a 3 hour flight. But I mean, who wouldn't be sick if there was a Fire Weather Watch in one place, and Snow Storm Alert in another?? And yes, I do miss that above 20 degrees weather a lot.


Got to rest up before next week happens following an exiting alt travel with my favourite place in the USA: NYC. Stay tuned!