After frequently binge-eating dumplings during the last 10 years throughout lower Manhattan, I’ve found that the best cheap dumplings in New York City can be found at Shu Jiao Fu Zhou Cuisine at 118 Eldridge St.

Pork dumplings (10 for $3.50) at Shu Jiao

Most Important Visitor Information

• Order: Pork and Chive Dumplings, 6 for $2.50, 10 for $3.50
• Cash Only: No credit cards, but WeChat might be accepted
• Hours: 9:30am to 9:30pm, 7 days a week
• Location: 118 Eldridge Street, NY NY on the SE corner of Broome and Eldridge

The outside sign only says “Fu Zhou Cuisine” in English. “Fu Zhou” or “Fuzhou” is the name of the town in China where this restaurant originates. This picture was taken by me on 1 June 2019.

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My friends Harry Einhorn and Lia Tamborra with orchestrations by Bálint Varga wrote an excellent musical about Hypatia, the last librarian of the Library of Alexandria. 

For any production inquiries: email HypatiaMusical@gmail.com They’re looking for producers and a passionate team of supporters to nurture this story and bring it to the world.

Last night I got to host them and 20 of my friends for a reading at my apartment in NYC.

Set during the apocalyptic end times of the Roman Empire, this immersive, multi-sensory theatrical experience is based on the raucous festivals of ancient Rome and Egypt. One thing is for certain: it’s like no toga party you’ve attended before.

When I first met Bud Gates at a dinner party in Kansas in 2017, I had no idea that he was someone who had changed my life — and many others. His weaponry: books and pizza.

As we chatted at the Wichita Art Museum after hours, which had been transformed into a private swank candlelit dinner venue, I learned that Gates helped create the Pizza Hut Book It! program.

Sample vintage buttons like I used as an elementary student in the Pizza Hut Book It! program

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Have you ever had a cup of $60 Japanese green tea?

I have, and it tasted super fresh.

Tea master serving a special gyokuro during our tea tasting.

My friend Ramit Sethi and I attended an exclusive green tea tasting in Manhattan’s East Village on Thursday night, 7 March 2019.

Here are some of my notes and photos from the Yame Gyokuro event at 29B Tea House.

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Anthony Bourdain’s warning about the biggest city in Japan rings true:

“What do you need to know about Tokyo? Deep, deep waters… The first time I came here was a transformative experience. It was a powerful and violent experience.”
from the Parts Unknown: Tokyo intro, sent to me by Dan Lerman

I feel well-equipped to handle large cities as an 11-year veteran resident of NYC.

But Tokyo is still a challenge for me.

Jump ahead: Capsule Hotel, Food Pictures, Friends In Town, teamLab Borderless, Green Tea, To-Do List for Next Time.

Street in Shinjuku, snapped while quickly walking to look at a new capsule hotel (9H).

There’s simply so much. So much people, restaurants, lights, sounds, trains, and more. It can be overwhelming for even the most experienced travelers.

And because I was coming from a week in green-lush birdsong Hawaii (Hilo and Kauai), the culture shock was especially strong for me.

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