Keko Cafe

Not too far removed from the touristy location of the Empire State Building, you’ll find tucked away on Madison Ave Keko Cafe. This little cafe claims to be French, but I say it’s more of an American/French twist. Never-the-less, it’s a recommendation from the locals and will not disappoint.

My close college friend heard about Keko Cafe through his friends and just longed to take us there for breakfast one morning during our escapade in NYC. The five of us women searched and searched for this Cafe where we were meeting our friend. It was a blustery and FREEZING morning. Corners we turned, and street signs we read, hoping that each direction would bring us closer to Keko. Finally, we found Madison Ave and walked down the street until we could walk no further, delightfully realizing Keko was tucked away just to our left. The small staircase brought us to the welcoming, glass door reading Keko Cafe. Hurriedly we shuffled inside and grabbed as many small tables as possible to fit six.

Keko is a cozy little Cafe, not meant for big parties, and I might say that our party was even too large. It was a relaxed and close setting with friends with mustard-yellow wall color, teapots and teacups displayed on knick-knack shelves, wooden coffee storage bins and pictures of France’s past. The little table tops were made of coper, stained with rings from coffee mugs, but not in a messy way, just enough to make you feel at home.

Crepes were on the menu that day, well they always are, but our bellies were craving a crepe party. We ordered several to share because the options were too appealing to each just have one. Nutella and banana crepes, spinach and feta crepes, fruity crepes, and Mediterranean crepes filled our tables, aligned with sides of bacon, glasses of fresh water and imported coffee and lattes. Conversation and laughter resounded

over our crepes and coffees, a right way to start the day.

It was a delicious morning.

Brooklyn Flea Market

“Art is not a treasure in the past, or an importation from another land, but part of the present life of all living and creating peoples,” -- Franklin D. Roosevelt

To each thing belongs a creator, and to each creator a unique imagination, and not just a scattered, thoughtless, patternless imagination, but one of intelligence and precision. This is what the Brooklyn Flea Market comprises itself.

My good college friends and I took a weekend in Brooklyn to enjoy our as-much-as-possible get-togethers, being that we all live in different states. Since we resided in Brooklyn for the weekend, we just couldn’t pass up a trek to the weekend flea market. My hopes were high; that there would be unique treasures of old and new, creative minds manifesting themselves in the form of art and fashion and homemade food. I can gladly say there were all these things.

Jewelry vendors line the outskirts of the former Williamsburg Savings Bank. The building is frozen in time, filled with new life from the present age, buzzing and bustling with hagglers and onlookers. Clothiers are hidden within the former bank teller windows and a small food court is secured in the old vault. Upstairs you’ll find intriguing jewelry and cufflinks made from old typewriter keys. This is truly a place worth the visit, you will not be bored... only inspired.

I will not pass up going again this summer, as it seems to be a much greater event than in winter.

A Not-So-Far-Away Backyard, NYC

A "Not So Far Away Backyard" is what I think of NYC. It's not just any city, it's The City. A city of lights, one that never sleeps and is layed out like a beautifully orchestrated maze of wonder and surprise. There is more to NYC than Times Square and your kichy coffee shop or Hardrock cafe. If you're one who lives to eat, as I am, you'll appreciate the city for it's fine cuisine at an array of prices. Eating for triple digits a plate is quite available, but so are the single and double digit prices, just as delectable.

In the Month of November, several of my dear friends from College and I went to NYC for an evening. The train is readily accessable from my house to get to NYC Penn Station, and for me, the moment I set foot on that train, it's as if a small adventure is always beginning. Because of the perks of working at a hotel, we got a discounted rate at Marriott in Times Square for the night. Floor 2030 provided nothing short of an incredible view of the city that never sleeps (we were thankful for blackout drapes). People bustling about, coming from all over the world just to enjoy The City.

Our plan was to enjoy each other's company to the fullest. Larinda is from Michigan, Alyssa from Penn and Kena and I from NJ. Not easy distances to live from dear friends, but I will say being apart makes these friendships deeper. Larinda and Kena spent the earlier part of the day waiting in line for Broadway Musical Tickets at the TKTS booth. Jersey boys was our #1 choice, but being too expensive we chose the Musical Rock of Ages. We ate a light dinner (mostly pita bread and salsa, bananas and apples -- a lot of it) then got dressed and ready to see our show. We sang, we cheered, we laughed till we teared all in our discounted orchestra seats. They served us drinks and snacks, amenities that just added to the night being special, or should I say strange. It was a fun, yet strange musical.

After the show Dan the Man met up with us at the Sugar Diner (or some kind of similar name). Originally we planned to go out for dinner, but once we sat down at the diner for coffee, we decided to browse the menu and avoid more traveling just for tasty bite. Nothing beats a Jersey Diner, but this just might have. You win this one NYC -- NYC 1:NJ 478,895,214,364,45.... ;). After a hearty sandwich and soup, we all went for a little dancing. This filled us with laughter and gave us some silly stories.

Come Saturday, after a night on the town, we slept in till 11 and met Dan for brunch at 1:00pm. Hardly brunch, but our stomachs and sleepy bodies thought nothing else would suffice. Brunch was enjoyed around the Upper West Side at a little cafe; we all ordered the same plate, poached eggs, because they just looked so great. Not one of us was dissapointed with this predicament. To end our escapade we toured the Upper West Side and filled each others hearts with time. I must say I am blessed with these friends.