Just Another Saturday in SoHo

Since I started the Bar Method several weeks ago (see Janice and Michelle's post about it!) I've been spending almost all my weekends in SoHo. I usually never had an excuse to go all the way down there. Also, because the Bar Method doesn't make me unbearably sweaty like bikram yoga, I can plan entire weekends in the SoHo area!

Read more about some of the exploring I've done in the area lately =)

BAR METHOD:  I think the Bar Method is AWESOME. I'm so glad they finally opened a location in Manhattan! The Bar Method classes get me super sore and I feel its effects in the parts of my body that need the most work (the "seat" and legs.. def feel like gumby afterwards!). For all my CA friends, they have locations ALL over (on their website here). I've taken ~4 friends to the class so far and it seems like people are split on whether they like the class. I love it because of the intense workout and precision, but some don't so much because of the small repetitive movements. You really have to listen to the instructors' directions because the slightest pivot of your foot can dramatically change the difficulty of the move! One drawback is that the classes are quite pricey (ranging from $35-$20ish per class depending on if you get a package) -- understandable because of the location and the brand new shiny facilities! I personally bought myself a 10 class pack as a birthday present to myself =) See for yourself if you'll get hooked though -- send yourself a free first class.


BRUNCH: Everyone loves brunch and it's even better (or maybe just cuter) in the SoHo area! Here are some of the places I've discovered hanging out down there.

Le Petite Cafe -- Came here with Janice after Bar Method (it's right across the street) Food was decent and they were super nice and trusted us to go to the ATM when we didn't have cash =P

Antique Garage -- Randomly wandered here w/ Janice after our 2nd Bar Method class. It's the cutest place, modeled to look like a garage filled with eclectic antiques! The food has a Turkish influence, but I just got a delicious chicken panini sandwich and Janice got a sausage and egg type dish. We also tried their mint lemonade and sour cherry drink. Of course, the place is appropriately overpriced being that it's in SoHo, but I think it's a great place to stop, eat and people watch while you're in the area!

Chinatown Brasserie -- My cousin was visiting from Seattle (well she just moved there and is still in denial about not living in NYC anymore...=P) and planned a dim sum brunch for all her friends. This place wasn't in Chinatown (it is actually in NoHo ), but it was definitely good! The dim sum was made with fresher ingredients and wasn't as greasy either. I also met my second cousin's baby boy! So cute!

We ordered about 19 dishes for our half of the table and devoured it within minutes of arrival! The awkward thing was the service... dishes would start coming and then stop abruptly.. 15 minutes later a couple more would come out.. and that's how the entire 2 hours went. Anyway, we took plenty of pictures in between while waiting =P (some photos here from my cousin Angela)

1. My cousin, second cousin and her baby boy! 2. Food porning runs in the family.. my cousin taking picture of dessert 3. Me and Jadie learning about photos apps like Hipstamatic while we waited in between dishes 4. chocolate fortune cookies 5. devoured food 6. custard buns