#that happens in the dub of the Chicken Little short too. if you translate it directly they call Foxy Loxy a lady and use she for him

[dellinah]

I know I literally made this but it’s still the fault of everyone else in this thread not mine

(mostly @wolfman-al​ whose fanart reminded me of this meme)

anyway we were robbed etc etc

I saw some really cute fanart of Maid Marian as a lioness and I just had to do this edit. (◕ ω ◕)

[donttouchmyherobabies]

Take it off!

So, let me say this, this is from an RP my bestie and I was doing. I wrote this on Google Docs and figured, why not post it! It’s not my best work and honestly, it’s my first time writing something for the My Hero Academia fandom. I’m fairly new to the fandom and this just popped into my head last night. I want to apologize for Shigaraki being OOC at all. The RP is not reader insert, she’s my own OC. Long story short, her name is Kohana Mori. She’s a villain in this one. She has white hair and blue eyes, pale skin, and is fairly thin. The RP for this one hasn’t gone very far so not sure about much with her. Either way, please enjoy some deliciously pointless Tomura Shigaraki smut. Because he is one of my babies and needs more love. Side note: Her name translates to Little Flower Forest.

This is rated M. Features smut, cussing, and possible triggers. 18+ readers would be best but honestly, I can’t exactly stop you. You have been warned. Also, possible dub-con because let’s be honest, the teasing and threats get bad.

-

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Shigaraki sounded furious as Hana came walking in the door of the bar fresh from a workout.

“Walking through the bar. Why?”

“Why are you wearing that?” He motioned to her body. At this moment the entire League was looking at the two of them. Mind you there were only Toga, Dabi, Kurogiri, herself, and Tomura in there currently so not many but still.

“Wearing what, Shigaraki?” she asked unsure of what his problem was. The last few weeks he had been a particularly extra mean asshole to her. Also to Dabi, but mainly her.

“That!” he motioned towards the All Might themed sports bra she was currently wearing complete with matching capris.

“I received it as a gift from my best friend. And I happen to like it.”

“This is the League of Villains. We are literally trying to kill the Hero you happen to be wearing.” His hands itched at his neck.

“I’m aware but the set is cute!” she protested. “And it was a present. I’m not gonna ignore a nice gift from a friend.”

“I don’t give a single shit. Take it off and dispose of it!”

“You want me to what?” Why the hell did he feel the need to be this big of an asshole?

“Take it off!” His impatience was just increasing. How dare she walk into his bar wearing that trash? It didn’t help she was sweating and her hair was pulled up.

“Excuse me? Once more?” An idea formed in her mind.

“TAKE IT OFF BEFORE I WRAP MY HANDS AROUND YOUR FUCKING NECK!” She knew he meant it too. He was shaking in anger, Kurogiri keeping him held back.

“Take it off?” she gave him an incredulous look before sighing. “Okay then. You asked for it. You win. I’ll take it off.” She got a big ass shit eating grin on her face. She looked around to every single one of the villains sitting in the bar and grabbed the edges of the capris. She yanked them down and stepped out revealing her black lace thong. There were a couple gasps and Shigaraki looked completely stunned. No one moved. She reached under the edges of the sports bra and yanked that over her head. She smirked at everyone in the bar. Her eyes went from Shigaraki to Toga and finally landed on Dabi who was ready to spit his drink. She bent over and picked up her fallen clothes. “There. They’re off.” She stood there completely bare except for the panties. And her socks.

Shigaraki wanted to yell but he was way too distracted. She threw the clothes over her shoulder and walked her petite little ass to the back where she could change and shower.

Thank goodness her dad hadn’t been there to see this.

Shigaraki was silent and didn’t move for a solid fifteen seconds before he shoved Kurogiri aside and stomped after Hana. Everyone else stayed in the bar trying to process what just happened. She was almost to the full bathroom with her bag of clothes, still naked, when Shigaraki stepped in-between her and the bathroom.

“Did you need something Shigaraki?” She thrust her chest forward a little.

“What the fuck was that?” he was just barely keeping his eyes from scanning over her body. No one had ever shocked him like that, except maybe Izuku Midoriya, and certainly never stripped naked in his bar.

“You yelled at me to take off my workout clothes. So I did. I only did what you wanted.” she said with an innocent tone to her voice that he knew was fake as she stood on her tiptoes to bat her eyes at him. He looked furious. The itching at his neck increased as she noticed him looking down.

“You stripped naked in front of the whole bar you little slut.”

“Yet, you’re the only one who seemed to have a problem with it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I just worked out, I’m sweaty, and I need a shower.” She reached up and let her long white hair fall from its messy bun and down her back. “So, unless you’re gonna join me, get out of my way, please.” He continued to block her. In retaliation, she stripped off her last remaining clothing items. Her socks went first tossing them over her shoulder. Then, she locked eyes with him as she shucked her panties down and kicked them off her ankles never once breaking eye contact.

He finally moved aside and let her pass him. He broke eye contact first as she walked past him and he stared at her ass. She knew exactly what she was doing as she bent over to turn on the water, leaving her clothes on the sink.

“Aren’t you gonna close the door?” she said looking back to him. He shut the door alright. When she turned around again he had shut the door and she heard the lock click. However, he was now not wearing a shirt. The hand he called ‘Father’ was sitting on top of his shirt on the counter. She never realized how skinny he actually was. His arms looked nice though even with the previous scars and bullet holes. “Oh.”

“You said to join you,” he said and tugged at the drawstring of his pants. She turned around, her face heating up, and adjusted the water to boiling hot like she liked. She figured he wouldn’t be able to handle the heat. She pushed the curtain back completely and stepped in. “So, I’m gonna join you.”

“Fine. I hope you like showers so hot they could melt skin.” she was testing him now. There was no way he would actually do this. She looked back at him with a sarcastic toss of her long hair. This was a game of chicken and she was gonna win.

“Last I checked I’m the only thing in the League that can destroy skin so thoroughly.” She felt his presence close to her back but she didn’t turn around. She switched the water to shower and let it come down around them. If his clothes got wet then so what? If there was one thing she could say for this shitty bar in this shitty area, it had an amazing shower, thankfully kept clean by Kurogiri she assumed, and the water pressure was fantastic. She turned around looking him in the eye. She wasn’t gonna look down. She couldn’t bring herself to. She often forgot he was several inches taller than her. She was short as it was. He made her feel so small but her actions today had made her feel taller than him even if she did have to expose herself to half the League to do it.

“Have you met Dabi? Such big talk,” she said stepping completely into the stream. The steam from the showered filled the bathroom and she stared him in the eye daring him to try something. She decided to tease him a little. She turned around facing the shower and felt the steamy, hot water run through her sweaty scalp. She let out a moan as the water ran down her back and through her scalp. What could she say, it felt good. She raised her arms and let the water cover all of her skin washing the sweat and grime she felt. She let out a couple more soft moans. She turned and his crimson eyes were burning a hole in the back of her head. The steam had raised a flush to his skin. Yeah, it was the steam. She stepped aside to let him pass. “Aren’t you gonna get wet?”

He didn’t answer. He stepped past her to step in the water stream. She smirked as she went for the lavender scented shampoo she had brought with her. She poured some into her hand and grinned her shit eating grin. Okay then. She reached up and put her shampoo in his hair. He flinched and turned around with a fast twist.

“What exactly are you doing?” He looked annoyed but she simply stood on her tiptoes and continued.

“Just thought you could use a little help. Hope you like lavender. Now, come here.” she said cheerfully. He looked even more annoyed but reluctantly leaned down to let her finish. She got a thorough lather worked into his hair and she felt the tips of his fingers run over her arm. She let him. He kept his pinky off her so she wouldn’t decay in the shower. She didn’t let him know how nice it felt to be touched. It had been a while since she’d had someone touch her. “Rinse.” she turned away to pick the bottle back up and pour more into her hand. She lathered it into her own hair until she was covered in soap. She turned around with her eyes closed. She felt a hand on her wrist and he gently pulled her into the stream of water. She reached up to scrub her scalp until she was sure the soap was gone. When she opened them she was staring straight into Shigaraki’s red eyes inches from her.

Her breathing hitched and his fingers ran over her arm again. She looked down and watched them. His touch actually felt nice. Even with it being so lethal. She looked back up to him with a smile. She reached one hand up and ran her thumb over the scar on his lips. He closed his eyes as she ran her fingers across his cheek, his eyelids, and into his hair. He seemed to relax into her touch. She smiled as she pressed against him. She felt something against her leg and knew what it was. She left a kiss on his cheek.

“To-mu-ra~” she pressed tighter against him crushing him against the wall and her body. She left little kisses on his cheeks not once touching his lips. “What’s wrong? Haven’t you ever been touched before?” Her hands slipped around his neck gently sliding over the scarred skin of his own doing. She actually looked sad for a moment. She knew what it was like to be anxious and only have toxic outlets. She also knew just how touch starved this man was. His quirk wouldn’t really allow for safe touch. Good thing she didn’t fear death. She stood as tall as she could and left kisses on the skin of his neck. She tilted his chin upwards so she could reach easier. She felt him press closer to the wall as though he was afraid of her touch. “It’s okay. I promise I’m not gonna hurt you.”

“You’re being nice,” he stated. “After what you pulled in the bar. After I yelled.”

“I can be mean if you want. Maybe I should punish you for yelling at me.” She pressed tighter and bit gently into his neck. He gasped and felt like he couldn’t breathe but she heard him groan over the sounds of the water running. She held his neck pulling him closer to her level. She bit down a little harder making sure to leave a mark. “Maybe I should make you apologize for yelling at me and making me do that in front of everyone.”

“You have a better chance of killing All Might by yourself.” He was pushing her. She was gonna push back.

“Fine then.” she pulled away from him and stepped back into the stream of water. She bent over and reached for her body wash, also lavender scented, and poured some on an exfoliating cloth she brought with her. She ran it over her skin not once meeting his angry eyes. She went as far as to crank the water up a little hotter. He stepped out of the stream and she felt him watching her. She scrubbed her skin, making sure to do extra bending and twirling her hair. She smiled an evil little smile and turned around. “Will you get my back? I’ll do yours after if you like.” she held out the cloth to him fully expecting him to ignore her or even get out. He surprised her by pulling her close to him and taking the cloth from her hands. She turned around and stepped back towards him. She reached up and moved her wet hair so her bare back was fully exposed to him.

She felt the cloth run over her shoulders. She didn’t think he would really do it. Yet, here she was taking a shower with Tomura Shigaraki and he was currently running an exfoliating cloth down her shoulders, her spine, and down as close to her ass as he could get without actually touching it. She was about to step back under the water until she felt his lips against her neck avoiding the soap on her back. One of his arms circled her waist, his hand balled in a fist so he wouldn’t accidentally touch her. He pulled her flush against him not letting her move. Two could play this game.

Hana pressed further until he was back to being sandwiched against her and the wall. She felt his erection pressing against her ass and she slowly, torturously, moved her hips against him. She heard him gasp, felt his breathing hitch, and his other arm wrapped across her chest. She leaned her head back against his shoulder and he left new kisses and bites on her neck. She continued to move against him slowly not giving him near enough friction to finish but just enough to torture him.

“If you keep teasing me you’ll regret it.” he threatened. She could hear the tone of his voice. She pushed. One of her hands slipped between them and she palmed his erection. Holy crap, this dude was not small. She wasn’t expecting that. She had heard Dabi making jokes about him having a small dick. She could say with certainty he was definitely wrong. For the first time since pissing him off, she was genuinely afraid he would hurt her, just not with his lethal quirk. “Kohana… Don’t make me…”

“Make you what? Apologize to me?” she let out a gasp as he bit harder into her neck. She palmed him a little harder and ran her hand down his length. Her fingers brushing over the head. She ran her thumb over his slit playing with the pre-cum that leaked from him. “What would you really do to me, huh, Tomura?” She didn’t let on to how good this all felt. She had been feeling the wetness building between her legs and the heat pooling in her lower stomach. It all felt so good. He bit her harder damn near drawing blood.

“Keep pushing me and I’ll-”

“You’ll what? Since you won’t apologize to me, what will you do?” She looked back at him with her big blue eyes staring into his crimson red eyes. The steam in the room was nearly unbearable and thick. One hand stayed on his length giving languid strokes and the other hand was digging nails into one of his arms. He dropped his arms letting her free. She stepped into the water to rinse her back and turned to see him mere inches from her face. She grinned up at him and batted her eyes. “To-mu-ra~” she moved closer to him. “What will you do to me?”

He closed the gap between them and kissed her hard. If she had to guess due to the sloppy way he kissed her that this was his first kiss. It had to be. He wasn’t the type to have a high school sweetheart that gave him his first go. She wrapped her arms around his neck. He kept one finger on each hand off her as he gripped her waist hard enough to bruise and slammed her against the heated tile. One hand kept her pinned while the other slid down her bare chest running smoothly over her nipple and over her breast. She shivered against him and moaned into his mouth. Her lips parted for air and he slipped his tongue past her lips. His knee slid in between her legs and pressed so close to her she was able to grind down on his knee as she was desperate for friction at this point. She moaned loudly as he attached himself to her neck again. Her fingers slid over his shoulders and down his back.

“Tomura...please…” she moaned again feeling him push harder against her. She hated the fact she was reduced to begging. It all felt too good. They both smelled like lavender, the steam kept their faces flushed, his blue hair and her white hair were soaked and stuck to them. “Tell me what you want to do to me. Please?”

“I want to break you. I want to bend you over this shower and fuck you until you’re crying and begging for me to let you come. You were bad today. Taking your clothes off in front of the League. What am I gonna do with you? Should I even fuck you or should I get out now and leave you by yourself?” the words came out as she reached down to stroke him again. She grinned. “Wipe that look off your face!”

“Or what?” she asked looking into his eyes and running a hand in his pretty blue hair. She damn near shrieked as one of his fingers suddenly entered her. “Fuck!” she cussed and he took the advantage to shove his mouth on hers again and fought with her own for dominance. She let him win. He kept his index finger inside her, his thumb on her clit teasing her, and the other three fingers to his palm so he didn’t hurt her. He pumped into her slowly. He watched her eyes rolling in her head and she moaned loudly against him. He added a second finger and felt her natural juices flowing down his hand.

“Are you really so wet for me? Does the idea of me nearly killing you really turn you on?” he asked feeling her stroke him harder with little twists and jerks of her wrist. She kissed him on the lips and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

“Would you really hurt me? I think you like me too much.” she grinned and her face fell as he hit a specific spot inside her that had her clenching around his fingers. He swiftly removed his hand and forced her legs open more. He leaned down and slipped an arm under one of her knees. He lifted her leg exposing her most intimate areas to him completely. He lined himself up with her entrance.

“Beg for me.” he rubbed the tip of his cock against her slit but never going in. She actually looked down and paled a little. This was gonna hurt. The combination of his size and her not having been with anyone in the past year made her want to rethink this but at this point, she was sure neither of them actually could.

“Please Tomura, fuck me. I want you.” she gripped his face in her hands and pulled him into another kiss. She exclaimed into the kiss as he sheathed himself inside her in one swift motion. “Fucking hell… Ow… Fuck… It hurts…” he didn't move, allowing her to adjust to the size of him. “Shit!” she cussed. He slipped out slightly and slipped back in until he bottomed out. Her eyes scrunched up from the pain. She looked into his eyes. He seemed genuinely worried. His hand that wasn't holding her leg reached up and his thumb wiped away the tear that had fallen down her cheek.

“I told you I would break you for being such a bad girl today.” He pulled out and slammed himself back in making her cry out. The mix of pain and pleasure sent his name tumbling from her mouth. After a few more thrusts there was no more pain. He paused for a second to lift her other leg. Her legs were wrapped around his hips and she was stuck to the wall. He pistoned himself into her as his mouth wandered down her neck, chest, and breasts. He left kisses, bites, and dark hickeys on every bit of skin he could reach. He fisted her hair in his hand when she tried to move her neck away. It was a miracle her hair didn’t decay. She was a dripping, needy, fucked up mess against him and he kept going until he could feel himself coming close. He felt her clenching around him with each thrust and knew she wouldn’t last long either. “You take my cock so well. Aren’t you a good girl for me? Can you cum for me? You will come for me. Cum on my cock like a good girl.” he thrust into her harder and one of his hands drifted down to play with her clit. Her screams only got louder as he continued to fuck her into the wall and stroke her clit roughly.

“Oh, Tomura! You feel so good. Please don’t stop, I’m so close! I promise I’ll come for you. I’m so…” she trailed off and screamed as she tumbled over the edge. She may have screamed a little too loudly because a sudden crashed nearly ruined the mood. He ignored it and kept going as his own end approached. A few thrusts later and he bottomed out cumming deep inside her with a growl and a shout of her name. They stayed in place, him still inside her as he finished releasing within her, her legs locked around him, and looked each other in the eyes. Red met blue. She gently stroked his cheek and he kissed her gently. Both of them stared with heaving chests trying to take deep breaths. The steam made it hard.

“Let’s get out,” he spoke finally. She undid her legs from his hips and he turned the water off. She nearly fell and he kept her held up. Her legs felt like Jell-O and it hurt to walk. He felt somewhat bad for being so rough with her but it also made him a little smug. He stepped out and looked down to see what had happened. Her quirk had destroyed the bathroom mirror when she screamed. Most of it landed in the sink. There were a few shards on the floor. He didn’t care. He reached for the towels that were hanging avoiding the glass. He passed one to her and she got out of the tub on sore, shaky legs. He wrapped a towel around his waist. Once she was covered he grabbed her and scooped her into his arms. His room was down the hall. He left their clothes sitting on the sink vowing to come back for them. She looked up at him with tired eyes. She hadn’t expected this from him. This was very new. He was also much stronger than he looked since he seemed to have no trouble lifting and carrying her.

He opened the door to his room and set her gently on his bed. She dried off as he threw her an old T-shirt of his and he dressed in sweats and no shirt. He didn’t give her any pants to wear so she figured she wasn’t getting any underwear either. She wasn’t bothered. After what had just transpired she was glad to have some coverage. The shirt hung off one shoulder and barely covered her ass.

He left the room for a few minutes to retrieve their clothes from the bathroom and inform Kurogiri that the mirror had been broken. Toga and Dabi were long gone. Kurogiri wished Shigaraki a good night as it was now late. Kurogiri did not ask what had happened to the mirror or where Hana was. It didn’t take a genius to figure it out based on what they’d heard in the bathroom. Toga and Dabi had left the second they heard them talking in the hallway. He had a feeling they would give him shit for it later.

He went back into his room to see her lying on his bed, his shirt barely covered her ass, and the lack of underwear was a nice sight to see. She had already claimed a pillow. She was laying there waiting for him. She watched him move around the room with tired eyes. He wasn’t going to admit this but it felt so weirdly pleasant knowing there was an extremely attractive girl, with no underwear on, wearing one of his shirts, waiting for him to join her in his bed. That was definitely an ego boost. He smiled at the thought of the possessive way he had her in his bed and how she was sitting there waiting for him. Why did this feel so good? He pulled on a pair of thick gloves so he wouldn’t accidentally kill her during the night.

He slipped into bed next to her and she immediately cuddled up into his side. He froze as she snuggled into his side and made herself comfortable, even throwing a leg over his leg. She threw an arm across his chest and settled her fingers on his neck. She smelled so damn good. She rubbed the skin of his neck in a soothing way and he wasn’t going to lie and say it didn’t feel good.

“Good night, Tomura.” she left a kiss on his cheek. He didn’t stop her and just looked at her for a moment. She had a smile on her face. He felt his heart beat harder in his chest.

“Good night, flower girl.” he forcefully kissed her lips and nuzzled his face in her lavender scented hair. She let him. He wrapped his arms around her as she drifted off first. He looked down at her knowing full well he was definitely gonna have a repeat of this tomorrow. Then, with a heavy sigh, sure that she was asleep, he muttered. “Sorry.” He couldn’t see her smirk in the dark.

[battersbybrooklyn]

The 20 Best New NYC Restaurants of 2012

It’s been another year of memorable, waistband-expanding eating in the hyperactive restaurant capital that is New York City. When we reflect on the year’s openings, some major benchmarks stand out: The splashy arrival of the NoMad, for example, where the team behind Eleven Madison Park resurrected the tradition of the grand hotel dining room, or the influx of trendy New Nordic influences at spots like Acme and the short-lived Frej.

But buzz doesn’t necessarily translate to food you want to go back and eat again and again. Here, the First We Feast teams celebrates the places that we just couldn’t get out of our heads in 2012.

From neighborhood spots to ambitious modernist kitchens, and easy comforts like fried chicken to obscure regional flavors from China, there’s a lot to dig into. All the spots selected (and listed in no particular order) are ones we think should be in your rotation even when the next wave of newcomers starts flooding the scene in 2013.

Written by Chris Schonberger (@cschonberger), Sophie Brickman (@sbrickman), Hannah Norwick (@HannahNorwick), Shanté Cosme (@ShanteCosme), Erin Mosbaugh (@JayBlague), DJ Dieselboy (@DJDieselboy), Kristen Tauer (@ktauer), and Elyse Inamine (@elyseinamine)

It’s been another year of memorable, waistband-expanding eating in the hyperactive restaurant capital that is New York City. When we reflect on the year’s openings, some major benchmarks stand out: The splashy arrival of the NoMad, for example, where the team behind Eleven Madison Park resurrected the tradition of the grand hotel dining room, or the influx of trendy New Nordic influences at spots like Acme and the short-lived Frej. But buzz doesn’t necessarily translate to food you want to go back and eat again and again. Here, the First We Feast teams celebrates the places that we just couldn't get out of our heads in 2012. From neighborhood spots to ambitious modernist kitchens, and easy comforts like fried chicken to obscure regional flavors from China, there’s a lot to dig into. All the spots selected (and listed in no particular order) are ones we think should be in your rotation even when the next wave of newcomers starts flooding the scene in 2013. Written by Chris Schonberger (@cschonberger), Sophie Brickman (@sbrickman), Hannah Norwick (@HannahNorwick), Shanté Cosme (@ShanteCosme), Erin Mosbaugh (@JayBlague), DJ Dieselboy (@DJDieselboy), Kristen Tauer (@ktauer), and Elyse Inamine (@elyseinamine)

Perla

Neighborhood: West Village Address and phone: 24 Minetta Ln. (212-933-1824) Website: perlanyc.com Restaurateur Gabe Stulman has demonstrated his Midas touch time and again, colonizing a small swath of the West Village—dubbed ‘Lil Wisco in honor of his Midwestern roots—with perpetually mobbed dining rooms like Joseph Leonard and Jeffrey’s Grocery. But while his scene-making talent has never been in question, Perla may have be the first truly great restaurant in his oeuvre. Sure, the Italian grub served here is slightly easier to love than the Quebecois party food of Fedora (another of his white-hot joints), but nothing should be taken away from chef Michael Toscano, the former Batali-Bastianich lieutenant who heads the show. Lusty and bold pasta dishes include pappardelle laced with foie gras and duck, and garganelli in a chili-inflected sauce of tripe, tomato, and guanciale. Toscano is also a master with meats, whether balancing rich slices of lamb saddle with yogurt and salsa verde, or braising beef tongue to tender perfection. Add in a crackling scene and excellent cocktails (try to the Sazerac riff with Twizzler bitters), and Perla is the type of place you’d love to be a regular, if only you could afford it.—Chris Schonberger

Neta

Neighborhood: West Village Address and phone: 61 W 8th St (212-505-2610) Website: netanyc.com When eating at a pricey sushi bar, anything beyond flawless nigiri and sashimi can seem superfluous. Yet Neta succeeds in respecting tradition while incorporating its own creative take on things. If you can afford to splurge, go for the $95 or $135 omakase, a multicourse tasting of mostly raw fish, like a just-warmed scallop served in its shell with dots of briny sea urchin. One of the head chefs was previously in charge of fish buying at Bar Masa, so it makes sense when buttery toro, served in its purest form atop vinegary rice, is revelatory. Equally as memorable are the cocktails, like the Owl of the Woods, made with liquor distilled from Hitachino Nest White Ale, then infused with maitake mushrooms and mixed with buckwheat tea. It’s savory and earthy rather than herbaceous, botanical, or sweet—just another way in which Neta defies expectation.—Erin Mosbaugh

Empellón Cocina

Neighborhood: East Village Address and phone: 105 First Ave (212-780-0999) Website: empellon.com If there was one spot that every seeker of new and exciting food in NYC needed to visit this year, it would probably be Alex Stupak’s Empellón Cocina. The backstory has been rehashed countless times: Crazy-talented pastry chef from wd~50 and Alinea opens a (not-your-average) taco spot, then follows-up with a more ambitious, taco-less Mexican restaurant. But what’s great about the place is that you don’t need to intellectualize it to enjoy it—the flavors are delicious and playful without slapping you in the face with their cleverness. Wavy homemade masa cakes twist between pink shrimp and uni cream, guacamole is rocketed into another stratosphere with the addition of pistachios, and sensational desserts come courtesy of the chef’s wife, Lauren Resler. Dishes are fired at will, with the kitchen taking full control of how plates arrive. The whole experience is a daze of mezcal and combinations of flavors and textures that tend to stick with you, even if you aren’t paying too much attention in the moment.—Hannah Norwick

Rosemary’s

Neighborhood: West Village Address and phone: 18 Greenwich Ave (212-647-1818) Website: rosemarysnyc.com There are a lot of easy reasons to discount Rosemary’s at first glance: If the gaggles of rich girls flitting in and out don’t get your hater muscle twitching, the bouncer at the door who quotes you a two hour wait (on a Wednesday no less) probably will. But that feeling subsides as soon as you sit down, sip an aperitif, and thing, Why can’t every Italian restaurant in New York should be more like this? The prices are shockingly reasonable, with simple yet satisfying pastas—orecchiette with crumbly sausage and braised greens, linguini with chilis and just the right amount of acid—all hovering in the $12 to $14 range. The ingredients, some of which are grown on a rooftop garden, are exceedingly fresh, a fact which turns a soup as humdrum as minestrone into something vibrant and exciting. And let’s face it—the clientele is sexy as hell. Our advice: Take that chip off your shoulder and just enjoy the scene.—Chris Schonberger

Almayass

Neighborhood: Gramercy Address and phone: 24 E 21st (212-473-3100) Website: almayassnyc.com Why should white-table cloth dining be reserved for European fare? This Lebanese import—an offshoot of the famous Beirut original—is a worthy special occasion destination for those with a taste for Middle Eastern specialties like kibbe (rough-cut raw beef mixed with bulgur) and silky hummus, probably the best we've had anywhere in the city. The deep menu, mostly made up of shareable meze plates, warrants exploration on repeat visits. So far, we’ve discovered standouts such as soujuk flambée (a spicy salami, flamed tableside for dramatic effect); mini yogurt-soaked meat dumplings called manti; and top-notch eggplant dolma. End with the showstopping ossmalieh, a traditional dessert that’s something like sesame cotton candy laced with shards of pastry and sweet custard.—Chris Schonberger

Forager’s City Table

Neighborhood: Chelsea Address and phone: 300 W 22nd St (212-243-8888) Website: foragerscitygrocer.com Foragers Market is a great stop for any urban gourmand looking to stock up on artisanal goodies like Empire Mayo, P&H Soda Co. syrups, and Blue Marble ice cream. But really, it’s the sit-down restaurant in the back of the Chelsea location that caught our attention this year, with its easygoing vibe and intriguing menu that weds pan-Asian flavors with sustainable ingredients in a way that brings to mind Momofuku, minus the loud music and long waits. Highlights include succulent seven-spice chicken wings, lamb-belly adobo, and pork crepinettes. The latter are mini patties of house-butchered pork sausage, wrapped up in a delicate layer of caul fat that sears beautifully; wrap them up in Bibb lettuce, then dress them with Vietnamese-style accoutrement like mint sprigs, fresh chilies, and sweet-and-funky nuoc cham dipping sauce.—Chris Schonberger

Maysville

Neighborhood: Flatiron Address and phone: 17 W 26th St (646-490-8240) Website: maysvillenyc.com Drinking wine with dinner is so 2 B.C. How about we kick it up a notch and pair our crispy pig's ears, oysters, and smoked trout with whisky? Enter Maysville, the brand-new Flatiron joint named after a Kentucky port town that just so happens to be the birthplace of bourbon. Chef Kyle Knall, formerly of Gramercy Tavern and the great state of Alabama, brings a refined hand to creative southern eats—arctic char is marinated with bourbon then served with golden beets and boiled peanuts, and duck confit with grits is nothing like the bistro standard you’re used to. All of this is complimented by an awe-inspiring selection of domestic brown spirits, which you can taste straight-up, on the rocks, or in well-made classics like Old-Fashioneds and Manhattans.—Sophie Brickman

Bobwhite Lunch and Supper Counter

Neighborhood: Alphabet City Address: 94 Ave. C (212-228-2972) Website: bobwhitecounter.com Fried chicken—Southern-style, Korean-style, even Questlove-style—is in no need of extra exposure in this town. Yet out on Avenue C, a little spot called Bobwhite managed to overcome fried-fowl ennui and make a name for itself this year. The key is simplicity: Virginia native Keedick Coulter marinates his bird in sweet tea then pops it into the pressure cooker to achieve light, crackling golden crust and impeccably moist, slightly sweet flesh within. It’s damn near perfect, and reason enough to visit the friendly, white-walled dining room. But if you bring an appetite, you’ll also want to get busy with the delicious pork-chop sandwich, seared and topped with a sweet-and-spicy chow-chow relish. Word to the wise: There’s a great bar—ABC Beer Co.—right next door for pre- or post-meal brews.—Elyse Inamine

Mission Chinese Food

Neighborhood: Lower East Side Address and phone: 154 Orchard St (212-529-8800) Website: missionchinesefood.com/ny/ Vast pools of ink have already been spilled over this San Francisco import, and it seems like barely 24 hours can pass without some big-name influencer—Andrew Zimmern, Martha Stewart, Rick Bayless—hopping onto the Twitter machine to declare their love for the place. Part of the appeal is its complete lack of pretension: Prices are low (and some of the money even goes to charity), the decor includes cheeky back-lit photos of take-out dishes, and those who brave the inevitable waits cram together in the entryway drinking from a free keg of crappy beer. But it’s the grub on the plate—dubbed “Americanized Oriental” by the insanely likeable chef, Danny Bowien—that has really hit a nerve in post-fusion New York, where loud music and multicultural cooking represent the Holy Grail. What Bowien does so convincingly is produce food that transcends arguments about authenticity by having a voice and personality of its own. It also happens to be damn tasty—fill your table with kung-pao pastrami, salt-cod fried rice, mapo tofu, and basically anything else for that matter, then strap in for the tongue-numbing, sweat-inducing adventure.—Elyse Inamine

Gwynnett St.

Neighborhood: Williamsburg, Brooklyn Address and phone: 312 Graham Ave (347-889-7002) Website: gwynnettst.com This ambitious newcomer is the neighborhood restaurant redefined. Justin Hilbert—former pastry chef of modernist temple wd~50—tries his hand at savory, and the results are stunning. With an ever-changing menu of thoughtful dishes—think mushroom "steak" draped with lardo, chicken served with a hay-ash purée, and a pistachio tofu dish that straight up kills—Gwynnett St. is one of the restaurants pushing Williamburg’s dining scene into new terrain. Even the simplest opener on the menu, whiskey bread with cultured butter, is a knockout. But perhaps not surprisingly, the dessert menu steals the spotlight, with amazing creations that wouldn’t be out of place at the likes of Alinea. Believe the hype—Gwynnett St. is destination dining.—DJ Dieselboy

Pok Pok Ny

Neighborhood: Red Hook, Brooklyn Address and phone: 255 Smith St (718-852-8321) Website: pokpokny.com Everyone knew Pok Pok Ny was going to good before it arrived—chef Andy Ricker had already conquered Portland with his faithful renditions of dishes he encountered in Thailand, and he made no indication that he would stray from the script in Brooklyn. Yet still suspicious gastronauts made the pilgrimage out to Red Hook to make sure it wasn’t all hype, and almost all left as converts to the cult of Pok Pok. Papaya salads are pleasantly funky with fish sauce, and the now-famous chicken wings—a Vietnamese-style preparation—are as addictive as anything the Colonel ever created. But the menu, equipped with encyclopedic entries on each dish, will also introduce you to less familiar items, like coriander-rubbed pork neck served with a side of bitter mustard greens on ice—use them to wrap up the warm slabs of meat, then dunk each handful into spicy garlic sauce.—Hannah Norwick 

Swine

Neighborhood: West Village Address and phone: 531 Hudson St (212-255-7675) Website: swinenyc.com  Chef Phil Conlon, formerly of West Village brunch destination Café Cluny, harnesses the not-so-secret pleasures of pork in novel ways at this new venture in the same ’hood. There's a happy dissonance between Swine's barbaric name, its decor (think upscale dive), and the polished comfort food emerging from the kitchen. Homemade potato chips covered in silky cheese sauce, jalapeños, and pork belly are a worthy and inventive addition to the nacho canon. The charcuterie boards, which are the main focus of the menu, arrive laden with shareable housemade creations like duck rillettes and tongue pastrami, plus various locally made condiments. But it’s actually the burger that has the most star power—an indulgent mix of brisket, bone marrow, and beef that’s every bit as excessive as it sounds, and even more delicious.—Shanté Cosme

Gran Electrica

Neighborhood: Dumbo, Brooklyn Address and phone: 5 Front St (718-852-2789) Website: granelectrica.com People often talk about the Brooklyn dining scene becoming watered down, and Gran Electrica certainly took some shots from the ’hood’s detractors, particularly those who had problems with a bunch of white dudes preparing traditional Mexican food. But the whole enterprise exudes thoughtfulness, as the team behind hot spots Colonie and Governor seeks to combine real-deal South of the Border cooking with local ingredients fresh from the farmers market. So we say, haters be damned. Carnitas and lengua tacos are swaddled in hand-pressed tortillas; the torta ahogada is drenched in so much spicy sauce that diners rock plastic gloves to eat it; and the pozole, a rich stew of pork and hominy, gets added dimensions from tomatillo and pumpkin-seed broth. Add in some of the best margaritas in the borough, and we’d say they’ve got a hit on their hands.—Hannah Norwick

Boukiés

Neighborhood: East Village Address and phone: 29 E 2nd St (212-777-2502) Website: boukiesrestaurant.com When Christos Valtzoglou’s Heartbreak closed just two days before receiving a Michelin star, many thought the location had been cursed by restaurant gods once and for all. But this new endeavor from the same owner is one helluva comeback. The focus is on “Greek meze cuisine,” which translates to a smattering small plates plucked from different parts of the peninsula. Go with a group so that you can sample as widely as possible, fighting over standouts like smoky shrimp toasts with cauliflower cream, fried saganaki elevated by squirts of lemon, and eggplant dolmas stuffed with cinnamon-tinged ground lamb. Glasses of hard-to-pronounce whites round out the whole experience, which might not warrant a Michelin star, but will hopefully outlive its predecessor.—Hannah Norwick

The Pines

Neighborhood: Gowanus, Brooklyn Address and phone: 284 3rd Ave. (718-596-6560) Website: thepinesbrooklyn.com Beyond the swamp that is the Gowanus canal, and two doors down from his first hit, Littleneck, chef Angelo Romano has struck again with the Pines. The place is unapologetically Brooklyn, with Ghostface Killah on the speakers and an explicit neon painting on the wall. But we’re more concerned with the unexpected combinations happening on our plate: Apples dressed in sheep’s milk, a rich brisket agnolotti that manages to be delicate, and lamb’s neck swimming in mascarpone that satisfies a deep need you didn’t know you had. Yes, this all happens in Gowanus, but get over it already. While you hesitate, we’ll be sitting at the bar, scarfing down whatever chef Romano whips up next.—Shanté Cosme

L’Apicio

Neighborhood: East Village Address and phone: 13 East 1st St (212-533-7400) Website: lapicio.com Joe Campanale, one of the forces behind L’Artusi and dell'anima, has another bonafide hit on his hands, this time across town in the East Village. L’Apicio came onto the scene late into 2012, but it has hit the ground running with top-notch Italian comfort food—soul-enriching stuff like gnocchi with chicken ragu, cavatelli with wild boar, and pork-meatball polenta. Simply put, the restaurant makes food that you want to eat, drunk or sober. The fish and meat offerings run deep, appetizers and sides are as delicious and they are varied, and the wine and cocktail list is on point. Even in a city overrun with Italian joints, L'apicio stands out.—DJ Dieselboy

Niu Noodle House

Neighborhood: West Village Address and phone: 15 Greenwich Ave (212-488-9888) Website: niunoodleny.com We had to reserve at least one spot on this list for an outlier, and Niu Noodle House definitely fits in the category of sleeper hit. Due in part to some weirdly corporate branding, a crappy TV-lit front bar area greeting customers, and a rocky opening after the chef was sent home to China to sort out visa issues, it lacks the buzz that means so much to a West Village restaurant. But we just chuckle when people pass it by, knowing that they are missing out on what is essentially an ingenious mashup of a ramen joint and dim sum parlor. The owners are from Hong Kong, and their take on ramen (originally a Chinese invention) is built with not-too-heavy meat broths, outstanding handmade egg and rice noodles, and toppings like grilled flank steak and braised duck breast. The dim sum is handmade too—some traditional (plump steamed shrimp dumplings), some new-school (pan-fried steak and cheese dumplings), all delicious. And to seal the deal, Niu has one of the most insane interiors in the city, designed as an homage to the surrounding area, with a mural of a Washington Square Arch and stairs to the bathroom made to look like you’re descending into the West 4th subway station.—Chris Schonberger

Battersby

Neighborhood: Cobble Hill, Brooklyn Address and phone: 127 Columbia St (718-923-9322) Website: battersbybrooklyn.com The daily-changing menu and early hype at this intimate Brooklyn spot translated quickly into waits of over two hours for dinner, even on weeknights. But thus far, we're believers. Meals from chefs Joseph Ogrodnek and Walker Stern—alums of Alain Ducasse at the Essex House—begin with floral, rosemary-sprinkled foccacia and housemade ricotta, as well as clever amuse-bouche. As the meal progresses, the tiny open kitchen, on full display to the diners/spectators lucky enough to get a seat, turns out ambitious plates that are difficult to pin down geographically—some feel Italian, other Germanic, but all are executed with unmistakeable French technique. Past favorites have included a part-cooked, part-raw kale salad blanketed in a sweet dressing of bird chilies, sugar, and fish sauce; a thick-noodled pasta with hearty meat ragu and sofrito of herbs and vegetables; and beautifully cooked proteins like branzino to lamb. All the dishes are intriguing, with flavors that are pleasing even when they are hard to place.—Hannah Norwick

Yunnan Kitchen

Neighborhood: Lower East Side Address and phone: 79 Clinton St Website: yunnankitchen.com New York’s infatuation with Chinese food has traditionally revolved around Cantonese fare, with Szechuan and Hunan cuisines also making their mark in Flushing, Chinatown, and other pockets of the city. But this year brought an influx of novel flavors from Yunnan, a southern province known for its delicate, lighter dishes that make frequent use of wild flowers, spices, and herbs. Former Standard Grill manager Erika Chou and chef Travis Post (previously of Franny’s) have created the most exciting shrine to the region thus far, delivering brightly acidic, sometimes spicy dishes in categories of cold, hot, shao kao (grilled skewers), and rice and noodles. Salads are elevated by bright mint, chili flakes, and woody mushrooms, while lamb meatballs are full of cumin and spice. Head-on shrimp should be consumed from head to tail, with fried lime leaves to accentuate the sweetness of the flesh. The place has the comfortable feel of a neighborhood joint, but the food is unfamiliar and exciting.—Hannah Norwick

M. Wells Dinette

Neighborhood: Long Island City, Queens Address and phone: 22-25 Jackson Ave (at MoMA PS1) Website: momaps1.org/about/mwells Unknowing visitors might enter M. Wells Dinette—on the first floor of contemporary art museum MoMA PS1—and think that they've wandered into yet another avant-garde art installation. The dining room, set up in the style of a classroom, pays homage to the space's former life as a public school—rows of desks serve as communal tables and the menu is written on a large wall chalkboard, next to a listing of (mostly French) wine options. Following the brief but hugely successful tenure of M. Wells diner nearby, chef Hugue Dufour brings his decadent French-Canadian cooking back to Long Island City with this new project. Some signature dishes have been resurrected, including balls-out Québécois creations like bone marrow covered in escargot. Other items mash up Asian and Western influences to glorious effect: The "Bi Bim Wells" is a fresh take on the Korean staple bibimbap, built with oysters, poached egg, and bonito flakes. And you shouldn’t hesitate to pop in for sweets and coffee: Banana-cream crème brûlée, set in a pillow of whipped cream, is a reminder of how dessert should be: utterly indulgent.—Kristen Tauer

Source: https://firstwefeast.com/eat/2012/12/the-20-best-new-nyc-restaurants-of-2012/

[artificialqueens]

Zhi Zi Zhi Shou, Yu Zi Xie Lao (Raja/Raven) - Mac

AN: Hello friends! Ya girl is back at it after a wee bit of a break. I’m updating my favorite series that is based off of foreign words with no english translation (the Foreign Word Fics as I have dubbed them). This is a short and sweet little fic that gives us snapshots into Raja and Raven’s lives together (alternatively titled A Series of Firsts).

Zhi zi zhi shou, yu zi xie lao (Chinese) - to hold hands and grow old together

The first drag show David ever went to was Sutan’s. He had made it a point to not attend his friend’s drag shows, unless he was prepared to be dragged to every single one of his other friends performances. So this fact in itself was already a big deal. David wasn’t expecting too much. Not that he didn’t admire Raja’s work ethic and hustle, but a drag show is a drag show is a drag show is a drag show. And for all intents and purposes, it was. It was just a drag show. Raja lip-synched and danced like her life depended on it. There wasn’t some come-to-Jesus moment where David realized he truly cared for Sutan; it was just kind of a gradual buildup. As each song passed, the smile on David’s face got wider and wider. By the end of the show he was standing in Raja’s dressing room smiling like an idiot at her. She gave him a tentative smile back, and that was when it all started.

The first date they went on was a disaster. At least in David’s opinion. He had planned everything out to the most minute detail. The sun would be shining, the food would be great, he would be cool and collected. Unfortunately for him, this wasn’t the movies. The sky was overcast, the park that David had wanted to take Sutan was under repairs. What kind of park needs repairs? What kind of repairs? What does that even mean? David got sidetracked for a bit trying to figure that one out, but they ultimately ended up eating lunch under a pavilion in the pouring rain. David had complained the whole time, but Sutan had just smiled at him and told him everything was perfect. Even to this day David doubts if Sutan actually thought that.

Their first kiss went a little better, but not by much. Sutan had been sick, but David didn’t mind. Well, he didn’t mind until Sutan sneezed directly in his face just as their lips met. It wasn’t a regular sneeze though. Oh no. That would be too easy. It was a wet one. The kind that sticks to your skin while also dripping down your face. Sutan had apologized endlessly, and brought chicken noodle soup when David ended up coming down with a cold the next week.

The first time David knew he loved Sutan was their second date. It had gone much better than the first, this time with Sutan taking the reigns. They went to an art museum and spent hours milling about the place. David knew Sutan hated art, and even more so hated museums. “I just don’t like seeing my future.” Sutan would joke. But he grinned and bore it for David. Which only made it that much more romantic. Just as they were passing Monet’s ‘Garden Path at Giverny,’ David knew. It was sudden and painful, like lightning. The sight of Sutan’s beautiful face with the background of one of Monet’s most famous works sparked this stupid feeling in him. David knew immediately what it was. He knew that his first love should be something he was happy about, but he couldn’t help feeling anything but fear. Sutan saw all these emotions play out on David’s face and was reasonably concerned. He walked up to David and placed both hands in the younger man’s and squeezed. They shared a look “I love you too.“

Their first fight was over something stupid. David didn’t even remember what it was about, only that the night ended with him alone in a too big apartment in a too big bed.

The first time they had sex should have been easy. Not to brag or anything but David had slept with plenty of attractive people. So his trembling hands and elevated heart rate were unnerving. But as always, Sutan read the situation correctly and took the lead. It was wonderful and beautiful and all the things the Christian marriage sites say.

The first one to propose was Sutan. It was in the middle of the night after a grueling tour together while they were half asleep. Sutan rolled over and scooted closer to David. The soft smile that graced David’s face as Sutan wound his arms around was the action that prompted it.  “Marry me.”

The first one to propose while they were awake was David. It was at the same park David had first tried to take Sutan to. It happened under the gazebo as the sunset provided the perfect background for the photo that would hang on their wall for all the years to come. They both cried and it was gross but they were in love.

The first kid was a baby boy that they named Jacob. He was rambunctious and loud, a trait both of his fathers possessed, but neither would take credit for. He made their lives heaven and hell. They wouldn’t have had it any other way.

The first one to get seriously sick was Sutan. “It runs in the family,” he would say as an explanation. When Sutan wasn’t listening David would curse his family. Jacob took a job close to home and visited his fathers everyday for a year. It took a lot out of Sutan, medical bills piled up, countless fights ensued, but receiving the prognosis of 'in remission’ made everything worth it.

The first one to die was David. No sickness, no accident, no sudden attack took him. It was just the end. The retirement center they had chosen allowed him to die peacefully on his own terms. Those terms included just one thing.

Sutan beside him, holding his hand.

[reybelen]

One of the best provinces in the Philippines that offer the tastiest and most sumptuous foods, is probably Pampanga. So the invite from Philtranco to check out what they have on the itinerary for media and bloggers on a food tour is a no-brainer go-to invite.

I, together with Cristelle Torres of GirlandBoyThing.com, went early to meet and go to the Philtranco Pasay station for the morning meet-up. There we met the other bloggers, media people, the PR team and the Philtranco, Jam Transit and FastCat team as well.

At about 6:00 or 6:15am, we headed our way to the north.

Ms. Christine Guevarra, Philtranco VP-Marketing

Betis Church, Guagua, Pampanga

First stop of the tour is at the Betis Church. Betis Church is located at Guagua, Pampanga, known for its Baroque-inspired architecture that one of the only 26 churches in the country to be declared by the National Museum and the NCAA as National Cultural Treasure.

Standing tall for 357 years strong now, the Betis Church has produced more than 53 priests and 1 bishop of its existence.

Betis Church in Guagua, Pampanga

Many dub it as the “Sistine Chapel” of Pampanga as the ceilings were beautified via hand-painting. It took 3 years  painting the ceiling of Betis Church by famous artist Anac

Baculud, a relative of Juan Crisostomo Soto, by the name of Isidoro C. Soto, who was mentored by Dr. Sijuco.

JB Betis Woordcraft

Second stop showed me Kapangpangan’s craftsmanship on wood as we visited the JB Betis Woodcraft.

JB Betis Woordcraft, owned by Jose BItuin, is considered as the leader of hand-carved and solid wood furniture in the province.

It has produced many masterfully crafter pieces which include furnitures ordered by luxury hotels, famous people, nobilities and celebrities both here and abroad.

It is not hard to see with the quality of materials, artistry and detailed craftsmanship, why the JB Betis products get so much attention.

No wonder that it was included in one of the businesses toured at by the 2017 ASEAN delegates in the country.

San Guillermo Church

Next stop was another church, buried by mud, ash during the 1991 Mt. Pinatubo eruption. The lahar-stricken area put the originally 12 meter high San Guillermo Church to half.

Today, continual renovation has been done to the church.

Tamales Queen, Aling Laring

The fourth stop of the Philtranco Pampanga Food Tour, is the province’s very own delicacy, the tamales. Aling Laring, known as the Tamales Queen, is one of probably the oldest Tamales producers in the Pampanga. She started her original tamales back in 1972.

25 Seeds

Tamales was just to tickle our taste buds as we headed next to 25 Seeds, a relatively new restaurant in Pampanga, owned by Chef Sau Del Rosario.

25 Seeds is located on a 1920’s mansion converted to a 2-storey-restaurant. The menu goes along pretty well with old Filipino mansion feel, showcasing Filipino food but with much zest and flavor.

While waiting for the special dishes that 25 Seeds was preparing for us, a noticeable set of fashion collections made by a Kapampangan designer was in front for all of us to see. And gladly, some of the media and bloggers gave in to the notion to strut it on the floor for everyone to see.

To be honest, each dish that I tasted proved to be a delight to my taste buds. Never a dull moment for my palette – absolutely fantastic.

25 Seeds showcased some of their signature dishes:

Pako Salad

Okoy

Tinape Babi

Bulanglang na Babi

Crispy Pork Macadamia Kare-Kare Rice and Market Vegetables

Chicken Galantina Rice, Achara and Buttered Vegetables

Tibok-tibok with Mais

Pako Salad

Okoy

Tinape Babi

Bulanglang na Babi

Chicken Galantina

Chef Sau was very kind enough to demonstrate his very own version of Tamales. He even discussed some trivia’s about this delicacy. Though tamales is originally from Mexico (or Spain perhaps), to Kapampangans, it is also called “bobotu” (to vote), because back in the days when only men were allowed to vote, the women were at home cooking tamales for the election day. Thus, in their own sense, it is a way or tradition that they make tamales to vote.

Pamintuan Mansion

After a great lunch, we went next to another mansion, the Pamintuan Mansion or now known as the Museum of Philippine Social History.

It is a house built in 1880s as present for the son of Don Mariano Pamintuan and Valentina Torres. It became part of national history after Emilio Aguinaldo celebrated the first anniversary of independence on this house in 1899 and served as a branch of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Aside from antique stuff and historical notes, the house itself shows the elegance on the intricate details on each part of the house. Truly, a thing of art and beauty.

Center for Kapampangan Studies

Close to the Pamintuan Mansion is another place of the rich cultural value of the Pampanga – the  Center for Kapampangan Studies.

Little did I know that the CKS is inside the Holy Angel University, the biggest university in the province, which happens to be owned, partly, by a good friend, Dr. Peter Nepomuceno.

That’s why the Center for Kapampangan Studies (CKS) tour was not just a historic and cultural tour, but more of a tour on the business history of a friend’s family, the Nepomuceno.

CKS focuses on the rich history of Pampanga and some the province’s pride. It hosts a library and museum, all for the preservation of factual Kapampangan history, culture and heritage.

One intriguing thing about the CKS is their application that translates any letter or word to an indigenous writing system native to Kapampangan’s the  “Kulitan.”

Aling Lusing’s Sisig

After hours getting to know the history and culture of Pampanga, the Philtranco Pampanga Food Tour’s next stop was Aling Lusing, another food pride of the province.

Aling Lusing’s Sisig is a homegrown restaurant. Due to her sisig, Aling Lusing has been featured by many known media personalities including international chef and TV host Anthony Bourdain. Bourdain even said he’d include sisig in the menu of his own restaurant in New York.

Some of the dishes I tried were bulalo, ensalada, burong kanin with vegetables.

Kabigting’s Halo-Halo

To top the Philtranco Pampanga Food Tour, a popular dessert in the province was just fitting to cap the tour, the Kabigting’s Halo-Halo.

The now popular halo-halo (as there are already in select malls in Metro Manila), started in a small store in Palaraya, Arayat.

Kabigting’s Halo-halo is known for having only 3 ingredients: Beans, Corn and Pastillas made of Carabao’s Milk. The unique combination of the three brings the sweet, rich, melting flavour once eaten.

Being a day in Pampanga may be too short to many, especially if you want to go into much detail on every sight.

It is just nice to have Philtranco, the first bus operator in the Philippines and in Asia, havng regular trips to Pampanga.

Today Philtranco has a growing fleet of 250 buses that range from deluxe, premium deluxe , to executive seater. Philtranco has routes to and from many parts of the whole country.

And with their partnership with Jam Liner and FastCat, touring the Phililppines via bus is becoming more convenient than before.

Next time you want to go to the Culinary Center of the Philippines – Pampanga, you should consider riding via Philtranco.

For more info about schedule, other routes in the Philippines or reservation inquiries, visit their website at Philtranco.net or visit their official Philtranco Facebook page.

Going to the Culinary Capital of the Philippines, Pampanga for a day to try different foods and see attractions. #PhiltrancoPampanga #Travel #Food #LifestyleBucket One of the best provinces in the Philippines that offer the tastiest and most sumptuous foods, is probably Pampanga.