New York City Gift Item Idea from Hershey's Times Square

After visiting New York City for almost twenty years now I've long ago stopped buying city souvenirs for myself or as gifts. Instead I've stick to practical things, mainly food stuff, to bring back home. Looking for something simple? How about a giant Hershey's candy bar which states "Times Square". Who doesn't love chocolate especially a generous serving of the company's signature product. The set of three costs $15 and the shop can even customize the wrapper with other wording if you wish.

Click HERE to read my post "Hershey's Times Square Equals Candy Heaven" which gives an overview of the store or visit thehersheycompany.com for more information.

Minamoto Kitchoan: Peach Jelly and Fruit Jelly

The window display at the New York City location of Minamoto Kitchoan.

Grace Dew Fruits Jelly (all photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

Once again I made my yearly stop at Minamoto Kitchoan for Japanese confections. Since 2008 I've been picking up goodies from the store to bring home or to enjoy during my visit. I think I'll continue doing so until a branch of the company opens in my home town of Honolulu, Hawaii.

Click HERE for my post called "Minamoto Kitchoan: Artful and Declious Confections" which gives an overview of the shop. This post covers the products purchased during today's visit.

Whenever I step inside the store my eyes are dazzled by the array of wagashi (japanese confections) all beautifully displayed and wrapped. Hakutoujelly ($12 each) which is a jelly made from white peach is something I've always wanted to try. Inside the wrapping is a bowl of the smooth, light and refreshing white peach jelly. Best eaten chilled, the store offers spoons regardless if you plan to eat it now or later.

The store also carries Grace Dew Fruits Jelly from Rokumeikan (box, $24). These colorful and bite-sized fruit-shaped confections are steps above the "gummy" products pedaled to children. Each piece is tender without being cloyingly sweet and richly brings the flavor of each kind of fruit. Flavors include orange, lemon, grape, banana, apple, mango and many others. Each piece is individually wrapped.

The wrapped Hakutoujelly (White Peach Jelly).

Inside the wrapping bowl is a serving of White Peach Jelly.

Laduree: Heavenly Macarons in the Upper East Side

A prestige box of macarons.

 Packaging from the napkins, boxes to bag in Laduree's signature pale green.

A box of eight macarons.
(all photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

Note: I actually visited Laduree a week ago and  I knew I would have to come back so I'm combining information from that visit as well as from my visit today.

Walking into the Laduree shop in New York City's Upper West Side feels like an elegant experience. Even seeing these delicate desserts in the shop's window display captures a sense a wonder. It literally made me feel like a kid looking in a candy store but this one resembling a jewel box of the company's signature pale green, mirrors, dark woods and decorative accents. But the main event is the selection of macarons for sale. Call them exquisite, call them heavenly or call them delicious they are irresistible.

The macarons sold by Laduree are comprised of a double deck of meringue cookie (almonds, eggs, sugar) shells between which is a sweet filling. I bought a box of eight macarons and devoured them in one sitting after returning to my hotel the same afternoon last week. Needless to say I knew a return trip was required before I left the city.

(story continued below)

The New York City shop exterior along Madison Ave.

The window display includes towers of macarons.

A single macaron (this one in green apple flavor).

The shop also carries the company's brand of chocolates, ice cream macarons, candies, teas, perfumes and fragrances. But visitors mainly come in for the macarons which are placed in one of several beautiful gift boxes which are collectible in themselves.

Once inside the shop look behind the glass wall along the counter and see an array of macaron flavors. The collection of permanent flavors include: vanilla, coffee, chocolate, Madagascar chocolate, pistachio, lemon, caramel with salted butter, licorice, roses, orange blossom, raspberry and violet blackcurrant. Seasonal flavors include: red fruit, lemon with lemongrass, chestnut, praline, coconut, mint with anise, gingerbread, fig, green apple, chocolate with blackcurrant, morello cherry with almond.

During my visit there was also chocolate banana, lime basil, blood orange ginger, chocolate kalamansi, grapefruit vanilla, strawberry poppy, red fruits, lily of the valley, chestnut pear, milk, chocolate, almond, Columbia chocolate and Ghana chocolate.

Of the eight flavors I tried during my first visit, I loved them all but perhaps the pistachio and green apple best. Each one has a crisp exterior and tender interior that melts in your mouth. In the process the true flavoring of the filling bursts among one's tastebuds. If I didn't pace myself I could have eaten all eight within seconds.

(story continued below)

Ice cream topped with a single macaron cookie.

Pistachio flavored macaron ice cream.

A selection of the tasty but fragile confections.

Even before deciding on the flavors of macarons one must choose one of the fashionable boxes to hold them. The box of eight macarons that I purchased earlier last week cost $21.60. For my trip back home I bought the pale green "prestige box" (size 2) which holds about 30 macaroons for $68. The cost is steep however all the store products including the macarons are imported from Paris. Plus Laduree is the originator some sixty years of the idea of pairing two macarons with filing.

It should be noted that if you wish to bring the macarons back home after visiting New York, Laduree recommends the macarons be consumed within three days and must be stored in the lower part of the refrigerator.

Today I also ordered a the pistachio macaron ice cream cup ($8.50). Since the shop has no seating, I walked to one of the benches along the Fifth Ave side of Central Park a block away. Now I know I am totally hooked. Topped with just one macaron cookie I cannot recall a more refined serving of ice cream ever. Absolutely smooth and flavorful.

Visit laduree.com for information. Laduree is located in various countries but this is only shop in the United States at 864 Madison Ave (between 71st and 72nd Streets) in New York City (nearest Metro stop at Hunter College). Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-7pm and Sun 10am-6pm.

Sixth Avenue Street Fair: Fourteen Blocks of Food and Shopping

(photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

 Today I'm feeling way better than I did two days ago. Still I knew I shouldn't over exert myself and decided not to stray far. What better way to spend a warm morning in New York City than under the cooling shade of the buildings along Sixth Avenue for a street fair that stretches from 42nd to 56th Streets. This fair even leads you right in front of world famous Radio City Music Hall.

Though many of the vendors are selling the same stuff every block at least you'll never go hungry with food sellers everything from gyros to fruit smoothies. I opted to continue eating healthy and staying hydrated by buying not one but two watermelon fruit smoothes along the way ($4 each).

From artwork to cell phone covers to popcorn, there's something at these fairs that'll peak your interest if not encourage you to open your wallet or purse.

These fairs that closes long stretches of major thoroughfares in the city happen regularly and an online search can inform you of the time and location of each event. The website NYC Tourist keeps and updated schedule that you can view by clicking HERE.

(photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

Uniqlo: A Private Clothing Label Takes On The World

All photos of are of the Soho Flagship Uniqlo Store.

(photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

The first Uniqlo I ever stepped into was this one in Soho in New York City. At first I was more impressed with the look of the store. A clean line aesthetic via the use of white, lots of glass and wood floors throughout its 36,000 square feet accented by the meticulously organized bright colors of the store's merchandise.

Probably the first things most visitors encounter as they enter this location is the array of printed t-shirts geared towards a younger and hipper crowd or the graphic t-shirt nerd in them. Like most people, I like my clothing to be practical, simple and versatile but also have a quality that will make them last. So with lots of linen sold during that first visit to the store in the summer of 2010 and thinking of the care they require, I largely dismissed the shop's selection of clothing for men.

But when I returned a second time during that same summer vacation, I found a bright light lime green polo that I found soft, would look dressy with a pair of work slacks or casual with shorts or jeans. Another thing I found is that the quality of the clothing feels more luxurious than merchandise I've found at competing clothing retailer H&M. That Swedish shop brand was my go to place to find cheap, good looking clothing when in Manhattan. But I always felt lucky if those clothes lasted more than a season if not more than a few washings and wearings. Somehow I felt this Japanese brand of clothing (and yes I know they're made in other Asian countries) had the quality and durability I wanted. I still have that polo today and it still looks and feels like I bought it yesterday.

(story continued below)

What makes this shop a pleasant experience is the upbeat atmosphere generated by the helpful employees (well most of them when they're not busy). The merchandise is affordable like H&M and though ultimately it'll be your taste in clothes that determines if you like the merchandise at Uniqlo I have a feeling there is something her for most everyone.

Today I found a button down shirt in an uncomplicated design of waffled white cotton with square dots of light blue, grey and black sprinkled sparsely on the pattern. It feels comfortable and instructions for care of the garment is practical (meaning: dry cleaning not necessary).

Uniqlo is shop I will visit again on successive visits to Manhattan if only to find that unique item to show I found it at Uniqlo. As usual for new retailers breaking into the U.S. market, it'll be a while before the brand opens a branch in my home state of Hawaii.

The name Uniqlo is a contraction of the shop's former name in Japan called "Unique Clothing Wearhouse". The company opened its first shops in the United States in 2005 at three unheralded locations in New Jersey before opening a flagship store a year later in Soho. The company has publicly announced they wish to open 200 stores located in every major U.S. City and reach a goal of $10 billion in sales in North America by 2020. That would it make it one of the most successful clothing retailers in the world.

Besides Japan and the U.S., Uniqlo shops are located in China, France, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Kingdom.

For more information and to shop online visit uniqlo.com/us/. The Soho Uniqlo is open Mon-Sat 10:00am-9:00pm; Sun & Holiday 11:00am-8:00pm. Address: 546 Broadway between Prince and Spring Streets. Nearest Metro stop: Prince St [N, R].

What is SoHo?

Above: Broadway looking South; Bottom: Broadway facing North.
(photos: TheHopefulTraveler) 

Until a few years ago I actually had not visited SoHo other during bus tours of the city. When the defunct branch of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Annex opened in 2009 in the neighborhood, that was my first reason to step into the neighborhood. At first the area didn't really impress me as I immediately notice the preponderance of name brand retailers that could be found elsewhere in the city.

But I have returned regularly since having discovered the bakery at Balthazar, the fresh and affordable fashions at Uniqlo, a branch of the MoMa Design Store and Dean & Deluca, a high-end purveyor of fine food, wine and kitchenware.

The neighborhood feels touristy than Fifth Avenue and is just one Metro Stop along the Broadway Local train (Prince Street, trains N and R) from Times Square. Today is Thursday morning and I'm surprised at the limited foot traffic in the neighborhood but its still early and the crowds will descend onto the streets soon enough. Even the benches in front of the restaurant and bakery Balthazar has seats to spare.

Not to be confused with the London neighborhood of the same name, SoHo got its name from an abbreviation of "South of Houston Street". The neighborhood extends south to Canal Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues and Lafayette Street, one block east of Broadway.

Formerly a 19th century industrial zone, SoHo still retains the impressive cast-iron architecture of the era and cobblestone can be found peeking out from beneath the asphalt. Cutting-edge artists began occupying the deteriorating building in the 1960s and in turn making it one of the trendiest neighborhoods in the city.

SoHo is now a prime example of urban gentrification and a major visitor attraction for its restored buildings, dining and shopping. Most of the galleries of that began appearing in the '60s have moved away and many critics say that SoHo has become a victim of its own popularity with major brands replacing independent boutiques. Still it is one of the best neighborhoods to spend a morning and afternoon of shopping and eating.

My visit today and the next few posts should cover my planned visits to Uniqlo and Balthazar Restaurant and Bakery.

Armani Exchange, just one of the major brands lining Soho store fronts.

Above and below: A branch of the fine food retailer Dean & Deluca.

(photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

Duane Reade in the City: A Convenience Store Just In Case

(photo: Phil Davis)

One thing I usually map out whenever visiting a big city is where the nearest convenience store is located. We can't possibly pack for every need or emergency without overpacking. So when you need something from a drugstore just in case, there is a Duane Reade located every few blocks in Midtown Manhattan.

I usually visit the nearest Duane Reade near my hotel to pick up bottled water, Red Bull and coconut water. The prices are pretty good for New York that I don't feel like I'm being gouged in the pocketbook for picking up a snack or some allergy medication. Plus for the tourist looking to save some money on meals, each Duane Read has a decent selection of pantry items, snacks and even microwave meals. Probably the best convenience is the locations that are open 24 hours.

Click HERE to find the Duane Reade nearest you in Manhattan. Visit duanereade.com for more information.

The Duane Reade (left) at the corner of 50th and Broadway right under
the Snapple Theatre.

Triton Gallery: The Art of Buying and Selling Theatre Posters

Triton Gallery is located on the eight floor of the Film Center Building on
Ninth Avenue. I love their room number is "808" (the area code for my
home state of Honolulu).
(photo: TheHopefulTraveler)

 Today I return to Triton Gallery for my annual visit and annual purchase of the latest theater posters. It's something I look forward to each visit to New York. For one thing seeing these posters up close and in person they have a different aura about them that can't be communicated through pictures. The colors and details are far different. Secondly the the owner Roger Puckett and his dutiful staff are welcoming and friendly and knowledgeable about theater posters past and present.

I could just order the posters through the store's website but also seeing the framed posters of the current season's shows on the shop's walls, I often end up purchasing posters that have great artwork even though the show it advertises has closed or I had not planned to see it.

'Sons of the Prophet' poster.

But one thing for sure I make sure order one poster for every show I plan to see. For this shopping visit they had the hit shows ('Once', 'Newsies') and they even were stocked with the two off-Broadway productions I planned to see ('Potted Potter', 'The Cockfight Play'). A total of 18 posters would be shipped back to my home in Honolulu.

Of course I wasn't seeing 18 shows. My selection included the three different posters for 'Evita' (versions in red, blue or yellow). Also I loved the advertising campaign for the revival of 'How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying'. I saw the show last year with Daniel Radcliffe, but new posters were designed when Darren Criss and then Nick Jonas took over the role. I thought they would make a great set to have all three though I did not get to see Criss or Jonas.

One of my unusual poster choices was for an off-Broadway play called 'Sons of the Prophet'. It features a photograph of a gnome with a bruised eye. Because of Travelocity gnomes are also associated with travel. Knowing I've been traveling for over twenty years now and with eighteen of them to New York City, I may not have gotten a black eye but I sure have had my share of scrapes and psychological bruises that comes with the stress and problems of traveling.

Click HERE to read my previous post about Triton Gallery called "The Art of the Theatre Poster at Triton Gallery".

The Wall Street Journal published a wonderful article of the shop earlier this month called "Where Theater Hangs". Click HERE to read the article (Note: wsj.com is a paid subscriber website. Visitors may not be able access content unless the story is unlocked through their 'article free pass' offer which allows guests to see a free sample of an article.)

Triton Gallery is located at 630 9th Avenue (between 44th and 45th Streets) on the 8th floor of the Film Center. Visitors must check in with security. Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm; Sat 12pm-6pm. Visit their online shop at tritongallery.com and search through the alphabetical poster listing for available posters, prices and shipping.

Some the posters included in my order this year with Triton Gallery.
(photo: TheHopefulTraveler)