The Halloween weekend started and the streets were filled with costumed people going off to Halloween parties. The haunted house across the street had long line all evening. I had one hell of a day with continuous lunch orders. People came to dine in, pick up, Lynne had to run back and forth for delivery orders, we had to receive weekly food supply, Taiyo made some new friends to hang out, made some play-doh noodles, my friend Tarja showed up vising NY from Helsinki. Then at the end of the afternoon, Lynne found Akiro from the salon next door stretched across the floor- he was conscious but too dizzy to get up. Other neighbors were already on top of the case, then we waited his friends to come help him to an emergency room. Of course we never got a chance to wheel Taiyo out to let him sleep, so he was running around hyper and emotional from exhaustion. So I totally didn't mind the evening rather quiet tonight.

I have to go back a few days and have to share a dining experience. We stopped at L'asso on Mott and Kenmare, thinking that no pizza place could be child-unfriendly. First, this huge column in front of the door made the entry a bit difficult with a stroller. It was fairly empty and we took a seat on a bench by the window. We always like a margherita pie. So this very nice pizza was served. With one plate. But there's two of us at the table. I tried to get an attention of the waitress, but with only two other tables occupied in the restaurant, obviously she was too busy to look our way. So I said fine. Taiyo can have the plate. He also didn't get any utencils. She thought he was my prop so something? But we did really like the pizza. Taiyo really liked the pizza. But this hipster joint even when it's fairly empty had something child-unfriendly in the air. We did savor the entire pie, and when I asked for a check the waitress immediately cleared the table, including the napkins, although Taiyo was still munching on a piece in his hand. Was he supposed to just lick his fingers clean and wipe his mouse with his sleeve? As a mom, I really can't recommend this place.

This is hardly an appropriate story for restaurant blog, but it was just way too absurd and disturbing not to share. Taiyo happily ran out of the building as usual. I followed. There it was. A huge rat was dead dangling from the side of the building's trash can. I screamed. Taiyo started crying. It was like 15 inches hanging down. It tried to escape from a small hall and got stuck and died. I walked around the other side, and his huge ass was was still on the other side of the hole. I saw Al, the super from our neighbor buildings, and ran to him down the street. Obviously he already saw it. Yeah, I tried to push it out with a stick, but couldn't get it out. He tried again, but couldn't get it out. The ass was way too huge go through the hole. People passing by also screamed. Then an exterminator guy happened to pass by and he yanked it out grabbing it's tail, which I really couldn't watch. Our neighbor Mike was sitting in his car across the street, and told me how the guy pull the monster out. Three-year-old Aslan in the back seat was laughing. He thought the whole ordeal was funny. I was glad that my camera was in service that I didn't have it, although I dare not to publish it here.

I had to send my little camera for repair and I feel a bit off-balanced. It also helps me remember the details of our day. It was another warm beautiful day. We were up little late this morning and missed a concert at Tribeca Y. So we started our day at OpenHouse New York's Family day at Center for Archtechture in Greenwich Village. We enjoyed doing some craft projects. Taiyo thought putting a cocktail umbrella on a little box was the greatest invention ever. Well, he just fell in love with the tiny paper umbrella period. Around the corner we stumbled upon Pizza Mezzalunaon Houston and MacDougal. It's a nice little Italian restaurant set up in a small space more appropriate for a pick-up pizza joint. There's only two tables for four, one table for two, and three seats against the front window. Taiyo quickly settled on a small stool by the window, but the seat was too slippery and he fell off it. Then we had to move to a small table anyway because three more people were coming in. Waitress brought him a plastic cup with a straw for Taiyo, and also plastic utencils. Very good kid-friendly service. We had margherita pizza and minestrone, and they were both so delicious! Especially minestrone was the best ever, and Taiyo had big satisfying laugh while enjoying it. Food was so great and kept Taiyo in his seat, but seating situation is difficult for very small customers. There's also no room for a stroller inside. If that can be acceptable, this place is highly recommended. Since Taiyo was still awake after lunch, we made it to La Mama's street fair on the way back on East 4th Street. It was La Mama's 50's anniversary. There were big pupperts roaming around, some wacky creature crawling around the floor, lots of crafts projects for kids, great music and even some free food. The crowd was interesting and it really had the feel of good old East Village. It was the best street fair we've been to. Taiyo crashed within a few blocks when we left.

It was still so beautiful out after a long nap. We headed out on bike again to Terakawa Ramen on Lexington near 23rd Street. I was recently tipped that they had great authentic ramen. Taiyo immediately loved the large red lantern hanging outside. We were able to get a table immediately, while a party of three was waiting at the door. The place was full, and after us there were always a few parties waiting outside. Service was fairly quick, although this busy restaurant was served by only two waitresses who were running back and forth constantly. Taiyo loved Takoyaki, and Terakawa ramen with delicious pork broth. They screwed up on our order and gyoza didn't arrive until the end of our meal. Taiyo was too busy working on the soup and didn't touch the gyoza. He laughed out again looking up to the ceiling to express his satisfaction while having the soup. The decor has quite authentic Japanese noodle joint feel, and they may be too busy to offer you one but there's high chairs available. Price is pretty good, and sunday was also a gyoza night for only $1.50! Recommended.

Of course the three-day long weekend off for me went by fast like just another weekend. On Sunday we spent a whole day at the Bronx Zoo. We don't get there often since the train ride is usually quite long, and the stairs from the high-elevated train station is agonizing for a stroller. This time we drove in a Zipcar- a Volkswagen golf, which seems like the last of 'normal' car I'm used to. The dashboard is where it usually is, in front of the wheel, there's familiar interface and even radio buttons are just like an old car- very easy to figure out. Nowadays, newer cars often have no ignition keys but power buttons to turn on, dashboard is somewhere over there under the front window and it's all digital and hard to grasp immediately. Taiyo is thrilled either way to take a ride. He held up the duration of the ride but fell asleep as we made a slow approach to the parking lot. It was a warm summer-like day and everyone was heading to the zoo as well. After relaxing on a comfortable bench for a while, I headed to the penguiins, which is the only animal he normally asks for at the zoo. I woke him up and there was a penguin. Just one penguin. Maybe because it was so warm out, other penguins were hinding in caves out of sight. Taiyo was happy to see the penguin, even though there was only one. We saw some monkeys, butterflies, got on a bug carousel of course, and he was super excited at the Mouse House. He also loved the sight of bears, and we finally made it to the monorail ride after a long wait in line. Half of the train ride was to stare at the trees, grass, and squirrels, but we also had some views of a tiger, elephants, rhinos, and lost of deers and gaurs (the world's largest wild cattles). I wouldn't do it again for such a long wait (40 minutes!), but Taiyo loved the train ride. They are going to close the ride during winter (Nov to April), so I was glad to finally make it this time.

Monday, another warm summer-like day, and we visited Chelsea Market. It is a great destination with kids, with lots of great Halloween displays that made Taiyo really excited and scared. There's lots of great food options there of course. Then we went up to the Highline, and had a snack at the Porch only food served actually on the highline as I know of. Their theme is 'sustainable food.' They had nice little selection of food using local produce, and also local wine and beer. Taiyo had to have the caramel covered pear, which he enjoyed just licking the caramel, and cucumber water. My mushroom quesadillas were tasty and fresh. It's a cute little spot, recommended although no high chairs and it can get really busy. Recommended because outdoor dining is always preferable for us. Or else there's plenty of intresting seatings along the Highline. You can pick up great food at Chelsea Market and have a little picnic on this scenic park. Unfortunately I spilled the wonderful cucumber water on my camera and killed it. Therefore no photos today.

Later, dinner at Natori, one of the surviving Japanese restaurant in East Village. This place has been there always since I got here twenty-one years ago. Now that we lost two Japanese restaurant Esashi and Yoshi, I thought about this little joint I haven't been to for a long time. Entry is not easy with a stroller because it's lower than street level. There isn't too much room for one either inside. But a fish tank was a good distraction for Taiyo. The place was nearly empty but the service was extremely slow, with waiter who was busier chatting with a guy in teh kitchen than tending to the customer on the floor. They were out of gyoza, which probably weren't home made anyway, so we ordered shumai, and the special broiled seabass dinner. For $20, we got tuna and avocado salad, spinach goma ae, cooked pumpkin, seabass, and rice and soup. I thought it was a great deal. Taiyo ate all the shumai, most of the rich and fatty seabass to my surprise, and some rice miso soup and broccoli. We didn't order this time, but they have a few aligator meat appetizers. Most other menues are standard with no surprises, including sushi and sashimi. Not a kind of restaurant you would travel to, but good to have in the neighborhood.

A long weekend has began! After a lazy morning, we took a bike trip across town to Fire Museum on Spring and Varick. It's a low-key touristy joint, but the little place had some beautiful old fire engines and artifacts. The museum was pretty quiet and empty, and Taiyo enjoyed running around for a while. There was no activities he could participate in, but being a big fan of fire trucks, I think he kind of liked the place.

We stopped for lunch at Hiroko's Place on Thompson between Spring and Broome. It's like a cafe that every Japanese town has, with non-traditional Japanese food. Menu had pictures on it, so of course Taiyo picked "Anpan-Man Omu Rice" which had his favorite Anpan-Man drawn with ketchup, a Japanese red-bean bun superhero. The young waitress brought him little kids utencils and small cup of water with hello kitty on them. Taiyo of course loved them. We were first served a little bowl of salad with carrot dressing, which he pretended to eat but didn't. He's not a salad kind of a guy (yet). While waiting for his main dish, his chair tripped backward because he was standing against the back. Then he started banging on the glass table top and we were moved to next table with no glass top. Taiyo's Omu Rice, omlette covered ketchup flavored rice arrived just as pictured. Being a ketchup lover, he first scooped up all the ketchup and then start digging into the rice. He didn't like potato salad or omlette covering, but ate all the rice inside, carefully eliminating chicken, onion, and green pepper pieces. My seafood doria, rice casserole covered with creamy sauce and cheese, was not bad, but a bit too heavy. The place is fairy kid-friendly, with the cute and anime-themed decore, but there's no high chair. Service was very Japanese and friendly, but they did one funny thing- each table had a basket of napkins, but ours was taken away before food arrived. A small diner always need extra napkins, and their napkins were tiny and thin to begin with. So I let extra mess around the table as Taiyo shook his spoon to spread the food. And the price was also Soho price for what it was. Not terribly recommended.

On a warm afternoon, we visited Caribou Baby in Greenpoint, Brooklyn with Lynne. It's a beatiful little shop full of very nice baby stuff- in the back there's a room where they offer many classes for moms and babies and toddlers, including the little movers Yoga movement class Lynne offers. Taiyo picked out a wooden fishing set with a little pole and various fishes, and also a training pants that he said he'd wear. Ever since he received a potty for his birthday, I'm looking forward to his diaperless day, but he seems not so ready. It's ok- he turned two only ten days ago. My friends tell me that it happens fast anyway.

We went down to Enids at Manhattan Ave and Driggs for late lunch. Taiyo immediately befriended our server Jody and ran around the spacious dining room. He worked on his utencil skills cutting up a buiscuit- which was the only thing he was interested in. Food was very nice and fresh afterall; I enjoyed the egg and cheese sandwich and tomato soup Taiyo didn't touch. The timing was perfect that it was before neighborhood hipsters arrived, and we all had good time. Taiyo also did some improve dance performance in the booth. Too bad we didn't have time to run around the McCarren Park across the street, where I used to come for a run.

Air was crisp and sky was blue. We headed to the west side to Children's Museum of the Arts at their new Charlton Street location. The bright room was full of great art activities for little people. Taiyo immediately got busy with markers and brushes. We enjoyed music time where Taiyo got a chance to practice some drumming. The place is beautiful, but it was way overcrowded. And probably because of the location the crowd was too Tribecca- so many pushy brats! Exhibit about Public Art was pretty cool but I felt I wanted a bit more out of this place. Even though it's a longer trip, we'd rather frequent Brooklyn Children's Museum where there's so much more than we can explore every time. We thought the coolest thing was the pedal operated water fountain (above) that was just a beautful piece of art. Taiyo marched out of the museum chanting for gyoza, but he fell asleep on bike again only a few blocks away.

Lynne joined us for Indian dinner at Raj Mahal on 6th Street Indian row. We picked this place for a Sitar player in the window. It's hard to get in with the stroller with steep stairway down to the half basement restaurant, and there was not much room inside. The hauler outside told us he'd watch the stroller under the awning. Upon entry, the waiter immediately placed Taiyo on the musician's lap but he was more scared than thrilled. "Help." He extended his little arms to Lynne to be rescued. We took a table right next to him, and Taiyo was soon enchanted with the music. He also enjoyed all the food, mixed vegetable pakora fritters, chicken tikka masala (although he wouldn't touch chicken), rice, daal, and fluffy poori bread. It was definitely the most food he ate in a restaurant in a while. In my opinion, the food was ok, not bad, but nothing special. But for the music and kind of funky decore including chili pepper lights on the ceiling and poster of Cuba beside our table, it's super recommended. We were having a great time until this older couple seated behind us and before they ordered the meal, the man said to Lynne who was sitting facing their table, "Are you staying?" Taiyo was sitting next to her at the time. "Are you talking to me?" she replied. "We'd rather be close to the music but if you're staying there we'd rather move to another table." Seriously? "We're staying," she replied, even though we were pretty much done with our meal. Oh, yes we were staying here for the long time! They stood up and moved to the far back of the restaurant. How rude those people were! Taiyo may have shrieked once or twice, but did they really have problem with this lovely child? Or did they think we were lesbian couple and they had a problem with that? Either way, that made our heads shake to know how hostile this world could be, even for Taiyo who gets picture taken by strangers everywhere we go. But otherwise we had a great time. Staff were very much amused by Taiyo, and the Sitar player encouraged Taiyo to sit next to him so he can watch closely, but Taiyo was still a bit scared maybe because of his beard and turban. At the end they brought us free dessert of bright orange goo with coconut. Taiyo spit it out. Yet this place is recommended overall.

Taiyo woke up early cranky, and he had to sit for a while on my lap to calm down before I was even fully awake. Finished laundry first, and we were ready to head out under gloomy sky. Union Square Greenmarket was full of beautiful fall colors- pumpkins, mums, all kinds of delicious grapes, but Taiyo fell asleep on the way. This was a tricky situation. I wasn't able to complete our mission of shopping and having lunch. If I headed back home, I still won't be able to move him to bed to let him nap longer, since he pretty much always wake up these days. I just rode around Styvesant Town, and an old lady yelled at me, "Excuse me, but look at him! He's sleeping!" Oh, yes he's sleeping in the bike seat and this thing is not quite designed for a child to sleep in. Taiyo looks like he's falling over. "Yes, I know he's sleeping! What am I supposed to do?!" I yelled back. Should I wake him up and make him upset, or go home and remove him from the seat to wake him up and make him cry? Meantime I got a text from Fairycon that it will start at Thompkins Square Park. Of course these strange things always happen around there, as I expected. I headed to the park and Taiyo woke up in time but there was still no sign of fairies- unlike Santacon, when the streets are filled with hundreds of Santas bar hopping, this event is still new and probably fairly small. Then of course Taiyo started asking for gyoza. It was time for lunch.

We settled at Ichiraku on First Avenue near St. Marks. It used to be another Japanese ramen chain, and since the name was changed, I supposed it may be a bit different. Now it was another ramen place by Korean people- it seems many more Japanese ramen places are run by Koreans now, at least in this neighborhood. The young Korean waitress spoke fluent Japanese and she was very nice to Taiyo. She brought him a high chair from the back restaurant, Bibim Bar, but the counter was too high it didn't make it any better. Taiyo was able to handle eating on his knees, as he usually do these days, but the stools have no backs and there's no low tables and it will be difficult to have babies and toddlers who may not be able to handle stools. The waitress gave him a fork and a small bowl, but apologized that she had only large forks and it may be dangerous for him. He was fine with it, but he utilized more hands. Food was ok, and he ate all the gyoza skins and slurped good amount of noodles. It was 'no surprises' meal that was prepared according to the manual, good price, friendly service, but unfortunately the seating situation do not make this place kid-friendly. And I was disappointed by gyoza not having any chives in it!