Restaurant Review: Di Fara Pizza

1424 Avenue J
at E. 15th St
Brooklyn, NY 11230
(718) 258 - 1367

Pizza
Price: $2 - $35
Dine In, Take Out

So my buddy called me up yesterday afternoon and asked if I was in the mood for pizza. I was but little did I know that we would be traveling an hour and a half to Midwood, Brooklyn for the pizza. My buddy said that I won't be disappointed.

Di Fara Pizza's is located in Midwood Brooklyn. Its a little pizzeria on the corner of Avenue J and 15th Street. We got there around 6:30pm and they were just opening the door. In less than 5 minutes, the place was packed with patrons as everyone started ordering the hand-made pizzas by Domenico DeMarco who has been making pizzas for more than four decades. We were the second patrons to placed an order and luckily got a table. I went up to see Mr. DeMarco make his pizza and I would say, it was amazing to see him make his masterpiece. He was very delicate but intricate in making each pie and I could see that the patrons didn't mind the wait.

So we ordered one special pie and two slices of the square pie. We also had to wait but it sure was worth it. We first got our square slices and I was so hungry that I decided to take a first bite. Big mistake, it was fresh out of the oven and kinda burn my tongue a bit. Anyway, the slice was really good, the crust ws well cook and the cheese just melts into your mouth. The basil gave it a touch of color and fragrance. It was worth my tongue getting burned.

Then our pie came and you could just see everyone eying the pie, freshly out of the oven. The special pie ($35) is made up of fresh mozzarella cheese, onions, Italian sausage, mushrooms and grated parmesan cheese topped with fresh basil which Domenico adds after pulling the pizza out of the oven. This was even better. The crust was crisps, the tomato sauce was sweet while the rest of the ingredients just made the whole pie look tempting and tasty. I took my time in eating my slices - smelling the aroma as I took each bite and let it sit inside my mouth - tasting all the fresh ingredients in my palate. I can't believe we finished the whole pie between my and my buddy.

So was it worth it to travel all the way to Brooklyn for Di Fara Pizza... you betcha

Fact: Di Fara has been only closed once - when Domenico De Marco had to have foot surgery.

Movie Review: The Spy Next Door

Spy Next Door stars Jacky Chan as Bob Ho, an undercover CIA superspy on loan from the Chinese intelligence who decides to retire from his career and settle down with his girlfriend, Gillian (portrayed by Amber Valletta) who happens to be his next-door neighbor. While as his place, Colton (Billy Ray Cyrus), a CIA agent and his colleague, decided to send him a file that contains a top-secret formula that could wipe out the world's oil supply.

Meanwhile, Gillian had to fly out because his father needs a hip replacement. Gillian was going to hire a baby sitter but Bob volunteered to take care of her three kids - Farren (Madeline Carroll), Ian (Will Shadley) and Nora (Alina Foley). Bob was doing this to get the approval of the kids so that Gilliam and him can bring their relationship to the next level. While they were a Bob's house, Ian mistakenly downloaded the file that Colton sent to Bob thinking it was a pirated concert. This resulted into the Russian going after Bob and the kids in order to recover the file.

The only reason I wanted to watch this movie is because of Jacky Chan who is still making movies and doing his own stunts at 55. But the movie slightly exceeded my expectations. The movie was entertaining and quite funny. The stunts are always amazing in Jacky Chan movies but he has mastered to mix it with some comedic quaffs. The movie's theme is family and it surely a family-oriented movie with clearly is shown through the interaction between him and the three kids. Overall, I would definitely recommend this movie for some family fun and family night.

Dependency

So last Monday afternoon, after the rain has finished pouring its might onto us, the lights started flickering and then suddenly.. boom.. Power Outage.

Since I work with technology, I had to run around just to ensure everyone had power down their equipments just to be on the safe side. After doing such thing, I relax and chatted with some of my colleagues. One could clearly see our dependence on electricity this time. Everyone was just out of their offices and just chatting with each other. Well one reason is that the offices are so dark without the lights and the heat is off even though the emergency generator was on. It was cold especially in the place I work because of the non-existence of heat. Now, picture this..what if the world suddenly loss all electrical power??...geez, we have to rely back on firewood for heat and cooking our meal. We wont be able to use any calculators and mathematical machines to do our computing and we would be relying on abacus. Machineries wont work which would result into non existence of fuel to power cars and busses which would revert us back to walking as a means of transportation except of course if you have a bicycle, which could mean everyone would be fit hehehe. We wont have any processed food and instead, we have to rely on natural food which could be good for use as well.  Geez, just imagine this to happen, do you think you will survive?

This is basically almost a re-blog of a post I made 4 years ago. And it is very much through especially when we suffered a power outage last Monday due to severe rain and gale force winds. I did change some of the wording in order to be up to date.

Movie Review: Up in th Air

Up in the Air is a story about Ryan Bingham (George Clooney), a corporate downsizing and career transition expert. He is also an inspirational speaker. He loves the life on the road racking up miles towards his ultimate goal, to be part of the exclusive American Airlines' 10 million frequent flyer mile club.

During one of his travels, he meets Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga), another frequent flyer and decided to have a casual relationship with her. They  synchronized their schedule to ensure that they will be able to meet again.

Meanwhile, Ryan was called back to CTC's office in Nebraska. They would soon find out about the plan cost-cutting by the Craig Gregory (Jason Bateman), the company's boss. He hired Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick) who wants to introduced laying off people over the internet thus reducing their travel expenses. Ryan was against this and Craig decided to do an experiment - Ryan brings Natalie along to show him the ropes.

During their travels, Natalie gets dump by her boyfriend. Ryan visits his family to see his sister get marriend. Ryan then falls in love with Alex only to find out the she already has a family and was only doing this for fun. In the end, Craig shelves the technology and sends Ryan and his co-workers  back on the road.

The movie was pretty good. The plot is simple - in order to achieve what you want, you need to make sacrifices. In the movie Ryan's sacrifices settling down in the pursuit of his goal. George Clooney was great in depicting his character. Props should also be given to Anna Kendrick who complimented Clooney's sauve with her wittiness. Vera was also amazing with portraying her character. The film was easy to follow . The visuals weren't great since it was either the airport, in a airplane or at an office. But overall, the movie is worth every buck.

Up in the Air website

"Thank You"

"Thank You"

Only two words but packs a punch. Saying those two words or being told has a lot of effect on someone. Where i work requires a lot of helping and once in awhile, being told "thank you" uplifts my spirit and inspires me to do more work. Sometimes, work can be really grueling. People come in and asked you tons of question (sometimes stupid) regarding this and that and sometimes you just get so overwhelmed with question that you are eager just to leave everything done and walking out. Usually, you wont hear anyone thanking us (me and my coworkers). They would regard you as someone who was hired there to answer their questions. Sometime, i just want to tell these people that they dont pay me for what im doing here.

Its like one of the days, I helped a couple of people, answering their question or guiding them to different steps on things that they have to do. Usually I have the patience with this and ignore it but today was one of those days when you wish no one would bother you. I was so eager to leave eventhough it wasnt time yet but there were two old ladies who came in and ask for help. Eventhough I had one foot out of the door, i cant just leave them there without any help. So i sat down, answered thier questions and guide them through what they need. Then one of the ladies said, 'Thank You'. While the other one said, "Im glad you were here, ur my favorite helper". Ahh, those kind words brought smile to my face and I left with a sense of accomplishment and made me feel that my job is worthy.

   
  

Help Haiti

Last Tuesday, January 12 2010, Haiti was struck by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake late afternoon, the center - only 10 miles from Port-au-Prince. The disaster toppled structures including government-owned buildings, schools, hospitals and even penitentiary. The number of death has been estimated to be over 500,000.

One of the poorest nation in the world, Haiti need all the aid it could get. Pledges have been made from various countries but aid is slowly coming in as infrastructure are in ruins. So various organizations are asking everyone to donate cash to help the relief efforts in Haiti.

Donating through your cell phone:
Text 'HAITI' to 90999 and $10 will be donated to the Red Cross for the relief efforts.
Text 'YELE' to 501501 and $5 will be donated to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund.

Donation will be charged to your cell phone bill

Donating online:
American Red Cross
AmeriCares
Doctors Without Borders
Habitat for Humanity
Haitian Health Foundation
Network For Good - they also have a list of other organizations working on Haiti Earthquake Relief
Oxfam
Salvation Army
UNICEF
World Vision

I am sure there are more organization that would need your help. Help whatever you can.

Creature of Habits

Animals are not the only ones that are creature of habits. We do as well and that's a fact!

From the time you wake up until the time you go to sleep, we go about our business doing things the way we want it to be done. What we eat for breakfast, how we take your coffee, even we you greet people etc.

We don't usually realize that we do the same thing in order to achieve something or finish a task because we have been doing it over and over again. But just stop, sit down, and just recount the things we did and what we did to accomplish those task, we will come into a realization that indeed, we do it the same all the time.

Even those that aren't daily activities are affected. Think of something you don't do often.

I myself do certain things similarly everyday like I turn my alarm clock to face me when I go to bed and turn it away from me when I wake up. How I lock my door the certain way. How I start my work day by turning my computer on, opening my desk and then standing up and going to the break room to get a cup of tea. Or even how I brush my teeth.

But what happens when our habits get skewed?

Yes, it does happen. There are certain days when you wake up late and have to skip that run to the coffee shop. Or suddenly you have to make a detour. Or someone move things around and it throws you off.

Some can get back on track easily figuring ways to compensate to get back into the habit of things. While some just looses track and ruins the rest of their day or night. So it depends on the individual.

So before you go to bed tonight, rewind your day and she what you did. Then think of another day when you had to do the same thing and you will realize that you did the same steps / habits to do it.

Do you believe in Ghost?

I posted this on my old blog.. I know halloween is still 10 months ago but why not..

Before you continue reading, make sure you are not easily scared...I know its not Halloween yet...

Here I am, watching Hauntings and Ghost stories on the Travel Channel..hmm, do u believe in Ghost? as for me, I don't know whether to believe it or not. I always told everyone that I would only believe when I see one but I have been into a couple of places that gave me goosebumps and sense that someone is watching you. Or sometimes I can hear voices calling me even though there isnt anyone there. Anyways, when I was back in grade school, we use to tell ghost stories during the week of Halloween. That's the main topic of the day, each would tell their experiences and see who could tell the best ghost stories.

My mom has always told us that she could see ghost and apparitions. When she got married, she usually had to stay home and wait alone for my dad to come home from work. Sometimes, she would feel someone watching over her or sometimes a sudden gush of cool wind will hit her. But the thing that made them move out of their house was when she saw a man dress in all black sitting on the couch on the living room while she was in the kitchen. At first, she thought it was someone she knew but upon walking nearer, she noticed that the man didn't have a head nor feet. That scared her so much that she had to call my dad and he had to come home immediately.

Another story that i remember is about a friend of mine. He lives in a kinda big land with all trees around. One night, he and his cousins decided to play hide and seek. So they started and he decided to hide under some trees. Because he knew the place, it was easy for him to hide and be not found. but the problem was he needed to use the bathroom  so he decided to do it there by the tree. While he was doing it, he suddenly heard a someone calling him, he thought someone saw him but when he look around, there wasn't anyone there. Then he heard it again and suddenly smelled a stench. He heard it again and he decided to look up and saw a big dark guy with red eyes starring at him. He run away without even bothering zipping up. (Well, that didn't really sound like a scary story...)


Anyway, I'm sure everyone has some ghost stories to tell, don't be shy to share them.

Recipe of the Day: Pancit Bihon

My first recipe post of the year. Its one of the best dish in Asia and its called 'Pancit Bihon.' Its usually make during special occasions. Chinese people make this when someone is celebrating their birthdays while Filipinos serve it during fiestas. I made the recipe as light as possible and here it is.
Preparation time is about an hour.

Pancit Bihon

Ingredients:
5 bundles of vermicilli noodles (1 package has 8 bundles)
half of savory cabbage, shredded
4 medium sized carrots, shredded
1 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, shred into small pieces.
3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
2 small red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup canola oil
3 tablespoons light soy sauce
1 cup light chicken broth

Preparation:
1. Soak vermicilli (rice) noodles in cold water for 7-8 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a large wok.
3. Saute garlic and onion for 3 minutes.
4. Add shredded chicken and soy sauce and stir fry for 5 minutes.
5. Add cabbage, carrot and 1 cup of chicken broth.
6. Stir fry for additional 2 minutes.
7. Reduce heat to low and add rice noodles, bundle after bundle, tossing gently until cooked through and well blended.
8. Serve while warm.

If the mixture is too dry, add some more broth. Serve with soy sauce or lime juice

Hope you can try this recipe eventhough it takes time to prepare everything. Of course, love to hear if you try the recipe.

Movie Review: Avatar

Avatar, a film by Oscar-winning director James Cameron (Titanic, Terminator) was conceived 15 years ago and took 4 years to produce, introduce us to a new way of movie experience combining live action with 3D technology invented to make the film.

The movie stars Sam Worthington as Jake Sulley, a paraplegic former Marine who was given a chance to be part of the Avatar program after his twin brother got killed.

It was the year 2154. Jake Sulley and other new recruits lands on Pandora, a planet light years away from Earth, where a corporation, headed by Parker Selfridge (Giovanni Ribisi), is engaged in mining her precious mineral, unobtanium, a key to saving planet Earth. Pandora is earth-like but the atmosphere is toxic to humans so Dr. Grace Augustine, portrayed by Sigourney Weaver, invented the Avatar program. The program allowed humans to roamed Pandora in genetically engineered bodies similar to the natives of Pandora. The humans are linked to their avatar bodies through their consciousness. Since Sulley was a replacement, Augustine didn't believe in his capabilities and he was designated as a bodyguard. Before heading out, he was asked to see Col. Miles Quaritch (portrayed by Stephan Lang), the head of the security forces for RDA. Quaritch asked Sulley to gather intelligence about the natives and find a way to make them leave Hometree, which lies on top a large deposit of the unobtanium. In exchange for the intelligence, Col. Quaritch promise Sulley that he will get new legs so that he could walk again.

On a research mission, Sulley wanders off and gets attacked first by a Hammerhead Titanothere, a massive creature where the skin and bone structure is impenetrable. Then he was attacked by a Thanator, the most fearsome of all land predators. Sully survives but gets lost in the forest only to be surrounded by Nantangs or viperwolves, a six-legged wolf-like creature capable of traveling long distance.

As he tried to ward the Nantangs, Neytiri (portrayed by Zoe Saldana) a female Na'vi watches from above. She was about to shoot an arrow through him but stops when she got a sign from the Eywa, goddess of nature. She then rescues Sulley and brings him back to Hometree, inhabited by Neytiri's clan, Omaticaya. But not before Tsu'Tey (portrayed by Lez Alonso), the clan's finiest warrior surprise them. Sulley was then brought in front of Eytukan (portrayed by Wes Studi), the clans patriarch, and Mo'at (portrayed CCH Pounder), Eytukan's wife and the clan's Spiritual Leader. At first, they were hesitant in welcoming Sulley but after some convincing, they allowed him to stay. Mo'at orderd Neytiri to teach Sulley the ways of the clan.

Jake learned the ways of the Omaticaya and grew closer to Neytiri. He started to feel that this was his real life and his human life is just his imagination. He was finally initiated into the Omaticaya after a series of test and his falls in love with Neytiri. His loyalty to RDA was questioned when he destroys the camera of the bulldozers that destroyed Omaticaya's sacred Tree of Voices. This sets off a trail of destruction as RDA and Col. Quaritch were convinced the negotiations with Omaticaya has failed and destroys Hometree. They decided to strike the Tree of Souls but the Na'vis fought back with the help of Sulley. Slowly, the casualties for the Na'vi were piling up since they are fighting guns and missiles with bow and arrows. Finally the Pandoran wildlife came to the aid of the Na'vis and help them reclaim their land. The humans were sent back home except for a few, Norm Spellman (portrayed by Joel David Moore) and Dr. Max Patel (portrayed by Dileep Rao).

James Cameron turned his imagination into an excellent movie and had just revolutionize the way movies will be make after this film. . The whole cast did an excellent job in portraying their roles. Sam Worthington played his part really well and I must say, he is going to be big this year. Zoe Saldana did an excellent job as well as Sigourney Weaver, who look like she never aged. What really stands out in this film is the stunning scenery and visual effects. They created a whole planet out of CGI with lush topography and alien-like creature that would surely blow your mind of. The movie just glues you on your seat especially if you catch it in 3D making you feel like you are IN the movie. Overall, you have to definitely see this movie and make sure you see it in 3D. Will there be a sequel???


Avatar's Website
Avatar Wiki
Pandorapedia

Movie Review: Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes is a movie about the fictional and legendary detective penned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and played by Robert Downey Jr. Together with his trusted colleague, Dr. Watson, played by Jude Law, they set out to solve a riddle in order to stop Sir Blackwood, portrayed by Mark Strong, from his sinister ploy to control England and the United States.

The story starts off with Holmes and Watson catching Lord Blackwell before he kills his sixth victim. This was suppose to be their last job together as Dr. Watson was moving in with his soon to be fiancee Mary Morstan, portrayed by Kelly Reilly. Blackwell's last wish was to talk to Holmes before his execution during which he informed Holmes that killing him is just the beginning of his sinister plot and warn him that he would have three more killings and he wont be able to solve this riddle. This made Holmes very weary yet unworried as he does not believe in black magic.

Blackwell was executed and Dr. Watson pronounced him death. Yet he rose up from the grave which sent fears throughout the people of London. Now, Holmes and Watson must solve the riddle that Blackwell told him in order to stop what he was planning. To further complicate the matter, Irene Adler portrayed by Rachel McAdams, the only woman ever to have bested Holmes twice and maintained a relationship with him, shows up asking for help in looking for Reordan, portrayed by Oran Gurel, a mad scientist, who has concocted an evil machine. Later, Holmes finds out that Adler was hired by Professor James Moriarty.

I must say that this movie exceeded my expectations. The only drawback would be how the movie portrayed Holmes against the Holmes in the novel. Yet Robert Downey Jr proved once again how versatile he can be. I also have to give kudos to Jude Law who was also brilliant in portraying Watson. Rachel McAdams and Mark Strong did an excellent portrayal of their character as well. I also like how the characters complimented each other - Holmes wittiness combined with Watson's strength.

The movie was brilliantly created and had action, romance and laughter, wrapped all together in one package. The storytelling was superb, it doesn't keep you on the edge of your seats but it will keep you glued to the screen. I especially like the flash forward scenes where Holmes plots his set of calculated moves. The scenery was excellent with the depiction of old London during the industrial revolution. Overall, I would definitely recommend you to go see this in the theaters.