International Barbie

                          International Barbies are always up for an adventure to an exotic foreign land. they want to learn new customs and be emersed in the culture of any new place they visit. However,  when you're a Barbie on a strict budget you have to be more stringent about where you have these adventures. Most Barbie's on a budget can not just fly to Mexico on a whim, or zip  off to  Thailand when they want Asian cuisine.Yet, one of the most amazing things about being a Barbie in New York City is the abundance of different cultures that are available for sampling. Essentially, in New York, you might not even need to leave your own borough to be an International Barbie.This week your favorite Barbies (Ms Erica and I) went from Thailand to Mexico and back to Brooklyn without breaking our little Barbie banks.
                               Our first discovery, is a wonderful Thai restaurant on E8th street in the city called Cafe Tasia. The restaurant's asthetic is something like, a modern New York chic meets a swanky boarding school lunch room. I know, you're saying "huh?" But the decor is very modern with clean straight lines, yet,  the main seating area is arranged around two picnic style benches. Now swipe that horrible plaid table cloth, wet grass, and bug image out of your mind. These benches are amazingly swanky and have wonderful padded seats. The only down side, is that you have to attempt the dreaded leg swing  over the bench to seat yourself comfortably. Otherwise, the food is wonderful and the prices are so affordable it will make you sick. The most expensive entree is 15 dollars and all appetizers are 4 dollars. Happy Hour is even more impresive with 4 dollar cocktails and a 10 dollar appetizer, entree and drink combo! Fellas, this a wonderful date place, the ambiance in the evening is  exceptionally romantic. In the evening the entire restaurant is lit mainly by candle light, and we all know everyone looks sexy and appealing in candle light. Now on to Mexico.
                                Down on the corner of Fulton St.  and S. Portland Ave. is the most wonderful little taste of Mexico called Habanna Outpost. Walking down Fulton st. you cant help but notice the eye catching lime green and electric blue colors screaming at you. Then, once you walk inside, you are greeted with a warm Mexican diner kind of feel. Not only is the place cozy, it has the cutest outside seating complete with umbrellas to protect costumers from the sun and picnic seating. This is the kind of place where a Barbie can put on her sundress, gladiator sandals, and aviator shades and really take in the summer atmosphere of Brooklyn. The frozen margaritas are wonderful, and the grilled corn is delicious! They are open everyday from 12pm to 12 am and they have a wonderful DJ playing everything from old school hip hop to merengue music every Saturday from 12pm to 6pm. Habanna Outpost is definitely a cute place to have a first date, second date, to chill with your honey, or to meet with your girls before the club. And of course, like all of the places I suggest, this one doesn't break the Barbie bank either.
                              Back to Brooklyn, we had lunch at Night of the Cookers before we went to Habanna. The restaurant is nice. Its simple good ol' American cuisine.  Its a nice place to go if you just want to have a simple lunch, nothing fancy; a place for when you're not feeling that adventurous.   
                             As you can see Barbies I traveled around the globe and back home, all for a price cheaper than anything Expedia could ever offer me. So, this summer, dont get down if you cant afford that trip to some exotic land, find and exotic oasis in your own neighborhood. Adventures are an essential part of a Barbie's life!