Mitzie Mee - Food & Travel Blog

NYC: How to eat a pizza slice like a real New Yorker

by Mitzie Mee - Sanne

How to eat a pizza slice like a true New Yorker

When Steve and I had just started dating, we went out for pizza in New York. I grabbed a slice, moved it over to my plate, and reached for my knife and fork. But before I could even cut into it, I heard a loud “Nooo!” from across the table. Rule number one: You do not eat a slice of pizza with a knife and fork in New York. You use your hands. Always.

It took me a while to get the technique down, but I’ve mastered it now. And yes, there’s a proper way to do it. New York slices are big, thin, and often a little floppy in the middle. If you just grab one and lift it flat, you risk losing half the cheese on the way to your mouth.

Here’s the move: Gently fold the slice lengthwise by pressing down right at the crust. Just enough to form a soft V-shape. This helps hold everything in place, makes it easier to bite into, and keeps your hands relatively clean. That way, you can eat your slice while standing on the sidewalk or walking down the street, like a real New Yorker.

My guide to pizza in New York City

My guide to food and restaurants in New York City

July 30, 2025 0 comments

New York City: Yoga and Meditation – My Favorite Spots

by Mitzie Mee - Sanne

New York is loud, fast, and intense—but there are places where you can get a break from all of it. The city has a solid lineup of yoga and meditation studios, from low-key spots to full-on wellness hubs with cafés and treatment rooms. They’re all really beautiful, thoughtfully designed spaces that make it easy to relax and disconnect for a while. Whether I need to move, breathe, or just zone out for a bit, these are the places I go.

Sui Yoga in SoHo

I’m usually not a fan of hot yoga, but Sui in SoHo is the exception. The walls in both studios are lined with Himalayan salt bricks, and it gives the whole room a peaceful, grounding vibe. The classes have a nice, slow flow and always end with a long savasana (the best part, right?). The studio is bright and welcoming, and the showers are stocked with really nice products. After class, you can head upstairs to the café for a juice or matcha.

Sage + Sound on the Upper East Side

Sage + Sound isn’t your typical yoga studio. It’s more like a wellness sanctuary with a focus on meditation, healing, and spiritual practices. Some of the classes lean a little woo woo, but I love the beautifully designed space and the amazing instructors.

FloLo Holistic in Midtown

FloLo is a tiny gem tucked away at the top of a small building in Midtown. The studio has a glass ceiling, so you can lie back and look up at the sky, and if it’s raining, you’ll hear the drops tapping the roof while you meditate. It’s a small space, so it’s best for quieter classes like sound baths or guided meditation. I mostly come here for the sound healing, but Steve once joined a yoga class and let’s just say… long limbs and tiny studios don’t always mix. That said, the energy here is so good, and it’s one of those places I always look forward to going back to.

Humming Puppy in Chelsea

Humming Puppy is originally from Australia, and their NYC studio is one of the most aesthetically perfect yoga spaces I’ve ever seen. The room is dark and minimal, with no distractions, and the classes have a slow, steady rhythm that feels just right. Not too intense, not too slow. The name comes from the soft background frequency, “The Hum,” that plays during every session. It might sound a little strange, but it works. The gentle vibration helps you stay present and focused without even thinking about it.

July 29, 2025 0 comments

New York City: Back at Atoboy – Still Good, Just Not as Great as It Used to Be

by Mitzie Mee - Sanne

Steve and I stopped by Atoboy, which has been one of my longtime NYC favorites, though it had been quite some time since my last visit. Back then, it felt like a steal: three dishes and rice for just $42. It almost seemed too good to be true—and it was. Prices climbed quickly after that.

When we went back in April this year, the menu was $75 for four dishes and rice. Still decent value, especially now that tip is included—but here’s the catch: they don’t really make that clear. Our server casually mentioned that the included tip only covered the kitchen staff, and there was still a tip line on the receipt, which of course left us wondering. I ended up emailing the restaurant afterward and got confirmation that the tip covers all staff. So no, you don’t need to add anything extra, even if the setup makes you second-guess.

The food? Just as tasty as I remembered. The menu and format haven’t changed much, which can be both a good and a not-so-good thing. Good, because everything still tastes great. But also a little underwhelming, because it doesn’t feel like there’s been much progress or evolution since last time.

The first dish has always been something with uni and egg, as far as I recall. Not sure if it’s the exact same one each time, but it looks pretty similar in my old photos. Either way, it’s delicious, so I’m not complaining.

We had bluefin tuna and fluke, followed by squid and sweet shrimp, and then oxtail sooyuk and cod. Nicely prepared, well balanced, but the portions are small, more like elevated bites than full-on dishes.

And then there’s the chicken. Atoboy is NYC-famous for its fried chicken, and for good reason. It’s crispy, juicy, and pretty much perfect. I honestly can’t think of a single way it could be better. It’s a $28 add-on to the menu, but it’s a generous portion and definitely shareable. To me, it’s not really an add-on, it’s the main event. Skip it, and you’re missing the best thing on the menu. You might also leave a little hungry if you don’t order the chicken.

Expect to spend $100+ per person, including chicken and drinks. Still reasonable for a New York City dinner out, but it’s not the crazy bargain it once was.

My guide to Korean restaurants in New York City

Atoboy, 43 E 28th St, New York, NY 10016, United States

July 29, 2025 0 comments

Kansas City – Where to stay?

by Mitzie Mee - Sanne

Kansas City has a charm that’s hard to pin down. The city is split between Missouri and Kansas, but most of the places you’ll want to see are on the Missouri side, where Downtown, Crossroads, and Country Club Plaza are all within easy reach. The Kansas side is quieter and mostly residential, but there are a few highlights, like Kansas Speedway and Legends Outlets.

What makes Kansas City special is the mix of Midwestern warmth and big-city energy. It’s a city of jazz, over 200 fountains, and some of the best barbecue you’ll ever eat.

Downtown and River Market

If you want to be close to everything, Downtown is the best choice. You’ll have easy access to concert venues, restaurants, and bars in the Power & Light District, which is one of the city’s busiest areas at night. Just north of Downtown is River Market, home to a large weekend farmers market and plenty of cafés and street food. The KC Streetcar runs for free through Downtown and all the way up to River Market, making it easy to get around.

Crossroads Arts District

Crossroads is the place for a more local and creative vibe. The neighborhood is full of galleries, craft breweries, and modern restaurants. There’s no shortage of nightlife either, and if you’re into jazz and cocktails, Green Lady Lounge is a must. Crossroads is within walking distance of Downtown but feels more relaxed and authentic.

Westport

Westport is one of Kansas City’s oldest neighborhoods and is especially known for its nightlife. During the day, you’ll find small boutiques and cozy cafés, but once evening comes, the bars and music venues come alive. Westport is a great pick if you’re traveling with friends or want to experience a fun night out.

Country Club Plaza and Southmoreland

The Plaza area was designed with Spanish architecture in mind and is filled with fountains, designer stores, and great restaurants. If you want a more upscale stay with easy access to shopping and museums, this is the place to be. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is nearby, and just south of Plaza, Southmoreland is known for its beautiful historic homes and boutique hotels.

18th & Vine Historic District

18th & Vine is the neighborhood for anyone interested in the city’s jazz history. It’s home to the American Jazz Museum and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and there are still bars with live music in the area. It’s a great choice if you want to combine sightseeing with culture and history.

July 25, 2025 0 comments

Seattle: Late pizza dinner at Lupo in Fremont

by Mitzie Mee - Sanne

After the amazing cocktails at Inside Passage, we headed over to Lupo for a late dinner. I was completely wiped out from jet lag and mostly just sat there, but luckily the food was amazing.

We started with a small bowl of marinated olives, which were surprisingly good. I liked the thoughtful touch of the little bowl on the side for the pits. We also ordered their Hearth Baked Bread, served with butter and sea salt. Normally, I find it a bit annoying to pay extra for bread and butter, but the bread at Lupo was so good that it was worth every cent of those 8 dollars. Honestly, now when I think about it, I’d much rather pay a couple of extra bucks for great bread than get a free basket of stale, store-bought bread that you only eat because it’s there and you’re hungry. We also ordered a special kind of butter for the bread. I can’t find it on the menu, but I think it was Alex who suggested that we got it because she had ordered it at a previous visit. I think it was black garlic, but I’m not entirely sure. Whatever it was, it tasted fantastic.

Steve went for the Sausage pizza with hot sausage, provolone, and green olives. I ordered the Mushroom pizza, which was a white pizza with oyster mushrooms and roasted garlic. Sylvan and Alex ordered a Fancy Pepperoni and a Margherita. We swapped slices back and forth, but my favorite was definitely the mushroom one I ordered myself.

Lupo is in Fremont and is one of Seattle’s most popular pizza spots. The crust is made with sourdough and topped with fresh, local ingredients. The vibe is relaxed and cool without trying too hard. The tables are close together, the lighting is dim, and there’s a lively buzz in the room. According to Sylvan, getting a table can be tricky, so if you’re planning to eat at Lupo, make a reservation.

We left full and happy, and even though I was still in zombie mode, it was the perfect way to end the day. Pizza and jet lag actually go surprisingly well together.

Lupo, 4303 Fremont Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103, United States

July 25, 2025 0 comments

New York City: Roosevelt Island Tram – A Ride with a View

by Mitzie Mee - Sanne

I have been meaning to take the tram to Roosevelt Island for years, but it wasn’t until this summer that I finally made it happen. There always seems to be a long line, which usually makes me give up before I even get started. But one afternoon, when Steve and I were out for a walk, we passed the station on 59th Street and saw that there was almost no line. We decided on the spot to take a little trip to Roosevelt Island.

The ride across the East River takes just about three to four minutes. You float high above the cars on the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge with an open view of both Manhattan and Roosevelt Island the entire way.

The tram, officially known as the Roosevelt Island Tramway, opened in 1976 as a temporary solution because the island wasn’t yet connected to the subway system. It became so popular that it’s now a permanent part of the city’s transit network. In 1989, the F train station on Roosevelt Island opened, so there are now two public transportation options. Even so, the tram remains the most iconic of the two.

The New York Times recently wrote about the flood of tourists taking the tram and how frustrating that can be for locals who actually rely on it for commuting. I get it. If you live on Roosevelt Island, it must be annoying to stand in line behind half a TikTok crew and a bunch of selfie-happy tourists. But on the other hand, Roosevelt Island is still one of those places that often goes unnoticed, and the tram helps make it more accessible (and more fun) to visit.

If you have some extra time in New York and the weather is nice, I can really recommend a trip on the tram (sorry Roosevel Islanders. It feels more like sightseeing than transportation, and it’s (almost) free.

On Roosevelt Island, the pace is noticeably different from Manhattan. There are quiet streets, green spaces, and beautiful views of the city from both the east and west sides of the island. You can walk all the way down to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park at the southern tip, a minimalist and truly stunning tribute to the former president. If you have more time, you can hop on the island’s small red bus, which loops around the island for free.

My Guide to Free Things to Do in New York >>

A tram ticket costs the same as a subway ride ($2.90 as of 2025), and the tram runs between Manhattan (59th Street and 2nd Avenue) and Roosevelt Island every 7 to 15 minutes, depending on the time of day.

Operating hours:
Sunday to Thursday: 6:00 AM – 2:00 AM
Friday and Saturday: 6:00 AM – 3:30 AM

Roosevelt Island Tramway, 254 E 60th St, New York, NY 10022, United States