I've accquired a fully paid scholarship to go to the Culinary Institute of America in New York City.. this includes my dorm and living expenses as well. They only give out three of these in Canada, and there were over fifty thousand applications... I can't believe it myself. The Chef instructors at the C.I.A choose the 3 people who are going to get the scholarship, and they said that I showed extreme passion and a lot of "natural" knowledge for cooking, along with an amazing reference by my teacher, Chef Craig Flynn. The Chef's also said they couldn't believe that I was training men to go on the lunch line at Chives.. they had to get Craig to get some of the lunchcrew to write statements explaining that I trained them.. they were that unsure.

My parents are still flipping out with excitement over this as we speak.. they cracked open a bottle of champagne without even thinking that I don't drink, they were that excited.

..anyways, enough about that. I'd like to know some tips for living in NYC, since I'm going there this September. Any hot spots I should know? Any kickass restaurants that is easy on my budget? Any sort of tip would be appreciated.