Favorite NYC Spots: A through Z

NYC has so many different cuisines to offer. It can be hard to choose just one. Here are my top 26 NYC eateries that I believe deserve recognition for their fantastic food. There is one for every letter of the alphabet!

A: ABC Kitchen

• Location: 35 East 18th Street, NYC 
• Cuisine: Organic American 
• Favorite Dish: Akaushi Cheeseburger with Herbed Mayo 
• Price Point: $$$

Photo Courtesy of @EBBBMTL

B: Barrio Chino

• Location: 253 Broome Street, NYC 
• Cuisine: Mexican 
• Favorite Dish: Ceviche Verde paired with a Watermelon Margarita 
• Price Point: $$

Photo Courtesy of @BarrioChinoNY

C: 'Cesca

• Location: 164 West 75th Street, NYC 
• Cuisine: Italian 
• Favorite Dish: Buratta with apple sage puree and crushed pistachios 
• Price Point: $$$

Photo Courtesy of @Louie.The.Foodie

D: Delmonico's

• Location: 56 Beaver Street, NYC 
• Cuisine: Steak House 
• Favorite Dish: King Crab Macaroni and Cheese 
• Price Point: $$$

Photo Courtesy of @WineNDineApp

E: Essex

• Location: 119 Rivington Street, NYC 
• Cuisine: American 
• Favorite Dish: Avocado Toast with Poached Eggs and Bacon 
• Price Point: $$

Photo Courtesy of @KJFoodies

F: Fig and Olive

• Locations: 
• 808 Lexington Avenue, NYC
• 10 East 52nd Street, NYC
• 420 West 13th Street, NYC
• Cuisine: Mediterranean
• Favorite Dish: Six Pieces of Signature Crostini
• Price Point: $$$

Photo Courtesy of @FigAndOlive

G: Gemma

• Location: The Bowery Hotel, 335 Bowery Street, NYC 
• Cuisine: Italian 
• Favorite Dish: Risotto alle Ortiche 
• Price Point: $$

Photo Courtesy of @CarloBigi

H: Hillstone 

• Locations: 
• 153 East 53rd Street, NYC 
• 378 Park Avenue South, NYC 
• Cuisine: American 
• Favorite Dish: Spinach Artichoke Dip 
• Price Point: $$$

Photo Courtesy of @CactusChew

I: Il Mulino

• Locations:
• 37 East 60th Street, NYC
• 86 West 3rd Street, NYC
• 331 West Broadway, NYC
• Cuisine: Italian
• Favorite Dish: Truffle Ravioli
• Price Point: $$$$

Photo Courtesy of @IlMulinoNewYork

J: Jack's Wife Freda

• Locations:
• 50 Carmine Street, NYC
• 224 Lafayette Street, NYC
• Cuisine: Mediterranean
• Favorite Dish: Green Shakshuka
• Price Point: $$

Photo Courtesy of @MGinnett

K: Katz's Deli

• Location: 205 East Houston Street 
• Cuisine: American 
• Favorite Dish: 
• Price Point: $$

Photo Courtesy of @JZTheFoodie

L: Little Park

• Location: Smyth Hotel, 85 West Broadway, NYC
• Cuisine: Organic American
• Favorite Dish: Sopresini
• Price Point: $$$

Photo Courtesy of @LittleParkNYC

M: Miss Lily's

• Locations: 
• 132 West Houston Street, NYC 
• 109 Avenue A, NYC 
• Cuisine: Jamaican 
• Favorite Dish: Jerk Chicken with a Side of Mac and Cheese Pie 
• Price Point: $$

Photo Courtesy of @MissLilys

N: Nerai

• Location: 55 East 54th Street, NYC 
• Cuisine: Greek 
• Favorite Dish: Pastitsada 
• Price Point: $$$

Photo Courtesy of @CChristou

O: Ocean Prime

• Location: 123 West 52nd Street, NYC 
• Cuisine: Seafood 
• Favorite Dish: Teriyaki Salmon 
• Price Point: $$$$

Photo Courtesy of @AnnieEatsTheWorld_

P: Philippe

• Location: 33 East 60th Street, NYC 
• Cuisine: Chinese 
• Favorite Dish: Kung Pao Chicken 
• Price Point: $$$

Photo Courtesy of Philippe Chow

Q: Quality Italian

• Location: 57 West 57th Street, NYC 
• Cuisine: Steak House 
• Favorite Dish: Chicken Parm Pizza 
• Price Point: $$$

Photo Courtesy of @QualityItalian

R: Rider

• Location: 80 North 6th Street, Brooklyn 
• Cuisine: American 
• Favorite Dish: Dr.Funkenstein Pizzette
• Price Point: $$

Photo Courtesy of @RiderBKLYN

S: Sushi Seki

• Locations: 
• 208 West 23rd Street, NYC 
• 365 West 46th Street, NYC 
• 1143 1st Avenue, NYC 
• Cuisine: Japanese 
• Favorite Dish: Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice 
• Price Point: $$$$

Photo Courtesy of @AshleyParadiso

T: The Dutch

• Location: 131 Sullivan Street, NYC 
• Cuisine: American 
• Favorite Dish: Poached Eggs with the chipotle hollandaise on the side 
• Price Point: $$$

Photo Courtesy of @TheDutchNYC

U: Union Bar & Kitchen

• Location: 300 Spring Street, NYC 
• Cuisine: American 
• Favorite Dish: Chicken and Waffles with a side of tater tots 
• Price Point: $$

Photo Courtesy of @Work.Eat.Repeat.NYC

V: Vapiano NYC

• Location: 113 University Place, NYC 
• Cuisine: Italian 
• Favorite Dish: Chicken Alfredo 
• Price Point: $$

Photo Courtesy of @EvolutionOfAMan

W: Wollensky Grill

• Location: 201 East 49th Street 
• Cuisine: Steak House 
• Favorite Dish: Rib eye Steak with a side of loaded baked potato gratin 
• Price Point: $$$

Photo Courtesy of @SmithWollenskyNYC

X: Xi'an Famous Foods

• Location: There are 13 locations in NYC so turn on your maps and find the one closest to you! 
• Cuisine: Chinese 
• Favorite Dish: Spinach Dumplings 
• Price Point: $

Photo Courtesy of @DumplingGang

Y: Yves

• Location: 385 Greenwich Street, NYC 
• Cuisine: French 
• Favorite Dish: Braised Chicken Meatballs 
• Price Point: $$

Photo Courtesy of @GrubStreet

Z: Zuma

• Location: 261 Madison Avenue, NYC 
• Cuisine: Japanese 
• Favorite Dish: Tuna and Salmon Tartar 
• Price Point: $$$

Photo Courtesy of @YosefDadon

Although I only covered 26 eateries, I tried to encompass a variety of different cuisines and dishes. I truly enjoy being able to share awesome food with you all! Please mention any restaurants that I should check out in the comments section.

MMM... Chicken

After a recent scroll on Instagram, I came across a short clip of a little boy that made me laugh. You can take a look at the clip here. His catch phrase "MMM.. Chicken" is what has inspired this post! Sometimes, on the rare occasion that I don't eat out, I enjoy cooking. Here is a recipe for super crispy chicken tenders that I've recently tried and enjoyed!

To begin, you will need the following ingredients:

• 4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup of buttermilk
• 2 cups of flour
• 1 teaspoon of hot sauce
• 2 1/2 teaspoons of salt
• 3/4 teaspoon of pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon of baking powder
• 48 oz container of Canola oil (don't worry, you won't be using all of the oil)
• Heavy duty cast-iron pot

Instructions:

1. Cut the chicken breasts into four tenders each.
2. Pour buttermilk and hot sauce into a bowl. Stir.
3. Place the 16 tenders in the bowl of buttermilk and hot sauce and let soak for 30 minutes.
4. Crack the 2 large eggs into a separate bowl and mix them until beaten.
5. In another separate bowl, mix the flour and spices together.
6. Take a soaked chicken tender and dip it into the flour and spice mixture. Then dip the tender into the eggs and then back into the flour and spice mixture. You want the tenders to be coated.
7. Gently shake off any excess flour and place the tenders onto a baking sheet.
8. Repeat this process with all of the tenders.
9. Heat the canola oil (approximately three inches of oil) in a heavy duty cast-iron pot.
10. In small batches, fry the tenders for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown.
11. Enjoy!

Chicken tenders happen to be my go to food. There are so many ways to make them but I feel this recipe keeps them juicy on the inside yet crispy on the outside. Try it out and let me know your thoughts on the recipe!