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!

Top Five Pizza Places in NYC

One food that never fails at being delicious is PIZZA! No matter what hour of the day, you can always find a pizzeria open in NYC. From a $1 slice to a $70 pie covered in truffle, there is something for everyone. Here, in my opinion, are the top five pizza spots in NYC:

1. Joe's Pizza
If you're looking for a classic regular slice, Joe's Pizza is the place to go. With four locations in NYC, you can be sure to find a Joe's slice where ever you are. Founded in 1975, Joe's serves an authentic Italian slice from 10 AM to 4 AM everyday. If you're in a cheesy mood, be sure to ask for some fresh mozzarella on top.

Photo Courtesy of @DJSharad

2. Rubirosa Ristorante
If you're looking to sit down at restaurant that serves phenomenal vodka sauce pizza, look no further! Rubirosa is located on Mulberry Street. The menu offers a number of classic Italian dishes and an extensive selection of pizza pies. For the gluten free folks, don't fret because Rubirosa also offers gluten free pizza.

Photo Courtesy of The Infatuation

3. L&B Spumoni Gardens
Located in Brooklyn, this old-school Italian spot has an indoor restaurant as well as a pizzeria. L&B Spumoni Gardens is known for its square Sicilian pizza pie priced at $17.50. After you finish your pizza, make sure to get some homemade spumoni. If you visit L&B during the summer months, give yourself some time because the outdoor seating can get packed.

Photo Courtesy of @LBSpumoniGardens

4. Artichoke Pizza
If you're looking for a late-night slice, this is the place. Artichoke Pizza offers an array of pizza's but is most known for its creamy artichoke slice. Artichoke Pizza has numerous locations in NYC, but more recently opened a location in Miami. If you happen to stop at the 10th Avenue location at night, be prepared to wait in line with intoxicated club-goers that are also looking for their pizza fix.

Photo Courtesy of @ArtichokePizza

5. MAMO
This upscale Italian restaurant is one of the few in NYC that serves a pricey focaccia al tartufo pizza, that features fresh white truffle. MAMO is located on W Broadway in SoHo. Unfortunately, MAMO is currently closed due to a fire that broke out on the second floor. The restaurant will reopen in the fall so make sure to keep them in mind when you get your next truffle craving!

Photo Courtesy of @Mamo_NYC

Pizza is an extremely popular dish and NYC has so many fantastic eateries that offer it. If you think there is a pizza spot that deserves to be on this list, let me know so I can check it out! I am always looking for new places to explore.

The Boy Behind Brunch Boys

Yesterday, I was lucky enough to score an interview with Jeremy Jacobowitz, the legend behind Brunch Boys. For those unfamiliar with Brunch Boys, it is an Instagram account and blog that focuses on... you guessed it... brunch! Brunch Boys has over 451,000 followers on Instagram and a large following on YouTube, Snapchat, and Facebook. Jeremy is a Brooklyn native and has been in the media industry for years. He has had some pretty awesome career experiences along the way. Here are some of the questions I was able to ask Jeremy during our call:

Me: When did you start blogging and Instagramming?
Jeremy: They both started simultaneously four years ago. Back then there really was no food
                Instagram accounts. At first, I thought I was just going to do a [one time] thing just
                for Brunch Boys, but then I got the idea that maybe I'll own the account altogether.

Me: Where did your love for food come from?        
Jeremy: I was always around food since I was working for Food TV. I worked on a bunch of
               different shows but first started off working as a personal assistant on Worst Cooks
               in America. I moved on to other roles and was even a personal assistant to Bobby
               Flay. I was doing Brunch Boys on the side from what I had already been doing for
               years.

Me: What was it like working for Bobby Flay?        
Jeremy: It was great. Honestly, best job ever.

Me: Which do you prefer more, blogging or posting on Instagram?       
Jeremy: Majority of my content is on Instagram. When I blog it's usually pretty general. I
                prefer Instagram since all of my content is visual and pretty video heavy.

Me: Although it's a fairly new term, do you consider yourself to be an
        influencer? If yes, why?       
Jeremy: I do. I am paid because I am an influencer. That is where all of my money comes
               from.

Me: What is your favorite food?       
Jeremy: Definitely sushi.

Me: What is your favorite restaurant in NYC?      
Jeremy: Gato. It's on Lafayette.

I am super thankful that Jeremy took time out of his busy schedule to let me interview him. He was a pleasure to speak with and insightful into the world of influencers. I look at the Brunch Boys Instagram frequently for blog inspiration and restaurant recommendations. I look forward to checking his favorite restaurant, Gato, which happens to be owned by his former employer, Bobby Flay. If you are not already following Brunch Boys on Instagram, click here to explore the page. For more information on Jeremy and Brunch Boys in general, take a look at the blog here.

How to Snag a Reservation at These Trending NYC Restaurants

How annoying is it when you want to dine at a specific restaurant but you can't get a reservation because they're all booked up? Well here are some tips and tricks that I have learned to get reservations at the following restaurants.

           1.     Le Coucou

•       This upscale and elegant French restaurant is located on Lafayette Street. Le Coucou is constantly booked up and requires advanced reservations. The trick to getting a reservation is to check OpenTable every morning at 10:00 am. At 10:00 am each day, Le Coucou releases upcoming reservations for 24 days in advance. For example, if you would like to dine on August 24, you would need to book that reservation on August 1.

           2.    Carbone

•       This old school Italian restaurant takes classic dishes and refines them by adding a little bit of a twist. If you are looking to try out their infamous spicy rigatoni, you must know how to make a reservation. Carbone is part of Major Food group, a company that owns various restaurants in NYC. The key to making a reservation here is to avoid OpenTable as there is hardly ever any availability. To make a reservation, email reservations@majorfoodgroup.com. They will be able to give you reservation dates and times that are not listed on OpenTable. 

           3.    The Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare

•       This sought-after spot combines French and Japanese cuisine for its 25 course dinners served at a price point of $395 per person, plus tax. The Chef’s Table is one of the hardest restaurants to get a reservation at because of its limited seating. The first seating is at 6:30 pm and the second is at 7:45 pm. In order to get a reservation at this exclusive spot, you must call on Monday’s at 10:30 am as you cannot make reservations online. Be sure to have your phone in close proximity when the time hits so that you can call immediately as spots book up at the speed of light.

There are many NYC restaurants that require reservations months in advance. Follow my tips to score reservations at the restaurants I’ve mentioned, as well as others. If you are interested in a particular restaurant that always seems to be booked, give them a call and ask when they release upcoming reservations. With a little bit of persistence and conversation, you can get a reservation where ever you’d like. Enjoy!

Can't Believe this Iconic NYC Spot is Closing

In a recent post by a favorite blog of mine, Eater NY, I discovered that an iconic NYC restaurant will be shutting its doors in fall 2018. Eater NY's post can be viewed here. The Coffee Shop, located in Union Square, serves Brazilian-American fare at a mild price point. The menu offers a wide variety of options from pancakes to Mexican style street corn, and of course coffee served multiple ways. The Coffee Shop has been a fan favorite to many on the East Side due to the shop's late night hours and central location.

Photo Courtesy of @KateSchweitzer

The Coffee Shop was started by three former Wilhelmina models in 1990. It is known that the Coffee Shop's employees are mostly aspiring models. Many say the restaurant gained fame due the its numerous appearances in former TV show, Sex in the City, and being known for having A-list celebrities dining there daily. Co-owner Charles Milite blames the rising costs of rent and doing business for the Coffee Shop's downfall. He broke the news of the closure to the Coffee Shop's 150 employees on July 12, 2018

Unfortunately, the Coffee Shop will be closing on October 11, 2018. I have eaten at the Coffee Shop numerous times and urge others to do the same before this Manhattan staple closes its doors in less than four months. Don't miss the opportunity to dine at one of the few non-chain restaurants remaining in Union Square. The clock is ticking!

Everyone Deserves a Second Chance

On Saturday, July 7th, I gave Smorgasburg a chance to redeem themselves due to the mediocre experience I previously had. You can read about my Smorgasburg Prospect Park experience here. In my earlier post, I concluded by saying that I would be giving Smorgasburg another chance by visiting the Saturday event held at East River State Park in Williamsburg. I'm glad I said that because the second chance was definitely worth it. The array of food and beverages was off the charts!

Here are a few vendors exclusive to the Williamsburg location that deserve recognition:

• Himalayan Horizon
• If you are looking to try a new street food, Himalayan Horizon has got you covered. They serve a Himalayan dish called Shabaley, which is similar to an empanada. Shabaley is a circular shaped pocket of dough that can be filled with either beef, buffalo meat, or potatoes. The sealed balls of dough are then fried until crispy, golden perfection.

• Bread & Monkey
• Started by a 15-year-old boy named Jack, Bread & Monkey serves strictly banana bread and banana chocolate chip bread. I was a fan of the banana chocolate chop bread. Jack says that his delicious breads always sell out before the end of the day. So make Bread & Monkey your first stop on the way in!

• PopdUp
• This tea vendor made its first debut on the East Coast for Smorgasburg's 2018 season. PopdUp sells cold brew teas, rather than typical cold brew coffee. The tea leaves come from a farm in Taiwan and are typically brewed for a full 24 to 48 hours before being served. 

Those three vendors are just a sampling of the 100 vendors Smorgasburg in Williamsburg has to offer. I highly recommend planning a day to explore the Saturday event because you won't be disappointed! If you are thinking of checking it out, be sure to take a look at my previous post here to read my tips on how to prepare for the event.

It's Almost that Time Again!

NYC restaurant week is slowly approaching! From July 23rd, 2018 to August 17th, 2018, consumers can experience delicious cuisine at over 100 restaurants in NYC at a discounted price. A two-course lunch is $26 and a three-course dinner is $42 at participating restaurants. If you have been dying to check out a certain restaurant but feel that the menu is a bit overpriced, restaurant week is the time to do so.

Restaurant week was created to make top notch restaurants available to everyone. Take a look at this video presented by Zagat that provides a brief rundown on how to make sure you get the most out of restaurant week.

The full list of participating restaurants will be available here on July 9th, 2018. You can browse participating restaurants and make reservations directly on the site. Restaurant week only happens twice a year. Make sure you don't miss out on the amazing deals!

The Starch that Goes with Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

What starch goes with every meal? One that can be prepared in multiple fashions - potatoes! From home fries, to french fries, to mashed potatoes, there is a potato for every meal. Below are a few restaurants in NYC that serve a fantastic potato with their dishes.

Breakfast Potatoes:

• Cupping Room Cafe
• This quaint American eatery located on West Broadway and Broome Street. This cafe opens at 8 am everyday to serve their home fries that guests rave about. The home fries are cooked to crispy perfection with a dash of chopped onions and peppers. Pair the home fries with a side of avocado toast for a delicious combination

Photo Courtesy of @Cabsy_King

• Sarabeth's
• With five locations in NYC, no matter what part of the city you are in you can count on Sarabeth's to serve delicious breakfast and zesty three-pepper home fries. The three-pepper home fries have always been a staple on Sarabeth's breakfast and brunch menus and taste even better when accompanied by the perfectly poached eggs benedict.

Photo Courtesy of Amazon Restaurants

• Lunch Potatoes:

• Pomme Frites
• If you're in the mood just for french fries, this is the place for you. Located on MacDougal Street, Pomme Frites strictly serves authentic Belgian french fries with over 30 sauces to choose from.

Photo Courtesy of @ForkInCle

• STK
• When looking for a more upscale but on a budget lunch option, this NYC steakhouse has two locations with a great prix fixe menu. The perfectly rectangular truffle french fries go great with any dish on the menu!

Photo Courtesy of Yelp

Dinner Potatoes:

• Smith & Wollensky
• This steakhouse located in Midtown East offers multiple potato sides to go with your dinner entree. Cajun baby potatoes, whipped potatoes, and loaded baked potato gratin are just a few of the potato dishes offered. You can't go wrong with any of them!

Photo Courtesy of Trip Advisor

• Anassa Taverna
• For a Greek take on potatoes, Anassa Taverna is the place. Located on the Upper East Side, Anassa Taverna serves tender lemon potatoes with all of its entrees.



Photo Courtesy of Yelp

Potatoes can be cooked numerous ways to accompany any meal at any time of day. Check out one of these restaurants next time you are in the mood for this awesome starch!

Pints on Pints on Pints

Alert! Museum of Ice Cream has launched a sweet treat on West 14^th Street just in time for summer. After collaborating with Target, Museum of Ice Cream has created its own line of ice cream and they can only be purchased at The Pint Shop! The Pint Shop is Museum of Ice Cream’s newest location since the opening of its original pop-up museum in 2016.

The Pint Shop is an interactive grocery store that offers exciting life-size, ice cream themed installations and adorably designed aisles. Visitors can learn about the extensive process of how ice cream is made. The Pint Shop is free and open to the public. For a more exclusive and expensive experience, visitors can book a tasting room for their private party. The tasting room experience is reservation only and limited to a party of 20 or less. Visitors are given a 30 minute, in-depth look at all of the ingredients that go into the making of ice cream. Guests also experience all seven of The Pint Shop’s ice cream flavors. All tasting room guests are sent home with a free pint of ice cream. For $1,250, yourself and 19 friends can embark on a tasting room journey. Reservation times for the tasting room are available on Thursday's each week at 10:30 am sharp.

Currently, The Pint Shop is the only location where patrons can purchase the exclusive ice cream flavors. On July 8^th, 2018, The Pint Shop will be sharing its signature pints with Target to allow consumers across the nation to indulge in the one of a kind ice cream. Pints will be sold for $4.99 at over 1,800 Target locations nationwide. The flavors include:

• Cherrylicious
• Chocolate Crush
• Churro Churro
• Nana Bread
• Pinata
• Sprinkles Pool
• Vanillionaire

Photo Courtesy of @Griff_Lipson

Many find Target to be an odd sponsor for Museum of Ice Cream to collaborate with but the two do share similar interests. In a statement given to Newsweek, Target commented on the collaboration.

It was Museum of Ice Cream and Target’s shared values of joy, inclusivity and creativity that brought the two together. In 2016, Target visited the first Museum of Ice Cream in New York City and knew it was something special. This will be the first time the Museum of Ice Cream ice cream will be available at a retailer. With this partnership, people nationwide will be able to experience the beloved Museum of Ice Cream signature aesthetic right at their local Target store, just in time for summer.

Next time you're in the Meatpacking District, be sure to check out The Pint Shop. Make sure to bring your smartphone as The Pint Shop's installations have been considered Instagram worthy.