For my first food and travel related post, I thought that writing a little about New York City would be the most appropriate. Having lived there and visited there numerous times, there aren’t many other cities in the world I can think of that have as much to offer, and that leave a feeling in my heart of never wanting to leave. New York for me is like a second home.
Be it visitor or resident, there is always something on offer for every type of unique character in the world. Gritty to chic, high fashion shopping to vintage rags, fantastic and honest global street food to Michelin-starred fine dining, classical opera to offbeat theater, the list is really endless. And it’s only when you start to explore the city that you learn how much more there is, and how much you just don’t know about it.
For me, the food of a city or a country is one of the most important things to explore. So naturally, before our trip last June, I spent hours on the internet, researching all sorts of eateries offering all sorts of cuisines. Whether they were old classics I used to frequent, or new ones I had never been to, I researched Italian, Pizza, Mexican, Latin and South American, Asian, Caribbean, Frozen Yogurt, Japanese, you name it. And at the end of it, I was left with a predicament. I had a list of nearly 85 eateries, but only 18 days and 36 meals available. So I had to prioritize…not easy! I even ended up eating at a couple of places that weren’t on my list, but came highly recommended by some local friends.
Unfortunately, I did not behave like a typical food writer or tourist and take pictures of everything we ate. Whatever pictures we have aren’t really that good, but something is better than nothing.
This post is only focused on the restaurants my wife and I ate at in our June 2011 trip. Luckily, most of them turned out to be pretty good, if not fantastic.
(I had put this post up a couple of years ago on my previous blog which was hacked. I’ve only recently started this new blog, and I figured my post on New York was something I must put up. I do, however, realize that many of these places may not be as good as they were, and in fact, some may not even be around anymore.)
Asian:
Café Asean
117 W 10th St, between 6th & Greenwich Ave
It’s a small family run place, cozy environment, a few tables in the front, a few more in the back. The food was just that; fantastic home-style South-East Asian food, bold and genuine flavours.
Try the roast duck rice-paper roll, Vietnamese salmon spring roll, pan roasted monkfish, grilled hanger steak, laksa and the mee goreng. For vegetarians, try the mushroom ravioli and the curries.
Sushi:
Sushi Seki
www.menupages.com/restaurants/sushi-seki
1143 1st Ave, between 62nd & 63rd St
With hundreds of sushi restaurants in the city, varying in price range from cheap to extravagantly expensive, and in quality from mediocre to sublime, it does become a difficult task to choose the perfect balance between cost and quality. I think Sushi Seki fits fairly well in that balance, perhaps not the best I’ve had at that price, but certainly a great choice.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to try any other place in this visit.
The spicy tuna, spicy scallops and soft shell crab special rolls, along with a couple of chef’s special sushi pieces, accompanied with a crisp cold Sapporo is the way to go.
Pizza:
Otto
1, 5th Ave, at 8th street
For a modern take on Italian style pizza, cooked on a griddle, Mario Batali style. A very cool and lively atmosphere, with an endless wine list. I especially love the ‘train station timetable’ they use to inform you when your table is ready. The pizzas are fairly thin and crispy, with the slightly charred flavour from a griddle. Good quality ingredients.
We tried the roasted peppers and capers antipasti, and as for pizzas, we tried the Margherita D.O.P., and another one with mushrooms. The roasted peppers was fantastic, it almost reminded me of something my friend’s grandmother made in Italy. The pizzas were different from anything else I had tried, an almost hybrid between Neapolitan-style and Roman-style. Fairly good.
I found it fairly unique. Reserve a table before you go.
Nino’s Pizzeria
131 St. Mark’s Place, at Ave A
Lower East Side, for a late night classic NY slice. Been eating it for the past ten years, and though it isn’t the same as it was a few years ago, it’s still a good place for a quick slice. Especially late at night after a few beers.
Joe’s Pizza
7 Carmine St, at 6th Ave
A West Village institution for some, and somewhat understandably so. Once again, for a late night classic NY slice. This was the first time I tried it. I had heard it was over-rated, but for a couple of dollars, you can’t complain. It’s a great place to walk into when you’re passing by, on your way to the next bar, grab a slice and move on.
Vezzo
178 Lexington Ave, at 31st St
A very thin and very crispy, light pie. You can probably even eat one large on your own. From what I hear, they use egg in the dough, adding to the consistency and flavour profile.
But very average on the service. To top that off, they don’t even take reservations. So have a Blue Moon on tap at the bar, and be very patient and persistent.
Italian:
Eataly
200 5th Ave, at 23rd St
This is nowhere close to your typical Little Italy trattoria or osteria. It’s an Italian gourmet products mega-center, a second of its kind after its first outlet opened in Torino, Italy a few years ago. (Another Batali venture). But besides pizzerias, it was the only other Italianesque place we went to, so I’ve categorized it as ‘Italian.’
This massive place showcases some of the best of Italy. There are rows and rows, stacked up with products imported from some of the finest suppliers. There are numerous counters selling cheeses, meats, fresh pasta and freshly baked focaccias. There are a few restaurants that offer brick oven pizzas, pastas, grilled meats, seafood and vegetables. They sell the finest of Italian wine and artisan beers, beautiful produce, and some of the best coffee in the city.
It’s always crowded, so if you have a choice, don’t go on weekends or peak hours. But go hungry so you can sample a lot of stuff. It is a bit pricey though, being slightly on the touristy side.
Mexican:
Dos Caminos
825 3rd Ave, at 50th St
A pretty swanky and lively, somewhat refined Mexican. Excellent salsas, fantastic corn and quesadillas. Margaritas really hit the spot too. Very few restaurants in the city do Mexican well. I suppose on the east coast of the United States, Mexican cannot live up to what they have out in California, but nonetheless, it’s always a pretty good meal at Dos Caminos. For Mexican, it’s not cheap.
Chipotle
Multiple Locations
The ever-popular quick service chain, but with pretty good quality and great bold flavours. A burrito bowl with any of the meats and without the sour cream is pretty good. You can see the calories on the board too, which is a good thing to know. Really makes you wonder what you’re eating sometimes.
Zaragoza
215 Ave A, bet 13th and 14th st
A tiny Mexican grocer and deli stocked with a variety of authentic ingredients. But that’s not it. Next to the cash register, they have a small counter where they make tacos, burritos, tostadas, and other Mexican snack and street foods. Not the best quality I’m sure, but pretty tasty and authentic. And you can wash all that down with a variety of beers seated on cheap plastic tables and chairs, crammed into a tiny space.
I hear Mercadito on Ave B is better, and I’m for certain that at least the ambience will be.
Latin & South American:
Caracas Arepas Bar
93E 7th St, bet 1st Ave and Ave A
My first time ever eating the popular Venezuelan street food, arepas. So since I don’t have any reference points, I’m simply going to go with the fact that the food tasted good.
It’s a cornmeal pita stuffed with fantastic meat and delicious sauces. We tried a few: grilled chorizo, shredded beef, chicken and avocado. All were nice, especially with their sauces and cheese. There are a few interesting vegetarian options as well.
We also tried what they say is the Venezuelan national dish called Pabellon Criollo, with shredded beef. Excellent.
No reservations, so go early and put your name down. Worth the wait.
Moroccan:
Café Mogador
101 St. Mark’s Place, bet 1st Ave and Ave A
A typical lower east side, dark and dingy, but cozy restaurant. The lamb tagine with chermoula sauce was absolutely divine. The chicken bastilla is nice too, if you don’t mind something slightly on the sweeter side. Mostly everything we ate, and we ate a lot, was fantastic. Buy a bottle of their homemade harissa for your experiments at home. You won’t regret it.
Carts:
Waffles and Dinges
The immensely popular Waffles and Dinges, we finally had a chance to try it. The Liege waffle was a lot better. Gooey and sticky, have it with their homemade spekuloos spread and strawberries. Spekuloos is made from cookies, that’s what I was told, but I couldn’t figure out much more of their secret. We visited this cart three times in 2 weeks.
Moshe’s Falafel
Corner of 46th St and 6th Ave
An institution for my entire family when we visit NY. Parked on the corner of 46th and 6th. Go early, or you’ll wait in a line, or worse, he’ll be gone. Their falafel sandwiches are perfect. Always the same, for years and years. Crunchy hot falafel balls, delicious tahini and a fiery hot sauce. Make sure you grab a lot of napkins and find a comfortable place to eat.
Chicken on Rice
Corner of 53rd St and 6th Ave
A rather generic name for a cart, and I’m sure they have a specific name to this one, but this is what it’s know as. There are many in the city, but this one is the most popular and somewhat of an institution. Maybe it tastes so good because we’ve always gone after a couple of drinks, late at night. But it still tastes awesome. Their mayonnaise sauce and their dynamite hot sauce go perfectly well together. You’ll always find a very long line late at night. So make sure you have good company and patience to wait it out.
Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream
http://www.vanleeuwenicecream.com
Carts have become this hot new thing in NY in the past few years, and now even artisan ice creams are available. I don’t know if some would consider this over-rated or over-hyped, but what we had tasted good. Especially on a hot summer afternoon when you’re walking around the streets. I wouldn’t hunt it down, but if you spot it, definitely give it a shot.
There are so many other carts I wanted to try…. Next time I guess.
Burgers:
The Burger Joint
www.parkermeridien.com/eat4.php
119 W 56th St, bet 6th and 7th Ave
Now this is an interesting place. It used to be a hole in the wall. It still is. But a five-star hotel has been built around it, and interestingly enough, the entrance is through the lobby. As you enter, you’ll see a roped off line of many many people, waiting to enter this little shop in the back, guided by a retro neon sign, almost like you’re waiting to enter a night club. When you finally enter, it really is a dingy little place, that serves only burgers, and the menu is written on a piece of torn cardboard. You have to know what you want before you get to the front, “Soup Nazi” style. Then you take your burgerPretty decent, but once again, perhaps a bit over-hyped.
BRGR
1026 3rd Ave, at 61st St
Just another decent burger joint. Nothing fantastic.
We didn’t go to the Corner Bistro this time, which is one place I usually don’t miss. But the last time I went, in November 2009, it wasn’t that good, so I decided to try something else. But I’m still looking for that one, faultless and divine burger place in NY. Any suggestions?
Soul Food:
Red Rooster
310 Lenox Ave, bet 125th and 126th St
This hot new chef, Marcus Samuelsson’s rendition of good old American soul food. I met a friend for lunch, and we only had a couple of things. Though they were good, it wasn’t nearly enough to really know. Food on other tables looked good! I need to go back.
The interiors are done up really well, and showcases what seems to be a neighbourhood on the rise.
Vietnamese:
Hanco’s
350 7th Ave and 10th St, Park Slope, Brooklyn
Now this is not your typical Vietnamese place with Pho, or steamed fish, etc. This is a Banh Mi place. These are sensational French-Vietnamese sandwiches on a beautiful crispy baguette. I had the classic with a slathering of pork patte, crispy pork, daikon, carrots and a tasty hot sauce. Even my wife’s vegetarian sandwich with tofu was delicious.
I wish I had walked around the area for a couple of hours to build up appetite for another one. Really miss these!
Gelato and Frozen Yogurt:
Pinkberry
Multiple Locations
Fantastic frozen yogurt. A few base flavours and loads of toppings. The best is the plain yogurt with berries. We always kept a look out for one, and always popped in if we walked by.
Grom
Multiple Locations
Amazing traditional Italian gelato. Grom is from Italy, opened in NY.
Desserts:
Magnolia
401 Bleecker St, at 11th St
There of course is the ever-popular Magnolia Bakery. It’s definitely delicious, especially when you compare it to thousands of generic dessert vendors. But I think it is a tad bit overrated and we have eaten better. But what the hell, might as well check it out.
Dough
305 Franklin Ave, Brooklyn
I am not a huge fan of doughnuts, but this place was definitely delicious. We never actually went there, but our cousins had bought some for dessert when we cooked at their place. Clarence, a documentary filmmaker, had made a small film on them, link is:
Fantastic doughnuts!
Veniero’s
342E 11th St, Bet 1st and 2nd Ave
A typical old-school New York-Italian eatery with loads of traditional desserts on display. Try the cheescake, it’s bloody good!
La Maison du Chocolat
30 Rockefeller Plaza, at 49th St
A classic French chocolatier with sublime and decadent creations. Try the Delice Pastry, Ganaches and Pralines. I’ll let the chocolate speak for itself, so just go and try them.
So, as you see, we ate a lot! And now, the next time I visit, I still have some 50 or 60 places on my list. And by then, I’m sure I would’ve added another 80, putting me back into a predicament, and so life goes on, and hopefully keeps bringing me back to New York again and again.
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