Japanese
Takashi (West
Village) – Kind of a Japanese style “Korean Barbeque”. A meat lover’s heaven.
Must try: beef belly, niku-uni (beef and sea urchin). http://www.yelp.com/biz/takashi-new-york
Ippudo (East Village) – The golden standard of ramen. Go for lunch
to ensure a shorter wait (and still be prepared for a small wait, you can grab
drinks at their bar while you wait). Make sure you try the Hirata Buns as an
appetizer. As far as the Ramen, the Shiromaru Hakata Classic, and Miso Ramen
are standouts. Make sure to add pork belly as a topping. http://www.yelp.com/biz/ippudo-ny-new-york
Italian
Da Mikele (TriBeCa)
– Great Italian in the Tribeca area. Must try the squid ink pasta. http://www.yelp.com/biz/da-mikele-new-york
Anella
(Greenpoint - Brooklyn) – Falls somewhere between ‘New American’ and ‘Italian’
Very fresh, they serve bread baked in a flower pot, good wine list. Try the
pork chop. http://www.yelp.com/biz/anella-brooklyn
Lunetta (Cobble Hill - Brooklyn) – Farm to table dining, following
the ‘Slow Food’ movement. Menu is always changing, you can expect great things.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/lunetta-brooklyn
Burgers:
Shake Shack
(Flatiron) – Multiple Locations. Some have attempted to compare Shake Shack to
In-N-Out. While I agree the burgers are better, I recognize they are on a
different level than In-N-Out and don’t provide a great comparison. As a standard, try the Shackburger (don’t get
a double unless you are extra hungry, while these burgers are small, they are
heavier than In-N-Out). Additionally, the Shroomburger is a favorite (a
mushroom encapsulated in cheese and breading then fried). If the weather is
nice, check out their original location in Madison Square Park (by the Flatiron
building). http://www.yelp.com/biz/shake-shack-new-york-2
The Spotted Pig
(West Village) – A gastro-pub of sorts. The Brunch menu is also quite
delicious. Also famous for their amazing
burger. http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-spotted-pig-new-york
Thai:
SriPraPhai (Woodside-Queens)
– Best Thai in NYC, rivaling what many have had locally in Thailand. http://www.yelp.com/biz/sripraphai-thai-restaurant-woodside
Pok Pok (Columbia Street Waterfront District -Brooklyn)– Best
‘trendy’ Thai in NYC. From acclaimed Portland chef Andy Ricker. http://www.yelp.com/biz/pok-pok-ny-brooklyn
Chinese:
Prosperity Dumplings (Lower East Side) – Famous for 5 for $1
dumplings. While this place is a true hole-in-the-wall, they make some of the
finest dumplings in the city. http://www.yelp.com/biz/prosperity-dumpling-new-york#query:Prosperity%20Dumplings
Sandwiches:
Mile End (Boerum
Hill-Brooklyn) – While you may be tempted to go to Katz for famous NY pastrami,
this place is hands down a better choice. Located in Brooklyn, this is a
‘Montreal Inspired Jewish Deli’ specialzing in Smoked Meat (pastrami). (Note:
Due to Sandy, they are operating with fewer supplies. Go for lunch if you want
to try, as they close when their daily supply runs out). http://www.yelp.com/biz/mile-end-brooklyn
Xe May Sandwich Shop
(East Village) – Small start up shop by some very dedicated owners. Great Banh
Mi (Vietnamese) sandwiches, made with a ‘New American’ twist. http://www.yelp.com/biz/xe-may-sandwich-shop-new-york
Meatball Shop (Lower East Side, West Village,
Williamsburg-Brooklyn) – Multiple locations. Very good meatball sandwich. Make
sure you share with someone, can be filling. http://www.themeatballshop.com/
Halal/Street Food:
53rd & 6th Halal Cart (Midtown West) – If you are even going to
consider NY ‘street food’, (recommended if you are in the area – it’s close to
Rockefeller Center) this is the place to go. Portions are very large – one can
feed two people. Try the combo lamb and chicken platter, the spicy sauce is
good, but quite spicy. Look for the yellow sign and workers in yellow outfits
with "the halal guys" printed. http://www.yelp.com/biz/53rd-and-6th-halal-cart-new-york
Bars:
Silver Lining (TriBeCa)
– Great drinks, cool vibe and live jazz on most nights. Created by NY bartender
Sasha Petraske (now famous throughout the city). When you arrive, it’s downstairs,
below an art gallery. http://www.yelp.com/biz/silver-lining-new-york
Little Branch (West
Village) – Low key bar in West Village with great drinks. Try a delicious Hot
Buttered Run on a cold day. Created by NY bartender Sasha Petraske (now famous
throughout the city). http://www.yelp.com/biz/little-branch-new-york
Pravda (SoHo) –
This is the cool cavernous Vodka Bar with Russian Standard (enjoyed late one
evening by Aaron, Andrew, Shawn, Young and I). http://www.yelp.com/biz/pravda-new-york
B Flat (TriBeCa) –
Low key Japanese style bar in the Tribeca area with solid drinks. http://www.yelp.com/biz/b-flat-new-york
Cienfuegos (East Village)
– Hidden behind a kitchen, very cool,
has some fun Sangrias. http://www.yelp.com/biz/cienfuegos-new-york
Pegu Club (SoHo) – Solid drink spot, one of the first modern
cocktail bars in NYC. Try the Earl Grey. http://www.yelp.com/biz/pegu-club-new-york
Activities, Shopping,
Misc:
Chelsea Market
(Chelsea) – This is a former Nabisco factory. Refurbished with lots of awesome
shops/eateries http://www.yelp.com/biz/chelsea-market-new-york:
-
Fat Witch
– Brownies to die for http://www.yelp.com/biz/fat-witch-bakery-new-york
-
The Lobster
Place – Super fresh sushi at a great price http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-lobster-place-new-york
-
Ronnybrook
Milk Bar – Great brunch spot http://www.yelp.com/biz/ronnybrook-farm-dairy-new-york
-
9th
Street Espresso – See ‘Coffee’ section
-
High Line
– The High Line Park runs right by the market. See ‘High Line’
High Line (West
Village/Meatpacking District) – A former railroad converted into a park. Tends
to be quite crowded by the Chelsea Market, especially when the weather is nice.
Head to the 30’s (streets) for fewer people. http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-high-line-new-york
Staten Island Ferry – If you are looking for a view of the Statue
of Liberty, many think this is a better
way (and not to mention, free). http://www.yelp.com/biz/staten-island-ferry-whitehall-terminal-new-york
Coffee:
Stumptown (Flatiron)
– Located within the super hip ACE Hotel, this shop offers a great handcrafted
cup of coffee. http://www.yelp.com/biz/stumptown-coffee-roasters-new-york
Ninth Street Espresso
(East Village, Chelsea) – Multiple Locations. Some of the smoothest coffee I’ve
ever tasted. http://www.ninthstreetespresso.com/Ninth_Street_Espresso/Welcome.html
Jacks Stir Brew (West Village) – Small, low key place in West
Village offering a spectacular cup of coffee. http://www.yelp.com/biz/jacks-stir-brew-coffee-new-york
Brunch/Breakfast:
Clinton Street Baking
Co (Lower East Side) – Go early for Brunch to avoid the crowd. They have
THE BEST pancakes in the city (at least the Blueberry variant). The maple bacon
is also quite delicious. http://www.yelp.com/biz/clinton-st-baking-company-new-york
Golden Unicorn (Chinatown)
– Amazing Dim Sum spot in Chinatown. Don’t be put off by a large crowd waiting
in the lobby: they have two floors and the tables turn fast. http://www.yelp.com/biz/golden-unicorn-new-york
The Spotted Pig (West
Village) – A gastro-pub of sorts. The Brunch menu is also quite delicious. Also famous for their amazing burger. http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-spotted-pig-new-york
Jane (SoHo) – Go
here for some amazing french toast. http://www.yelp.com/biz/jane-new-york-2
Moto (South
Williamsburg-Brooklyn) – Small place with a very tasty and fresh brunch. http://www.yelp.com/biz/moto-brooklyn
Five Leaves (Greenpoint-Brooklyn) – This place was apparently the
brainchild of Heath Ledger, offering a great brunch. http://www.yelp.com/biz/five-leaves-brooklyn
Bagels:
Court Street Bagels (Cobble Hill-Brooklyn) – After exploring some
bagel places, this is hands-down my favorite in the city. Second Place: H&H, though H&H produces a very
different bagel. http://www.yelp.com/biz/court-street-bagels-brooklyn#query:Court%20Street%20Bagel
Sweets/Desserts:
Lady M (Midtown
West) – The thousand layer crepes are super
delicious. They close early, so go early. http://www.yelp.com/biz/lady-m-cake-boutique-new-york-2
Mast Brothers
Chocolatier (Williamsburg) – Super hipster, super tasty, artisanal chocolatier
HQ. You may know them from their elaborate paper wrappings. Come here for some
samples and to buy a few to take home. http://www.yelp.com/biz/mast-brothers-chocolate-brooklyn
Amorino Gelato (Greenwich
Village) – Tasty gelato shop specializing in a cool rose shaped presentation. http://www.yelp.com/biz/amorino-gelato-new-york
Doughnut
Plant (Lower
East Side, Chelsea) – While a cupcake craze hit the nation, Donuts took on a
new form in NYC. Various flavors and fillings at this gourmet shop. Popular
favorites are Crème Brule and Tres Leches. http://doughnutplant.com/
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