Cocktail Bars
This is my new favorite cocktail bar. Show up early (dinner/before dinner) to get in on some awesome drinks. Generally you should expect a wait –they’ll take your cell number and call when you can be seated, well worth it!
PDT (Manhattan – East Village) http://www.yelp.com/biz/please-dont-tell-new-york-2
You need to call the day of to snatch a reservation - I would make this a group activity where everyone tries until someone gets an answer. The general routine is that you will keep getting a busy signal when you call, but if your persistent you may get lucky and receive a pick up (the time I tried, it took 30 minutes of calling back before someone picked up!)
Angel Share (Manhattan – East Village) http://www.yelp.com/biz/angels-share-new-york
This place is nestled inside Village Yokocho, a Japanese yakitori. (Check out Yakitori Taisho for better Yakitori)
Rains Law Room (Manhattan – Flatiron) http://www.yelp.com/biz/raines-law-room-new-york
Chill bar to get some classy drinks. Make sure and check out the wallpaper in the bathroom J
Experimental Cocktail Club (Manhattan – Lower East Side) http://www.yelp.com/biz/experimental-cocktail-club-new-york
This place is a cool concept, using fresh and presumably locally sourced ingredients to make some very potent cocktails
Beer Bars
Note: There are a lot of awesome places in the city to grab a beer. Too many to name. I recommend purchasing the app ‘Craft Beer New York’. This will allow you to find a place depending on where you are in the city. Below are a few of my favorites. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/craft-beer-new-york/id566523286Burp Castle & Pommes Frites (Manhattan – East Village) http://www.yelp.com/biz/burp-castle-new-york http://www.yelp.com/biz/pommes-frites-new-york
When you go to Burp Castle for some delicious Belgium beers, make sure to send someone next door bring over some awesome Pommes Frites with an array of dipping sauces. Also, don’t be too loud in the bar, they ‘shush’ you! :)
Torst (Brooklyn – Greenpoint) http://www.yelp.com/biz/t%C3%B8rst-brooklyn
This is a very cool bar for an amazing craft beer selection. Simple as that!
La Birreria http://www.eataly.com/birreria/
This is a restaurant/bar on the rooftop of Eataly – I’ve been here for lunch, they have a great homemade sausage and beer.
Food Spots
Home of 4 for $1 dumplings. Quite tasty and cheap!
Juliana's Pizza (Brooklyn – DUMBO) http://www.grubstreet.com/2012/10/pizza-legend-patsy-grimaldi-gets-his-good-name-back.html
This is a place to go for pizza (NOT to their neighbor Grimaldis!). Read the history of this place, it will make the pizza taste even better:
Court Street Grocers (Brooklyn – Carroll Gardens) http://www.yelp.com/biz/court-street-grocers-brooklyn
Every sandwich I’ve had here is beyond my expectations of amazing
Ippudo (Manhattan – East Village or Midtown West) http://www.yelp.com/biz/ippudo-ny-new-york
Not your average ramen shop. A must try. Go at lunch when they open to avoid (as much as possible) a long wait. They now have a Westside location as well.
Shelsky's Smoked Fish (Brooklyn – Cobble Hill) http://www.yelp.com/biz/shelskys-smoked-fish-brooklyn
If anyone is a fan (even if they’re not) of a lox Bagel, this place is amazing. They have a great bagel, and their smoked fish selection is something I’ve never seen.
Yakitori Taisho (Manhattan – East Village) http://www.yelp.com/biz/yakitori-taisho-new-york
Probably the best Yakitori I’ve had in NYC. Come here for a taste of Japanese night life- they have some delicious skewers.
Halal Guys (Manhattan – Midtown West/Theater District) http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-halal-guys-new-york-2
IF you choose to get street food, make sure you go here. So famous and good that there are imposters on the surrounding street corners. Make sure to go to the ones with the slogan: ‘We are Different’. http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2012/10/best-halal-cart-53rd-street-6th-avenue-street-food.html
Murray’s Cheese Bar (Manhattan – West Village) http://www.yelp.com/biz/murrays-cheese-bar-new-york
Like cheese? Try it out, especially the amazing Mac-n-Cheese!
Doughnut Plant (Manhattan – Lower East Side or Chelsea) http://doughnutplant.com/
Very good spot of unique gourmet doughnuts (much different that Voodoo style doughnuts, but still just as good)
Dough (Brooklyn – Bed-Stuy or Manhattan - Flatiron) http://www.yelp.com/biz/dough-brooklyn
http://www.yelp.com/biz/come-buy-new-york-3
If you want to take a trek into Brooklyn, this place is quite good for doughnuts. Otherwise, you can grab them in Manhattan at the Come Buy tea shop (where you can get some good bubble tea!)
Big Gay Ice Cream Truck (Manhattan – East Village or West Village) http://biggayicecream.com/
It doesn’t matter which location you choose, just make sure and try this out… no matter how cold it is outside!
Levain Bakery (Manhattan - Upper West Side) http://www.yelp.com/biz/levain-bakery-new-york
Every sandwich I’ve had here is beyond my expectations of amazing
Ippudo (Manhattan – East Village or Midtown West) http://www.yelp.com/biz/ippudo-ny-new-york
Not your average ramen shop. A must try. Go at lunch when they open to avoid (as much as possible) a long wait. They now have a Westside location as well.
Shelsky's Smoked Fish (Brooklyn – Cobble Hill) http://www.yelp.com/biz/shelskys-smoked-fish-brooklyn
If anyone is a fan (even if they’re not) of a lox Bagel, this place is amazing. They have a great bagel, and their smoked fish selection is something I’ve never seen.
Yakitori Taisho (Manhattan – East Village) http://www.yelp.com/biz/yakitori-taisho-new-york
Probably the best Yakitori I’ve had in NYC. Come here for a taste of Japanese night life- they have some delicious skewers.
Halal Guys (Manhattan – Midtown West/Theater District) http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-halal-guys-new-york-2
IF you choose to get street food, make sure you go here. So famous and good that there are imposters on the surrounding street corners. Make sure to go to the ones with the slogan: ‘We are Different’. http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2012/10/best-halal-cart-53rd-street-6th-avenue-street-food.html
Murray’s Cheese Bar (Manhattan – West Village) http://www.yelp.com/biz/murrays-cheese-bar-new-york
Like cheese? Try it out, especially the amazing Mac-n-Cheese!
Sweet Spots
Very good spot of unique gourmet doughnuts (much different that Voodoo style doughnuts, but still just as good)
Dough (Brooklyn – Bed-Stuy or Manhattan - Flatiron) http://www.yelp.com/biz/dough-brooklyn
http://www.yelp.com/biz/come-buy-new-york-3
If you want to take a trek into Brooklyn, this place is quite good for doughnuts. Otherwise, you can grab them in Manhattan at the Come Buy tea shop (where you can get some good bubble tea!)
Big Gay Ice Cream Truck (Manhattan – East Village or West Village) http://biggayicecream.com/
It doesn’t matter which location you choose, just make sure and try this out… no matter how cold it is outside!
Levain Bakery (Manhattan - Upper West Side) http://www.yelp.com/biz/levain-bakery-new-york
Take a look at some of these pictures! Such amazing cookies!
Mast Brothers Chocolate (Brooklyn – Williamsburg) http://www.yelp.com/biz/mast-brothers-chocolate-brooklyn
Artisanal Chocolatier in Williamsburg Brooklyn. Not my favorite chocolate, but quite unique.
Gorilla Coffee (Brooklyn – Park Slope) http://gorillacoffee.com/
A Brooklyn institution. They're changing locations soon (still in the same neighborhood) so keep a lookout:
Stumptown (Manhattan – Midtown West or Greenwich Village) http://www.yelp.com/biz/stumptown-coffee-roasters-new-york http://www.yelp.com/biz/stumptown-new-york
Great coffee from Portland! There are two locations, both very unique and cool. Midtown is in the Ace Hotel small, but you can sit in the hotel lobby and drink your coffee. The Village is a standalone location, much larger and quite beautiful.
Bluebottle (Manhattan – Chelsea, Midtown or Brooklyn – Williamsburg) http://www.yelp.com/biz/blue-bottle-coffee-brooklyn-2 http://www.bluebottlecoffee.com/
They have multiple locations, and all pull a delicious beverage.
Chelsea Market (Manhattan – Chelsea) http://www.yelp.com/biz/chelsea-market-new-york
Just a cool place to check out, shopping and food all around! Make sure the check out my favorite to pick up some brownies:
- Fat Witch Bakery http://www.yelp.com/biz/fat-witch-bakery-new-york
The High Line (Manhattan – Chelsea) http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-high-line-new-york
Cool place to visit. They also have an event on December 21: http://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/the-gaits-a-high-line-sound-walk
Christmas Trees (It's Christmas time, of course!)
- Rockefeller Center (Manhattan – Midtown West) the infamous! http://www.yelp.com/biz/rockefeller-center-chrismas-tree-new-york
- Bryant Park (Manhattan – Midtown West) the ice skating rink here is larger than Rockefeller if you are all interested in skating. http://www.yelp.com/biz/bryant-park-holiday-markets-new-york
Nitehawk Cinema (Brooklyn – Williamsburg) http://www.nitehawkcinema.com/
Fun theater in Williamsburg playing small release films and older movies (such as Home Alone). They have cool events (like brunch and a film) and for 'normal' screening times you can enjoy a beer with your film. Keep an eye on their site for upcoming move/events.
Brooklyn Bridge Park (Brooklyn – DUMBO) http://www.yelp.com/biz/brooklyn-bridge-park-brooklyn
Great views of the city, awesome park on the water.
MoMA PS1 (Queens – Long Island City) http://www.yelp.com/biz/moma-ps1-long-island-city
A contemporary art museum built into an old school. Currently on exhibit: Mike Kelly – kind of weird, but impacting after it all processes (also, it’s very satirical). Fun fact, across the street is five points, a warehouse that used to be covered in amazing graffiti artwork – it’s been painted over in the past few weeks, but you can still see some remaining art.
Brooklyn Winery (Brooklyn – Williamsburg) http://www.yelp.com/biz/brooklyn-winery-brooklyn
This is a cool ‘urban winery’ in the heart of Brooklyn.
Music (Anywhere!) http://www.ohmyrockness.com
So many bands to choose from! Pick a band, listen to them online, if you like them go see them!
Brooklyn Flea + Smorgasburg (Brooklyn – Williamsburg) http://www.yelp.com/biz/smorgasburg-brooklyn http://www.smorgasburg.com/
Pop-up shops and pop-up food! They have an indoor location for the winter.
Mast Brothers Chocolate (Brooklyn – Williamsburg) http://www.yelp.com/biz/mast-brothers-chocolate-brooklyn
Artisanal Chocolatier in Williamsburg Brooklyn. Not my favorite chocolate, but quite unique.
Caffeination Stations
A Brooklyn institution. They're changing locations soon (still in the same neighborhood) so keep a lookout:
Stumptown (Manhattan – Midtown West or Greenwich Village) http://www.yelp.com/biz/stumptown-coffee-roasters-new-york http://www.yelp.com/biz/stumptown-new-york
Great coffee from Portland! There are two locations, both very unique and cool. Midtown is in the Ace Hotel small, but you can sit in the hotel lobby and drink your coffee. The Village is a standalone location, much larger and quite beautiful.
Bluebottle (Manhattan – Chelsea, Midtown or Brooklyn – Williamsburg) http://www.yelp.com/biz/blue-bottle-coffee-brooklyn-2 http://www.bluebottlecoffee.com/
They have multiple locations, and all pull a delicious beverage.
Other & Things to Do
Just a cool place to check out, shopping and food all around! Make sure the check out my favorite to pick up some brownies:
- Fat Witch Bakery http://www.yelp.com/biz/fat-witch-bakery-new-york
The High Line (Manhattan – Chelsea) http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-high-line-new-york
Cool place to visit. They also have an event on December 21: http://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/the-gaits-a-high-line-sound-walk
Christmas Trees (It's Christmas time, of course!)
- Rockefeller Center (Manhattan – Midtown West) the infamous! http://www.yelp.com/biz/rockefeller-center-chrismas-tree-new-york
- Bryant Park (Manhattan – Midtown West) the ice skating rink here is larger than Rockefeller if you are all interested in skating. http://www.yelp.com/biz/bryant-park-holiday-markets-new-york
Nitehawk Cinema (Brooklyn – Williamsburg) http://www.nitehawkcinema.com/
Fun theater in Williamsburg playing small release films and older movies (such as Home Alone). They have cool events (like brunch and a film) and for 'normal' screening times you can enjoy a beer with your film. Keep an eye on their site for upcoming move/events.
Brooklyn Bridge Park (Brooklyn – DUMBO) http://www.yelp.com/biz/brooklyn-bridge-park-brooklyn
Great views of the city, awesome park on the water.
MoMA PS1 (Queens – Long Island City) http://www.yelp.com/biz/moma-ps1-long-island-city
A contemporary art museum built into an old school. Currently on exhibit: Mike Kelly – kind of weird, but impacting after it all processes (also, it’s very satirical). Fun fact, across the street is five points, a warehouse that used to be covered in amazing graffiti artwork – it’s been painted over in the past few weeks, but you can still see some remaining art.
Brooklyn Winery (Brooklyn – Williamsburg) http://www.yelp.com/biz/brooklyn-winery-brooklyn
This is a cool ‘urban winery’ in the heart of Brooklyn.
Music (Anywhere!) http://www.ohmyrockness.com
So many bands to choose from! Pick a band, listen to them online, if you like them go see them!
Brooklyn Flea + Smorgasburg (Brooklyn – Williamsburg) http://www.yelp.com/biz/smorgasburg-brooklyn http://www.smorgasburg.com/
Pop-up shops and pop-up food! They have an indoor location for the winter.
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