Chelsea
Rogue
I went here to watch some of the college football bowl games. The chicken fingers were standard but delicious, it was relatively cheap and they have screens all around so you don't have to crane your neck to watch. It's only fault is that it was pretty dark which is great for football viewing but not so much otherwise. Also not a lot of standing room but this might change if you are there later at night.
Photo Credit: Rogue Website
Tipsy Parson
Officially added to my favorite places in Manhattan. The restaurant has this adorable atmosphere...you feel like you've just walked into someone's house. And the food was AMAZING. I ordered the lamb ragu pasta and was in instant love.
Photo Credit: Tipsy Parson Website
East Village
Big Gay Ice Cream Shop
Yup, that's the name! What started off as an ice cream truck that roamed the streets of Manhattan, BGIC became so popular they opened a shop! The shop features rainbow paraphernalia and a giant glitter unicorn painted on the wall near the register. It literally looks like my room when I was five which made it an immediate favorite. Then I tried the actual ice cream!
I ordered the Salty Pimp (vanilla ice cream, dulce de leche sauce, sea salt, and chocolate dip) and the American Globs (vanilla ice cream, pretzels, sea salt, and chocolate dip). The Salty Pimp tasted AMAZING and the American Globs was pretty good as well. I also tried the Mexican AffoGAYto with homemade spicy hot chocolate, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, cayenne and shaved chocolate which was my least favorite because it was kind of soupy and too spicy and the Cinnamax which is two Snickerdoodle cookies with cinnamon ice cream in the middle - definite fav after the Salty Pimp. Definitely headed back there to purchase a T-shirt and a unicorn bag.
Salty Pimp
AffoGAYto
AffoGAYto
American Globs
Bowery Electric
So I didn't get to spend very much time here but I'm posting it because it is somewhere I definitely want to come back to. They have live music usually and a great looking space. I was there on a Thursday right before NYE so it was completely dead but that's probably not always the case. Again just posting it here because it looks like a great music venue!
Photo Credit: Bowery Electric Website
Momofuku Milk Bar
So usually I only stick to places I really like but since this place is so well-known I'm going to talk about it. I didn't like this place at all. I was born with at least ten "sweet teeth" and this place almost ruined my love of dessert. I went to the one at 251 E 13th st and ordered the Crack Pie and the Compost and Cornflake cookies. The Crack Pie was like eaten hard, dried, brown sugar mixed with milk paste and the Cornflake cookie was so greasy that the bag it came in was almost wet. The Compost cookie was decent. It tasted like a really rich oatmeal cookie. This is one place where I DO NOT need to go back.
Phebe's
The night that we attempted to go to Bowery Electric (no one was there) we ended up down the street at Phebe's which was totally hoppin'. I wouldn't stretch to say there is anything hugely special about the place but the crowd was fun, the music was good and I would definitely come here again.
Photo Credit: Phebe's Website
Gramercy/Flatiron
Ace Hotel
So I went to the Ace Hotel for New Year's Eve in New York so my experience there might be slightly different. They had transformed the lobby into a winter wonderland with sparkly lights and hundreds of giant balloons. We had a "table" which really consisted of a three-person couch and two armchairs. I'm not sure how much the table cost but there was a $50/person drink minimum which is quite easy to meet especially on New Years. The hotel itself was really cool with inspirational quotes littered throughout on doorways, stairs, etc. It has a very artsy feel which I liked. I can't speak to the rooms but if I was visiting New York I might give it a try!
Inoteca
If you Google this restaurant you will get the Lower East Side location rather than the location on 24th and 3rd which is the one I went to. This restaurant is fairly small (we sat in the bar area) and the food is delicious. It's sort of Italian tapas style dining so we ordered the three bruschetta plate (pesto, tapenade and gorgonzola & fig) which was delicious. We also had meatballs, fried brussel sprouts and meat pasta all of which were amazing. I would definitely come back to this place. Also probably a little "datey" but fine for a group as well.
Tribeca
Stuzzicheria
I swear Tribeca is the land of delicious food. This was yet another amazing meal. The meatballs were juicy and giant (yes that sounds hilarious I know), the lamb ragu pasta I had was top five, and the rice balls were good although they aren't really my thing. For whatever reason I sort of felt like I was eating in the kitchen. Not sure what gave me that impression but it was nice!
Photo Credit: Yelp.com
West Village
Blue Ribbon Bakery
There couldn't be a better place to brunch and celebrate 2012! This restaurant was suggested to me by some friends and I'm so glad they did. The top/ground floor looks like your average restaurant but if you ask to sit downstairs you will be taken into the bowels of what feels like an old brick wine cellar. We had a table that felt like it was cut into the brick wall which was SO cozy and cool. Also make some excuse to go to the bathroom so that you can pass the bakery in the back that is open to viewing by the public. It can get REALLY toasty down there because of the bread baking so probably not the most ideal summer locale. But for winter the pulled pork sandwich, the home fries and French toast were homey and warm. One thing I noticed is the food has some Jewish aspects (Challah bread, etc) which I thought I'd point out.
Extra Virgin
Brought to you by the talent of Cooking Channel! This place doesn't take reservations so be prepared to wait. The decor is organic, trendy and fun and the bar is lively. We definitely waited for close to 45 minutes to get a table but the food was delicious. The brussel sprouts (clearly I'm on a kick here) were really good because they are mixed with pears which adds kind of a sweet/savory taste. The mac n' cheese is also delicious. I had the lamb threeways for dinner and it was some of the juiciest, tastiest lamb I have ever had. I HIGHLY recommend this place but not on a night when you are already starving.
Photo Credit: Extra Virgin Website
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