I've been traipsing all over Manhattan....just can't be contained!
CHELSEA
Colicchio and Sons
This place is right across the street from work and yet the only time I've ever been in here was for a quick round of drinks back when I first moved to NYC. A coworker of mine and I decided to hit it up for lunch. I had the pork chop which was huge! It was perfectly cooked and sent me straight in food coma. The wait staff was very friendly and the place is modern, light and well-decorated. I would definitely come back! A great lunch spot for work.
Rocket Pig
Just had this for lunch today. Biggest sandwich ever. So delicious. Think ciabatta bread with thickly sliced pork, apple chutney and then I covered it in coleslaw. I only made it halfway through the sandwich before gifting it to a coworker reluctantly... I knew I should keep tupperware at work!!! I would totally split one of these next time... especially at $14 a pop. A liiiittle steep.
EAST VILLAGE
Giano
This place is right across the street from me and has intrigued me for the past few months. I had a great glass of rose on their back patio when the weather was still nice so when my friend stopped by for an impromptu dinner this seemed like the perfect option. It was super crowded and yet the host worked it to find us a table without much of a wait. Our waiter was SO charming and walked us through the menu with gusto. I ordered the pasta special as my main dish and the Crocchette di ricotta e tonno (creamy and crunchy tuna and ricotta croquettes with arugula salad and balsamic reduction) which was one of the best dishes I've had in awhile. I would 100% recommend this place for a date or an intimate dinner with a friend since it's quiet enough for a good conversation without being "dead."
Kelly's Sports Bar
Why have I not been here before? It's down the street from me, it's a HOCKEY bar, and some of the best buffalo wings I've ever had. I went there this Saturday to watch the USC game. It's super small and was very crowded but our group of five were still able to find a seat or two. Love this place. Definitely going back.
La Palapa
Went here for brunch last Sunday and was honestly really let down. I've passed it a couple times and the street view is SO cute. Then I end up eating there and my enchiladas were terrible. Looking around the table, nothing else looked particularly good either. The staff was really nice but I definitely won't be back.
One and One
I've been here for beers on a weeknight before but had no idea how crazy it gets late night on the weekends. A crew of us (mostly guys) rolled in here at 2am this last Saturday and had no problem getting into the debaucherous downstairs dance floor where we danced for a couple hours to nostalgic 90s hiphop classics. I'll be back.
Pie Face
NYC welcomes one of the best Australian meat pie chains around. I scored a BBQ pulled pork pie yesterday for my Sunday lunch after hitting up the movie theater. A tiny bit on the sweet side but a delicious pie that was nice and hot. I'd be down to try a few more flavors before I make a final decision on this one.
Revision
What IS this place?!?! I have no idea whose idea it was to go here (late night on a Friday) but I LOVE it. The bar has the coolest interior design and was pumping with people and dancey music. 100% will be back.
FLATIRON
ABC Cocina
ABC Kitchen being my tried and try favorite restaurant in NYC, I jumped on the chance to try ABC Cocina when my mom was in town the other weekend. I brought two of my friends along for brunch (2:30pm was the only available time on that Sunday) and we murdered the menu. We tried SO many things:
My first time sitting down to eat in Eataly and I was pleasantly surprised by my meal. I started with the Roasted Beets with Hazelnuts, Goat Cheese and Black Truffle Vinaigrette. The beets were ripe and large and there was plenty of goat cheese. I followed that with the Vesuvio with Spigariello and Sweet Italian Sausage Ragu which was nice and hot when it arrived. The pasta was perfectly cooked, clearly fresh, and covered in just the right amount of sauce. It was a lovely dinner. I highly recommend as a place for a client dinner or parents.
GRAMERCY
Baohaus
Another one of those hit-myself-upside-the-head obvious restaurants I should've hit up by now. Since visiting this place for the first time two weeks ago I've been three times. I absolutely love it. It's a tiny hole-in-the-wall with enough seating for maybe ten people but the chill atmosphere and hiphop beats make it one of a kind. I highly recommend the Chairman Bao (Braised All Natural Berkshire Pork Belly Served with: crushed peanut, cilantro, Haus Relish, and Taiwanese red sugar) and the Birdhaus Bao (All Natural Fried Chicken Brined 24 hours and served with Haus Seasoning Salt, cilantro, crushed peanuts, and Taiwanese red sugar). You may even run into me here. Great for grab and go but there is a credit card minimum so beware.
MIDTOWN EAST
Hill and Bay
I managed to buy tickets to Ender's Game for the wrong day which then turned into the wrong time. So we found ourselves an hour early for the movie and searching for something near the theater that didn't look like a cesspool. Hill and Bay was like the bright light at the end of the tunnel. We spent the next hour housing ciders, sliders and mac n cheese. The pulled pork and roasted pepper/goat cheese sliders were delicious although a little small. The mac n cheese left much to be desired as it was super cheesy with ZERO taste. Gross. Cool place... won't be back unless I find myself in a similar movie situation but didn't dislike it!
TRIBECA
Marc Forgione
Another one that I've been dying to go to but needed a good excuse (hello, Mom in town). She and I feasted on a variety of the small plates such as:
WEST VILLAGE
The Clarkson
This is a favorite spot of one of my coworkers so we decided to make a pitstop on our way to Houston Hall on a random Thursday. The place came across as a little austere for my tastes but we sat at the bar and the bartender was great. He made me a specialty drink and it was so good I had him write down what was in it. He wanted to think up a name for it so we suggested the "Laurel" since he was looking for something Roman. I really liked this place. I'd definitely come back. Good spot for coworkers or a first date.
CHELSEA
Colicchio and Sons
This place is right across the street from work and yet the only time I've ever been in here was for a quick round of drinks back when I first moved to NYC. A coworker of mine and I decided to hit it up for lunch. I had the pork chop which was huge! It was perfectly cooked and sent me straight in food coma. The wait staff was very friendly and the place is modern, light and well-decorated. I would definitely come back! A great lunch spot for work.
Photo Credit: Colicchio Website
Rocket Pig
Just had this for lunch today. Biggest sandwich ever. So delicious. Think ciabatta bread with thickly sliced pork, apple chutney and then I covered it in coleslaw. I only made it halfway through the sandwich before gifting it to a coworker reluctantly... I knew I should keep tupperware at work!!! I would totally split one of these next time... especially at $14 a pop. A liiiittle steep.
EAST VILLAGE
Giano
This place is right across the street from me and has intrigued me for the past few months. I had a great glass of rose on their back patio when the weather was still nice so when my friend stopped by for an impromptu dinner this seemed like the perfect option. It was super crowded and yet the host worked it to find us a table without much of a wait. Our waiter was SO charming and walked us through the menu with gusto. I ordered the pasta special as my main dish and the Crocchette di ricotta e tonno (creamy and crunchy tuna and ricotta croquettes with arugula salad and balsamic reduction) which was one of the best dishes I've had in awhile. I would 100% recommend this place for a date or an intimate dinner with a friend since it's quiet enough for a good conversation without being "dead."
Photo Credit: Scoutmob.com
Kelly's Sports Bar
Why have I not been here before? It's down the street from me, it's a HOCKEY bar, and some of the best buffalo wings I've ever had. I went there this Saturday to watch the USC game. It's super small and was very crowded but our group of five were still able to find a seat or two. Love this place. Definitely going back.
Photo Credit: Kelly's Website
La Palapa
Went here for brunch last Sunday and was honestly really let down. I've passed it a couple times and the street view is SO cute. Then I end up eating there and my enchiladas were terrible. Looking around the table, nothing else looked particularly good either. The staff was really nice but I definitely won't be back.
Photo Credit: La Palapa Website
One and One
I've been here for beers on a weeknight before but had no idea how crazy it gets late night on the weekends. A crew of us (mostly guys) rolled in here at 2am this last Saturday and had no problem getting into the debaucherous downstairs dance floor where we danced for a couple hours to nostalgic 90s hiphop classics. I'll be back.
Pie Face
NYC welcomes one of the best Australian meat pie chains around. I scored a BBQ pulled pork pie yesterday for my Sunday lunch after hitting up the movie theater. A tiny bit on the sweet side but a delicious pie that was nice and hot. I'd be down to try a few more flavors before I make a final decision on this one.
Revision
What IS this place?!?! I have no idea whose idea it was to go here (late night on a Friday) but I LOVE it. The bar has the coolest interior design and was pumping with people and dancey music. 100% will be back.
Photo Credit: RevisionLounge.com
FLATIRON
ABC Cocina
ABC Kitchen being my tried and try favorite restaurant in NYC, I jumped on the chance to try ABC Cocina when my mom was in town the other weekend. I brought two of my friends along for brunch (2:30pm was the only available time on that Sunday) and we murdered the menu. We tried SO many things:
- Guacamole with Sungold tomato salsa and warm crunchy tortilla chips - the guacamole was surprisingly spicy and the chips were nice and hot. Delicious.
- Jamon Iberico de Bellota - Iberico ham has been a favorite dish of mine since spending most of a summer traipsing through Spain. Anytime I can find it in America, which isn't often, I always order it. Even when it is stupid expensive. I'm just a "nut" for this nutty ham.
- Raw shaved brussel sprout salad - eh boring
- Gooey spicy ham and cheese fritters - these were so crunchy and salty and cheesy... mmm.
- Sweet market pepper and potato empanadas with lemon yogurt - too potatoey
- Field green empanadas and tomato jam - These empanadas were much better! The tomato jam was just sweet enough.
- Arroz con pollo, crackling skin and lemon zest - we were completely stuffed by the time this showed up so lucky little ole me stole it home as a leftover. It was just as good the next day as I'm assuming it would've been that day.
- We ordered the flan for dessert based on a friend's recommendation and I have to say it.was.terrible. I hate flan. I still hate flan.
- Torrentes with lime and rosemary cocktail - This is quite possibly the best cocktail I have ever had. It was refreshing and tangy and even a little spicy. I would go back JUST for this drink.
Photo Credit: ABC Cocina
My first time sitting down to eat in Eataly and I was pleasantly surprised by my meal. I started with the Roasted Beets with Hazelnuts, Goat Cheese and Black Truffle Vinaigrette. The beets were ripe and large and there was plenty of goat cheese. I followed that with the Vesuvio with Spigariello and Sweet Italian Sausage Ragu which was nice and hot when it arrived. The pasta was perfectly cooked, clearly fresh, and covered in just the right amount of sauce. It was a lovely dinner. I highly recommend as a place for a client dinner or parents.
Photo Credit: millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com
GRAMERCY
Baohaus
Another one of those hit-myself-upside-the-head obvious restaurants I should've hit up by now. Since visiting this place for the first time two weeks ago I've been three times. I absolutely love it. It's a tiny hole-in-the-wall with enough seating for maybe ten people but the chill atmosphere and hiphop beats make it one of a kind. I highly recommend the Chairman Bao (Braised All Natural Berkshire Pork Belly Served with: crushed peanut, cilantro, Haus Relish, and Taiwanese red sugar) and the Birdhaus Bao (All Natural Fried Chicken Brined 24 hours and served with Haus Seasoning Salt, cilantro, crushed peanuts, and Taiwanese red sugar). You may even run into me here. Great for grab and go but there is a credit card minimum so beware.
Photo Credit: Hypebeast.com
MIDTOWN EAST
Hill and Bay
I managed to buy tickets to Ender's Game for the wrong day which then turned into the wrong time. So we found ourselves an hour early for the movie and searching for something near the theater that didn't look like a cesspool. Hill and Bay was like the bright light at the end of the tunnel. We spent the next hour housing ciders, sliders and mac n cheese. The pulled pork and roasted pepper/goat cheese sliders were delicious although a little small. The mac n cheese left much to be desired as it was super cheesy with ZERO taste. Gross. Cool place... won't be back unless I find myself in a similar movie situation but didn't dislike it!
Photo Credit: Yas E. on Yelp.com
TRIBECA
Marc Forgione
Another one that I've been dying to go to but needed a good excuse (hello, Mom in town). She and I feasted on a variety of the small plates such as:
- Kampachi Tartare, Avocado, Sechuan Buttons, Toasted Pinenuts, Saratoga Chips
- Octopus, White Beans, Cranberry Salsa Verde, Irwin Farms Baby Arugula
- Foie Gras and Bread Service, Summer Berries, Toma’s Wild Edibles
WEST VILLAGE
The Clarkson
This is a favorite spot of one of my coworkers so we decided to make a pitstop on our way to Houston Hall on a random Thursday. The place came across as a little austere for my tastes but we sat at the bar and the bartender was great. He made me a specialty drink and it was so good I had him write down what was in it. He wanted to think up a name for it so we suggested the "Laurel" since he was looking for something Roman. I really liked this place. I'd definitely come back. Good spot for coworkers or a first date.
- Whiskey Rye
- Thai and cayenne pepper infused maple syrup
- Lemon juice
- Egg white
- Slow gin
- Thyme garnish
Photo Credit: Clarkson Website