Kim,
I stayed in NYC (Chelsea) for a month and solicited dining recommendations from friends (I have more friends than Gregg and Daniella) and co-workers. I did not get a chance to visit each of these places but the ones I did, I have some thoughts.
Three important things to note:
1) if I ate there, I wrote the name in BOLD otherwise I was just recommended the place.
2) I don’t eat pork so I have no idea on any pork/bacon/sausage/pepperoni dishes.
3) the first FOUR are my top recommendations and I encourage you to eat there. Skip everywhere else and concentrate on the first FOUR.
Also, have fun and discover new places for yourself.
Here we go:
Bellucci Pizza (Astoria) - An ex-con with the dream of having the first Michelin rated pizza restaurant. It’s in Astoria and a short walk off the subway line and very safe. The crust is thin and super crispy. They serve dipping sauces with the slices. I had the Vodka which was fine, but they also had a Serranto honey which was incredible. Its a honey with some zing and enhances the taste of the pizza. It’s a hike from Manhattan but I think it’s worth the trek, you won’t regret it. Seriously the best pizza I’ve ever had and I’ve had a lot.
Birria Landia Williamsburg (BK) - This is a food truck and there’s another one in Queens too. I went there on a Tuesday overcast evening and there was still a line of 25 ppl to order. Fortunately, they operate with brutal efficiency with getting your order taken and served. There’s a park right across the street for you to eat at. Get the tacos and the consome to dip the tacos into, it’s to die for.
Smashed (East Village) - It’s a takeout window with some outdoor seating available. Get the Big Smacc. It’s their take on the Big Mac and a really good one at that. I do regret not trying their duck fat fries though and hope you give it a chance. (Nov 2021) I got their duck fat fries, there’s so good. Get them!!
Xi’an Famous Foods (Multiple locations) - I walked into this place and it’s super bare bones. On the wall is a long counter with people facing the white bare wall eating. No one is talking, it’s just people facing a wall. They are all in a time out or something, but instead just eating noodles. All the way at the end was a cashier and a picture menu. The vibe screams cult. And guess what? It totally is. The hand torn noodles are amazing and if noodles are your thing, it’s worth visiting. Also, it’s relatively cheap too.
Very Fresh Noodles - They are very good noodles, just not as very good as Xi’an. I had their dried cumin noodles with lamb. It does have some kick to it, so be warned.
Dim Sum Palace - Pretty good overall, didn’t care for the duck dumplings. Maybe too sweet for dumplings.
Petee’s Pie Company - Pie by the slice. Why not? It was pretty good. They deliver too.
La Esquina
Mother’s Ruin
Rubirosa - didn’t go, but I hear the pizza is what to get
Emporio
The Harrow - I had brunch (steak and eggs). Meh. Nothing to write home about.
Freemans
Blue Ribbon Brasserie - heard the fried chicken is good
Beauty & Essex
Prince St Pizza - Instagramable pizza slices loaded with pepperoni (I don’t eat pork, remember?)
Pepe Rosso - Cacio de Pepe. Handmade pasta, what could go wrong?
Emily West Village
The Kati Roll Company
Minetta Tavern - $30 burger, pretty good, but not worth $30
Bob White Counter - In BFE aka Alphabet City, but the fried chicken is pretty good
Bleeker Street Pizza - Great slices, but the cook didn’t wash his hands coming from the bathroom.
Papaya Dog
Fiaschetteria “Pistoia” - Charming spot, Cacio de Pepe is great. Handmade pasta.
Big Gay Ice Cream - surprised by this one, wasn’t expecting it to be soft serve, rather traditional flavors
Magnolia - Banana pudding, go early, there’s a line and it sells out.
Morandi
S’Mac East Village - Mac & cheese in 90 degree weather is not a good idea
Murray’s Bagels - Meh, mostly hype. Whatever Meluski’s, don’t be mad. Bagel Baker in VB is just as good.
Los Tacos No: 1 - Be prepared to wait in line, it goes fast. It makes every list of top tacos in NYC. My take? Birria Landia Williamsburg has better tacos but this place is good too.
The Grey Dog - Breakfast place. I had the croissant egg sandwich. Fine, but nothing to fawn over.
Jack’s Wife Freda - Pretty good, a bit pricey for what you get. I had the Madame Freda (a croque madame with duck prosciutto, cheddar bechamel, and gryuere). Prosciutto was a bit tough.
Num Pang - Heard really good things from two people about it.
Beechers Handmade Cheese - Co-worker talked me into trying their mac. Meh, it’s overpriced.
Eataly - An Italian market and restaurant. Prepare to open up your wallet. It’s great.
Tacombi - Tacos were meh, but the elote was delightful. I recommend the watermelon Agua Fresca was, it was worth it.
NY PIzza Suprema - Their white pizza is incredible. Didn’t know ricotta could be so light and fluffy.
Keki Modern Cakes - Japanese take on the cheesecake. Light, fluffy, delicious.
Pio Pio - Peruvian chicken. You’ve had it before, this place doesn’t redefine the genre.
Keens Steakhouse
Juniors Restaurant & Bakery - Known for their cheesecake, it’s a bit dense, if that’s your thing
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse
Kashkaval Garden
JG Melon - Cash only burger joint
Sylvia’s - Harlem landmark. The chicken was good but overpriced. Also, $5.50 for a tea/lemonade?!?
Lions & Tigers & Squares - Detroit style pizza. Crispy square edges. Cheap and tasty if you’re in the area.
Tony’s and Orazio Pizza (BK) - Classic NYC pizza joint
Lastly, I recommend iced coffee at any food stand. Those guys really know how to make them and it’s way better than Starbucks. Also get soft serve from any ice cream truck. After a long hot day of walking around the city, you’ll love soft serve ice cream. Hope you have a great time and remember, if you eat at any of these places, start with the top four. They are exceptional.
Bonus: Because I can’t figure out how to embed a map on this page, so here is a link to Google Maps with all the restaurants listed above.
11/21/21**
Spent a long weekend in NYC and have a few more to add.
Russ & Daughters - Crazy expensive for what you get. $25 for a bagel, lox, and cream cheese. I mean, the bagel wasn’t anything to write home about, lox was tasty, and the cream cheese was okay. If you have the funds, go ahead, but I think there’s better ways to spend $25 for breakfast.
Pastis - WOAH! This place has a cozy French bistro vibe to it and it delivers. I had the steak frites for lunch which I think was $34. Pricey, but it’s NYC. The steak arrived perfectly cooked with a giant slab of hotel butter, shoestring fries, and greens. If I had to do it all over again, I would be it rarer. That was my bad, not theirs. This was on my list of places to visit when I spent a month in the city earlier this year. Wish I had gone then too, it was great.
Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken - Meh, it was okay. Not blue ribbon winning, but decent. Nothing to write home about.
Tim Ho Wan - I went to Dim Sum Palace first but they were closed to I ended up walking to Tim Ho Wan after killing some time at The Strand. Their har gow was okay, it’s one of my staple dishes. While I was waiting on the steamed rice roll with minced beef, I thought I’d order their simple steamed rice with chicken. I am glad that I did. The rice and chicken arrived in a small metal tin just like a flight attendant was serving it on a flight. The waiter poured a bit of soy sauce on it and it was good to go. The dish was instant nostalgia, took me instantly back to my childhood. The boneless chicken thighs were so juicy and tender, paired with the soft rice and soy sauce, I couldn’t get enough. With every bite, I just wanted to stay in that moment.
Levain Bakery - Had to see what all the hype was about. I ended up enjoying my chocolate chip with walnut cookie outside near a subway elevator. It was 43 degrees outside and a stiff breeze, but this warm cookie gave me some comfort on this cold day.
Good Thanks Cafe - Ordered over medium eggs over sourdough with short ribs. Got overcooked eggs and dry meat as well as a $6 Arnold Palmer (NOT WORTH IT).