Bite the Big Apple
No matter how long I plan to be in NYC, it’s never long enough. Not enough time to see all the shows, visit all the museums, or eat all of the deliciousness the city has to offer. My NYC Map is color coded with notes on all of my favorite places to eat, what they are famous for, and what I can’t get enough of. These are the places I’m loathe to leave the city without, and regularly recommend to anyone that asks.
Frank Prisinzano’s Italian Food:
I’m not sure how I found Frank on IG, but I fell in love with his cooking method tutorials. He creates magic with simple ingredients, and I was dying to go try this luscious lemon pasta. My aunt randomly took me to his restaurant one night and I was hard core hooked. I preach the gospel of Frank to anyone that lives to eat. I don’t care which restaurant you go to, or if you see it on the menu, you have to order Pasta Limonè, it is non-negotiable.
I’m a big fan of brunch at the OG Frank Italian. Who can say no to pasta and 3 for one brunch cocktails? The lasagna, rigatoni al ragù with fresh ricotta, and the fennel parmigiano are life changing. Add a crispy egg to anything.
The risotto of the day at Supper (especially on a Monday for butternut squash/prosciutto/goat cheese. The complimentary white beans and bread are worth a trip alone.
Lil Frankie’s pizza oven fired eggplant with chili oil and grey salt completely changed my opinion on what I previously called the awful aubergine. The pizza was good, but for my limited NYC stomach room, I still just ordered the pasta.
Deli:
It’s not just the iconic When Harry Met Sally or Enchanted scenes at Katz’ Deli. Their 1/2 Pastrami on rye and matzoh ball soup combo is NYC on a heavily laden tray. The mixed pickle plate is on point.
2nd Ave Deli: Jerry Seinfeld (and my step-dad’s) favorite deli also makes a stellar 1/2 1/2 combo, but ends with a complimentary tiny egg creme. I still don’t get Harriet the Spy’s fascination with tomato sandwiches, but she was right about the power of seltzer water and chocolate syrup. Who knew?
Asian Food:
In the absence of my mom’s amazing Vietnamese food, my next craving is always dumplings. Dim Sum and/or Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings) are my go to’s since Nashville doesn’t offer either.
The Bao: offers 11 diverse flavors of Xiao Long Bao. The Colorful offers one of each of their best sellers and it’s the perfect place to start. I’m obsessed with their Super Spicy, Wasabi, and crab meat XLB. This place is pretty small, so try to go at a weird time.
Dim Sum: Iconic Nom Wah Tea Parlor and Joe’s Shanghai deserve their reputations. House of Joy is a new favorite for me. Gimme all the dumplings, my own order of XLB, Chinese broccoli, something with Taro in it, and I’m a happy girl.
Cocktail Hour:
Yuca Bar: This is the very best happy hour in NYC (without question). From 4-8pm 7 days a week, your discounted mojitos, sangria, and spicy margaritas are the best I’ve ever had. If I were to have a Cheers, it would be this place. I go at least once every time I come to town.
Bemelmans Bar: The Carlyle Hotel is not playing around with their cocktail lounge. The illustrator of Madeline and The Little Prince bartered his hotel bill for stunning murals in their gold leafed bar. The live music, perfect pub mix, and The Serrano cocktail are as spectacular as the space.
Beauty & Essex: This gorgeous space delivers on all fronts. The grilled cheese and tomato soup dumplings are the most insanely elevated classic pairing. The Green with Envy, Beauty Elixir, and Emerald Gimlet are some of the best cocktails I’ve ever had. And any ladies still thirsty after that, should head down to the powder room for complimentary pink champagne, which the bartenders will keep flowing if you keep tipping.
Dante West Village: Located just around the corner from Carrie Bradshaw’s brownstone, the Dante Martini Happy Hour produces the very best martini’s I’ve ever had in my life. The space is dreamy and it’s an excellent place to rehydrate after shopping in the village.
Bagels:
I have yet to find my favorite NYC bagel, but Brooklyn’s Court Street Bagels and Rockaway Park’s Boardwalk Bagel are something to write home about.
My go-to order is an everything or garlic bagel, toasted, with low-fat scallion cream cheese, tomato, and bacon if I’m feeling extra. You won’t be sorry :)
Pizza:
John’s of Times Square: is a NYC institution, a tourist trap, and a little nuts- but the pizza is pretty great.
Artichoke Basille’s Pizza: I discovered this non-traditional pizza from Alton Brown on an episode of Best Thing I Ever Ate, and I totally get it. It’s like spinach artichoke dip on garlic bread and it is life changing.
Dessert:
I honestly don’t have much of a sweet tooth. I can say no to dessert from just about anywhere EXCEPT:
Levain Bakery: the massive chocolate chip walnut and chocolate peanut butter chip cookies are big in size and flavor. These lines used to get really long, but now that there are a half dozen locations it’s not so hard to get your hands on double fist sized treats. I pay rent on my aunt’s sofa with their Oatmeal Raisin cookies whenever I visit
Milkbar: formerly known as Crack Pie, the Milk Bar Pie is an elevated chess pie with an amazing oat crust. The seasonal pumpkin flavor is worth stockpiling in your freezer to enjoy all year. There were a lot of closures at Milkbar, but the new flagship attached to the Ace Hotel is a Midtown must.
Serendipity 3: The food is nothing special, but you’re doing it wrong if you leave without the Peanut Butter Frozen Hot Chocolate, and word to the wise- you can add booze if you’re feeling frazzled. It feels extra special if you land the table in front of the fireplace upstairs. You probably won’t catch a glimpse of John Cusack being adorable across the table, but it’s fun to pretend.
