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ABC Kitchen |
35 E
18th St | Btwn Broadway & Park Ave S |
ABC kitchen
is as gorgeous as the organic food is tasty! Start off with the Peekytoe
Crab Toast & Roasted Squash with parmesan and lemon. I've already tried
both the Organic Crispy Chicken, Escarole with Mashed Potatoes & Grilled
Colorado Lamb chops with cherry tomato barbeque sauce which are both
winners in my book! Order the ginger margarita for a nice buzz. |
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84
Stanton St | Btwn Allen & Orchard St |
A
couple of hipsters decided to open this hip joint that's small and
always packed. Simple menu. Don't be afraid to mix and match all the
different meatball combination and sides. The chicken meatball is
outstanding. First timers should order the 4 mini slider special which
gives you a taste of each kind of meatball. For desert, try the mint ice
cream ginger snap sandwhich. |
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Rayuela |
165 Allen St | Btwn
Rivington & Stanton St
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My favorite latin resto in the LES. Grab a table upstairs in the tree house like setting. Ask if they have the seasonal guacamole crab dip. All the ceviche is on point. The grilled Chilean sea bass & breast of duck marinated in sugar cane will help you understand why this place is my personal pick! Wash everything down with a pitcher or two of the Rosada: strawberries, peaches, mango, marinated in 44 north huckleberry vodka & cava rose. |
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Clinton Street Bakery |
4
Clinton St, New York | Stanton & Houston |
Fantastic Sunday brunch, Clinton Bakery is known for their pancakes which everyone seems to order whether or not it's Brunch. I see it being served all hours. I recommend the Crab cake dinner, Scallops wrapped in bacon which is a seasonal special. For breakfast, Truffled Fried Eggs & Asparagus sunny side up eggs, roasted artichokes, bacon lardons, truffle vinaigrette!!!! Wash everything down with their Blueberry Smash - gin, fresh mint leaves, muddled blueberries, on the rocks. |
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Bar 89 |
89
Mercer St | Btwn Spring & Broome St |
Started
going on dates here when I was 19. Still a legendary architectural
classic. A miami oasis in the middle of SoHo on Mercer. Tired from
shopping? Grab a few drinks and order the Hell's fire chips. The buffalo
chicken salad is really good and I always have to order the Burger Au
Poivre which has melted, crumbled bleu cheese and bacon. Order the
grilled cheese to feel like a kid again and when you're all done, check
out the uber cool bathrooms. |
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Delicatessen |
54
Prince St | Lafayette St |
The guys
over at Cafeteria are the brains behind this garage door open air style
eatery. The place is beautifully built out with an intimate cave style
bar in the lower level. Must order the cheeseburger egg rolls, tuna
tataki and of course the Steak frites. There's also the traditional
grandma's meatloaf and the baked mac and cheese. |
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China
Grill
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60 W
53rd St | Btwn 5th & 6th Ave |
An absolute long time favorite. Far from
your typical Chinese food, expect fusion in a super cool ambiance. Order
the Crackling Calamari salad, Grilled Garlic Shrimp served over black
fettuccini & red curry coconut sauce and Blackened Pork Tenderloin
Peruvian purple mash & chunky mandarin orange vinaigrette. Oh, order a
side of wasabi mash. |
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Alta |
64
W. 10th Street | Btwn 5th & 6th Ave |
The
Fried Goat Cheese with lavender infused honey is my favorite. Lamb
meatballs, Asparagus tempura, Wok Seared Taglierini Of Calamari, Pulled
Pork Empanadas, Squid Ink Paella, Skirt Steak with chimichurri, Tunisian
Spiced Roasted Beets, Truffle Tagliatelle. You can't go wrong with
anything on the menu as each small plate is truly crafted to perfection.
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Elizabeth |
265
Elizabeth St | Btwn Houston & Prince St |
I really like the back garden ambiance and
the food is pretty good. Go here strictly for the $25 Monday special.
Two course menu with a glass of wine or beer. Butternut squash soup &
the Organic Chicken curried cous-cous, dried fruit, coconut sauce FTW!! |
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Pio Pio |
210
E. 34th Street | Btwn 2nd & 3rd Ave |
Probably
the best rotisserie chicken in all of nyc! Order the whole chicken,
Jalea which is a fried seafood platter,
rice and beans on the side with tostones and salchipapa. The ceviche
isn't bad either. The special creamy green spicy sauce used for dipping
your chicken pio will have you hooked for life. My mouth is watering as
I type this. Bring your friends as the portions are huge. |
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Cafe
Mogador Moroccan, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern www.cafemogador.com |
101 Saint
Marks Pl | Btwn 1st Ave & Ave A Phone: 212-677-2226 |
Great brunch
spot and dinner is supurb. Everything on the menu is great, for dinner make sure you try the Bastilla which is layers of Crispy Filo Pastry Stuffed with Chicken,
Almonds, Seasoned with An Exotic Blend of Herbs and Spices. Cinnamon
sprinkled on top. |
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Freemans
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End
of Freeman Alley | Off Rivington Btwn |
Must Try: Whole Wheat Goat Cheese Ravioli &
Grilled Hanger Steak. Great weekend brunch spot right before you hit up
SoHo for afternoon shopping. In case you have trouble locating Freemans,
it's in the Alley way. |
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Azul
Bistro
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152
Stanton St | At Suffolk St |
Have a drink at STAY and then walk over to this cute latin bistro. Order
the sautéed baby Ocotpus, Grilled Skirt steak. |
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Shake Shack
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58-60 9th Ave, New York 10011 |
Frozen custard is a good enough reason just to go to this shack in the park. During the weekends the line can be as long as the line at Tunnel Nightclub back in the late 90's. As long as the weather is good, check this place out if you want a little fun. Grab a burger, wine and people watch all afternoon.
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Il Buco
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47 Bond St, New York 10012 |
It's Bond Street address should be enough
persuasion to get you here. Start with the Empanadas which is the best
I've ever had in my life. Order the Bistecca or Dentice. The risotto is
fantastic. |
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Supper
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156 2nd St, New York 10009 |
Eat at Supper, Drink at STAY. This place is
around the corner from my lounge. Same owner as Franks which I failed to
list on here. Authentic Italian fare with great prices. This place is
always busy and packed. |
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Peep
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177 Prince St, New
York 10012 |
Shopping in SoHo? Take a break and have
lunch in at this really cool Thai joint. Order the Face towel noodles,
it will have your drinking plenty of water that will eventually invite
you to the bathroom where you will discover why this place is called
"PEEP" |
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Cafe Habana
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17 Prince St, New
York 10012 |
A hole in the wall classic where you'll
wait in line outside along with everyone else. But once you're in, all I
can say is the corn was well worth any wait. |
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Agave
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140 7th Ave S, New
York 10014 |
I just adore southwestern food. If you're
looking for some good comfort food, this place is a must. You can't go
wrong with anything on the menu, it's really all good. Thanks to one of
my favorite people in the world Thyda for introducing me to this
wonderful place. |
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Westville
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210 W 10th St, New
York 10014 |
If you haven't been here, you are totally
missing out. All American comfort food at its finest. Think Mac and
cheese. Also try the Cast Iron Turkey Burger Served on a Portuguese
Muffin. Westville is another instant classic in my book! Everything on
the menu is delicious. |
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Buddakan
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75 9th Ave, New York 10011 |
The food is sub par, but where that lacks,
Buddakan makes up for in ambiance and scene. This place is the
definition of sexy. If you're looking to have a romantic date and look
forward to passing 2nd base, go here and the rest of your night is
money! Thank me later. I'm kidding. |
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Room Service
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166 8th Ave, New
York 10011 |
Another uber chic Thai resto fully driven
by design and pretty good food. Room service is situated in Chelsea so
you can expect a trendy scene. They have really great pad Thai here. The
theme: think hotel room service. Many wonderful dishes created then
appropriately named by recipe's hometown. |
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Patsy's
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509 3rd Ave, New York
10016 |
Family style thin crust pizza. Pasta's are
all on point as well. Order the Zucchini appetizer special served with
cucumber yogurt sauce. It was
unbelievably addictive. I should eat here more often considering I live a
block away. |
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Sea Thai Bistro
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114 N 6th St,
Brooklyn 11211 |
I'm sure every one and their mother has
been here. Well my mom hasn't but I brought my dad here a few years
back. If you can make it out to this famous place in Brooklyn, do it!
Very trendy nightclub feel with amazingly inexpensive great Americanized Thai food.
The decor is very fun and the pool in the middle of the room is just too
sexy. |
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La Esquina
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106 Kenmare St, New
York 10012 |
This incognito restaurant is straight out of
the movies. You start off entering through the kitchen of this hole in the wall restaurant
that leads you through the doors which take you downstairs
where it's a major VIP scene. The food is decent, maybe because I'm too
spoiled by Cafe Habana. |
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Markt
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676 6th Ave, New York 10010 |
Right in the heart of the meatpacking.
Brunch and dinner is excellent. The ambiance and food will make you feel
as if you really are in Europe, at least that's how I felt. Check their
menu out. |
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60 Thompson St, New York 10012 |
My great friend Paul use to manage at
Kittichai in the Thompson hotel. The food is 5 star! Order Chilean Sea
bass and any muddled cocktail. While you're waiting for seating if you
haven't made reservations, go upstairs to the hotel rooftop for drinks
and a view. Paul doesn't work there anymore, he moved to Mercedes Benz,
need a car? |
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Cafeteria |
119 7th Ave, New York 10011 |
One of the first few dates I had with a
drunk girl name Michelle was here back in 2002, she literally stole
table settings from the table next to us when people were sitting there
eating. I had to of course apologize for her rude drunken behavior. Open
24/7 this place serves awesome American food with a slight twist. You
can usually catch me dining here after 5am. |
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Vynl
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754 9th Ave, New York 10019 |
American food, Thai theme fused together
for some funky fusion. This small place on the west side of town is
great to check out especially if you're around the 50's looking for
food. Check out how radical the menu is then you'll understand why I
love this place. |
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Balthazar
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80 Spring St, New
York 10012 |
My favorite French resto in all of Manhattan. Balthazar Bar Steak with pommes frites and
maÓtre d' butter or béarnaise sauce and a bottle of Cianti. Enough said. |
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835 Washington St,
New York 10014 |
Another super trendy Thai resto driven by
modern non traditional thai design. Food is good, prices are mediocre for the Meatpacking
area. They have a cool hip soulful house music Sunday brunch you should
check out. After dinner or brunch take a stroll above on the "Highline" |
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Eatery
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798 9th Ave, New
York 10019 |
Modern American food with a twist. To me,
the quality and menu is similar to Cafeteria. The staff is very friendly
and the decor is modern and pleasing to the eye. Take a look at their
menu, everything is really delicious. |
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Pop Burger
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58-60 9th Ave, New
York 10011 |
A trendy joint in the meatpacking that
serves little sliders that's worth checking out before you head home.
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Boca Chica
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13 1st Ave, New
York 10003 |
This comment is dedicated to Rob Koda. Boca Chica = Rob Koda. He frequents
enough where he almost has priority seating. Order the Arroz con Pollo,
Coconut shrimp and Grilled skirt steak with the green Chimi sauce. The
complimentary plantains with that secret brown bean dip will have you
hooked forever. Frozen flavored Margaritas are refreshing yet strong. I
always leave this place very happy. |
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Extra Virgin
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259 W 4th St, New
York 10014 |
Pan Roasted Striped Bass sweet potato clam
chowder, smoked bacon, tarragon, Lobster Ravioli champagne basil broth,
roasted grape tomatoes, fava beans and Falafel Crusted Mahi Mahi grilled
eggplant, blood orange salad, tahini yogurt sauce. Hungry yet? |
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Indochine
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430 Lafayette St, New
York 10003 |
I would have to say Indochine is one of the
best French Vietnamese restaurants in Manhattan. Check the menu out to
see what your taste buds are craving. Dorothy, remember last time we ate
here? |
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Dos Caminos Soho
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475 W Broadway, New York 10012 |
Guacamole, the freshest in all of Manhattan
aside from Rosa Mexicano. The food here is... well, great! It's a BR
restaurant group chain. |
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Cafe Orlin |
41 Saint Marks Pl, New York 10003 |
You go here strictly for Sunday Brunch.
Eggs Benedict, Omelet with goat cheese avocado/tomatoes, Millet hot
cakes, Pumpkin pancake with cinnamon yogurt sauce on top and
try the tortilla chicken soup! |
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Penelope
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159 Lexington Ave,
New York 10016 |
This is my neighborhood comfort food
eatery. Fish and chips, Mac & Cheese, tasty burgers and great healthy
salads. Penelope serves best as a weekend brunch spot however it's
really good any time! |
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