After spending 9 memorable years in Manhattan (before going to B-School), I spent the past week saying goodbye to friends, and visiting my old haunts. I definitely will NOT miss New York drivers who honk at you 0.1 seconds after the light turns green and rude people who try to push their way onto the subway train as passengers are trying to exit. But I digress. The one thing that I will miss MOST about NYC is the food. With my final weekend in NYC, I had to narrow down my list of favorite places and make some tough decisions about where to eat.
In no particular
order, if I had one last weekend in NYC, this is where I would (and did) eat:
2ND AVENUE DELI – 162 E 33rd St, New York, NY 10016
Sure it isn’t the original location anymore but it is still yummy. Love the matzah ball soup, tongue and pastrami (sandwiches). The sandwiches are pricey but are big enough to split between two people. And the free pickles and cole slaw are a nice bonus.
SHANGHAI CAFÉ – 100 Mott St, New York, NY 10013
This place makes the best crab meat soup dumplings in my opinion. Even after visiting Shanghai, I still think this place is the best I’ve ever had. Some people complain that the skin of the dumpling is too thick, but everyone agrees that the broth inside the dumpling is pretty darn good.
CHINATOWN ICE CREAM FACTORY – 65 Bayard St, New York, NY 10013
Their ice cream has a nice firmness to it and it is the
perfect way to wrap up a meal in Chinatown. My favorite flavors are lychee, sesame
and almond cookie. This place won the NY Citysearch Best Ice Cream award in 2005,
2006 and 2007 so it can’t be too shabby.
CONES – 272 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014
A real gem in the West Village, this Argentinean gelato place makes some awesome flavors. I have never had a flavor here that I did not like and this place isn’t super trendy like so many of those other chic gelato places around town. The corn flavored gelato is pretty interesting.
MAMOUN’S FALAFEL - 119 Macdougal St, New York, NY 10012 or 22 Saint Marks Pl, New York, NY
This place is a hole in the wall sort of place that isn’t exactly fancy or anything. However, I can think of no finer meal than a Mamoun’s lamb shawarma after a late night of partying and drinking. The falafel is pretty good too. This place is just as good during the daytime or when sober. I prefer the Macdougal location but both are good.
SUSHI OF GARI – 402 E 78th St, New York, NY 10021
I have only been to the UES location
but this place serves the freshest sashimi that I have ever had in my life. My
ex-gf who grew up in Japan also agreed with me about their amazing sashimi. The
omakase is pure gastronomical ecstasy but not very traditional so a lot of the
sashimi or nigiri pieces are partially cooked or marinated with some sort of
sauce. If you are in the mood for a traditional raw fish meal, just get the
sashimi entrée by itself but both are great options.
STAMATIS - 2909 23rd Ave, Astoria, NY 11105
I know venturing to the outer boroughs feels like going to a foreign country for most Manhattanites but this authentic Greek place is worth the trip. It is an easy commute by taking the N or W train to Ditmars Blvd. Astoria is a very residential and safe neighborhood too so no need to be scared. If you visit, you must try the grilled octopus (so tender!). The mousaka, pan fried smelts and lamb fricassee are also very good.
