La Mar Cebicheria Peruana
If anyone knows how to do ceviche, it’s the Peruvians. Hailed as the “Jean-Georges of Peru,” Chef Gaston Acurio brings some serious culinary cred to the table, with 31 acclaimed restaurants in a dozen countries. You’ll have to overlook the gloomy decor and a few mediocre entrees, but the selection of ceviche (or cebiche as they call it) alone is worth a trip to this Washington Square Park newcomer.
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Rosa Mexicano
Say what you will about chain restaurants, but Rosa Mexicano defies the stereotypes. For starters, the guacamole, mashed up tableside, is inarguably good. Then there’s the addicting “Frozen Pomegranate Margarita.” But the thing that truly elevates this chain is the ceviche, especially their Hamachi Tacos and Rock Shrimp variation.
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Fatty ‘Cue Manhattan
Fatty ‘Cue has a knack for bringing some unusual flavors together to create curiously killer combinations. There’s the Crispy Lamb Breast with Cantaloupe, the Dorade with Sugar Plums, and the Poached Chicken with Pickled Jalapeño. There’s a running theme here. Zak Pelaccio likes to marry some type of succulent meat with a bit of citrus, something sweet, or a little heat. One of our favorite pairings at Fatty ‘Cue is the Bacon and Clams, an ensemble of Manila clams, house-smoked bacon, pickled chili, and curry leaf, with a dose of ginger and shallots added at the end for good measure. Giving new meaning to Surf & Turf, it makes a compelling case for swapping out the steak and lobster for...
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Alta
If you’re looking for a quirky tapas bar, Alta is a no brainer. In true tapas style, the menu is devoted entirely to small plates, but they’re not limited to Spain. Alta’s menu is inspired by flavors from all over the world. There’s Fried Goat Cheese with lavender honey and Stuffed Grape Leaves filled with chicken confit and jasmine rice. They’ve even got a Pastrami Ravioli on the menu. But if there’s one dish at Altayou absolutely must order, it’s their Bacon Wrapped Dates and Olives. Of course, we’ve heard of bacon-wrapped dates before, but Bacon-Wrapped Olives? That’s a new one. Both the olives and dates are stuffed with almonds for a little added crunch then wrapped in super smoky bacon and served. It’s probably a good thing this dish is served as a small, shareable plate, because we could keep nibbling...
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Beauty & Essex
Chris Santos has always managed to walk a fine line between kitschy and cool, andBeauty & Essex is no exception. Just beyond the faux pawn shop is a super sexy, bi-level space with sixties decor, a two-story chandelier, and champagne flowing in the ladies room. A place this sexy ought to have sexy finger food. Santos rises to the occasion with grilled shisito peppers, roasted bone marrow and beet carpaccio. The Grilled Cheese, Smoked Bacon, and Tomato Soup Dumplings are a playful spin on the classic Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Combo. Except here everyone gets their own Chinese soup spoon, which comes with a crispy, cheesy dumpling, topped with bacon sprinkles, in a teeny pool of sweet tomato soup. Slurping is not only acceptable, it’s the most proper way to eat this comforting, sexy, and downright delicious...
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Traif
There’s something oddly endearing about this irreverently non-kosher restaurant, located smack in the middle of a Hasidic neighborhood in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The cheeky name sets the tone for the menu, studded with pork and shellfish, but there’s one dish that we just can’t stop eating. And surprisingly, it’s on the dessert menu. We’ve heard that chef Jason Marcus knew from the start that he wanted a bacon-inspired dessert, but Bacon Doughnuts? That’s just genius. The light, buttermilk doughnuts are coated with a dulce de leche glaze, sprinkled with bacon bits, and served with a scoop of coffee ice cream on the side. The combination of the buttermilk, bacon, and coffee gives the dish a breakfast-for-dessert vibe, and we’re loving every last bite And what better way is there to end a meal than with some...
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Having your own forager may be a badge of honor nowadays, but Print was one of the first restaurants in the city to pioneer the trend. As a result, their menu is hyper seasonal and lined with locally grown, organic produce. With devotion to such high quality ingredients, that probably means their Maple Sticky Buns are somewhat good for you, right? Well, we’re going to keep telling ourselves that as we devour Print’s devilishly good baked goods. Pastry Chef Heather Carlucci-Rodriguez starts with a light and fluffy bun, adds crunchy bits of maple-glazed bacon, and finishes the whole thing off with a drizzle of maple-butter glaze. And remember, the bacon is from Mountain View Farm in upstate New York, in case you need to explain to your friends why you’re eating a second… or third sticky bun. But our guess is that they...
Visit PlaceCrif Dogs
There’s plenty of places (and corners) to grab a hot dog in New York, but none rival this funky hot dog stand on Saint Marks Place. Two childhood best friends started this place back in 2001 after going on a two-year tasting tour to sample some of the best hot dogs on the East Coast. The resulting menu features dogs, like the Philly Tubesteak (a lot like a Philly Cheesesteak) and the Garden State (wrapped in ham and covered with chopped pepperoncini, American cheese, and mustard), but our favorite is Crif’s Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dog. Get one Bacon-Wrapped Dog “Spicy Red Neck-style” with chili, cole slaw, and jalapeños or breakfast-style with melted cheese and a fried egg on top. Or you can keep it simple and get it with lettuce and tomato for a one-of-a-kind take on the BLT. No matter which...
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The Boarding House
These guys could hold their own in the New York dining scene, but we’d much rather eat on the patio, prime for people-watching smack in the heart of town. Then again, the newly revived and cozy inside dining is just as alluring these days, especially on a rainy or chilly fall night. The vibe is warm and the bar is buzzing with locals and tourists alike eager to sample chef and owner Seth Raynor’s creations. The menu embraces everything about Nantucket, from the fish to cheese and lettuces. Order a Blueberry Spring Thyme cocktail, a blend of meyer lemon, blueberries, vodka and fresh thyme while you wander the menu. We rarely insist on a dish, but we take exception in matters of “5 pm Fresh Ricotta.” Believe me, you’ll want to secure an order the moment you sit (before...
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Topper’s at The Wauwinet
Locals and tourists alike insist that a visit to The Wauwinet is a rite of passage when visiting Nantucket. Whether you’re staying here for the weekend, or just popping in for lunch, this tranquil inn houses one of the best restaurants on the island. Or more specifically, one of the best lobster rolls in town. Served on a sturdy, bun-like roll, it comes stuffed with a tasty mix of tail and claw meat, anointed with a bright, lemon aioli, and sided by an equally as good mountain of hand-cut French fries sprinkled with Old Bay seasoning. Start with an ice tea or a glass of rose and some local, Sweet Neck Farm Oysters, sweet and fresh, then make your way into the Lobster Roll. Just ten minutes outside of town, The Wauwinet is a great place to...
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Nantucket’s Best Ice Cream Shop: The Juice Bar
Don’t let the block long lines deter you from making a pit stop at the best ice cream shop in Nantucket. That’s right, we said ice cream shop. Though they do indeed sell juices and smoothies, The Juice Bar’s much more famous to locals and tourists alike for their impressive selection of homemade ice creams. There are almost too many flavor to choose from, but our favorite kinds are the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Dough, Coffee Heathbar, Grapenut, and Chocolate Oreo. In fact, the only one we didn’t really love was the Green Monster (mint with cookie dough). If you’re looking for something a tad bit healthier, they also make low fat flavors, like Mint Oreo and Mocha Chip. Did we mention the warm waffle cones? They’re to-die-for as well and all baked fresh to order. ...
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Market Table
Market Table fits right in with the vibe of the West Village: It’s airy, comfortable, and chic. But the menu finds its inspiration from chef Mikey Price’s childhood on his family farm. With a love of creating simple dishes, he focuses on infusing as much flavor into each plate as possible. We love what he’s done with one of his seemingly straightforward sides, the Charred Corn Off the Cob. Chef Price first cuts the kernels off the cob before grilling them. That way each nub gets equal access to the heat and an equal share of the chili powder, Parmesan cheese, and freshly squeezed lime juice mixture that he tosses on top. The Parmesan doesn’t mask the corn, allowing the focal point of this seasonal dish to be the pile of blackened sweet...
Visit PlaceSushi Samba 7
It’s not every day you find a restaurant that successfully fuses Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian cuisines, but at Sushi Samba, that’s exactly what you’ll get. The resulting menu is full of unexpected and rewarding dishes that somehow work. For summer, we’re obsessed with their Sweet Corn Kakiage this summer. They mix corn kernels in with the tempura batter and then toss small spoonfuls into the deep fryer, resulting in sweet, crunchy corn fritters. They finish the dish off with a little touch of shichimi, black truffle sauce, and lime zest. It’s one of the most original ways we’ve seen corn used around the city, making this a must try dish for...
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Something Natural
There’s fine dining and then there’s lunchtime, which is a whole different genre of grub. We wish we had a Something Natural in New York, but we’ll settle for an overstuffed sandwich a day at this charmed shop and bakery. Speaking of, they bake all of their breads in-house and they’re all AMAZING, especially the Six Grain, Oatmeal and Portuguese Bread. Their Lobster Salad sandwich, made with whole claws and mingled with dill and a swipe of mayo, puts most renditions to shame. But you can’t really go wrong. There’s roast beef, smoked turkey, ham and veggies with terrific garnishes, including sprouts, pickles, hummus, bacon and chutney. Definitely save room for their humongous cookies. The cookies are freshly baked as well, super moist and super good, especially the Oatmeal Raisin. You can pick up or eat in, but we...
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Galley Beach
This stylish, beachside spot looks like something straight out of summertime St. Tropez. Located on Cliffside Beach in Nantucket, Galley Beach is a dreamy setting to watch the sun set across the sound while you dine al fresco. The space is outfitted with porch tables, tables on the sand, and cushy outdoor sofas for lounging late into the night and sipping on their, signature Sancerre & Peach Sangria. Though it tends to be a scene as the evening progresses, the kitchen happens to turn out solid food. Skip the Local Vegetable Tasting (which was odd and unsatisfying) and instead, start with a moist Crab Cake accented with a tomato, cucumber and mint salad and lush champagne beurre blanc. There’s a beautiful roasted beet salad with charred scallions and a vibrant Nantucket flounder in a light green curry broth....
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Jimmy’s No. 43
It’s not easy to find a bar with a seasonal menu, never mind a bar in a basement. But leave it to Jimmy’s No 43 shows New York City just how good bar food can be. Since it’s always changing, you can’t be sure but you’ll find, but the latest menu features dishes, like a Market Salad with arugula, fennel, carrots and a lemon vinaigrette. There’s shishito peppers with lemon and sea salt, BBQ beef tacos served with marinated feta and even a cheese plate. They’ve got 12 beers on tap right now, including Young’s Double Chocolate Stout (which is made with real dark chocolate). If you’re looking to celebrate, go for a bottle of the 3 Fonteinen Schaerbeekse Kriek. It’s the closest thing you can get to traditional, cherry flavored, Belgian Kriek (we’ve tried the real thing in Belgium, and...
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The Ginger Man
If the vintage Guinness posters on the walls have you convinced you’re at just another pub, you’ll need to reconsider. This place is anything but generic, from the ridiculous number of beers on tap (we’re talking around 70), to the lounge area, which is nice enough for any after work relaxing you’re looking to do. We say stay for dinner, especially for the German sausage platter, which is excellent and comes with plenty of beer suggestions. The Ginger Man Club sandwich (which is another personal favorite) comes with a chicken breast, provolone, fresh avocado, tomato, and a chipotle aioli all layered on ciabatta. If you don’t have time to make a night of it, check out their beer-to-go menu (yes, really), which includes traditional German growlers and create-your-own six...
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Ear Inn
The Ear Inn, aka the Green Door is famous for being one of the oldest (if not the oldest) bar in the city. Located in the James Brown House of 1817, a registered New York City landmark and U.S. historic building, this place is just about as old as they get, so it’s worth a visit for the history alone. Local musicians consider it an honor to take the stage at the Ear Inn every Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday while regulars and newcomers enjoy simple, but always delicious bar food like the roasted turkey club and cowboy chili (traditionally served with cheese, sour cream, and onion). An average selection of about ten beers is available on tap, while a few others are available bottled. There’s nothing super special about the beer or food here, but the atmosphere and history keep the...
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Barcade
Step inside this Williamsburg warehouse and you might just think that you accidentally walked into an arcade for teenagers. In 2004, five friends decided to combine their passions for beer and old school arcade games into one, big idea: Barcade. They boast a constantly rotating selection of local beers and microbrews, so it’s a great spot to sample the newest, nearby craft beer creation. It gets better: Barcadealso houses over 30 classic arcade games (including our favorite, Tetris) and they still cost just 25-cents to play. While you’ll only find common bar eats like pretzels and potato chips, it makes up for it in entertainment and great beer. You can find their up-to-date tap list online, which currently includes Doc’s Draft Cider, Green Flash Le Freak, and Smuttynose Wheat Wine (which has the tart flavor of a wheat ale topped...
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Blind Tiger Ale House
Take one look at the beer list scribbled on the chalkboard here and you’ll realize this isn’t the kind of place to order a Bud Light. Blind Tiger Ale House focuses on microbrews, including a large selection of New York’s own beers on tap. We love the silky texture of the oatmeal stout Sixpoint Otis (made in Brooklyn), but there’s plenty of great finds on the menu here. Beers like the Empire White Aphro and the Sierra Nevada Southern Hemisphere are what make this ale house so unique, so we recommend you step out of your comfort zone and sample the spectrum. The adventurous attitude shouldn’t stop with beer. We can’t think of a better pairing than tall beer and beer braised chicken and chorizo tacos. If that’s not your guy, there’s an Asian salmon burger with kimchi or ...
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