Food Adventuring Around NYC
Brian Hoffman is a classically trained actor who is now a full-time tour guide, blogger, and food obsessive. He leads food and drink tours around New York City, which not only introduce tour-goers to delicious food, but gives them a historical context. He has written food articles for Gothamist and Midtown Lunch in addition to overseeing this blog and a few food video series, including Eat This, Locals Know, and Around the World in One City. His latest series is an international cooking show with his son which can be found on this site.
THE PLACE: Shortly before the pandemic, I remember stopping by Nowon for a really fantastic bowl of clams in a black bean sauce. It very much felt like a late night bar stop with a burgeoning menu of Asian-influenced bar bites. Coming back all these years later, it was nice to see them in the …
THE PLACE: If you can imagine a Korean diner, Kisa would be it. When it opened in 2024, it was publicized as being inspired by a “kisa sikdang” which are restaurants aimed towards taxi cab drivers. I totally get that, but I’m afraid you won’t find many taxi drivers at this modern restaurant which often …
THE PLACE: A small little nook just steps away from the hub-bub of Roosevelt Avenue, Om Wok is a gem of a Tibetan restaurant with a welcoming staff and a faint smell of incense. It’s a cozy little spot and one that seems a bit off-the-beaten path of the other more popular momo spots in …
THE PLACE: Not exactly a “speakeasy” but Chez Zou is certainly hidden from view in the somewhat undiscovered neighborhood (or rather, development plaza) of Manhattan West – inside and upstairs a trendy Mediterranean restaurant. It feels like an extension of Zou Zou’s with large couches and a bar that is nestled into the wall. It’s …
Have you noticed that coffee shops now moonlight as florists and flower shops are now also cafés? How often do we need both flowers and coffee at the same time? Perhaps I have not thought of every single situation…. until now.
THE PLACE: While not as over-the-top with crowds as other similar trendy chef-driven places, Shukette is still a popular night out. With enough planning, reservations are not completely impossible. Even if you end up at the bar, like we did, it’s still pretty comfortable with a casual but energetic vibe. There is also a chef’s …
THE PLACE: Way off-the-beaten path in one of the lesser walked streets in the Financial District, Susukino Ramen is hidden in plain sight. It sits right next to the famous bar The Dead Rabbit, but does not seem to be the same type of destination spot. Suskino is pretty much a local haunt for business …
THE PLACE: I had a bit of post traumatic stress when I entered Buba Bureka in the former home of Manousheh. I loved that place and while they stuck it out in a very difficult neighborhood for a decade, Manousheh was forced to close last year. The Israeli-owned Buba Bureka (named for BUreka BAkery) did …
It’s scary how social and political forces have raised the price of eggs. While it’s calmed down a bit, I can’t help but notice the price of an egg sandwich at my local bodega is still higher than before. What can we do? We can sing or maybe find some other method of getting eggs …
THE PLACE: The third in a series of Hong-Kong style noodle shops opened in Chinatown a few months ago. Maxi’s Noodle has been on my list since their first location in Flushing debuted, but I find myself in Manhattan’s Chinatown much more often. When I came by, the crowd was sparse and I cozied up …
THE PLACE: Just off Bangladesh Street in Queens and amongst a sea of food carts advertising the same dishes and all claiming to be the “original”, Fuska House might be the one with the longest lines. It’s not technically the first of the carts selling a Bengali street snack called “fuska” but they have become …
I first visited Sundaes Best shortly after they opened. It was a very rainy day and I had to catch a bus. Perhaps the zombie-like staff felt my energy because they did not respond well to my questions and made clear the limitations on sampling. I can’t say it was a great experience. I never …
THE PLACE: Both times I’ve come to Hani’s for breakfast pastries, I managed to avoid any sort of hyped up queue. I did walk by the bakery later in the day once and saw the crowds congregating, so I must have just been lucky. It’s one of the newer gourmet bakeries with a fine dining …
THE SPOT: One of the absolute best Italian bakeries in the entire city, this 4th generation run spot sits in the center of Arthur Avenue in The Bronx and puts out one incredible pastry and bread offering after another. You can’t go wrong with any of Madonia’s products from savory tarrali to mind-blowing white chocolate …
THE PLACE: The well-loved Miller’s Twist sits towards the back of the iconic Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia. For those unfamiliar with the market, it is one of those over-run tourist places that somehow is also beloved by locals. The same seems to hold true for this pretzel vendor that started in the market in …
THE SPOT: Ask many North Brooklynites about their favorite pizza and you might hear Fini’s name come up – maybe not as often as Best Pizza and L’Industrie, but enough to make you wonder. Fini debuted during a wave of pizzeria openings in this part of Williamsburg in 2022. From Sean Feeney (aka, Fini), one …
THE PLACE: We discovered this cute corner neighborhood spot on our recent visit to Philly. El Chignon is in the hip, lively neighborhood of Passyunk Square, world’s away from the hubbub of Center City and Independence Hall. Vibrantly colorful and casual, this was a great weekend brunch spot that made us feel like we were …
The kids at school all talk about it and my son has begged me to bring him home a cookie from the over-hyped Crumbl. But when I found one of the locations in the city, I had to run the other way. If you’ve walked by Crumbl in NYC and noticed the massive lines out …
THE PLACE: Mostly hidden from street view, Blue Blossom is a sleek new fancy Chinese restaurant steps away from Bryant Park. This restaurant comes from the owners of Che Li and Szechuan Mountain House, two excellent refined Chinese spots in the East Village. This is their first venture into the heart of Midtown. A long …
My search for the best falafel in New York continues…. SADLY, SPICE BROTHERS IS NOW CLOSED. Falafel hasn’t been quite as successful when given a gourmet spin. It lives very comfortably in the world of street food and fast food and while unique spins on the chickpea fritter are welcomed, high prices usually are not. …