Food Adventuring Around NYC
The Place: I was a bit concerned when I visited Johnny’s in Williamsburg on a rainy Saturday and by the time I sat down, there was nobody else in the restaurant. Granted it was a rainy day, but I worry about under-hyped neighborhood restaurants like this. These are the places without long lines that are …
THE SPOT: When I first moved to NYC, I worked at California Pizza Kitchen where they used to put all sorts of different world cuisines on pizza. I can’t say Cuts & Slices reminded me of CPK, but I also would be lying if I said I didn’t think about it when I visited their …
The Place: Most New Yorkers will never forget Ample Hills Creamery, which started as a reliable local ice cream shop that went through a roller coaster ride of a business venture. They still have a few locations without the original owners involved, but I won’t recount all the twists and turns but the latest is …
The Place: Beto’s Carnitas & Guisados, which is a husband and wife owned business (they’re usually on premises and very friendly), looks like a cramped take-out spot but actually has a pretty sweet hidden eating area in the back. This place feels very much like a welcoming neighborhood mom-and-pop business. I truly wish I was …
THE PLACE: Just recently transformed from the Filipino restaurant Tradisyon to the bright and airy Uncle Ray’s, this little nook in Hell’s Kitchen is welcoming and comfortable. When I stopped by for an early lunch, I was the only diner and was greeted graciously by the enthusiastic waitress and the chef himself, Sergeant Kiang (“Uncle …
THE PLACE: Man, I miss giving the Cocktail Tours I used to run before the pandemic. Not just because they were awesome and I got to hang out at some of the best cocktail bars in town, but also because I really got to explore the local late night food scene in the East Village. …
THE PLACE: While wandering around scouting a brand new food tour, I discovered a little stand outside the famous Phil-Am Food Mart. This is a weekend pop-up that is not officially related to the Filipino market, but of course, is selling street food that would appeal to the market’s customers. And don’t worry, they absolutely …
Who knew there were so many versions of biryani? I’ll admit I am not so well-versed on the regionality of Indian cuisine, but I was surprised by a lot of the items on the menu at Hyderabadi Zaiqa under the biryani section. Biryani, of course, is a rice dish mixed with spices and a range …
Eating food with your hands is one of the great pleasures in life. We have so many great hand (or finger) food in NYC. Tacos, pizza, bagels. Something I would not have put on that list (until now) is a whole chicken. Cauldron Chicken opened at the end of last year on a part of …
I’m not sure I really understand the difference between a finger and a nugget when it comes to chicken. The birds, of course, don’t have either. I’m sure the difference comes from the shape of the fritter. It wasn’t until I was ordering the house made versions at the local favorite Krupa Grocery that I …
Perhaps by the end of this adventure, we’ll have learned how to say “coast” in every language? Doubtful, but last time we visited a Spanish-speaking coast (Costa Rica) and this stop will be a French-speaking coast in Western Africa. While we could have included this country with the letter “I”s since most Americans know it …
We decided for this episode to combine two very nearby countries into one video. Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo are two neighboring countries divided by the river that gives them both part of their name. These countries in Central Africa have different histories, but a decent amount in common, especially their geography …
The number of exciting new Thai restaurant openings continues. It’s amazing how much the Thai scene has expended in this city in just a few years. We’ve always had good Thai options, but it’s gotten a bit difficult to keep up lately. In the best possible way. One of my new go-to recommendations for a …
It’s 2023 and I’m about to do it. God help me. I’m about to feature an NYC food shop that got famous because of Tik Tok. I’ve yet to jump on the Tik Tok bandwagon (although I get closer every day) and had no idea Chick of Us was buzzing all throughout young people’s smartphones. …
I’m counting down the 10 best dishes I tasted in 2022… Ever since the great pandemic of two years ago (the one that is, yes, technically still raging), I am very grateful for another year immersing myself in the food of NYC. Yes, lots has changed. I’m not able to as freely get to the …
Every week, I document another dish that impressed and satiated me during my food adventures around New York City Despite the fact that it’s overrun with tourists, Chelsea Market has always done a really great job of curating excellent food options. So whenever something opens inside the market, I get a good sense it will be worth fighting …
Every week, I document another dish that impressed and satiated me during my food adventures around New York City The first year I made a Top 100 list (which does not happen any longer sadly), I wracked my brain trying to come up with the best things I ate over the previous 10 years of …
SADLY, EDITH’S EATERY & GROCERY IS NOW CLOSED. As we have just another few days of Passover and only (hopefully) another few days of chilly weather, I thought the pick this week was very appropriate. It comes from a new Jewish grocery and restaurant in the middle of Williamsburg. Following their very popular nearby bagel and …
Every week, I document another dish that impressed and satiated me during my food adventures around New York City Last week I wrote about all the amazing exotic fruits I tried on my recent trip to Costa Rica. But, of course, that is not all I ate. Most of my favorite meals were at local …
Every week, I document another dish that impressed and satiated me during my food adventures around New York City There are ways to experience the food at hip restaurants without dropping a boatload of money. One is to come at lunch, another is to have the food as takeout (no need to leave a 20% tip), …