eating & drinking in nyc {2017}

Although I do a lot of planning of meals in my professional life, when I travel to New York I always tend to let the cards fall where they may. They always tend to fall in delicious places, so in that respect I’m lucky. Or have great friends and family who lead me to wonderful meals.

Here, in no particular order, are the highlights from my trip to New York a few weeks ago. Use it in good health (and with a healthy appetite!). Sorry there are not longer descriptions, but if I waited to do that, then this post would never be written!

We did two very fun food tours, one with In Food We Trust and the other with Joe DiStefano  which you can read about here.I highly recommend both!

Revenge BBQ – Irvington, New York   My sister and her family live in Irvington, just outside of New York and so we spend a lot of time there. The night my mother was also in town we got take out from the newest arrival in downtown Irvington: Revenge BBQ. It is SERIOUS barbecue. So if you do find yourself in Irvington, or just want to take a day trip up the Hudson for some fresh air, this place actually worth a trip. You could, conceivably, take the train up, and then pick up a picnic to enjoy in the park along the river. But make sure you call ahead and reserve, since they do sell out. It’s that good.

The Oyster Bar  We always make sure we eat at least one meal at the Oyster Bar in Grand Central.

La Colombe  Coffee is always an issue, but I can always depend on La Colombe.

Umami Burger   We ended up here, as we usually do,  for a post cinema burger fix.

Peking Duck House:  We usually go for Dim Sum in China Town at least once during our trip. This past trip we changed things a bit and headed to Peking Duck House for…Peking Duck. It’s basically the one thing they do, and everyone orders it. They bring the duck to the table, before slicing it paper thin then bringing it back with steaming pancakes, duck sauce and scallions and cucumbers. Delicious and fun.

Atla   Since we couldn’t get a reservation for dinner, we ended up going here for  lunch and waited a bit for a table. It was worth every minute of our wait at what was one of the best meals I had during our stay. It’s Mexican, but a very modern twist. We shared small plates and so got to taste our way through much of the menu. It’s been showing up on all the ‘best of’ lists of 2017, to give you an idea that I’m not the only person in love with this place.

Arcade Baker   Go here for the pastries, for sure, but also for the space itself. It’s located in a building lobby in the most unlikely setting.

Chelsea Market  The first week we were in New York we were just down the street from Chelsea Market. I wish I had made more use of it, but at least I did manage to have an excellent lobster roll from The Lobster Place.

Air’s Champagne Parlor  I met my friend Alice here for a quick drink. It really does feel like a parlor, all pink and girly with bubbly all round. It’s a lovely place to meet up for a drink, but they also have food (smelled delicious but I didn’t try it). The bubbly list is Alice approved (and so good and interesting)

Metta  LOVED this place. Although it’s located kind of out of the way for me (it was kind of a hike to get there) in Brooklyn, it was darling and everything we had was excellent. There is a big wood burning oven and most things pass through there. Very cozy and warm inside. Very very Brooklyn. Loved the Tonato with market vegetables; Beef Heart Carpaccio and steak.

Le Coucou  This was a huge treat! My lovely editor at St. Martins reserved ages ahead of time at what has got to be the most beautiful restaurant in New York at the moment. The food is French, fancy and my mouth is watering right now just thinking of the monkfish in mussel broth I ordered. Also Michael;s Crepinette de volaille au foie gras (pictured below) was divine.

Bar Centrale  I met my friend Sienna at this hidden bar just down the street from Times Square. There isn’t even a sign out front, and when I met her there at 5pm, we were the only people in the place. Pitch perfect Martinis in a no nonsense New York bar. So hard to find these days. It was like an oasis.

Diane and Elizabeth  After drinks with Sienna, her husband Yves joined us and we headed down the street to this darling place. I would have never found it without them, especially since it’s in a neighborhood I don’t really know (Hell’s Kitchen). It was very cute, warm and cozy with lots of small plates to share. Great salads with farm fresh lettuces, beets, etc. Roasted cauliflower that was out of this world, and we even tried their version of a corn dog which was fun (and good).

Breads Best bakery in New York? Probably. I met a friend there for breakfast, but wish I had made it back more often to try everything they sell. I did get one of their justifiably famous babkas.

Russ and Daughters  Mandatory stop on any of my trips to New York. Emma and I waited over an hour for a seat at the counter. Fun and worth it.

Fish Cheeks  Super spicy and creative Thai comfort food one evening at Fish Cheeks.

Flora Bar A real treat thanks to my stepmother! She reserved way ahead of time and we had a lovely table at this restaurant located in the Met Breuer. Again, it’s been making the ‘best of’ lists this year. The most beautiful and delicious Caesar Salad in New York. Loved the simple anchovies my sister ordered. And everything else. 

Union Square ‘GreenMarket  Our apartment for the first week was just around the corner from the market, which I wish I had had time to cook from. It was fun just walking through and buying fruit. I wish I could have taken home a few of the gorgeous squashes.

One of the best meals I had was was dinner at my friend Melissa’s. Although you can’t go there, you can get the recipe for what she made that evening, Lamb Shanks braised with herbs. There were two David’s there, one made punch from his book punch, and the other  David made chocolate chip cookies from his new book l’Appart. . Anya was there too, and although she didn’t bring her new cookbook, we talked about it.