Foodies are in heaven when they visit New York City restaurants. Not only is there an overabundance of options, but there’s also no shortage of quality places to eat. The only catch is the price tag. Without a doubt, a patron will pay more in New York City than in most other places in the US. If you’re in the mood for a splurge, don’t delay a trip.
As a Jewish woman raised in suburban Chicago, I crave my Jewish comfort foods. Our trips back to Chicago always include a stop or two at a deli. There’s nothing like hand cut nova lox or a lean corn beef sandwich on rye bread. While these items are certainly available in Colorado, the quality is not the same.
On our first night in New York City, we wanted a quick bite to eat that was close to our Midtown Manhattan hotel. Just blocks away was the famous Carnegie Deli that showcases pictures of its famous clientele on its walls. Plump pickles and mega corn beef sandwiches were our choice. While the corn beef was exceptionally lean, tender, and warm, it was cut thicker than expected. The generous portion could easily be shared with another. The hefty price tag- $16.95/sandwich needed to be paid in cash. I wondered how unprepared tourists handled a place that did not accept credit cards. An ATM machine was conveniently stationed at the back of the restaurant.
After touring Battery Park and the 9/11 Memorial, we were famished. Phone apps directed us to a handful of local hangouts. On the way to a choice spot, we eyed the outside seating at South West NY. Without giving it a second thought, we looked at the menu and decided to stay. Had we checked Yelp or some of the other restaurant sites, we may have moved on. It was mid afternoon so there were plenty of tables. Perhaps that is why our service and food was better than what others had reported. The burgers and the goat cheese salads came as expected. I especially liked the goat cheese fritter that was the focal point to my salad. Other than the waitress overfilling a glass that she was holding over the floor, we did not have any complaints. We had a peaceful and tasty meal while we dined outside.
Prior to the Man 2.0 Engineering the Alpha launch party at the Chelsea Manor, we stopped at Adam’s hotel, Ink48 for dinner. This boutique hotel had a delightful dining room where we began our celebration. The food came piping hot and was enjoyed by all.
After an exciting evening at Chelsea Manor, we joined Adam, John Romaniello, and some of their colleagues for a four course brunch the next day at Barbounia.
Wow! Fitness gurus can certainly pack it away. Each course was served with meal-sized portions and most kept up with the invigorating pace.
The starter included a variety of homemade spreads- hummus, tzatziki, roasted eggplant, taramasalata,and spicy feta with a delicious flatbread.
Coffee and mimosas were offered to all of the guests. No glass or cup remained unfilled for long.
Appetizers included a bowl of chopped salad- chopped cucumbers, tomato, onion, parsley, mint, sumac and lemon tahini dressing, Terracotta shrimp drenched in garlic olive oil, and Greek Fondue- Kefalograviera cheese and Metaxa “five” brandy.
There were five entrees to choose from. Most included some form of pork. We were content with the Margherita pizza.
One other entree, Moroccan Eggs- baked eggs with tomato sauce, paprika and garlic- did not include pork. It was served in a skillet.
A fellow diner ordered the Canadian Bacon Eggs Benedict Falafel Sandwich.
The meal was topped off with three delicious desserts.
Malavi- with raspberry coulis, berries, toasted coconut and pistachios with a small cookie.
By far the most interesting of the three was the Silan- honey dates, almonds, pistachios, rice crispy brittle, shredded halva and milk ice cream. It had an assortment of tastes and textures. I’m still trying to figure out how the chef was able to shred the halva.
The Pogata- assorted gelatos and sorbetto was the simplest, but at the same time delicious.
It was quite a feast. I cannot recall ever eating such a combination of foods.
To help eliminate the symptoms of an overfilled belly, we walked for a few hours in Central Park. Kayla had been eyeing the hot dog vendors since the time we arrived. She posed for this indulgence as she chowed down on America’s all time favorite.
After taking our stroll in the park, the boys were naturally hungry. A quick stop at the long counter at PizzaArte fulfilled their pizza craving.
Ira and I shared a clear broth vegetarian minestrone soup. It came burning hot in an oversized square bowl. I took a slice of Ira’s pizza. It was our second pizza for the day.
Our dinner in New York City was at Chimichurri Grill- Nuevo Argentine Cuisine. This quaint restaurant is a carnivore’s delight. Its website boasts that it only serves 100% grass fed angus beef. Almost all of the entrees were either meat or poultry. Vegetarians would have minimal options.
I thought my sons would be more than full after eating so much food. Into the wee hours of the morning, long after we returned to our hotel, they sought a restaurant that served doughnuts and ice cream. They raved about the unusual combination, but claimed that the doughnuts could have been fresher. What did they expect in the middle of the night?
Before leaving for the airport, our group reunited once again for brunch at Aaron’s hotel, the Andaz on Fifth Avenue. A lox and bagel sandwich was all I desired.
Now that I am back in Colorado, I can reminisce about our small sampling of New York City restaurants and at the same time return to a more moderate intake of food.
Sandra Bornstein is the author of MAY THIS BE THE BEST YEAR OF YOUR LIFE. It is available on Amazon.
If you enjoyed reading my memoir, consider posting a review on Amazon, Goodreads, LibraryThing and/or AskDavid.com.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.