Guidebook for New York
Food Scene
Café Habana
17 Prince StBest Cuban sandwich and grilled corn-on-the-cob in the city!
Delicious Moroccan cuisine. Try the couscous with chicken or sausage for dinner or the infamous "avocado toast" for breakfast. Great coffee & people watching. 1/2 bottles of wine available as well.
219 locals recommend
Cafe Gitane
242 Mott StDelicious Moroccan cuisine. Try the couscous with chicken or sausage for dinner or the infamous "avocado toast" for breakfast. Great coffee & people watching. 1/2 bottles of wine available as well.
The Randolph's sibling. Best freakin' burger you have ever eaten. Seriously. It's that good. I'd give it the Pepsi challenge with Corner Bistro or Shake Shack any day.
16 locals recommend
The Randolph
349 Broome StThe Randolph's sibling. Best freakin' burger you have ever eaten. Seriously. It's that good. I'd give it the Pepsi challenge with Corner Bistro or Shake Shack any day.
Don't want to wait for Lombardi's? This pizza is better, in my humble opinion, and only a block away. Get the D.O.C. You owe it to yourself.
16 locals recommend
Saigon Vietnamese Sandwich Deli
369 Broome StDon't want to wait for Lombardi's? This pizza is better, in my humble opinion, and only a block away. Get the D.O.C. You owe it to yourself.
They say that this stuff is "like frozen yogurt"... I'm not really sure what it is, but I know that I love it.
Pinkberry
They say that this stuff is "like frozen yogurt"... I'm not really sure what it is, but I know that I love it.
The only exclusive rice pudding restaurant I've ever seen. My favorite is the graham cracker flavor, but dont take it from me as they let you try before you buy. Not healthy at all, and they dont care
62 locals recommend
Rice To Riches
37 Spring StThe only exclusive rice pudding restaurant I've ever seen. My favorite is the graham cracker flavor, but dont take it from me as they let you try before you buy. Not healthy at all, and they dont care
Feels like a french bistro, but serves tip-top Thai food. I love the "hobo noodles", and the classic pad thai. The red curry is amazing, should you brave the heat. Cash and AMEX only!
98 locals recommend
Lovely Day
196 Elizabeth StFeels like a french bistro, but serves tip-top Thai food. I love the "hobo noodles", and the classic pad thai. The red curry is amazing, should you brave the heat. Cash and AMEX only!
Mediterranean fare. Great wine selection. The food really is wonderful. Try the "chicken under a brick" and the pizzette with pureed carrots.
39 locals recommend
Balaboosta
611 Hudson StMediterranean fare. Great wine selection. The food really is wonderful. Try the "chicken under a brick" and the pizzette with pureed carrots.
I hope you know what Whole Foods is, but on the off-chance that you dont, it's a high-end gourmet/organic supermarket. They have everything here. But it's $$$.
1895 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
95 E Houston StI hope you know what Whole Foods is, but on the off-chance that you dont, it's a high-end gourmet/organic supermarket. They have everything here. But it's $$$.
Wine & small-plates. Always a lot of chatty Europeans here. If you are one, you've love it. If you arent one, you'll love it.
73 locals recommend
Epistrophy
200 Mott StWine & small-plates. Always a lot of chatty Europeans here. If you are one, you've love it. If you arent one, you'll love it.
Best Bloody Marys in the city. Seriously. They put some minced jalapenos, minced onions and balsamic vinegar in them. Have them put it all in there. You will not be disappointed. Come here for brunch.
Noho Star
Best Bloody Marys in the city. Seriously. They put some minced jalapenos, minced onions and balsamic vinegar in them. Have them put it all in there. You will not be disappointed. Come here for brunch.
The one and only. Accept no imitations (including the far newer 2nd location uptown).
35 locals recommend
Peking Duck House
28 Mott StThe one and only. Accept no imitations (including the far newer 2nd location uptown).
Little Italy's most famous cannolis. I'm a classic chocolate chip kinda guy.
32 locals recommend
Ferrara Bakery & Cafe
195 Grand StLittle Italy's most famous cannolis. I'm a classic chocolate chip kinda guy.
This is probably my favorite restaurant in the city. Start with the bacon maple dates, then try the short-rib cavatelli and follow it up with the monkey bread.
11 locals recommend
David Burke Kitchen
This is probably my favorite restaurant in the city. Start with the bacon maple dates, then try the short-rib cavatelli and follow it up with the monkey bread.
The bathroom humping scene in Unfaithful circa 2003? Yes! That was here.
10 locals recommend
Café Noir
35 Lispenard StreetThe bathroom humping scene in Unfaithful circa 2003? Yes! That was here.
Gimme Coffee
495 Lorimer StI always get the Americano, because I am one.
I usually go Gimmie over La Colombe, but a great change-up for sure. The kids love it.
121 locals recommend
La Colombe Coffee Roasters
270 Lafayette StI usually go Gimmie over La Colombe, but a great change-up for sure. The kids love it.
Best croissants this side of Paris. Try the chocolate almond.
52 locals recommend
Ceci Cela Patisserie
14 Delancey StBest croissants this side of Paris. Try the chocolate almond.
Famous cheesecakes. They make mini single-serving ones so that you can try a few.
31 locals recommend
Eileen's Special Cheesecake
17 Cleveland PlFamous cheesecakes. They make mini single-serving ones so that you can try a few.
Baked by Melissa
784 Lexington AveBest cupcakes in the city, in my opinion. PB&J is my fave.
The Meatball Shop
64 Greenwich AveIf you like balls of meat, eat these.
You can stuff your face here for just a few bucks. 4 fried dumplings for $1. Vanessa is my homegirl.
288 locals recommend
Vanessa's Dumpling House
118A Eldridge StYou can stuff your face here for just a few bucks. 4 fried dumplings for $1. Vanessa is my homegirl.
I personally like it better than the Peking Duck House, but to each his own. Soup Dumplings (aka, steamed juicy pork buns) and" wonton's in spicy sauce" are the sht!
New Shanghai Deluxe
50 Mott StI personally like it better than the Peking Duck House, but to each his own. Soup Dumplings (aka, steamed juicy pork buns) and" wonton's in spicy sauce" are the sht!
This is my new favorite date spot. We had an app, two entrees, a bottle of wine and dessert, and the bill was $80. The chicken parm and Grass Fed Bolognese with handmade pappardelle were both amaze!
87 locals recommend
Sauce
78 Rivington StThis is my new favorite date spot. We had an app, two entrees, a bottle of wine and dessert, and the bill was $80. The chicken parm and Grass Fed Bolognese with handmade pappardelle were both amaze!
Best chicken parm EVER! It's not just a clever name. Everything here is great. Try the B&G poppers and the clams casino.
74 locals recommend
Parm
248 Mulberry StBest chicken parm EVER! It's not just a clever name. Everything here is great. Try the B&G poppers and the clams casino.
There are a few of these in the city. Fun little cafe with great sandwiches and coffee. Their weekday Happy Hour is half-price BOTTLES of wine. I am not making this up.
82 locals recommend
The Grey Dog
244 Mulberry StThere are a few of these in the city. Fun little cafe with great sandwiches and coffee. Their weekday Happy Hour is half-price BOTTLES of wine. I am not making this up.
Shopping
The Japanese phenomenon's first NYC store. Great duds in a bazillion colors. Cheap!
64 locals recommend
Uniqlo Soho
546 BroadwayThe Japanese phenomenon's first NYC store. Great duds in a bazillion colors. Cheap!
Bloomingdale's
Lexington AvenueIt's Bloomingdale's. Perhaps you've heard of it?
Rite Aid Pharmacy
981 West Side AvenueCheapest beer I've seen in the city can be found here!
Duane Reade
110 Newark AveDrug store/pharmacy. Like CVS, but only in NY.
They call it a supermarket, but there's nothing "super" about it. They sell food. I call it a grocery store. It's close, at least.
18 locals recommend
Met Food
251 Mulberry StreetThey call it a supermarket, but there's nothing "super" about it. They sell food. I call it a grocery store. It's close, at least.
If you're from London, you've got these sorta places all over. If not, & you've got cash to burn, treat yourself to a custom suit/shirt/tux. Complimentary Scotch while you browse. Buy me something!
Michael Andrews Bespoke
2 Great Jones AlleyIf you're from London, you've got these sorta places all over. If not, & you've got cash to burn, treat yourself to a custom suit/shirt/tux. Complimentary Scotch while you browse. Buy me something!
Skip the gaudy obvious "Performance Store" on Houston and Broadway for this stealth "Originals" store. This is where they keep the good stuff.
8 locals recommend
adidas Originals Flagship Store
115 Spring StSkip the gaudy obvious "Performance Store" on Houston and Broadway for this stealth "Originals" store. This is where they keep the good stuff.
My girlfriend loves their jewelry. Obviously, I am biased, but she has good taste. Hence, your's probably will, too. Buy her something nice.
Me & Ro
My girlfriend loves their jewelry. Obviously, I am biased, but she has good taste. Hence, your's probably will, too. Buy her something nice.
Ben Sherman Clothing
96 Spring StreetPreppy rock 'n roll.
"Lovingly made in Los Angeles." I own a bazillion henleys and v-neck T's.
29 locals recommend
American Apparel
"Lovingly made in Los Angeles." I own a bazillion henleys and v-neck T's.
I hate to admit that half of my wardrobe is from here. Don't tell anyone. ...oh, fck.
Urban Outfitters
2081 BroadwayI hate to admit that half of my wardrobe is from here. Don't tell anyone. ...oh, fck.
Drinks & Nightlife
Classic dive bar. Friendly bar-tenders and patrons. This is a total locals bar. They start serving booze as early as 8am, and they dont stop til 4a. Usually have the game on the flat-screen.
66 locals recommend
Spring Lounge
48 Spring StClassic dive bar. Friendly bar-tenders and patrons. This is a total locals bar. They start serving booze as early as 8am, and they dont stop til 4a. Usually have the game on the flat-screen.
Upstairs is a tasty nondescript tacqueria. Downstairs is one of the most infamous speakeasies in the city. Ed Norton, George Clooney, Kirsten Dunst, Borat, Turtle, the Olsons. I've seen them all here.
263 locals recommend
La Esquina - SoHo
114 Kenmare StUpstairs is a tasty nondescript tacqueria. Downstairs is one of the most infamous speakeasies in the city. Ed Norton, George Clooney, Kirsten Dunst, Borat, Turtle, the Olsons. I've seen them all here.
Dont stay here! Stay at my place! (But come here for dinner and drinks!)
18 locals recommend
NOMO SOHO
9 Crosby StDont stay here! Stay at my place! (But come here for dinner and drinks!)
Burlesque Club. Not as hoppin' as it was 4 years ago, but still a titillating place to drink away your dollars...
10 locals recommend
Office In A Box
195 Chrystie StBurlesque Club. Not as hoppin' as it was 4 years ago, but still a titillating place to drink away your dollars...
Pravda
281 Lafayette StVodka is their specialty, and they have a lot of it.
Apotheke
9 Doyers StExpensive/delicious drinks mixed up by pseudo pharmacists.
Ear Inn
326 Spring StOldest bar in NYC. Don't let them sell you on that McSorley's ish.
This might be the only "club" in the city I actually like. Great vibe, great DJ, great drinks. Tough door, but not too tough to beat. Tatted up doorman Jonny Lennon there on most nice. Be nice to him.
43 locals recommend
GoldBar
389 Broome StThis might be the only "club" in the city I actually like. Great vibe, great DJ, great drinks. Tough door, but not too tough to beat. Tatted up doorman Jonny Lennon there on most nice. Be nice to him.
Arts & Culture
New Museum of Contemporary Art
235 BowerySuper-cool, very modernist art museum.
Sightseeing
I run across here when I'm feeling fat. I think it's about 1.5 miles in each direction. Great views of the East River, and as the name suggests, it leads to Williamsburg, which the kids rave about.
387 locals recommend
Williamsburg Bridge
70 Williamsburg Bridge Bicycle PathI run across here when I'm feeling fat. I think it's about 1.5 miles in each direction. Great views of the East River, and as the name suggests, it leads to Williamsburg, which the kids rave about.
Everything Else
This is my tailor. He is the man. Lose a button? Need a quick hem? This is the guy. He'll even make you a custom suit, if you ask nicely (and are willing to pay). Open 7-days. Cash only.
Victor & Tailors
205 Mott StThis is my tailor. He is the man. Lose a button? Need a quick hem? This is the guy. He'll even make you a custom suit, if you ask nicely (and are willing to pay). Open 7-days. Cash only.