New York is filled with so many amazing restaurants and food joints...you can find places that serve everything from hot fried ice cream, to a juicy burger in between a bun made of Ramen. I have personally made it my mission to visit as many of these culinary masterpieces as possible while attending college at Fordham, so join me on my journey! Here is a list of nine places that you must visit before leaving New York (yes, like a food bucket list)...and trust me, you will not be sorry!
1. Dominique Ansel Bakery
Does the term ‘cronut,’ sound familiar? Dominique Ansel, the owner of this SOHO phenomenon, used his baking expertise and love for French food to invent these circular pieces of heaven. Not familiar with the term? The best way to image a cronut is to envision the product of the world’s best doughut, combined with the best crissaunt in all of France. Genius. It’s like “survival of the fittest,” where cronuts kill out all other subordinate desserts due to their lack of deliciousness.
Buuuut, Ansel didn’t stop there. He then decided to make S’mores, a classic camping and summertime treat, even more perfect. By magically coverying chocolate-dunked vanilla ice cream with a huge marshallow, placing it on a stick, and then TORCHING IT (seriously, they torch it), the world’s first frozen smore was created!
I admit that I had been doubting the whole “cronut” and “frozen s’more” craze while waiting in the 45 minute line (which, for the record, was out the door), but I was sincerely tempted to wait another 45 minutes for more after finishing the unique treats. So. Worth. It.
2. Galanga
Galanga is an authentic Thai food restaurant located near Washington Square Park, close to what’s known as “NYU territory” to us Fordham students. The restaurant has a modern-style open floor plan, with lots of natural light and great service. I did not know much about Thai food before my experience at Galanga; in fact, all I really knew was that it was spicy and had peanut sauce in many of its dishes. Since I have one of the most sensitive palates when it comes to spicy food (seriously, sweet peppers are almost too spicy for me), I was apprehensive to eat at such a restaurant. I ended up ordering a (non-spicy) green noodle dish that had thick rice noodles and chicken in it, and it was the BEST DECISION OF MY LIFE. Every dish seemed to have been crafted to absolute perfection—aesthetically and gastronomically.
By the end of our meals (which are generously sized portions), we were not only satisfied, but also raving about the food. On top of it all, the final check for the group of six people that I was with ended up being around $110, which included each of our meals, three appetizers, and tip! If my experience at Galanga was defined in the dictionary, it would be summed up as follows: incredible food, great service, amazing price.
3. Shake Shack
If you live in New York and have not had a Shake Shack burger, then you really have not lived. Actually, my statement holds true for people in other states, as well, but those in New York should feel even more ashamed. Not only are there various Shake Shacks located throughout the city’s streets, but there is also one in Grand Central Station!
I was once a Shake Shack skeptic—how could a fast food burger ever be worthy of so much craze?! Everyone talks about it incessantly! I figured that the burgers must taste like the ones from McDonald’s…I mean, that’s the epitome of fast food burgers! Yet, as a foodie, I felt obligated to try a Shake Shack burger. I NEEDED to taste what all the hype was about.
After my first bite, I was in sheer shock. My eyes were wide, and my mouth slowly exposed a contented smile before it progressed back toward the burger’s juicy goodness. That was the moment at which I fell in love with Shake Shack; it was truly love at first bite. Sadly, my newly founded soul-mate was finished off within a matter of seconds…but the combination of the warm bun along with the tender meat and the special Shake Shack sauce made the burger irresistible! I am now one of the many millions of Shake Shack fanatics in this world, and will thus be even more dedicated to my pledge to avoid food from McDonalds at all costs.
4. Waffles & Dinges
When I first heard of “Waffles & Dinges,” I cringed. Dinges? It sounds like a word used to describe something dirty. I don’t want something dirty getting anywhere near my waffles! Thanks to my dear friend Siri, however, I soon discovered that the term ‘dinges’ actually refers to the toppings put on top of waffles. I then felt as if I had discovered the meaning of life, and best of all, Waffles & Dinges suddenly sounded incredible to my lunch-deprived stomach.
An order at Waffles & Dinges is somewhat expensive (about $8 for a waffle with two toppings), but the fulfillment of eating a hot and freshly made waffle covered in whipped cream and chocolate sauce (or some of the other choices like strawberries, ice cream, and Nutella) is unparalleled. Food trucks like Waffles & Dinges are nightmares for those on Weight Watchers, and probably the sole reason why gyms were created, but let’s be honest—life is way too short to be wasted on dieting!
5. Babbo
Does the name Mario Batali ring a bell? If you can’t place the name, Batali is only one of Food Network’s most famous chefs. And, as if that wasn’t enough for his resume, he is also the owner of the up-scale Italian restaurant, Babbo, in Waverly Place. The minute you walk into this restaurant, you are transported to a fine eatery in Italy, fully equipped with a seven-man staff of waiters ready to serve your every need. I used to think that a good waitress was one that came back every few minutes to make sure you are satisfied with your meal and refills your water glass every once and awhile, but I apparently did not know what quality service was until I dined here. When we were served our complimentary breadbasket, for example, there was a man on duty to clean up the crumbs that feel from the crispy crust. The most intriguing part about this, however, was that he somehow used nothing more than metal spoon to scoop up the crumbs in a way resembled a vacuum. It was the most fascinating thing I had ever seen!
The menu was comprised of an unbelievable variation of foods, such as gourmet pasta, fancy duck (as shown), rabbit (I refrained from considering that one), steaks, and so on; everything on the menu seemed as if it were created with the most exact culinary precision. The dessert, though, was the best part of the meal. I ordered a pistachio and chocolate semifreddo (as shown), which was easily the most gorgeous looking dish that I had ever witnessed, and it tasted so rich and delicious that I almost ordered another to bring back home with me (but my wallet made me act otherwise!).
6. Georgetown Cupcakes/ Magnolia Bakery
If you are a fan of rivalries, then I know two of the perfect bakeries for you. I confess, I am very biased when it comes to the cupcake battle—Georgetown Cupcakes vs. Magnolia Bakery Cupcakes. Georgetown Cupcakes are a lot better. That, of course, is my opinion, however. Cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery are very delectable and enjoyable; they resemble more of the classic cupcake (simply decorated buttercream frosting on top of a moist cake) and are offered in flavors such as chocolate, vanilla, and red velvet. Magnolia Bakery has various locations, but the one next to Radio City provides a perfect background for Instagram pictures (as shown on top). Georgetown Cupcakes, on the other hand, get fancier with their creations. Not only do they offer over 20 different drool-worthy flavors (such as Peanut Butter Fudge, Cookies & Cream, and Key Lime), but they also somehow managed to make their gluten-free cupcakes taste just as amazing as the regular ones! That deserves an award in itself. Both bakeries bake great cupcakes…that’s for sure, but the real judgment call is up to you!
7. S'mac
The owners of this joint have found a fool-proof way to make sure that their customer’s are pleased—by allowing them to customize their own type of mac-n-cheese! The options are irresistible; Gouda, Fontina, Brie, Cheddar, American and Swiss are just a few of the types of cheeses offered, in addition to meats like sausage, pork, and steak. Other ingredients like onions and spinach can also be added, and are then combined in a skillet and baked in the oven for a true mac-n-cheese masterpiece! The mac-n-cheese is cooked and served in an authentic cast-iron skillet instead of a dish (which serves as a great photo op), and the food itself is fantastic. Haven’t been here yet? S’mack is located near Bryant Park, so it’s a great place to go for dinner before enjoying a romantic stroll in the park…hint to all the guys out there.
8. Atrium Restaurant DUMBO
This restaurant holds a special place in my heart for two main reasons. For years, I had longed to try the French delicacy of escargot—even though the thought of eating snails is revolting— but I decided that it was finally time to cross it off my bucket list while at Atrium Restaurant. I braced myself for the imminent gagging I was about to endure, but I was instead pleasantly surprised with the escargot’s flavor! I ended up fully enjoying the entire dish of oh-so-scrumptious snails, and proceeded by congratulating the server on the dish’s success. If this restaurant can make snails taste good, I can't even imagine how delicious their other plates are! The spaghetti carbora that I ordered for my main course was indeed cooked to perfection, as exhibited by my consequential food-baby that showed as I left the restaurant.
Realtors, many times, claim that property is all about “location, location, location.” Well, Atrium Restaurant has just that. It is situated in the DUMBO district (yes, like Disney’s elephant with the big ears), just under the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridge, which provides customers with a great area to explore before and after their meal.
I took the image of the Manhattan Bridge, as shown above, from a bench just outside the restaurant; while I sat taking in the exquisite view, on FIVE different occasions, a beautifully dressed bride, along with their photographer and wedding assembly, passed by. The area’s beauty is breathtaking, as revealed by the number of brides who took advantage of it, and it being able to witness such a grand experience as a mere bystander was truly captivating.
9. Jack’s Wife Freda
Freda. (Fred-uh). I can’t explain how long it took me to get that name straight. The first time I ventured to this cute little brunch spot in SOHO, I thought that I was eating at the popular café, known as Jack’s Wife ‘Fri-duh.’ I must have lacked some culture lessons while growing up. Yet, despite my incorrect pronunciation of the name, I immediately began admiring the café’s cozy and welcoming atmosphere. The tables are set up in such a way that encourages interactions with others. You are seated about three inches away from the person at the table next to you, but that allows you to check out the various dishes before ordering—definitely a plus! Jack’s Wife Freda is an artsy blogger’s heaven—the dainty menu doubles as a place mat, and the colorful sugar packets are even designed with short adages for a charming touch. As a lover of all things brunch, I commend this café for their unique menu; dull dishes like French toast and plain omelets are replaced with extravagant options, such as Poached Eggs with Grilled Tomato and Haloumi, and Green Shakshuka (a signature dish which I hope to try during my next visit there). Jack’s Wife Freda is an extraordinary experience for customers because of the exceptional food, service and atmosphere offered, all of which the café seems to have mastered.
New York is stuffed (like your stomach after a great meal) with a plethora of food stops that will change the way you think about food. Sick of boring waffles? Put some ice cream and chocolate sauce on it! Food has been transformed into an art that expands the definition of what it means to eat; one does not necessarily eat in order to live, but rather lives in order to eat! I plan on having many more exciting food experiences while living in New York; to follow all of my food adventures, check out my Instagram blog @BiteoftheBest!
