There are always lines out the door at this really tiny pizza shop on 14th St., between 1st and 2nd Ave., in the East Village. {But they just opened a new location on the West Side at 10th Ave. and 17th St., which has seating!} Although there are no seats inside, people sit on curbs and stoops and enjoy their humongous slice of deliciousness. Of course the Artichoke pizza is best, but the Margarita is a nice lighter flavor, too. You cannot miss this place. Best. Pizza. Ever.
If you wander farther down into the East Village onto 7th St. between 1st and A, you will have the greatest Venezuelan arepa experience of your life. Arepas are a type of cornmeal pancake, which they split open and fill with lots of different ingredients. Our favorite arepa is the La del Gato, which is stuffed with a special cheese, fried sweet plantains, and avocado! There are two restaurants right next to each other, one is more of a take out place, but they both serve the same food! {They also have a location in Brooklyn.}
Right across the street from Caracas and down towards A St., is a small pork shop that makes only a limited amount of pork each day, so don’t be surprised if they are run out in the afternoon! Get the pork sandwich, not the plate, with a side of crispy potatoes that have little pieces of the pork drippings in them, which make them unbelievable! {See above}
This food in this place is EXACTLY like it is in Colombia in a fun, party atmosphere in Park Slope, Brooklyn at 5th ave and Douglas. The ajiaco soup is always the first thing we order, followed by the traditional Bandeja Paisa. This plate is perfect for sharing and has lots of meats, arepas, fried plantains, rice, and beans.
Our lovely friend Ayumi first introduced us to the most glorious whoopie pies at One Girl. The quite cafe is a perfect stop for an afternoon snack or a small breakfast of oatmeal and tea. So cute!
We always go here for lunch while working downtown. This pink themed diner has great homey food and beautiful desserts. We suggest the four cheese macaroni with a side of green salad, chili with cornbread, or their seasonal soup!
At 74th St. and Amsterdam on the Upper West Side, this cookie shop defeated Bobby Flay in a cookie challenge with their famous 1/2 pound cookies! Need we say more?
On Saturdays, the square is filled with local farmers and local food shops. On Sundays here, they also have an art market that has really interesting pieces!
You feel like a celebrity when you get a reservation, but you feel full of joy and happiness when you finish dinner. This tiny place on the edge of Little Italy will drain your wallet and possibly your month’s savings, but you will be blown away course after course with fresh mozzarella and gnocchi that are light as pillows.
This small Italian place in Soho has great prices on large plates of pasta and a huge variety of pastas, pizzas, and other northern Italian food. Simple and delicious!
To enjoy this lower east side gastropub’s brunch menu at its finest, sit on the benches that line the sidewalk for some great hipster-watching, while enjoying some strong, black coffee and crispy soft-boiled eggs.
by Claire
2 comments