Ponte's - Italian - $$$

Website

I've heard that back in the 90s, Ponte's was a popular spot. Located in Tribeca, right on the West Side Highway, Ponte's makes a really great date spot for a romantic dinner. The views are breathtaking and the food matches the same.

We went there on their first night open after being closed for several weeks for renovations. So we knew that meant the food was going to be extra fresh and delicious. And boy, was it.

We started with the caesar salad, delicious, and then shared our entrees. We ordered the arragosta arabbiata (aka- the angry lobster) and it was phenomenal. The BEST lobster dish I think I have ever had. I would come back for this dish over and over and over again. We also ordered the steak, which to be honest, steak isn't the first thing that I think of eating at an Italian restaurant, but I was with a guy... what do guys know? But the steak was great too.



Seriously delicious food, and with the gorgeous view, it is highly recommended for a low-key, romantic Italian dinner.

Palma - Italian - $$$

Website

So one of my dreams/goals that I expect to reach living here in NYC, is knowing and being friends with chefs around the city. The experience that I had at Palma is exactly the reason why.

My friend, to keep it short, is friends with the Executive Chef at Palma, the handsome and charming, Raffaele Ronca. After greetings with kisses and catch-up chatter, Raffaele said one of the most desirable things every foodie-diner wants to hear: "let me just bring you a few dishes, ok?" Who knows better about the menu than the Chef who created it?

My wish was granted. We shared plate after plate of deliciousness. A fried artichoke heart dish- a texture and flavor I'd never before tasted and couldn't get enough of. Crab cakes. A perfectly seared sea bass. The most simple, delicious, amazing pasta dish: fresh made pasta, crushed tomatoes, garlic and basil. Divine. Dessert. There were so many "Mmmm" inspired bites accompanied with lip smacking sips of wine. It went on and on and on. In the end, he shared a glass of limoncello with us while chatting about cooking, food, and eating.

It was a fabulous night! There's nothing better than connecting with the person who created your amazing meal, and that experience lived up to the dream i've been building in my head.

The restaurant has an adorable, rustic feel that serves as a perfect setting for the type of food it serves. You feel like you're in Italy and you taste the authenticity. Nestled on the quiet Cornelia St. this makes for the perfect date spot.


Go and indulge. $50pp

Republic - Noodles - $

Website

Republic was one of the first "ethnic" food restaurants I tried when I came to college in the city. (I grew up in the smallest, blandest town in NJ). It was very exciting to try Thai food, and at the time, Republic was all the rage-- everyone talked about how great their noodles were.

As far as the dining experience was concerned, this was one of the cheaper options (important for college students) that had table service. We loved it. Everything from the pad thai, to the glass noodles, their noodle soups, or satay. And since it's located in Union Square- walking distance from my school, and had the coolest space with the coolest communal tables, we frequented often.

I recently revisited Republic after a long hiatus. Its quality is still as great, although the wait time for a table is drastically reduced. The prices have also increased, but it has been about 10 years.

We went for a very simple old-school choice on the appetizer, the always-good: chicken satay. I followed that up with a beef noodle soup, very much like a pho. Their cocktails, thai iced tea, and juices are all also worth mentioning.





I still love this place and will highly recommend it to someone visiting from out of town. Not only is it delicious but its location is perfect. If you find yourself in Union Square, you should definitely stop here.

Expect to pay a mere $20 without drinks.

Kunjip - Korean - $

Website

I went here for lunch one day and had a great experience. The thing I respect about 32nd street is how Korean all the restaurants really are. Most of the customers are Korean and most of the waiters are so Korean, they can barely communicate with you in English. So you know that what you're having is an authentic experience and an authentic meal.

These restaurants are also efficiently run and perfect spots for lunch.

Everyone ordered different items from noodle soups, to bibimbob, or my favorite, the spicy udon noodles with the squid. I get this almost every time.




Try this place out for its good lunch special and an authentic meal.

Lunch $10.

Baby Bo's - Mexican - $$

Website

It's obvious that I love Mexican food. Authentic, Tex-Mex, fake Mexican, I don't care, I love it all. But Baby Bo's just might be one of my favorite un-Authentic Mexican restaurants in the city. The place is small and tightly packed with not only tables and people, but Mexican art and decoration everywhere you look. It has a great, inviting atmosphere without being the least bit cheesy.

There's usually a ditzy, slightly crazy woman who waits there, but if she gets your order wrong, don't get too upset. She means well and she'll make it right by you.

The food here is delicious. My favorite item is the enchilada with the chipotle sauce, seen below. It is insane how delicious it is. It also comes with rice and beans, all glued together with melted cheese, sooo good. When you sit at your table, you're given a basket of chips with freshly made pico de gallo. It is so fresh and flavorful, you could just have that and some margaritas and be perfectly happy. Order yourself one of their great margaritas and wait for your meal.



Everyone I've ever brought here loves the food, and we always leave feeling stuffed and buzzed-- always a great sign of a great meal.

Meal and margarita will cost you about $25.

J.G. Melon - Burgers - $

Website

J.G. Melon is one of those old-school, hasn't changed since it opened, authentic burger joints. After a few good burger-ventures, a coworker recommended this as being one of Bobby Flay's "Best Burgers I Ever Ate."

This place feels so out of place up on the Upper East Side. It's a dark pub-like restaurant packed with people and tables. The menu is simple but the burgers aren't too cheap.

I went ahead and ordered the cheeseburger and split some fries. Burger was good, but certainly not my favorite. But for the sake of its reputation, I had to include this in my blog. If you're looking for that "normal" no-frills kind of American burger, this could definitely be it. I particularly prefer a juicier, fattier meat that melts in your mouth with every bite.





Burger and fries $15.

Fish - Seafood - $$

Website

In the summertime, all you want is seafood. So how appropriate to trust in a place simply named "Fish"? Everyone in there seemed very happily involved with their meals and conversations. After looking around to see what people were eating, I decided to go with the house Lobster special.

For $20, I got a 1-1/4 lb lobster, fries, steamers and corn. All fresh, all delicious, and can't be beat. My friend was perfectly content with her lobster roll as well. For the value of their lobster dinner, I highly recommend this place. There aren't enough good, affordable seafood restaurants in the city and this has now become a go-to spot.



$20.

Othello's Deli - (Astoria) - $

Website

Everyone needs a good, local deli. I found this one on yelp and decided that I'd stop over on one of my weekend bike rides. When I got there, I found it crowded with customers placing orders inside as well as seated outside. Good sign.

It's your typical deli with grocery items, fresh fruit, hot prepared foods and deli meats. I went ahead and ordered what's now become my all-time favorite sandwich: smoked turkey, lettuce, tomato, onion and kefalotiri cheese on a hero. The kefalotiri cheese is obviously a Greek cheese, and when in Astoria... it perfectly compliments the smoked turkey and is just A----mazing.





The fact that it's always packed and everything is fresh is a good sign. Othello's has since become my go-to deli. This makes a great pit stop before biking over the tri-boro for a randall's island picnic.

Sandwich and bottled water, $8.

JG Melon - Burgers - $

Website

Another burger adventure in the city, inspired by my friends' burger obsessions in the city. A coworker had recommended this place and I learned that it's Bobby Flay's favorite burger from "Best Thing I Ever Ate."

This old, original restaurant features walls of watermelon posters and paintings, and a simple menu of burgers and steaks.

- Cheeseburger
(A good one, but not my favorite. It's a good, no frills version of your typical cheese burger)

- Fries
(Really good, crispy-- I liked these more than the burger)

The burger alone is about $10, plus whatever you eat and drink on the side.

Eataly - Italian - $$

Website

Eataly is great. It's a marketplace, a food court, a scene, and a tourist trap, all in one. The Mario Batali owned location sells all sorts of Italian goods, from chocolate and desserts to cheese and salamis, and breads, produce and fresh fish and meat. If it's Italian, it's there.





Next to all of the little markets- whether it's fish, meat, cheese, etc., are little restaurants based on the market it's next to. So you can choose based on what you feel like eating.

The first time I went, I had a fresh focaccia pizza from the bakery (to go) and it was excellent.

The second time, we came after a long night of drinks, we opted for the "La Pizza & La Pasta".



- Pomodora Pizza
(Great wood oven taste)






- Pasta alla Norma
(Fresh made lasagna pasta with eggplant and mozzarella)





Without wine, we spent $25pp.

Minetta Tavern - Burger - $$$

Website

OK. I've already posted Minetta Tavern, but the first time I went there, I had the steak- which is not what you're supposed to go there for. The Minetta Tavern Black Label burger is the talk of the town. It's considered the best burger in the city by many, who also justify the $26 price for what I like to consider as the single-childless-yuppie-with-money-to-spend's burger.

A friend of mine who is documenting his way through the best burgers of the city invited me along. We were on a mission. Even on a Wednesday night, the place was packed and loud as usual, making it really difficult to chat, but then again, the burger was so incredible, when it did finally arrive

there were no words spoken at our table, only "Mmmms"

It was amazing. The burger is pretty small, but I've read all sorts of articles about how the actual meat mixture used to make this burger is secret and exclusive to Minetta Tavern. It's essentially like the best steak ground up and cooked to perfection, then topped with carmelized onions. DO NOT think to put anything on this burger. It doesn't need anything at all.



We went with a certain technique to extend the life of this life-changing burger, which was by: cutting it in half, eating the first half in tiny bites, then eating the delicious fries that came with it, followed by the other half of the burger. At the end of the meal, I noticed that the knife bore the evidence of how perfect and fatty the burger is.




For me personally, the best part of the night was having Riad Nasr come out of the kitchen and speak to the guests at the table next to us. For all the times I have been to the McNally restaurants and dreamt of the opportunity to meet Riad Nasr- one of my favorite chefs and chef-owner pairings.... it was like too good to be true. And there he was, not even one foot away from me, with his name embroided on his chef's jacket. I dont know which experience was better-- the burger or the chef.

We finished the meal off with the Grand Marnier souffle, which well, was also amazing.



I so love Minetta Tavern.

Burgers and dessert about $45pp.

Katz's Deli - Sandwiches - $

Website

Katz has pretty much been around since forever and has kept true to the authenticity of the kosher deli. It's the place where Sally faked her orgasm in When Harry Met Sally, and when you go, there's a sign hanging from the ceiling over the her seat saying something like "I hope you're having what she had".

I still don't quite understand how the ticket system works, but when you walk in, you're given a ticket as you pass through the turnstile, which you're supposed to turn in on your way out. But you're sent straight to the counter, where there are almost a dozen men waiting to take your deli order. You have choices like liverwurst (my favorite), turkey, corned beef, pastrami, beef salami, etc. You choose your bread and mustard, and then you're given a plate of pickles.

It's not the kind of place that offers insanely large sandwiches like Stage or Carnegie Delis do, which are essentially catering to tourists anyway. Katz's is the real deal, and their sandwiches are normal-sized, pricey, but delicious.



You can also order the deli meats if you wanted to. All in all, every New Yorker has to go here at least once, and anyone visiting shouldn't miss out on this either.

Expect to pay about $15 for a sandwich and a drink.

David's Bagels - $

Website

Do yourself a favor. If you're in NYC and you need a good bagel, go to David's Bagels on 1st ave and 19th st. It will forever change the way you choose a bagel, and it will forever change the way you eat a bagel. It is so unimpressive from the exterior, but it will always be packed with people- evidence of what you're getting yourself into.

The bagels are perfect-- crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and always just... well, perfect. If you're from out of town, this is the perfect place to try a New York bagel, but DON'T get a bagel and creamcheese. You can get that anywhere. DO get a bagel with lox, or better yet, the smoked whitefish. Both are amazing here, and they're so New York, you likely will not find it outside of the city.

Even if you get whitefish, the bagel will be less than $7. Soooooo gooooooddd.

Artichoke - Pizza - $$

Website

Artichoke is one of the best pizza places in the city. They opened a new location with seating in chelsea. The original location was just a stand on 14th street, where you had to wait on a line for sometimes 30 min at a time. It was well worth the wait, but being able to sit, enjoy and drink the Artichoke beer is so much better.

- Stuffed artichoke
(Aaaa-mazing. You have to get it)



- Spinach & Artichoke Pizza
(This is really delicious. It is like spinach and artichoke dip on a pizza. The crust is perfectly crisp and each bite is delicious. In my opinion, I wouldn't go for more than 1 slice per person. This is a really salty, heavy slice and you will barely be able to finish 1.)





- Artichoke beer
(I originally mistook this as the house beer, but it is actually artichoke flavored beer which is the most surprisingly tasty beer i ever had. It is sweet, light and super smooth. Try it, you wont find it anywhere else.)

We each spent about $20pp.

Elias' Corner - Greek - $$$

Website (Astoria)

Everyone raves about this seafood restaurant for being the best in Astoria. I'm upset that my experience at this restaurant did not live up to the great hype that Elias' Corner gets. It's the kind of seafood restaurant you want to go to. There is no menu, there is just a display case filled with the fresh catches of the day. You basically go and pick out the fish you want and how you want it cooked: grilled or fried.

My friend and I however, had a different experience. We went on a Friday afternoon, and the service was awful. We started with salad, oysters, grilled octopus and the taramosalata (caviar spread). The oysters were a huge disappointment. They tasted bland and dry, and barely had any texture; it's like they were lifeless. I never had such a bad oyster before, which was so surprising, given that we were at a seafood restaurant. Then the grilled octopus, one of my favorite Greek dishes to get at a Greek restaurant, was the worst of them all. Totally charred on the outside, it had nothing but a burnt flavor, and was mushy and gooey on the inside- totally undercooked. Clearly, whoever made the dish had no idea how to prepare it. I complained to the waitress who only offered to take it back to cook it some more. Cooking it more would make it taste more burnt. How was that a solution? I explained this, and told her that it was not prepared correctly and that burning it more would not make it taste less burnt. All she said was "I don't know." She was so unaccommodating that we just asked for the check (she did not remove the bad dish from the bill) and left.







I wish this was a better experience for me, but I will definitely go back and try the seafood that the place is famous for. No octopus or oysters next time!

We spent $35 for just the appetizers.

the walrus and the carpenter - $$$ (Seattle, WA)

Website (Seattle)

It's ironic that while I was out in Seattle, this restaurant was posted on the front page of the NY Times Travel section, which is one of my go-to guides whenever I travel.

Known for its oysters, I was eager to try. The west coast has better oysters than the east coast, in my humble opinion, so this was the perfect place to try.

We started with an assortment of oysters. Delicious. Then we had these fried English peas- really delicious, smokey flavor like I've never enjoyed peas before.







The creme de la creme was the medjool dates dessert that we chose. Medjool dates are known for being fat, juicy, buttery and delicious. These are served warm on a plate covered in vanilla olive oil and sea salt. I still dream about how delicious this dish was. I never had that combination of flavors and textures before. It was just incredible. If I ever open a restaurant, or the next time I throw a fancy dinner party, I'm stealing this recipe.



Major compliments to the chef.

We spent about $35pp.

El Paso Tacqueria - Mexican - $$

Website

This is another one of those Upper East Side adventures restaurants. I went there with coworkers for a nice lunch. Who doesn't love Mexican food!?

The food was just a little bland. We all left feeling like it was only "ok" and not sure that we'd go back, which is really unfortunate because I love Mexican.

Tre Otto - Italian - $$$

Website

I've recently been exploring a lot of the restaurants on the Upper East Side, now that I have a project in the area. I have to admit that this one probably has the nicest ambiance and was most alluring from the sidewalk. It has a nice wine bar in the front, and a very elegant, modern decor. I had been saving this one for a client lunch.

So we finally went and sat in the back garden area. Super nice and serene, it was wonderful to find a place with al fresco dining. Italian food, al fresco dining, they go hand in hand. The place was filled with many old, Upper East Siders, most of whom were ladies who lunch. Their faces were all so botoxed and so made up, I wondered how they would even manage to open their mouths to eat.

Anyway, the service was really poor. It took about 10 minutes to get some water. 15 minutes to get bread that I had to ask for. And then another 5 for our iced teas. I kept hearing the table next to us ask for the woman's personal pizza about 5 times--- they were there for an hour and 20 minutes, and finally left WITHOUT getting her pizza. At that point, I was cringing and hoping that this wouldn't be the same for my client lunch.

We ordered the calamari for our appetizer and then decided to share the parmigiana pizza. After about 30 minutes, we got both the calamari AND the pizza at the same time. I hate when you get the appetizer with the entree, i mean, what is the point of ordered the appetizer then?? The calamari was so dry that we left it untouched, it was definitely not fresh. The pizza was actually very good, but very messy. It was the kind of pizza that just falls apart, so you must eat it with a fork and a spoon- nothing tragic.

Finally, after we paid and left- we walked past the kitchen in a narrow hallway to exit, and I saw one of the waiters eating our 2 leftover slices of pizza. It just grossed me out. I mean, there he was, in the middle of the hallway, not hidden or tucked away in the kitchen, and he was eating our pizza off the tray that it was served to us on. I'm all about not wasting food, and keeping leftovers, but the sight of it happening before we were even able to leave the restaurant just made me feel uncomfortable. I felt bad for the Owner, because it really appeared that there was no order in her kitchen.

I think I might give this place another chance, but when it's less busy and less crowded. It just gets an "ehh" for now.

Nyonya - Malaysian - $$

Website

Nyonya has been a long-time favorite place to bring friends when visiting from out of town. This place has amazing food, tons of character, and great prices. It's ironically located in the middle of Little Italy, right next to Ferrara's. It's always funny to tell people that you're going to Little Italy for Malaysian food, but hey.

When I recently went back, I stood on Grand St., whining like a spoiled teenager that my favorite restaurant got shut down..."how could they do this to me? it was one of my favorite places, I should have gotten a warning!...waaaa" is sort-of how it went... but then, i swear it was like harps were playing in the background when I turned to see that the restaurant had only opened a new, better location across the street. Phew!

This place is always worth trying, and is a nice change from the typical asian (thai, chinese, japanese) selection.

- Roti
(this thin, flaky bread that you dip in a curry sauce. you pretty much have to get this as your appetizer)


- Chicken Satay
(delicious juicy chicken on skewers, served with a peanut dipping sauce, sooo good)


- Spicy Crispy Squid
(exactly how it's described. I don't know that I'd order this again, but it was definitely worth trying)


- Pineapple Fried Rice
(just the right amount of sweet and spicy, always good)


- Can't remember what this was, but it was good!


I think in the end, between 3 of us, we paid about $20 each.

Burger Joint @ Le Parker Meridien - Burgers - $

Website (Midtown)

This place is soooo good! It's a tiny hole-in-the-wall hidden behind a heavy drape in the lobby of Le Parker Meridien. You wouldn't expect it at all. Amidst the upscale hotel lobby decor, this place totally doesn't fit in-- probably why it's hidden behind such a heavy drape. It looks like the kind of "joint" you'd find in the Village. But its quality is exactly why it's remained. The line is consistently long, and the place is consistently packed, so have some patience. The burger is well worth the wait and the crowd. This would be up there on my top 10 burgers in the city... if I had a top 10 burgers in the city, list!

- Cheeseburger
- Fries



$14 Burger-Fries-Soda

Mobay - Jamaican - $$

Website (Harlem)

This cute little place is so great. I met my girlfriend and my gorgeous godson (almost 1 year old!!) for lunch on a Saturday here. It was pretty crowded, and there was only 1 waiter on the floor, so service was slow... but we were not in any kind of rush.

Everything was pretty good and I would definitely recommend this place. It must be listed in NYC Guidebooks because there were a few tourists there, mixed in with the locals. I loved the atmosphere. I'll definitely come back.

- Cornbread
(They start you off with complimentary cornbread muffins that have just come out of the oven. They're warm and sweet and crispy and are topped with this pineapple buttercream, it is sooooo good!)

- BBQ Wings
(They had run out of the jerk chicken wings by the time we got there, and the BBQ wings were not that great. They tasted like a bottle of Kraft BBQ sauce, so not special.)
- Chicken Roti
(This was huge!!! And my friend loved every bite. I'll probably try this one next time.)

- Oxtail Stew
(The oxtail was perfectly cooked, but honestly, the sauce was a little too salty for my taste, and made it hard for me to enjoy. I did get the potato salad as one of my sides, and it was the best potato salad I've ever had. I'd go back just for a plate of that! I also got the sweet plantains and they were so delicious, even the baby kept asking for more!)



All together, without drinks, this cost us about $25pp.

Cabana Nuevo Latino - Cuban - $$

Website (South Street Seaport)

South Street Seaport is one of those cheesy, tourist-trap areas that I still hold near and dear to my heart. My parents used to take me there almost every other weekend growing up. It's still a great place to go when the weather is perfect and you want to sit outside and have a nice meal with the sun and breeze flowing through your hair. A lot of the places at SSS are actually terrible, so I was really surprised at how good Cabana Nuevo Latino was!

They have another location in the city, but I can't imagine that the other setting would be near as complimentary to the food as this one. The food is great quality, full of flavor and reasonably priced. I'll definitely come back here.

- Ceviche
(This wasn't very good. It was not fresh at all, and plain and simple- ceviche can NOT, not be fresh)
- Yuca Fritas
(Nice and crispy, and the mojo dipping sauce was delicious)

- Pollo con Camarones
(The presentation on this was really nice, and every bite was an "Mmm this is so good" bite. Really, so delicious and garlic-y. The chicken breast was so tender and the tostones were nice and crispy.)

- Mojitos
(Lots and lots of mojitos)

We shared all the above- mentioned dishes, it came out to about $30pp.

Union Square Cafe - American - $$$$

Website

Union Square Cafe is one of those quintessential NYC restaurants; an oldie but a goodie. It also always participates in Restaurant Week, which is a nice chance to check out a pricey restaurant. I couldn't wait to try it and have this restaurant to live up to its reputation. I really wanted it to WOW! me... but it was ok. Don't get me wrong, the food is really great and it's a really beautiful, classy restaurant, but I don't think that I'd ever choose to go back. The ambience is more of a business-y, classy, somewhat uptight, atmosphere. I think it is more appealing to a mature crowd than a 20-something gal about town. I did in fact, go for a business dinner, so it was appropriate for the setting.

- Pacific Oysters
- Grilled Lamb Chops Scotta Dita
(perfect)

Without wine it cost about $55pp.

Ravel - Asian Fusion - $$

Website (Long Island City)

I'm afraid that if I publish this, someone I know might steal the idea from me... but since I discovered this boutique hotel's rooftop, I said that this is where I'd love to have my wedding (whenever, if ever that day should arrive). It's exactly the kind of place I wanted- trendy rooftop with a view of the city. The place is such an attraction in itself, you hardly need any decoration, and it's designed just how I like, so I would hardly have to make any adjustments to fit my taste. It's a modern, small-sized hotel right on the other side of the East River in Long Island City, and it has a very sexy rooftop overlooking the entire NYC skyline. In the summer the rooftop is wide open, and in the cooler months, they cover and heat it, so you can enjoy it year-round.

I've been meaning to try their brunch, but I've only been there for an early dinner, and I have to say, I was surprised at how good their food is. But you're honestly so distracted by the view, that all you need is a drink and good company. On the weekends, this place turns into a night club, but I haven't had much desire to check that out.

- Sushi rolls
(we shared a few and they were all good)
- Sesame tuna sashimi flatbread
(Super yum)



Each with drinks, we spent about $35.

Minetta Tavern - American - $$$

Website

Minetta Tavern is another McNally gem. This one is located on MacDougal St., amidst jazz clubs and falafel places, right in the heart of NYU's Greenwich Village. It is so inconspicuous, you could walk past it a thousand times and not really know it's there (like I did). I kept reading about how wonderful it is in New York Magazine, and couldn't wait to get the hard-to-get dinner reservation.

The thing about all of the McNally restaurants that I've been to and love, is that their food is always simple. It is simple, high quality food, served simply, in simple, non-portentous settings. So everyone can go and feel comfortable and enjoy their meal, without being snubbed or feeling a need to whisper and behave. And that's what makes them so appealing to the masses. Schillers, Balthazar, Pastis, Morandi, Pulinos... all the same. They are always packed with crowds and their food is always fresh and delicious, so customers always go back.

I went there with a client about a year ago after he let me choose the restaurant. He'd already been there, but I was so dazzled by the hype that I honestly researched the menu and had already decided what to order about a week prior to going. (Don't worry, I know just how dorky that does sound.) So I passed-up the highly praised black label burger for the bone-in steak, and was not disappointed. However, the tightly packed restaurant was not a very conducive setting for a client dinner, as it was extremely difficult to hear one another. We were even there on a Tuesday night and it was still very crowded! So go here with friends you don't really need to talk to, or don't mind shouting at.

Everything you will try will be delicious, but I will go back for their burger.

- Bone-in Steak
- Black Label Burger
- Lamb Saddle "Tranche"
- Roasted Bone Marrow
- Oxtail and Fois Gras Terrine

Financier - French Bakery - $

Website

Financier has all these amazing little French pastries that lure you in when you pass by. At first glance, this place can look a little intimidating, or expensive, but it's not that bad.

My favorite thing about this place is that they're one of the first patisseries in nyc that actually have flan. And by flan, I don't mean the Spanish flan, I mean the amazing custardy slices of French flan that my mom and I pursue and indulge in when we go to France.



I popped in there for Easter and bought a few of their chocolate eggs- they're decorative AND delicious.

Ninja - Japanese/Sushi - $$$$

Website (Tribeca)

Ninja is a themed restaurant that is done very well, and not nearly as cheesy as the other themed restaurants in the city. It's a unique and special place, but certainly not the kind of spot that would become your regular go-to. It's actually a really great place to bring out-of-towners, or to lighten up the typical dinner-date-- just make sure that whoever you're bringing has a sense of humor. I went to Ninja 2 years ago with 2 girlfriends, and we had a great time.



Without spoiling anything, when you first arrive, you take a "journey" to get to your table, and it's pretty entertaining. The restaurant looks like it came from the set of a movie: full-on Japanese decor, dim lighting, and all the waiters are dressed up as, you guessed it, ninjas. You get seated in a private room that has paper doors (like the ones you see in Geisha houses) and sporadically throughout the dinner, you'll have a Ninja play tricks on you or pop open some secret door, and make it fun. The menu features some really tasty dishes but the portions are tiny, so it gets expensive. Whatever you end up choosing, make sure it's one of the "Ninja Art Dishes" because they all have a special way of being served. Enjoy it's a fun time!

- RIN cocktail
- Ninja Star Martini


- Floating Sashimi



- Ninja Star (Dessert)
- Rose Chocolate (Dessert)