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Monthly Archives: December 2015
NYC Part II-Sweets in the City
I know what you are thinking, yea the title is very cliché but how can I write about NYC without paying tribute to my favorite TV series of all time! NYC has always been called the fifth major SATC character, alongside Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha, and Miranda. A decade has passed since the last episode was aired, surprisingly I can still vividly recall how I happily lost sleep over the show in my teenage years… How I went through numerous emotional rollercoasters while watching the fabulous foursome in their endless pursuit of the two “Ls”- labels and love. Just like the two “Ls”, dessert is essential in women’s lives (think of all the heartbreaks and PMS that you were able to get through because of it :p).
Life is uncertain, let’s eat dessert first!
1. Magnolia Bakery
1240 Ave of the Americas, New York, NY
Carrie tells Miranda about a major crush while scarfing down one of this bakery’s signature cupcakes. While Magnolia is famous for its buttercream-topped cupcake, it’s the bakery’s creamy banana pudding that impressed me most. Just a tip, skip the long line at the original Bleecker Street location and head to the other branches, e.g the ones in Grand Central Station/ Rockefeller Center.
2. Wafels & Dinges
W 35th St, New York, NY 10001
Originally started as a food truck in East Village, now it’s everywhere in New York. The waffles are soft, chewy, and caramelized along the exterior. Don’t miss the absolute best part – the spekuloos spread!!
3. Sprinkle cupcakes
Upper East Side, 780 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10065
Sprinkles actually first started in Beverly Hills, California, it then became so popular that it can now be found in almost all major US cities. All their cupcakes are topped with its trademark modern dots or seasonal decorations, bringing a cute sophisticated look to the American classic. I ordered my cupcake from the cupcake ATM, the cake tastes nice and moist and doesn’t have an overwhelming amount of frosting.
4. La Bella Ferrara
110 Mulberry St (btwn Canal & Hester), New York, NY
With the encroachment from Chinatown and expansion of SoHo, Little Italy is becoming Littler Italy. Though many claim that it exists mostly as a nostalgic memory or in the minds of tourists who still make it a must-see on their New York itinerary, I had some really good cannoli there.
5. Jacques Torres Chocolate
350 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014
The chocolatier has long earned its place as a worthy detour for lovers of baked goods and chocolate. It also serves my favorite hot chocolate in the city! The intense cocoa slurry is thick and has a good hint of bitterness from the dark chocolate. They also offer to add in whipped cream, so that’s an added bonus!
NYC Part I- The Breakfast-loving Carnivore
I once heard someone says, “You live more life in one day in New York City than you do somewhere else in a year.” Coming home with a terrible jet lag, I do feel 10 years older after my recent trip to the Big Apple. Sitting in front of the computer at 4am in the morning, I can’t help recalling every single detail of my favourite trip ever. Perhaps that’s a big claim, but I can say without a doubt that NYC is my favourite city and I don’t think there is anything that will ever beat.
What makes New York unique is its history, tradition, architecture, culture and people, there is such vibrancy to the city that you don’t find anywhere else in America or even in the world. With tens of thousands of restaurants and even more kiosks, delis and roadside stands where you can take a quick bite whenever you feel like – NYC dining scene just does better than anywhere else!
I could spend ten more years eating and drinking in the city without conquering all of its restaurants or bars. So this list wasn’t meant to be exhaustive, just to share with you some of my personal favourites in several categories.
Breakfast
Ever since Breakfast at Tiffany’s, breakfast and the city were inseparable. I might not have eaten my bagel while window-shopping on the 5th avenue but I was more than happy to have started my daily adventures with a full stomach.
1.Best Bagel and Coffee
225 W 35th St, New York, NY 10018, Midtown West
Some say it’s the water that makes the city’s bagels so delicious. Some say it’s the special way the Polish Jews immigrants prepared the dough. I don’t care. I just want one. Now!
2. Fairway Cafe
2127 Broadway 2nd Fl, New York, NY 10023, Upper West Side
A traditional american diner with huge windows overlooking Broadway. Love their silver dollar pancakes!
3. Sarabeth’s
423 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024, b/t 80th St & 81st St Upper West Side
The crab cake eggs benedict is fantastic!
Steak– A trip to the states is not complete without some serious red meat consumption.
1.St. Anselm
355 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211,
b/t 4th St & Havemeyer St Williamsburg – North Side
Unlike the old-school chophouses which feature dark wood and clubby atmospheres, this contemporary steakhouse in Brooklyn offers very solid char-grilled steak. The hanger steak is excellent and don’t forget to order their thick-cut bacon for sides!
2. Costata
206 Spring St, New York, NY 10012, b/t Sullivan St & Avenue Of The Americas, South Village
Meaning rib-eye in Italian, Costata is a upscale restaurant in SOHO owned by the famous pasta chef Michael White. Their dry aged steak is a must, take the menu’s advice and order pasta as a side dish with steak. You won’t regret it!
3. Lincoln Sqaure Steak
208 W 70th St, New York, NY 10023, b/t Amsterdam Ave & End Ave
Upper West Side
Walking into this steakhouse with red walls, suede sofa booth and murals on the walls, feels like stepping into the best era of the 40s. Highly recommend the cream spinach as side for the steak, which is exceptional in its own right!
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