Guidebook for New York
Food Scene
Best espresso drinks. Best chocolate. Best croissant. Closest. Go for simple breakfast pastries.
19 8th Ave
19 8th AvenueBest espresso drinks. Best chocolate. Best croissant. Closest. Go for simple breakfast pastries.
This is my CHEERS. Vegan coffee shop. My home away from home. Great sandwiches. Great espresso. Best cupcakes in the city. Period. Try Vanilla vanilla. Try PB&J cookie. Bagels.
45 8th Ave
45 8th AvenueThis is my CHEERS. Vegan coffee shop. My home away from home. Great sandwiches. Great espresso. Best cupcakes in the city. Period. Try Vanilla vanilla. Try PB&J cookie. Bagels.
Grounded is the other coffee shop. It might have better coffee than Snice but it's a bit more backpacky. Still great though for breakfast. Def try it for brek, lunch.
28 Jane St
28 Jane StreetGrounded is the other coffee shop. It might have better coffee than Snice but it's a bit more backpacky. Still great though for breakfast. Def try it for brek, lunch.
Old school NY Cuban diner. Best cafe con leche. Great eggs breakfast. Fantastic lively family. This is old New York from when Chelsea was a dockworkers hood. Great rice and beans.
96 8th Ave
96 8th AvenueOld school NY Cuban diner. Best cafe con leche. Great eggs breakfast. Fantastic lively family. This is old New York from when Chelsea was a dockworkers hood. Great rice and beans.
Best neighborhood Italian hands down. Family style no bs old school NY Italian. Gnochi pesto. Meatballs. Lively and cozy. Such a great warm family. Reserve gets crowded on weekends.
212-229-9177
621 Hudson St
621 Hudson StreetBest neighborhood Italian hands down. Family style no bs old school NY Italian. Gnochi pesto. Meatballs. Lively and cozy. Such a great warm family. Reserve gets crowded on weekends.
212-229-9177
Best greasy spoon breakfast. During Sandy they had the only generator and worked around the clock serving food. Great folks. Best blueberry pancakes. Good eggs.
28 8th Ave
28 8th AvenueBest greasy spoon breakfast. During Sandy they had the only generator and worked around the clock serving food. Great folks. Best blueberry pancakes. Good eggs.
Best burger in town. Best fries. Best vegetables. Best turkey burger. I order from here 3 nights a week. Great breakfast too. Gets crowded. Sturdy delivery. 212-741-7971
71 abantu bendawo batusa
Westville West
210 W 10th StBest burger in town. Best fries. Best vegetables. Best turkey burger. I order from here 3 nights a week. Great breakfast too. Gets crowded. Sturdy delivery. 212-741-7971
If the other Westville is full this Chelsea location is bigger and newer but a bit less quaint.
109 abantu bendawo batusa
Westville Chelsea
88 W 18th StIf the other Westville is full this Chelsea location is bigger and newer but a bit less quaint.
Great sandwich, burger, salad, collegiate style place. Great turkey burger. Great tofu salad. Great fish tacos. Great coffee, beer, wine, cookies. Try raspberry mustard. Will deliver: 212-229-2345
84 abantu bendawo batusa
The Grey Dog Chelsea
242 W 16th StGreat sandwich, burger, salad, collegiate style place. Great turkey burger. Great tofu salad. Great fish tacos. Great coffee, beer, wine, cookies. Try raspberry mustard. Will deliver: 212-229-2345
Great gourmet snacks and to go breakfast, lunch, food. The food's great if you want something to go or to eat in the park or on the bench out front.
17 abantu bendawo batusa
Bonsignour
35 Jane StGreat gourmet snacks and to go breakfast, lunch, food. The food's great if you want something to go or to eat in the park or on the bench out front.
Sex and the City tourbusses jockey for position here. Crack like cupcakes. The east village used to have drug lines now the West has cupcake lines. Great cookies and cakes too...
401 abantu bendawo batusa
Magnolia Bakery
401 Bleecker StSex and the City tourbusses jockey for position here. Crack like cupcakes. The east village used to have drug lines now the West has cupcake lines. Great cookies and cakes too...
I"m from Texas and this is the only Mex food I like in NYC. Great fish tacos, great margaritas, great chicken burrito, great salads, great pork tacos and guacamole. Cozy to say the least.
Mexicana Mama
525 Hudson StreetI"m from Texas and this is the only Mex food I like in NYC. Great fish tacos, great margaritas, great chicken burrito, great salads, great pork tacos and guacamole. Cozy to say the least.
I worked here at a low point in my life. The breakfast is great if it's empty. It's gotten a bit corporate. Pretty douchey nightime scene...
50 abantu bendawo batusa
Pastis
52 Gansevoort StI worked here at a low point in my life. The breakfast is great if it's empty. It's gotten a bit corporate. Pretty douchey nightime scene...
I haven't eaten here. But it looks ok. The bar is beautiful and hideously expensive.
213 abantu bendawo batusa
The Standard Grill
848 Washington StI haven't eaten here. But it looks ok. The bar is beautiful and hideously expensive.
I like this place for day drinking and descent city Mexican food. Kind of fun. At night it gets pretty hornery and fun and wasted if a bit fratty. Cool staff.
10 abantu bendawo batusa
Tortilla Flats
767 Washington StreetI like this place for day drinking and descent city Mexican food. Kind of fun. At night it gets pretty hornery and fun and wasted if a bit fratty. Cool staff.
If you want the best Veggie Junk food go here or Red Bamboo. Deee-Lish and I'm not even a vegetarian. Great soul nuggets and wings and fajitas burgers, beer wine...
Vegetarian Paradise 2
144 West 4th StreetIf you want the best Veggie Junk food go here or Red Bamboo. Deee-Lish and I'm not even a vegetarian. Great soul nuggets and wings and fajitas burgers, beer wine...
If you want the best Veggie Junk food go here or Veg Paradise 2. Deee-Lish and I'm not even a vegetarian. Great soul nuggets and wings and fajitas burgers, beer wine...
14 abantu bendawo batusa
Red Bamboo
140 West 4th StreetIf you want the best Veggie Junk food go here or Veg Paradise 2. Deee-Lish and I'm not even a vegetarian. Great soul nuggets and wings and fajitas burgers, beer wine...
Best Israeli Falafel in City. Great carrots. To go only. Delivery is fine but better hot.
116 abantu bendawo batusa
Taïm
45 Spring StBest Israeli Falafel in City. Great carrots. To go only. Delivery is fine but better hot.
My fave Middle Eastern in the city. Fantastic and on a beautiful street. Great great food. One of my faves.
17 abantu bendawo batusa
Moustache Pitza
29 Bedford StMy fave Middle Eastern in the city. Fantastic and on a beautiful street. Great great food. One of my faves.
Best Steel oven slice in the neighborhood. Village staple. Looks like a dump but Julianne Moore eats here. Good delivery. 212-243-4367
Village Pizza
65 8th AveBest Steel oven slice in the neighborhood. Village staple. Looks like a dump but Julianne Moore eats here. Good delivery. 212-243-4367
My fave neighborhood pizza. Not standard NY Pie though. Swampy hippy pizza. Amazing. Try it. Will Deliver: 212-633-9096
65 abantu bendawo batusa
Two Boots
201 W 11th StMy fave neighborhood pizza. Not standard NY Pie though. Swampy hippy pizza. Amazing. Try it. Will Deliver: 212-633-9096
Royal Siam
240 8th AveDamn fine Thai. Eat in or delivery. 212-741-1732
My fave new Restaurant. Go for lunch or early dinner to avoid crowds. try rosemary focaccia, pasta with lemon zest and breadcrumbs, olive oil cake for dessert. Amazing.
138 abantu bendawo batusa
Rosemary's
18 Greenwich AveMy fave new Restaurant. Go for lunch or early dinner to avoid crowds. try rosemary focaccia, pasta with lemon zest and breadcrumbs, olive oil cake for dessert. Amazing.
Sweet dainty tea shop for the Anglophile in you. Have a scone and space out.
31 abantu bendawo batusa
Tea & Sympathy
108 Greenwich AveSweet dainty tea shop for the Anglophile in you. Have a scone and space out.
Next door to Tea and Sympathy you can get your fish and chip on here.
19 abantu bendawo batusa
A Salt & Battery
112 Greenwich AveNext door to Tea and Sympathy you can get your fish and chip on here.
Ok I didn't go here for my first decade in the hood, but it's a fun place to have a great frozen margarita outside. The tofu tacos are really good. But that's not Mexican food.
23 abantu bendawo batusa
Benny's Burritos
113 Greenwich AveOk I didn't go here for my first decade in the hood, but it's a fun place to have a great frozen margarita outside. The tofu tacos are really good. But that's not Mexican food.
Blossom on Ninth
72 University PlaceBest fancy Vegan food in NYC. Delicious. Make a reserve.
Take the F train to Carroll and Walk across the BQE for city's best Sicilian Italian. Over 100 years old Manhattan Special on tap, pannelle special, eggplant caponatina, seafood with garlic and oil.
7 abantu bendawo batusa
Ferdinando's Focacceria
151 Union StreetTake the F train to Carroll and Walk across the BQE for city's best Sicilian Italian. Over 100 years old Manhattan Special on tap, pannelle special, eggplant caponatina, seafood with garlic and oil.
Great great food. Great Great Wine. Steaks, wild game, pasta, fish, this place is the best restaurant In Bklyn Heights and a cozy secret.
17 abantu bendawo batusa
Henry's End
72 Henry StGreat great food. Great Great Wine. Steaks, wild game, pasta, fish, this place is the best restaurant In Bklyn Heights and a cozy secret.
Everyone loves this neighborhood Italian in Brooklyn Heights. Walk the promenade and eat here or Henry's End.
39 abantu bendawo batusa
Noodle Pudding
38 Henry StEveryone loves this neighborhood Italian in Brooklyn Heights. Walk the promenade and eat here or Henry's End.
If you walked the promenade, walk around DUMBO and eat this Chocolate. Or catch a show at St. Anne's.
34 abantu bendawo batusa
Jacques Torres Chocolate - DUMBO
66 Water StIf you walked the promenade, walk around DUMBO and eat this Chocolate. Or catch a show at St. Anne's.
I like this family style Italian. It's unpretentious and has really good cheesecake. If you happen to be around Park Slope.
Aunt Suzie's Restaurant
247 5th AveI like this family style Italian. It's unpretentious and has really good cheesecake. If you happen to be around Park Slope.
East village staple. Even after they remodeled using Starbucks color scheme. Go here. Great soups, blintzes, mushroom barley, pancakes, whatever. 24 hour Ukranian diner.
235 abantu bendawo batusa
Veselka
144 2nd AveEast village staple. Even after they remodeled using Starbucks color scheme. Go here. Great soups, blintzes, mushroom barley, pancakes, whatever. 24 hour Ukranian diner.
Natori
58 Saint Marks PlaceSecret sushi. Solid. Chill. Cool.
Best neighborhood sushi. Run by Floyd. Tell him you're a friend of Alex, he'll hook you up. Has a fun back room with Karaoke. Great toro tartar. Great spicy eel roll. even has cocaine roll, dick roll
Sakura Hana
615 Hudson StBest neighborhood sushi. Run by Floyd. Tell him you're a friend of Alex, he'll hook you up. Has a fun back room with Karaoke. Great toro tartar. Great spicy eel roll. even has cocaine roll, dick roll
Great coffee. Best new Italian in the immediate hood. Great lemon pasta. Casual.
31 abantu bendawo batusa
Cafe Minerva
302 West 4th StreetGreat coffee. Best new Italian in the immediate hood. Great lemon pasta. Casual.
Cafe Asean
117 W 10th StGood asian fusion. I hate those two words together.
My fave brunch in the East Village. Try the pumpkin pancakes with cinnamon yogurt. Insane.
89 abantu bendawo batusa
Cafe Orlin
My fave brunch in the East Village. Try the pumpkin pancakes with cinnamon yogurt. Insane.
This restaurant is delicious AND has the widest selection of GLUTEN FREE foods around the village.
I love the panninis. I misspelled that.
8 abantu bendawo batusa
Risotteria bleecker street
270 Bleecker StThis restaurant is delicious AND has the widest selection of GLUTEN FREE foods around the village.
I love the panninis. I misspelled that.
Supper
156 E 2nd StThis place is pretty good Italian. It's popular too.
SOlid Italian in the East Village. I like this better than the cramped flagship one on 2nd ave.
149 abantu bendawo batusa
Lil Charlie's NYC
19 Kenmare StSOlid Italian in the East Village. I like this better than the cramped flagship one on 2nd ave.
Kanoyama
175 2nd AveGreat sushi. Can get a bit pricey for the East Village.
Yogis and yoginis rub shakras with celebutantes and trustafarians. Great food unless you want to eat animals.
7 abantu bendawo batusa
Jivamuktea Cafe
841 BroadwayYogis and yoginis rub shakras with celebutantes and trustafarians. Great food unless you want to eat animals.
Go get cookies here. They are amazing and it's a chill little place on a beautiful street in the West Village. Walk over to Cherry Lane Theatre.
9 abantu bendawo batusa
Milk & Cookies Bakery
19 Commerce StGo get cookies here. They are amazing and it's a chill little place on a beautiful street in the West Village. Walk over to Cherry Lane Theatre.
This place is older than Vaselka. Get a grilled cheese. Or an egg cream. Or an omelette. Or soup. Chill at the counter. Yup the whole East Village used to be like this.
24 abantu bendawo batusa
B&H Dairy
127 2nd AveThis place is older than Vaselka. Get a grilled cheese. Or an egg cream. Or an omelette. Or soup. Chill at the counter. Yup the whole East Village used to be like this.
Hub Thai
50 Avenue ASolid Thai in the East Village. Never crowded. Happy hour.
Pricey famous and delicious. If you go late you can get in. Be prepared to hemorrhage cash.
67 abantu bendawo batusa
Babbo
110 Waverly PlPricey famous and delicious. If you go late you can get in. Be prepared to hemorrhage cash.
Great coffee. Lunch and phenomenal cookies. Pretzel croissants are my fave too.
39 abantu bendawo batusa
The City Bakery
3 W 18th StGreat coffee. Lunch and phenomenal cookies. Pretzel croissants are my fave too.
Da Silvano
260 6th AvePricey, pretentious Tuscan Italian. Delicious though.
I love this restaurant. There's also one on 3rd ave around 37th. Just great fresh food. Tuna burger great. Spag with turkey meatballs. IF you're on the upper West side go here.
25 abantu bendawo batusa
Josie's
300 Amsterdam AveI love this restaurant. There's also one on 3rd ave around 37th. Just great fresh food. Tuna burger great. Spag with turkey meatballs. IF you're on the upper West side go here.
If you want Indian this is way better than most fare on 6th Street. I haven't eaten at this one but the one in Queens was worth the trek.
Jackson Diner
72 University PlIf you want Indian this is way better than most fare on 6th Street. I haven't eaten at this one but the one in Queens was worth the trek.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great bar. Greater hamburgers. Some of the city's best. They serve late. Famous old village dive. Can get banky.
331 West 4th Street
331 West 4th StreetGreat bar. Greater hamburgers. Some of the city's best. They serve late. Famous old village dive. Can get banky.
Supposedly Dylan Thomas died at the bar here. If you go in you'll see why. Great old bar. Lame crowd.
58 abantu bendawo batusa
White Horse Tavern
567 Hudson StreetSupposedly Dylan Thomas died at the bar here. If you go in you'll see why. Great old bar. Lame crowd.
An air bubble in the increasingly annoying meatpacking scene. Chill storefront wine bar.
Ara Coffee & Wine Bar
24 9th AvenueAn air bubble in the increasingly annoying meatpacking scene. Chill storefront wine bar.
Everything Else
Best steak in NYC. Oldest steakhouse in NYC. Nuff said. Best Cheesecake in Manhattan. Get Strip Steak au Poivre, (sauce on side) and mash. Pays to reserve.
212-242-9040
56 9th Ave
56 9th AvenueBest steak in NYC. Oldest steakhouse in NYC. Nuff said. Best Cheesecake in Manhattan. Get Strip Steak au Poivre, (sauce on side) and mash. Pays to reserve.
212-242-9040
My fave late night soho eatery. They have a DJ yeah, and sure Keith McNally technically owns it, but the food is awesome. Bistro french. Great burgers, steaks, pasta, salads, BREAD PUDDING!
45 abantu bendawo batusa
Lucky Strike
59 Grand StMy fave late night soho eatery. They have a DJ yeah, and sure Keith McNally technically owns it, but the food is awesome. Bistro french. Great burgers, steaks, pasta, salads, BREAD PUDDING!
Have to go. Hit the sculpture garden, walk in the park after.
2653 abantu bendawo batusa
IMusem we-Art we-Metropolitan
1000 5th AveHave to go. Hit the sculpture garden, walk in the park after.
The Museum of Modern Art
11 West 53rd StreetHave to go. Walk in the park after.
My favorite NY Pizza since the 70's. Beastie Boys shot an album cover here. Open late. Now has beer on tap.
15 abantu bendawo batusa
Stromboli Pizza
83 St Marks PlMy favorite NY Pizza since the 70's. Beastie Boys shot an album cover here. Open late. Now has beer on tap.
Fastest dry cleaners in the hood. They also know me and will deliver to the doorman.
Van Gogh Cleaners & Tailors
48 8th AveFastest dry cleaners in the hood. They also know me and will deliver to the doorman.
Shopping
Left Bank Books
17 8th AveOur very own City Lights style bookstore.
22 8th Ave
22 8th AvenueBest news stand in the Village owned by two lively Pakistani men.
Everyone goes here eventually. There's like 4 of them in a 4 block radius. Even one for kids.
12 abantu bendawo batusa
Marc Jacobs Beauty
385 Bleecker StEveryone goes here eventually. There's like 4 of them in a 4 block radius. Even one for kids.
Guys will love to shop here. Unless you want to go to Bleeker Street...
7 abantu bendawo batusa
Dave's New york
581 6th AveGuys will love to shop here. Unless you want to go to Bleeker Street...
Best men's vintage boot selection. This place can be pricey but not as pricey as when Ralph Lauren sends his minions from the Country Store to cart it across town and double the price.
Stock Vintage
143 E 13th StBest men's vintage boot selection. This place can be pricey but not as pricey as when Ralph Lauren sends his minions from the Country Store to cart it across town and double the price.
Sightseeing
You have to walk the high line. You just do. It's so beautiful. Look up at the Standard Hotel and see people getting nasty in the windows. Free live show.
2323 abantu bendawo batusa
High Line Park
You have to walk the high line. You just do. It's so beautiful. Look up at the Standard Hotel and see people getting nasty in the windows. Free live show.
Go here and you'll see where a lot of films were shot. Prizzi's Honor. Part of the Godfather, Once upon a Time in America. Walk around then eat at Henry's End or Noodle Pudding.
407 abantu bendawo batusa
Brooklyn Heights Promenade
Pierrepont PlaceGo here and you'll see where a lot of films were shot. Prizzi's Honor. Part of the Godfather, Once upon a Time in America. Walk around then eat at Henry's End or Noodle Pudding.
Arts & Culture
Beautiful nightclub if you're into that sort of thing. I'm not but I've been to some parties here that were amazing and I fantasized about coming back.
221 abantu bendawo batusa
Le Bain
848 Washington StBeautiful nightclub if you're into that sort of thing. I'm not but I've been to some parties here that were amazing and I fantasized about coming back.
Might be the most interesting Performing Arts Venue in the City. Check out who's here. Beautiful hood.
52 abantu bendawo batusa
St. Ann's Warehouse
45 Water StMight be the most interesting Performing Arts Venue in the City. Check out who's here. Beautiful hood.
Scott Morfee programs the best commercial Off-Bway fare in the city. Check out Buyer and Cellar.
8 abantu bendawo batusa
Barrow Street Theatricals
131 W 55th StScott Morfee programs the best commercial Off-Bway fare in the city. Check out Buyer and Cellar.
Rattlestick Playwrights Theater
224 Waverly PlOne of my favorite Off-Bway gems in the city.
Oldest Off Bway Theatre in the city. Beautiful street. Now go to Milk and Cookies.
27 abantu bendawo batusa
Cherry Lane Theatre
38 Commerce StOldest Off Bway Theatre in the city. Beautiful street. Now go to Milk and Cookies.
Essentials
D'Agostino
528 3rd AveClosest best supermarket
I mostly do all my shopping here because I'm lazy and I love the family that owns it.
Spyros Food Mart
11 8th AveI mostly do all my shopping here because I'm lazy and I love the family that owns it.