Midtown Manhattan Guide
Tasty Eats in Five Minutes
You can walk to all these spots in five minutes or less from the penthouse!
Delicious eclairs and more treats make this bakery a lovely place to grab your morning coffee and a treat.
8 abantu bendawo batusa
Eclair Bakery
305 E 53rd StDelicious eclairs and more treats make this bakery a lovely place to grab your morning coffee and a treat.
This red-sauce Italian restaurant and piano bar isn't known for its food (which is perfectly fine, if not spectacular), but for for its atmosphere. Expect everyone from mafioso types to young theater to students to old neighborhood couples enjoying themselves around the piano. This place has been around for 70 years, and is a guaranteed good time. A fun, very "New York" experience.
8 abantu bendawo batusa
Mimi's
984 2nd AveThis red-sauce Italian restaurant and piano bar isn't known for its food (which is perfectly fine, if not spectacular), but for for its atmosphere. Expect everyone from mafioso types to young theater to students to old neighborhood couples enjoying themselves around the piano. This place has been around for 70 years, and is a guaranteed good time. A fun, very "New York" experience.
This Michelin Guide-recommended ramen joint doesn't just have delicious ramen, it's also about a 25-foot-walk from the apartment, making it a great spot for a quick bite when you're short on time or if the weather is lousy.
25 abantu bendawo batusa
Hide-Chan
248 E 52nd StThis Michelin Guide-recommended ramen joint doesn't just have delicious ramen, it's also about a 25-foot-walk from the apartment, making it a great spot for a quick bite when you're short on time or if the weather is lousy.
This lovely Indian restaurant has a great menu and a wonderful, friendly owner--Amma--who will always make you feel welcome. Highly recommend the idly upma, chaat, okra raita, and zucchini dumplings, in addition to other Indian favs. Also, their virgin mojito is the most refreshing beverage around on a hot day.
8 abantu bendawo batusa
Amma
246 E 51st StThis lovely Indian restaurant has a great menu and a wonderful, friendly owner--Amma--who will always make you feel welcome. Highly recommend the idly upma, chaat, okra raita, and zucchini dumplings, in addition to other Indian favs. Also, their virgin mojito is the most refreshing beverage around on a hot day.
When it's hot out or a craving for sweets strikes, hit up Emack & Bolio's for the best ice cream. This place is just three minutes away. Beantown Buzz, Grasshopper Pie, and S'moreo are personal favs. Good vegan choices, too.
23 abantu bendawo batusa
Emack & Bolio's
1564 1st Ave.When it's hot out or a craving for sweets strikes, hit up Emack & Bolio's for the best ice cream. This place is just three minutes away. Beantown Buzz, Grasshopper Pie, and S'moreo are personal favs. Good vegan choices, too.
This cheese shop has a lovely selection of cheese, crackers, and charcuterie--everything you need for a lovely picnic in Central Park or on the roof.
Ideal Cheese Shop
942 1st Ave.This cheese shop has a lovely selection of cheese, crackers, and charcuterie--everything you need for a lovely picnic in Central Park or on the roof.
Sometimes the wait to get into Ess-a-Bagel goes all the way down the block. Fortunately, it's just around the corner from us, so you can pop in to this epic bagel shop anytime.
79 abantu bendawo batusa
Ess-a-Bagel
831 3rd AveSometimes the wait to get into Ess-a-Bagel goes all the way down the block. Fortunately, it's just around the corner from us, so you can pop in to this epic bagel shop anytime.
This Tex-Mex style restaurant offers burritos, quesadillas, and tacos as well as a number of vegan choices.
29 abantu bendawo batusa
Blockheads
322 W 50th StThis Tex-Mex style restaurant offers burritos, quesadillas, and tacos as well as a number of vegan choices.
This lively restaurant and bar offers tasty Japanese food and live jazz. $10 cover on Friday and Saturday nights.
19 abantu bendawo batusa
Tomi Jazz
239 E 53rd StThis lively restaurant and bar offers tasty Japanese food and live jazz. $10 cover on Friday and Saturday nights.
Special Occasion Restaurants
This Italian restaurant has great food and a staff that always makes you feel worthy of attention. This is where I chose to celebrate my last birthday!
UPPER EAST SIDE.
17 abantu bendawo batusa
Elio's
1621 2nd AveThis Italian restaurant has great food and a staff that always makes you feel worthy of attention. This is where I chose to celebrate my last birthday!
UPPER EAST SIDE.
Casual Restaurants
This modern Russian restaurant serves fabulous, affordable, fresh food. The owners are a lovely husband and wife couple who will make great recommendations. The food and atmosphere are decidedly unstuffy. Highly recommend the borscht, the fish board, and the kachapuri. Don't sleep on dessert, especially the honey cake, made with honey from family hives.
LOWER EAST SIDE.
Tzarevna
154 Orchard StreetThis modern Russian restaurant serves fabulous, affordable, fresh food. The owners are a lovely husband and wife couple who will make great recommendations. The food and atmosphere are decidedly unstuffy. Highly recommend the borscht, the fish board, and the kachapuri. Don't sleep on dessert, especially the honey cake, made with honey from family hives.
LOWER EAST SIDE.