Empire State of Mind: New York City Eats

An Eating List for NYC

I’ve lived in New York my entire life but it’s just in the last few years that I’ve experienced this city as the dining dynamo that it is.  Thanks to Food Network and also great chefs like Lidia Bastianich and Zarela Martinez – I’ve become more adventurous.  Whenever friends or family come to visit “the city” – I give them this list of “must eats.”  Being prepared for a trip helps to cut down on aimless wondering and bad meals.  Always have a food plan! 

UPPER EAST SIDE:

Canyon Road (Great Mexican/southwestern food — the best beef fajitas ever!)
1470 1st Ave (Between 46th & 47th)
http://www.arkrestaurants.com/canyon_road.html

Caffe Buon Gusto (Italian — really great service, amazing food and reasonable prices)
236 E 77th Street (Between 2nd and 3rd)
http://caffeboungusto.com/

MIDTOWN:

Avra (Greek – A true standout in Midtown.  The service and food are amazing.  Sit in the wine room in the back)

141 E 48^th Street (Between 3^rd and Lexington Avenue)

http://www.avrany.com/

Pasta Lovers (Italian — excuse the cheesy name, it’s actually a pretty good place with a nice atmosphere.  They have pasta, pizza and paninis.  It’s always a good go-to place in Midtown)
142 W 49th St (Between 6th and 7th)
http://pastaloversnyc.com/

The Burger Joint (hidden inside Le Parker Meridien — it really is hidden, there isn’t a sign but it’s in the lobby behind a curtain.  It’s a tiny tiny burger place with fabulous food!  And it’s relatively cheap but gets really packed.  It’s opened late night too)
118 W 57th St  (Between 6th & 7th)
www.parkermeridien.com

Topaz (This is a total hole in the wall place but the food is fantastic!! It’s Thai food and it’s really reasonably priced.  It’s probably the cheapest option other than the Burger Joint that I’ve given you.  It’s located right next to Le Parker Meridien where the Burger Joint is located.) 
127 W 56th St(Btwn 6th & 7th Ave)

no website

Luna Piena (Italian place — but not traditional — it’s more modern.  A little pricey but always good)
243 E 53rd St (Between 2nd & 3rd)
www.lunapienanyc.com

Mr. K’s (Very expensive Chinese food — very fancy place — they give you an orchid corsage to wear as you dine! haha — the food is fabulous but it is pricey)
570 Lexington Ave # 1 (At 51st Street)
www.mrksny.com

Toloache (Mexican — chef has been on Iron Chef America and they serve amazing guacamole! And they have grasshopper tacos – not kidding.)
251 West 50th Street (Between 8th Ave & Broadway)

www.toloachenyc.com

Angelo’s (Brickoven Pizza — always delish, reasonable prices)
1043 2nd Avenue @ 55th Street
http://www.angelospizzany.com/

HELL’S KITCHEN:

Sangria 46  (Fabulous Tapas/Spanish place.  It’s in a basement type restaurant but the food and wine are great! The outdoor garden is really nice)
338 W 46th St (Between 8th & 9th)
www.sangria46.com

5-Napkin Burger (really yummy, overpriced burgers — but worth it.  It’s a little loud inside)  

630 9th Ave @ 45th Street

http://5napkinburger.com/

UNION SQUARE: 

Spice (Thai — very cheap, very good)

39 East 13th St (Between University & Broadway)

spicethainyc.com‎

Japonica (Sushi — seriously the best sushi ever. Can be a little pricey but it’s worth it)
100 University Pl (Between 12th St & 13th St)
http://www.japonicanyc.com/

GRAMERCY:

Maialino (Italian – amazing service, a little pricey…save it for special events.  Food is exceptional)

2 Lexington Avenue (Gramercy Park Hotel at 21^st Street)

http://www.maialinonyc.com/

FLAT IRON: 

Eataly (Italian Marketplace with sit-down restaurants and separate wine, pizza, gelato, panini, etc. stations
200 5th Ave (Between 23rd and 24th)

eatalyny.com/

Bar Stuzzichini (Italian tapas place — Update! Amazing Italian tapas, great atmosphere.  Went with out-of-town guests and they were very impressed.  Get the riceballs!)
928 Broadway (between 21st St & 22nd St)

www.barstuzzichini.com/

Blue Smoke (BBQ — good ribs)
116 E 27th St (Between S Park Ave & Lexington Ave)
www.bluesmoke.com

EAST VILLAGE: 

Cafe Mogador (Moroccan — sounds weird but trust me it’s delish!  Great brunch!  I haven’t been for other meals but I heard that it’s good at all times)
101 St. Marks Pl
(between 1st Ave & Avenue A)

www.cafemogador.com

Hane (Sushi — the sushi is pretty good, not great.  But the best deal is that they have 2 for 1 drinks all day, everyday!)
346 1st Ave (Between 20th St & 21st St)

www.hanesushi.com

Spina (Italian — great freshly made pasta)
175 Ave B (Between 11th and 12th)

www.spinarestaurant.com/

Mercadito (Mexican — the tacos are amazing!  There is also a location in the West Village but I haven’t been to that one) 
179 Ave B (Between 11th and 12th) 

www.mercaditorestaurants.com

Paprika (Italian –limited menu but really fresh and delicious.  The rice balls and gnocchi are excellent) 
110 St. Marks Pl (Between 1st Ave & Avenue A)

paprikarestaurant.com/

WEST VILLAGE:

Betel (Thai — very delish..plates are meant to be shared and order a few things) 
51 Grove St (Between Bleecker St & S 7th Ave)

www.betelnyc.com/

GREENWICH VILLAGE:

Alta (Mediterranean tapas.  Amazing — three words — Bacon-wrapped dates — OMG the best)
64 W 10th St (Between 5th Ave & 14th St)

www.altarestaurant.com

LOWER EAST SIDE:

Stanton Social (My favorite place — trendy, overpriced and fabulous! haha.  The deal with this place is that they have only small plates — so you order lots and lots of them and they bring them out as you sit.  So this is a good place to sit and linger and chat and drink)
99 Stanton Street (Btwn Orchard & Ludlow St)
www.thestantonsocial.com

Paula Rizzo is the Senior Health Producer for FoxNews.com and founder of ListProducer.com.  She’s an Emmy Award winner and attributes much of her success to her compulsive list making.  She makes a list about just about anything and started ListProducer.com to help others become more organized, focused and efficient while being less stressed.  Follow Paula on Twitter.