Back at it again with another peek into my New York adventure. This time it’s all about the food. Now with a food blogger boss, you can only imagine all the suggestions I was given when it came to where to eat. I was excited to try different spots but homegirl was still on a budget. So we tried to mix it up!
The Bonnie
First on the food journey was The Bonnie, the only place we stopped while in Astoria besides a great bagel shop called Lots O Bagels. This particular spot has been known as the designated hangout spot of the OITNB cast. While I'm not a huge fan, I can understand why the crew would spend so much time there. The ambiance is fun and they have the coolest outdoor patio. I would definitely recommend their Mac n' Cheese, it was heavenly. Although I don't recommend pairing it with a beer, it will just make you want to curl up in a ball and take a snooze. Another cool thing about The Bonnie is their happy hour special. It's the perfect place to stop for a cold one after work!
Momofuku Noodle Bar
This was high on my list. Despite the crazy line, we were able to get a table only after a 30-minute wait (trust me that's not long at all). This ramen was heaven in a bowl. It had BOTH pork belly and pork should that literally melted in your mouth. You bet I went to town on this dish. GOOD LORD>
*Tip* If you are set to try a restaurant you've stalked on Instagram get there right when it opens. Yes, you will be eating a littler earlier than normal but it's worth it. Every place in New York gets packed around 6 p.m.
Milkbar
My absolute favorite was Milkbar -- so much so I convinced everyone to go two days in a row. Their cereal milk soft serve is such a simple concept but it's amazing, especially with the crunch corn flakes on top (big spender over here splurged on $.75 extra ).
'Whichcraft
While wandering through lower Manhattan, my friend and I stumbled across 'Whichcraft. It focuses on clean foods such as grain bowls, salads, and sandwiches. It was nice to grab something a healthier after all the rich food that first few days.
The last day we explored the Meatpacking District. This just so happened to be the location of two restaurants on my list. First stop, Artichoke Bastille's Pizza. I was told that this was a perfect place to grab a slice of New York-style pizza. And I was not disappointed. The dining area was a little small and we didn't notice until we sat down that we could have picked up a slice to go in the back. Which would have been perfect to take with us while we walked around the High Line.
Black Tap
The final stop on our food journey was Black Tap. Once you take a peek at their Instagram you will understand why there's so much hype around this place. We were told that it would be difficult to get a spot but luckily we went around 3:00 p.m. and it was basically empty. Their shakes are INSANE. People wait hours just to try one of their photo-friendly master pieces. We chose to split the Sweet n’ Salty. My hat goes off to anyone who finishes one of these bad boys on their own. They're piled high with goodies.
We did enjoy other cool restaurants like Burger and Barrel. It has a really cool ambiance — they were kind enough to turn on the Cubs game. Yes, we dedicated fans asked the fine-dining restaurant to turn on the game. I’m not saying we had anything to with them winning the freaking WORLD SERIES, but it’s possible.
Also, be sure to check out the Egg Shop, while some might not be into the whole trendy, hipster scene. They make a mean egg sandwich and everyone who works there is extremely laid-back. Soho Park is another great place, especially if you want to feel like you’re one of those hip 20-somethings, who likes to drink cocktails with your friends. Think of it like if Sex and the City and Friends had a baby that was made into a restaurant.
RESTAURANTS:
THE BONNIE
LOTS O BAGELS
MOMOFUKU NOODLE BAR
MILKBAR
‘WHICHCRAFT
ARTICHOKE BASTILLE'S PIZZA
BLACK TAP
BURGER AND BARREL
EGG SHOP
SOHO PARK
I hope this helps you with planning your next or first trip to NYC. Got any restaurant suggestions for my next trip? I’d love to hear them!