I am no professional critique on food, but I know good food when I get it. This was my first trip to NY, and it seemed that we were always looking for a “good place to eat,” although restaurants were everywhere. I’m sure there are plenty of good reads on best places to eat in NYC, but I figured I would do a review of the ones close to Time Square and give my opinion on my choice of ordering.
On most vacations, I have been known to make my list of restaurants ahead of time that I want to try. I look at blogs, reviews, pictures, and make the list that will be checked off throughout the trip. Not on this trip! We literally ate where the wind took us, so I went in with a blank slate. This is how most things were done over the past few days, with very little specific plans other than Broadway show, Chinatown, and Statue of Liberty. We stayed close to Time Square so most restaurants will be within walking distance, which is how we found them. Walk a bit, eat a bit, walk a bit, eat a bit…you get the point. This was a girl’s trip, so I imagine the list would be somewhat different if my children were with me considering price and food choices.
The first night we arrived, we were starving after a 12-hour drive and would have eaten anywhere, but we stumbled on Rosie O’ Grady’s Saloon. From the sound of this, I imagined rustic with some good fried pickles. Negative. I was surprised to see so many places that from the entryway look like a hole in the wall, then you open the door, and you are seeing “fancy.” Now you must remember that I am from Eastern Kentucky, so a white tablecloth and a flaming candle is fancy. I ate a lot of risotto on this trip, 4 times to be exact. The Grilled Jumbo Shrimp & Sea Scallop Risotto was to die for.
For breakfast, we went to Angelina Bakery twice. That I how good it was, and it was right across from our hotel. So many options were available with a French twist. Pastries for miles and tarts that made my mouth water. You could get the best of both worlds; a savory croissant or pleasure your sweet tooth with New York’s famous cheesecake. On our second visit there, I ordered a cannoli and they gave me a box…a WHOLE box of cannoli’s. I hope you get that lucky because they were a treat for all of us. Oh, and I would recommend grabbing a peach tea on your way out for all that walking you are going to do.
Our big splurge meal was Ocean Prime. Another one that was deceiving from the outside, so much so that we didn’t know it was going to be our splurge meal until we walked into the dining room, AND they even had mouthwash in the bathroom. Got Risotto again, and it was fabulous, but the highlight of this event was a Berries and Bubbles drink my sister-in-law ordered. With dry ice, and all the components including marinated berries, it had us all amazed. My choice initially was to go light with Lobster Bisque, but last minute I changed my mind and ordered Sea Scallops, and you guessed it, on risotto. AND the waitress gave us a dessert “on her” that we didn’t think we had room for but somehow that Warm Butter Cake disappeared. This was truly our lucky day and a place that I would definitely splurge on again.
When in Chinatown, you eat Chinese. With this being my first trip, a co-worker of mine, recommended Nom Wah Tea Parlor. We finally found the restaurant and there was a huge line outside. You know a restaurant is good by a line outside! From a few people in line, we were told that the place was a treasure, but due to time restraints, we opted to go to another place down the road. Next time, Nom Wah, next time. We did stop for some boba tea at Ten Ren’s Tea Time where you could watch them make the “bubbles.” Another first for me! We all agreed that the actual boba’s were not that appetizing, but the tea was magnificent.
I sampled several different types of cheesecake while on our trip, but the best was from Junior’s Restaurant and Bakery. No picture can be found, as I didn’t plan on this post, and well it was midnight after a Broadway show. But if you have ever been, I’m sure you will vouch for me!
Before we left, my SIL wanted the perfect New York bagel. After a quick google search Pick a Bagel was found. After a short walk, we arrived to see an extensive line wrapped inside the small bagel joint. Remember…lines mean it is good and it was SO good. I ordered a plain bagel with lox cream cheese spread. My SIL ordered actual lox on top of cream cheese. Mine was delicious, a perfect seafood savory, but she said hers was a little too “fishy.” The options for cream cheese were endless and I wish I could have sampled all of them.
Of course, this is just a drop in the bucket, and I have left out a few to emphasize my favorites, but if you are in New York for the first time, I hope I have supplied you with a good starting list to cross off. Enjoy!
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