Fire Up Your Tastebuds For New York’s Riches
Abstract
Whether you want a meal on the go or amid sophistication, New York will not disappoint.
New York may have a (well-earned) reputation for being one of the most expensive cities in the world, but that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank when you venture out into the city in search of sustenance. Some of the best spots deliver cheap, quick, highly authentic food that will have you raving and avoid any wallet-induced dysphoria. Check out these cool spots for a great meal.
Bargain Finds
Purple Rice Korean Kitchen, 263 West 30th Street, Chelsea: Delicious home-style and, usually, really spicy Korean food with plenty of options to mix and match. Try the spicy pork and crispy chicken!
Flip Sigi, 525 Hudson Street, West Village: Filipino fare meets Mexican flare in this hot spot downtown. Make sure to try the Adobo-Rito, which is filled with chicken and kimchi fried rice.
Golden Unicorn, 18 East Broadway, Chinatown: Check out this hidden spot on the second floor of a nondescript building for the ultimate New York dim sum experience. Order those dumplings before the cart rolls away and someone else grabs them!
Cava, 143 4th Avenue, Union Square: Want the health advantages that only a Mediterranean diet can provide? Look no further than this counter-service favorite.
L’industrie Pizzeria, 254 South 2nd Street, Williamsburg: You’ll be in Williamsburg checking out the cool stores and bars anyway, so why not extend the trek and include this famous neighborhood spot?
Upscale Dining
Considered by some to be one of the three dining capitals of the world (looking at you, Paris and Tokyo), New York is littered with outstanding restaurants catering to any possible taste. It’s no wonder we pay so much for the privilege of living in this dynamic city! You’re on vacation, so get ready to open your wallet for these fantastic restaurants so that you can open your mouth to devour their delicious eats.
Sushi Nakazawa, 23 Commerce Street, West Village: Be sure to make your reservations early in order to taste the sushi that got a rare four-star rating from New York Times restaurant critic Pete Wells.
The Grill/The Pool, 99 East 52nd Street, Midtown: For years, New York’s movers and shakers had three-martini power lunches in the Four Seasons restaurant, whose Philip Johnson–designed dining room is considered a masterwork of the international style. The Four Seasons closed last year after decades of neglect, but in its renovated dining room two new restaurants have sprung up: the meat-focused The Grill and the seafood-centric The Pool. Enjoy a power dinner in style.
Contra, 138 Orchard Street, Lower East Side: A mix of high-class dining and cool-kid vibe, this tiny LES spot is a personal favorite. The rotating and (semi-)affordable tasting menu never fails to surprise.
Union Square Cafe, 101 East 19th Street, Grammercy Park: A new location a few blocks north of this classic’s original home has injected new life into this fancy Italian joint’s vibe.
The NoMad, 1170 Broadway, North Madison Park: Nestled within the lobby of the uber-trendy hotel with which it shares its name, this unique spot serving up modernized classics is the perfect mix of fancy and cool.
Joseph Leonard, 170 Waverly Place, West Village: Never a bad bet for an expensive but oh-so-worth-it bespoke breakfast or lunch. ■
