People always ask me where I eat in New York. As if I’m an expert. I’m not, by any means. I haven’t lived in New York for almost 30 years, and when I do go there,I’m always running between seeing friends and family and meeting editors. That means that I rarely get to actually choose where we eat. But as it turns out, that is fine with me. Since on this side of the Atlantic I’m always the decider when it comes to restaurant choice, I’m more than happy to put myself in the hands of others. Luckily, most of my others choose very well.
But since you do ask, here are the answers. And if the photos look like they were shot on the run with my iPhone that’s because they were. This was not a work trip, so I didn’t even bring my real camera. We were there for my dad’s 80th birthday, so it was pure fun. And also fun to stay in a hotel, which we never do. And which explains some of the breathtaking views out over the park.Â
Caravaggio
Somehow when we are in NYC we always end up going to Italian restaurants. Although it’s kind of the last thing we feel like eating, NY does Italian very well. We had an truly excellent birthday dinner for my dad here. I loved my lemon risotto and the scallops were perfectly done. Caravaggio, 23 East 74th Street, NYC
Russ and Daughters Cafe
Even though breakfast was included in our hotel, we love eating out. And so the day we visited the Tenement museum we arrived early and had breakfast at one of my favorite places in New York. Bagels, nova and schmears all around. Sophie actually brought home 2 quarts of pickles in her suitcase (Don’t ask). Russ and Daughters Cafe , 127 Orchard Street, NYC
Jing Fong
Our traditional dim sum stop. 20 Elizabeth Street, NYC
Edwards
This is our friend Edwards restaurant. Very cozy and warm, we end up hanging out here a lot. Good food, and a great atmosphere. So great that hung out there for an hour and a half, sipping coffee while we watched a J. Crew shoot going on while we were there. 136 West Broadway, NYC
Amaranth
Upper east side standby. Lots of fancy ladies, but also good food, especially for that neighborhood. And very large martinis. 21 East 62nd Street, NYC
Russ and Daughters at the Jewish Museum
Did you know they have a cafe in the Jewish Museum? I didn’t. This one is Kosher. Best deviled eggs ever. 1109 Fifth Avenue, Jewish Museum, NYC
Amali
Thank you Alice for recommending this farm to table restaurant located not far from Bloomingdales. A very hard neighborhood to find something good, and this was excellent. Really interesting wine list. 115 East 60th Street, NYC
Danji.
This was my sister and brother in laws choice and it was out of this world. Teeny tiny place, very crowded and some of the best Korean food I’ve ever had. 346 52nd Street, NYC
Paowalla
A totally unplanned girls night with Alice and Melissa. Floyd Cardoz cooks up creative Indian food. Amazing crispy fried artichoke dish with preserved lemons and pomegranate seeds. 195 Spring Street, NYC
Ivan Ramen
Sophie has been wanting to go here since she saw it on Chef’s Table. 25 Clinton Street, NYC
It wasn’t all food all the time. Between visits to the Gap, J. Crew and CVS we also managed to fit in quite a bit of culture
Met Breuer to see Marsden Hartley exhibit.
New York Tenement Museum. A trip through a part of the history of New York that most people don’t know and that is particularly relevant these days.
Torah Animal World: Emma likes to search out the weirdest small museums she can find. This one wins the award for all kinds of strangeness,
The Jewish Museum to see the Pierre Chareau exhibition which was fabulous.
The Whitney Biennial – It’s always a love/hate kind of show. I hated a lot of it, but absolutely loved works by Deana Lawson, Henry Taylor and the completely out of this world installation by Samara Golden which blew my mind.
WTC Oculus– so glad we went to see Calatrava’s Oculus. Couldn’t help taking the obligatory selfie.
Fun Post, thanks! I had lunch at Russ and Daughters at the Jewish Museum yesterday – it doesn’t have quite the same atmosphere as the one downtown but it’s less of a schlep and best of all no line!
Can’t wait to try some of your NYC restaurant recommendations and we absolutely loved the Tenement Museum. We were there years ago and thought it was one of the best museums we’ve been to! 🙂
Dear Elizabeth, I know you had a wonderful time in NYC. I think you just may carry around wonderful times in your pocket, The pictures were fantastic! I don’t even like martinis but I would really like a sip of that martini. Take care. Love, Kathy xox
This is a great list, but as a New Yorker I must ask – you mean Duane Reade, not CVS, right? They’re like, every 10 feet around here!
Yes, you’re right. It was a Duane Reade. I was using the term CVS generically.
Thanks for the recommendations. The restaurant scene in NYC changes rapidly, so sometimes when I think an old standby is there, it’s not. I love your emails and descriptions of Italy, Rome, the food – everything!
Nothing wrong with those beautiful photos!
Wow! The food looks delicious. And that martini – I can almost taste it and it looks seriously strong. Almost a gasoline sheen off it.
This was a basic primer for our trip to NY. Grazie mille!
Totally agree with your comments on the Rome lighting. Leaving well-enough alone is better. Let’s hope the bulb changers get a lesion in color and tone. It is REALLY doable if one takes the time to think it through instead of knee jerk reaction to cost.