- Manhattan - I love you, and your food culture.
I don’t think its a very controversial statement to say some of the best food in the world is coming out of New York City kitchens. My love affair with this city and her restaurant scene runs deep through my veins, and touches on several deeply personal experience that shifted my relationship with food, and the trajectory of my professional life. Manhattan is the ultimate melting pot, a joining of creatives, masters, eccentric thinkers, doers and builders, all of which can be seen in every great restaurant the city has to offer.
Though I do not actually live here, my closest friend in the world does, and my multiple trips a year over the last decade has given me a delicious snapshot into the vast array of food options this mecca has to offer. Maggie works in midtown, so inevitably Ive spent time in this often over crowded part of the city. Even in all of this hustle and bustle, and millions of mediocre joints, there are a few shining beacons that I will go back to time and again. At the top of this list The Modern, located at the Modern art museum. While this may be a 2 michelin star restaurant they do have an a la cart menu, and lunch service is a wonderfully elevated while still casual experience. Sleek and modern, the second you walk through the frosted doors you feel wrapped up in glamour, only furthered by every beautiful and delicious dish that hits the table.
After an exquisite lunch, head a few blocks over towards Le Bernadin. I dont think i need to launch in to Eric Reperts haven, but I will slide in his much more casual wine bar next door, Aldo Sohm. This is the stuff of my dreams. The wine list is unbelievable. Nestled in the concrete, a part walkway part courtyard dining space is what i dream of when i think about Manhattan. Sipping a bottle of bubbly, watching the passerbys shuffle along, tailored suits and big dreams, you feel apart of it all here, and the wine is fabulous.
If youre spending lunch or dinner around the theatres, Hells Kitchen has a million little spots to enjoy, but a few standouts must be noted. Thai food is one of my favorites, and here there are almost too many great options. Both Cha Long and Lumlum on 9th are absolutely incredible. Firey spice, sweet, sour, savory, the adjectives dont end. Truly fabulous dining experiences, both casual and relatively affordable.
As we make our way south, one of my most memorable dining experiences last year came at Shukette. Female run by chef Ayesha Nurdjaja, this mediterreanean//middle eastern spot is exquisate. Its loud, always packed, and chefs famous charcoal grill sends wafting meaty smells through the dining room and out into the street. The depth of middle eastern spices, the deft touch of charcoal grilling lamb, chicken and beef done perfectly, all sitting alongside luscious dips and house made breads; this is a spot you want to sit down with friends and spend a few hours. When you do finally finish though, walk a few blocks south to Bathtub Gin and have one of the best cocktails in the city, and if you're lucky catch a Burlesque show; nothing better than some sexy sophistication on a night out in Chelsea.
Heading further south into the West Village, the amount of fabulous food is overwhelming. Some places you absolutely must try are Red Paper clip, Jeju noodles (goodluck getting a res), Frevo, Loring Place, Lin & Daughter, Llama San; the list is endless. For a casual afternoon, look no further than Little Owl, a cozy nieghborhood eatery on a quaint street corner. Also happens to be located in the same building that was used in the popular show, Friends. The food is humble and rustic, all made from the freshest ingredients. Get a great salad and the gravy meatball sliders, simple perfection.
If you’re looking for an Italian trattoria, the charm of wood chairs and tiled floors, the pastas and aperativo, one of the absolute best places in any of the five burrows is Via Carota. This famed while still casual spot on Grove St in Greenwich is as close as you get to Italy without hoping the pond. Tables are tight, the food is rich, and its worth every second you’ll wait for a table. If youre waiting though, and dying of hunger, head a block south to Bleaker Street Pizza and pick up a classic New York slice, cant go wrong here.
One of my absolute favorite meals in the city to date was at SHMONE’, a Mediterranean restaurant with its roots stemming from Chef Eyal Shanis childhood growing up in Jerusalem. I think about this meal often, sometimes food is just magical. Flavor profiles, textures, combinations that are new and exciting, all brought together with a thread of familiarity. The menu changes often enough, but I will never forget this green pea and rice dish, sounds simple maybe even strange to rave about, but it was one of my favorite dishes all of 2024. The dynamic simplicity shows true artistry in cooking, and these guys have it in spades'; a phenomenal restaurant.
Food in this city, is as much a cultural experience as it is a means of sustinance. Every corner of the world is represented here in its best way, immigrants come with a dream and put their mission to action. To spread the flavors that they love, to build community, to impact the diets of those who live near or far. Have you ever moved into a neighborhood having never tried a particular food and within months that restaurant down the street that was once unframiliar is now a regular in your rotation? What a blessing it is to discover both people and food that open our minds, and fill our bellies.
If we start heading southeast into Soho, the overwhelming number of fabulous restaurants continues to rise. If you’re looking for some energy on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, look no further than Boqueria, a Spanish hotspot cranking out loads of tapas and pitchers of Sangria. I cannot emphasize enough the energy here is aggressive in the best way. The crowd is young and bouje, you will inevitably be squished to some degree, the noise will make conversation mildly difficult but the food and drink will make all that worth it. Get a few pitchers of Sangria, papas bravas, pulpo a la plancha, gambas al ajillo, and all the sudden that noise becomes far less obnoxious.
Heading back to Thai food, we stroll over to Noho, and we end up at the illustrious, Fish Cheeks. If I was going to send you to one place on this list, I think it would be Fish Cheeks. The food here is, impactful. And i say that with the highest respect, the flavors sing a song many places are just simply not capable of. There is not a bad dish on the menu, a couple personal favorites are the Shrimp in 3 Crab Sauce (a truly stellar dish), Grilled pork cheeks, Duck curry, Pork belly chilli garlic, Crab Aob Woonsen, and Steamed Fish with Thai Herbs. Its the balancing of heat and salt, herbaceous and acidic; it perfectly satisfies every corner of your taste buds.
For your final stop, head a few blocks north east for a sexy cocktail send off. While there are many great cocktail havens close by, like Superbueno, I like to stick to a tride and true; Death & Co. (I would recommend a reservation). These guys have opened a few locations around the country, but this east village spot is one of my favorite places to feel special and to try something a bit more unique than the average cocktail bar. When you're done, take a stroll through Thompkins square and appreciate all the lovable weirdos that make up one of my favorite neighborhoods in the city.
Culture is all about what makes us unique, where we come from, what we wear, what we believe and eat and do for a living. But these ideas are not barriers, they are open ended love letters, descriptions of our past that help us grow and evolve into our future. Manhattan is one of the worlds greatest melting pots, bringing us together and uniting us through our senses, broadening our cultural understanding and ultimately giving us a glimpse and appreciating for what is different. Our differences, whether in perspective, culture, experience, or personality, contribute to a richer, more creative, and diverse world. Recognizing and valuing those differences can lead to stronger collaboration, deeper understanding and a much more interesting selection of incredible food!
Until next time. I love you Manhattan, xoxo