Our goal was to explore & experience in the best the city had to offer, with food experiences as priority one. We justified our ambitious eating schedule promising we’d walk to as many places as possible, easily exceeding 10,000+ steps a day. Between bites, let’s call it palate cleansers, we immersed ourselves in art and design as we wandered the streets. We discovered hidden gems in every neighborhood and checked restaurants and shops off our list.
Our time was primarily spent in the vibrant West and East Villages, where we soaked in the creative energy and eclectic atmosphere. From browsing art galleries to admiring stunning architecture and current shows at local museums. We enjoyed a variety of delicious bites along the way, indulging in everything from new hot spots to more refined culinary experiences and a few neighborhood favorites. Each bite was a reminder of how diverse and rich the city's food scene truly is.
It was a weekend filled with exploration, learning, and unforgettable moments shared with my daughter, leaving us with both a deeper appreciation for NYC's cultural vibrancy and a full belly of memories.
Staying in the Flatiron district was a strategic choice, making it walking distance to most of the must eat/do/see list.
STAY
Sonder, Flatiron
One of several properties in NYC. Clean and efficient. Comfortable beds. Self-service check-in/check-out, amenities bar and workstations. Access to a free gym down the street.
EAT
(Flatiron, West & East Village, NoHo, SoHo, Midtown West, Upper East Side
abcV, in Flatiron. An innovative plant-based restaurant. The luminous aesthetic inspired by the energy of the sun and moon is mirrored in the menu specializing in sustainable and organic vegetable dishes. A beautiful selection of wellness tonics and elixirs too.
Best bite: Toasted and griddled avocado and Sicilian pistachio toast with preserved & fresh meyer lemon, basil and serrano chili.
Workshop by Dominique Ansel, in Flatiron. A small shop in their commercial kitchen serves fresh baked breakfast pastries and chocolate creations. Dominique Ansel made famous the cronut at his SoHo location.
Best bite; Gluten Free decadent double chocolate pecan cookie.
https://www.dominiqueanselworkshop.com/
Anita Gelato, in Flatiron and other NYC locations. All gelato is handmade and churned in store. A wide range of rotating flavors.
Best-bite: No sugar added Hazelnut. Simply divine.
Brass & The Tusk Bar, in Flatiron. Cocktail and oyster bar just through the gorgeous art-deco lobby of the Evelyn Hotel. Bright takes on classic cocktails.
Best-sip: Cosmopolitan or a glass of Champagne with fresh oysters
S&P Lunch, in Flatiron, a long-time favorite. Casual eatery offering diner classics.
Best Bite: Patty Melt. Old-fashioned goodness. Perfectly grilled rye with a sweet mash of grilled onions, melted American cheese over a hamburger cooked pink.
Cluny Café, in West Village. Ooh-la-lovely modern French neighborhood bistro. Classic comfort food using the freshest ingredients.
Best bite: Zucchini fries. Crispy fries with a delicious Yuzu-garlic aioli.
Atla, in NoHo. Simple traditional yet inventive Mexican food. A casual all-day eatery serving bright and fresh tacos, plates and a great selection of margaritas.
Best Bite: Guacamole with serrano chile & fresh herbs and fresh corn tostadas.
Bowery Hotel Lobby Bar, in East Village. Dolce Vita! The bar is a sophisticated lounge located in the Bowery Hotel. Truthfully anything on a stem fits the vibe of this space.
Best sip: Bowery 75!
https://theboweryhotel.com/bar-menu/
Fabrique, in Midtown and Meatpacking district. An artisanal Swedish bakery and coffee house that serves delicious sweet buns and famous rye and sourdough breads. Everything baked in a stone-oven and with a passion for craftsmanship.
Best bite: A sublime Cardamom bun. Light and layered dough loaded with cardamom and sprinkled with baker’s sugar. It melts in your mouth.
Genesis House Tea, in Chelsea. A secret sanctuary in the Genesis car showroom building. The tea house reflects Korean hospitality, an oasis of discovery and relaxation. A superb spot to experience Korean tea culture and absorb the artful space.
Best-sip: In-house Tisane - Mong Yu Do Won Do
Cook Shop, in Chelsea, an established and energetic neighborhood restaurant serving American fare with an emphasis on seasonal and local.
Best bite: Tuna melt! A to-die-for combination of olive oil poached albacore tuna, olives, capers, red onions, fontina cheese on semolina raisin bread.
From Lucie, in East Village, charming bakery and cake shop. Tiny spot loaded with love of unique flavor combinations. Too many beautiful choices of beautiful artful cakes and a to-die-for chocolate chip cookie.
Best bite: Gluten free carrot cake with fromage blanc frosting.
https://fromlucie.com/
Via Carota, in West Village, beloved Italian trattoria serving food so simple it’s transcendent. Italian style and artistry with every dish, celebrating the season.
Best bite: Honestly every Verdure dish was equally brilliant.
Apollo Bagel, in East Village and West Village. Sourdough bagels served hot out of the oven. Crusty on the outside, craggy and chewy on the inside. A simple menu of just six toppings is offered, plain cream cheese or scallion, lox or whitefish spreads.
Best bite: Everything bagel with lox, cream cheese, red onion, capers and fresh dill.
Superior Burger, in East Village. Innovative, all vegetarian restaurant serving up burgers, veggie sides and cocktails.
Best bite: House salad. Little gem lettuces and pickled fennel with a handful of chopped parsley and classic carrot ginger dressing.
https://www.superiorityburger.com/
Manuela, in the heart of SoHo. A farm to table gallery and a feast for the eyes! Museum-quality contemporary art and food combine to create a colorful atmosphere. The menu is grounded by a commitment to seasonal, sustainably harvested local produce.
Best bite: A tie between the Rainbow carrots, salsa verde and cashew dukkah and Butterball potatoes with dill onions and crème fraiche.
Zimmis, a Charming West Village restaurant inspired by the South of France. Humble ingredients bathed in butter and cooked with tender loving care. Hot spot, chic crowd.
Best bite: Foie Gras toast with sauternes. Crisp toast with foie mousse and sauterne jelly.
Sardi’s Bar, in the Theater District. A taste of old-world New York and a toast to Broadway. The cozy bar up front in Sardi’s Restaurant is the perfect spot for pre or post theater refreshments.
Best-sip: Paper Plane
Frena – Cozy Midtown West Modern Middle Eastern cuisine. The chef pulls from a variety of Middle East traditions, blending fresh ingredients and bold spices.
Best bite Mesclun and Root Vegetables Salad. Surprising mix of sweet and savory, crunch and velvety textures.
Chalong - Inspiring Midtown West Southern Thai cuisine. A menu that celebrates the masterful balance of the freshness of spices and fresh seafood. The cocktail menu is equally inspiring, using a wide variety of exotic fruits and created to complement the food.
Best bite: Duck confit in red curry with roasted pumpkin.
Sant Ambrous, Upper East Side, and other NYC locations. Milanese tradition meets New York elegance. This neighborhood meeting spot is a chic spot to enjoy a coffee and viennoriserie. They are famous for the Princess cake. Everything is tempting and everything is made with pure European-style cultured butter.
Best bite: crisp and buttery Palmier with a latte.
DO
Between bites, we visited a variety of museums, design concepts and home shops. Here are a few of the highlights.
West & East Villages
Highline, public art space, https://www.thehighline.org
Whitney Museum https://whitney.org
Dia Museum https://www.diaart.org
Pace Gallery https://www.pacegallery.com
Hauser Wirth Gallery https://www.hauserwirth.com
David Zwirner Gallery https://www.davidzwirner.com
Dobrinka Salzman Gallery, vintage furniture & art, https://www.dobrinkasalzman.com
Comme de Garcon, clothing, https://www.comme-des-garcons.com
Mast Books, book & gallery, https://mastbooks.com
Niconeco Zakkaya, paper goods, https://www.niconeco.com
Nickey Kehoe, home, https://nickeykehoe.com
Mid-Upper East Side
The Metropolitan Museum of Art https://www.metmuseum.org
Louis Vuitton https://us.louisvuitton.com
