Life in New York

Life in New York for me is all about the food. This city is one of my all time favorite eating centers in the world. You can find any sort of food you crave at any hour.

Besides the major tourist attractions the real attraction should be our restaurants. Some of my personal favorites are Frank, Adrienne’s, Buenos Aires, and Agozar.

Come with me as I journal my favorite restaurants of the city and tell you why I think you’ll love them as well.

Quick Tips:

Everyone tries to come to New York and see and do everything in a just a few days to a week. Realize you can't. Come. See and do some things that will make you happy and go from there.

The city may change and evolve and grow. But we'll always be here.

Best Way To Get Around:

Do not demand to stay in midtown. Inside the city the trains run frequently enough that you really can stay in other cheaper neighborhoods and get home from whatever you're doing easily. The trains run all night in New York. One of the main points that makes our subway system the best in the world. When complimented with busses you really can get around everywhere without a car.

You can walk this city very easily. This allows you to watch as neighborhoods blend and change. Such a treat and way to learn about the city.

With three major airports serving us you can find many options for getting to town. And if you’re afraid to fly? We sport a major bus station and two major train stations in Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal. You can even take a ferry here from New Jersey and Staten Island.

Wow. This place has just started taking reservations for parties over 8. The first time we went for a Labor Day weekend meeting. My friend Mark was in town and we met with him and a couple of his friends. I come back here often although it is very hard with a group.

It is very affordable place with most dishes being in the $13 to $15 range and a couple of the specials touching up to $17. Really great food for a good time and very good price. Please note. The entire restaurant is cash only.

My favorite dish is the Tagliata. I didn't know what it was, but would order it again now that I do. Just what I needed actually so it all worked out. This is on the New York Magazine top cheap eats list for 2003 and the crowd shows it.

My brother was seen here eating the baked chicken in mid 2004. One of the better menu items available although some would argue the mashed potatoes they give with it is the reason to order. I myself finally went with the roasted rosemary chicken as it is called on the menu at the VT Meeting here October 23, 2006.

This is also, in the words of one of our favorite party planners, the place to get a blonde in the city. And as she will be very happy to hear, they are again serving blondes in here.

This is a pizza joint on Stone Street. The whole street is outside seating and provides a nice and needed break from the day. You can order one of three basic pizza types; margarita, classic, and white. From here you put toppings on if you want. The basic is $15 and toppings are $3 each. There are other items on the menu.

Adrienne's is listed among New York Magazine's Cheap Eats 2006 listing.

Featuring a full bar, outdoor dining, take out and delivery; this is a wonderful place for a good lunch.

My first time we shared a Margarita with sausage and onions. Mixed with a Pepsi as my bosses were in the office today and I had a great lunch. The pizza is so large that we each brought two slices home after eating three each as its "Grandma" style pizza.

My second time we sampled the Classic base with sausage and pepperoni. I liked these toppings better but prefer the Margarita base with its garlic.

The Pepsi's are small and $3 each.

Having just returned here last night I must say I do enjoy the place. It was another of everyone's favorite, word of mouth tips. I first learned of it through a friend who's friend works here behind the bar. Let me tell you she knew exactly what she was talking about. Whether you are sitting inside or outside it is quite comfortable and makes you feel like you are there alone and they are all available just for you. Amazing because it is always crowded when I am there.

Always comforting and relaxing the atmosphere is laid back and the drinks just right. This would be an excellent date place although some might consider it pricey for a first date.

Hours and the current day's specials are always listed on their webpage. Note that they are open for breakfast, lunch, late lunch, and dinner with a brunch on the weekends.

Favorite Dish: My favorite after a couple of samplings of things is by far the steak frites. They do cook it a little more rare than you'd expect for the stated cooking preference so if you expect it one way you might considering stepping up the instructions one level. I ate what was delivered without complaint and it was great.

Most dishes are in the 20-30 dollar range with dessert coming on for about 7 more. The wine list and mojitos here are also good.

Website: www.nicematinnyc.com

Best Of: Tiramisu

I like this place. It’s smallish but has two floors. The service is always good. Not being the cheapest place out there, but for 2 dinners, a bottle of wine, and dessert it was only about $60. And the wine was half that. Definitely on my short list of places I return to.

I have also noticed that this place is frequented by women dining alone. I am saying this only because half the restaurant downstairs was singles eating last night and it struck me as being a good choice for the solo diner.

My favorite dish is a marvelous pork dish in a mustard sauce. Was amazed at how much pork they offered on the plate. I just couldn’t eat it all. But when the dessert came, WOW what a finish. This was the Tiramisu. Even if you don't want to eat dinner here, at least stop by for the Tiramisu when you are in the neighborhood. It has been consistently the best in the city for the several years I've been coming here.

I most recently had the Occhi di Lupo con Broccoli Rabe. It wasn't bad but I must say it wasn't great either. This remains more of a dessert destination for me than dinner although I do go for both.

They're open noon to 3 for lunch each day and then 5 to 10 for dinner.

Website: www.fagiolini.com

Best of: Fondue, Date, Wine.

This is one of my favorite places in the city and I have been here a couple of times now. The food is always amazing with an atmosphere that just completes any great evening out with someone you want to be with. And as such the company has been even better.

Often here we have the fondue. Sometimes only bread but usually sliced beef or something else to perk it up. Throw on top of that a nice bottle of Pinot Noir and you have a great time.

They often participate in NYC Restaurant Week.
Bonus! this restaurant is on the idine list for American Airlines.

Theme: French
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30
Phone: (212) 725-8585
Address: 2 Park Avenue
Directions: 32nd Street, between Park Avenue and Madison
Website: www.artisanalcheese.com restaurants.asp#bistro

Shake Shack

I came here with a small group of VTers on the start of my VT/Best Burger tour of NYC. I ordered up the Shack Stack, which holds 3 patties between the bun with some lettuce and tomato mixed in. What a great mix of foods. This really hit the spot. It is quite large for a single burger and you have to really be hungry to eat it. So that said it will be rare I get this same burger next time. But I really liked it. We had great company in Yon, Vin, Martin, and Jude along with me all the while enjoying a wonderful view sitting outside in the middle of Madison Square Park.

Per the official website "A portion of your purchase will benefit the Madison Square Park Conservancy." I did not know this until I was writing my tip. You can go and read more about it on www.madisonsquarepark.org.

Hours fluctuate through out the year. As of now they are open from 11am to 9pm daily.

I coupled the Shack Stack with an order of cheese fries. Throw in a coke and it was a fun and sloppy (that’s a good thing) meal for only $12.50. And yes, I did order the most expensive and largest burger this time. Next I will try another.

I will definitely come back to this place for their burger.

Theme: American
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$10
Phone: 212 889-6600
Address: Madison Avenue & 23rd st
Directions: Southeast corner in Madison Square Park
Website: http://www.shakeshacknyc.com/