Saturday, 3rd January 2009 | 12 Comments
At first the thought of spending three months in the States this winter was a daunting prospect. I imagined how I would survive without Italy’s gastronomic bounty. I guess I hear the stereotype that America has bad food so frequently (from Italians who have never been to America) that I started to believe it. These places prove those naysayers wrong:
Corner Bistro A West Village dive landmark with sticky tables and heart-stopping burgers.
Pure Dark A relatively new chocolate shop on Bleeker and 10th. Some guys from Jersey make amazing dark chocolate of varying cocoa content. Granted, I’m naturally biased due to their geographic origins, but, objectively, this place is incredible.
Roni-Sue Hand-crafted chocolate, truffles, and candy in the Essex Street Market. They sell dark chocolate covered bacon. Enough said.
Greenmarket Farmers Markets There are farmers markets all over the city. They have a fantastic website that tells you which restaurants buy local and what produce is in season.
Murray’s Cheese A huge selection of cheeses on Bleeker. I love cheese.
Ronnybrook Milk Bar Located in Chelsea Market, this place has ridiculously good milk and yogurt fresh from the Ronnybrook Farm Dairy in Ancramdale, NY. I love that they serve milk and cookies.
January 4th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Oh Katie…what I’d give right now for a Pastrami sandwich!That’s definitely worth coming back to NY for!
January 4th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
I adore Murray’s, too. There’s also a small shop in Grand Central Station. I gave my daughter-in-law three months of “Cheeses of the Month” from Murray’s for Christmas 2007.
Add to your list: Junior’s for cheesecake. Beeco for a great meal deal for Italian. Takashimaya’s basement cafe…get the green pea soup! And oh oh oh, Balthazar for breakfast!!
January 5th, 2009 at 4:14 am
After chocolate covered bacon, pastrami is the perfect food. Definitely worth the trip. That slimy manzo affumicato they sell at my local alimentari doesnt cut the mustard.
January 5th, 2009 at 4:25 am
Sally, thanks for the recommendations. ill have to check them out. my breakfast place is Murray’s Bagels. Sesame with cream cheese. Im addicted.
January 5th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
what’s your favorite old-school adjective-animal bar in the Village? white horse, stoned crow, fatty crab, spotted pig, slaughtered lamb, blue owl or my new party bar opening in Summer’09 the Horny BatSnake?
January 5th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
the white horse because i love meatheads and the spotted pig because i love pork. i think your bar will scare people. batsnakes are pretty much the most dangerous animals around. i once saw a single batsnake devour each and every patron at pastis. it was revolting.
January 8th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
I am so going to go to all these places while I am in NY!!
January 8th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
petu we HAVE to go to roni sue. rob will be so jealous:)
January 13th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
I love the Spotted Pig.
I used to live near the Union Square Greenmarket and we know Jersey has some great farms and markets.
Not all of the food in the States is processed and gross.
January 18th, 2009 at 8:00 am
Today’s foodie excursion in NYC is proof of that! I ate SO MUCH great food-crostini at Gottino on Greenwich, hot chocolate at Grom, cheese bacon toffee at Roni Sue, Brooklyn-made ricotta at Saxelby Cheesemonger in the Essex Street Market, and a burger with blue cheese and fries at the Spotted Pig.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:38 am
thks for all those tips, any more recommendations as I’m prepping my 20-26 week in NYC ?
August 16th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Don’t pass this place Ayza Wine and Chocolate Bar in Midtown, New York.