Untitled at the Whitney

Perfect for any occasion — Untitled offers a great experience for anything from a casual brunch with your mom, or to find out your new boss has a drinking problem when they order 6 drinks over lunch.

This mushroom “fried rice” has been one of my favorites.

Always ask if they have sourdough, beets if they’re in season, and I rarely say this but: skip their dessert.

High Street on Hudson

A great casual spot to end up at for brunch or dinner while walking around downtown. A great wine selection, especially the orange wines and perfectly fluffy flatbreads make for a quick drink and bite stop.

Rezdôra

In what can only be described as an ode to the Emilia-Romagna region, Stefano Secchi is making an an outstanding pasta experience accessible to New Yorkers. The Osteria Francasecana alum puts an impeccable amount of care into every pasta dish making it one of the most enjoyable meals I can recommend in New York.

My favorite is the Grandma Walking Through Forest in Emilia (pictured above). A perfect handmade cappelletti with an explosion of rich earthy flavors from the black mushrooms balanced out with snap peas make every bite an absolute delight.

I also highly recommend the burrata, the raviolo with freshly grated white truffle (when in season), strozzapreti, and the spinach raviolini — which is to say, the pasta tasting is 100% worth it.

Reservations are hard to find, but I’ve had great success showing up just around 5:30pm and asking for a walk-in, or a bar seating.

Red Rooster

As a “I hate chicken but love fried chicken” type of person, I had to try both Red Rooster and Sylvia’s. Red Rooster is an obvious winner for me, and I know that because there’s very few chickens I’d eat to the bone —the Hot Honey Yardbird is one. Always a long wait that’s well spent at the bar with some cocktails. If you want to shock your system they do a brunch with the fried chicken and waffles.

Balthazar

This New York classic is best enjoyed early morning with no crowds and a large bowl of coffee which is a requirement at 7am. Though an impressive menu, my favorite is the tartine with butter and jam. The French toast and herb omelettes are great too!

Los Tacos No 1

Probably my only recommended tacos in NYC, the al pastor (adobada) is the closest one I’ve found to the authentic Californian taqueria tacos. Sure there’s a line, but the tacos are unlike any you’ve had in the city (yes, including Tacombi). I can’t bring myself to waste an adobada on the other meats but the few bites of the chicken tacos I’ve had are great too.

If you’re in for a secret menu item they make a full cheese shell which is exactly what you imagine it to be.

Gotan

Not usually seen on the typical New York food lists, Gotan is a local favorite for a chill brunch or a bring-your-laptop type Sunday morning. If you make it before 11am, their oatmeal is refreshing, filling, and somehow still has a light and airy flavor to it. Other essentials: Shakshuka (ask for extra bread), and the açaí bowl.

Also good for just coffee and pastries, their baristas make magical coffee and a Ladurée croissant never ruined anyone’s morning.

Olmsted

A perfect wintry evening at Olmsted starts out back with a small fireplace and a warming cocktail. Greg Braxton brings the best of new american and his learnings from Blue Hill to create a standout meal.

The rutabaga tagliatelle & carrot crepes are to die for. I’m not a huge fan of s’mores but its a good first-timers experience if you didn’t get to hang out in the backyard pre-dinner.

Indian Accent

Indian Accent has a long overdue star that they may never get, but we’re all glad they continue innovating on the best of Indian fusion.

Be prepared to overeat. Try to make it your only meal of the day, and still plan on being full for breakfast the next day. The stuffed kulchas and crab are essential. A walk through central park after is optional. I long await the day they do an à la carte menu.

The Aviary

Grant Aachatz’s humble gift to New York wraps itself up in a sprawling view of Columbus Circle with ecstatic cocktails. My go-to here is the 20,000 Blueberries Under the Tea (pictured above), a fun and fruity cocktail that continues to infuse offering a new flavor with every pour. They often have a seasonal variation of this cocktail if you can’t find it on the menu.

There’s many fun cocktails, like the slingshot, wake and bake with the famed pillow, and bring another smurf. For me, the winner is the secret menu Chicharrón — a life size pig fat cracker. A spectacle sure to turn heads, it’s exactly the salty snack you need with your drinks.

Sugarfish

An incomparable yet accessible sushi experience typically comes with a 2 hour wait that’s well worth it at Sugarfish. Skip the fancy and Americanized sushi and go for the any of the Trust Me’s based on hunger level.

The warm rice sushi comes as coursed servings to ensure the fish is at its freshest when you eat it. Few places can bring you the subtle sweetness of salmon and a generous serving of a toro hand-roll.

I highly recommend the toro and albacore rolls — order them separately if they’re not in your selected pre fixe.

Miznon North

The warmth of this Mediterranean brunch is only matched by the extra chair on every table for your host to sit down with you as they talk you through the menu and help you figure out what to eat.

Sprinkled with salt, the table fills up easy with shakshuka, the unmissable and famous baby cauliflower, the spicy sauces, mezze, and if you’re lucky a fresh out of the oven large Za’atar pita made by chef Eyal Shani himself (pictured above).

Win Son

I’m rarely spotted in Brooklyn, but places like Win Son make it worth the hike. My suggested strategy is to put your name down at the restaurant, and go on across the street to Win Son Bakery and enjoy the mochi doughnut which I believe is the planet’s best kept secret for good doughnuts. The custard toast and egg tarts are divine too. The egg & cheese on the Japanese milk bun is also great, but probably too filling if you’re going to go eat the fried chicken & waffles (pictured above) at the restaurant.

I also recommend the marinated cucumbers and the sesame noodles if your appetite doesn’t fail you after the dessert-first experience.

Easy Victor

It’s hard to not have a bias for a place that’s an elevator ride away. By the Charlie Bird team, Legacy Records already offers a remarkable meal with an impeccable wine list. It’s no wonder Legacy Records is rumored to have Beyoncé as a regular amongst other celebrity spottings.

But when the restaurant turns into cafe by day, baristas at Easy Victor brings true meaning to the term handcrafted with the oat milk lattes. Yes, it’s a $7 latte but worth every last sip, even as decaf. The pastry chef works wonders with the seasonal loaves of pound cake, and the kouign-aman leaves you questioning both Dominique Ansel & Daily Provisions.

Mercado Little Spain

Sure, there’s the Boqueria’s and Socarrat’s in the city that are a hit-or-miss meal, but José Andrés & the Adrià brothers have truly brought an authentic experience to the city. The El Bulli recreation at Mar is certainly worth a visit, but when in the mood for tapas, put your name down at La Barra and grab some fresh patatas bravas at the fritas stall and a sangria as you wait.

La Barra has delcious tapas everything from the cheapest bowl of extremely flavorful mussels you could find, gambas ajillo, pan con tomate, croquettas, and any other staple tapas. If you’re still hungry, the larger than life cooking is a fun spectacle to enjoy while eating the paella itself.

Don’t miss the churros (pictured above), and if you dare like I do, drink some of that dipping chocolate too!

abcV

A pleasant surprise for the carnivores, Jean Georges has created a versatile vegetarian menu without any imitation meats. The brunch features some uniquely southeast Asian fusion plates like the kitchari, dosas, and the basmati artichoke bowl.

The avocado lettuce cups are inexplicably delicious for something so seemingly simple, and the wild mushroom poached eggs are perfectly executed.

Carbone

A New York classic you can prepare for by basically not eating a big meal all day to maximize your reservation jackpot. Yes the pastas are great and you should try at least one per person in your party and ask to share it family style. Don’t overlook the Baked Clams or Prosciutto and bread. 

The essential pastas are the Spicy Rigatoni (pictured above). I’m a sucker for all things mushroom so the Fettuccine Funghi does the craving justice, and the Lobster Ravioli is an indulgence worth the price tag.

Tsurutontan

Bowls bigger than your face and a hearty meal for a wintry day. The uni ramen (pictured) is the creamiest and richest in the city, guaranteed to keep you full for a day and some. Their sides are actually great but don’t get as much attention because the bowls are just that big – I recommend the karage or buns if you have extra space.

Han Dynasty

I may be biased because I have frequented this “chain” since my Philly days but Han Dynasty is comfort Sichuan food. The restaurant ambience caters to a fancy date-night experience or just a late-afternoon casual meal just the same. There’s far too many good things on the menu, these are the must-haves especially if it’s your first time: cucumbers (though they sound basic they’re phenomenal), wontons in chili oil, dan-dan noodles, and mushroom hot pot. If you’re feeling extra hungry or wanting to diversify all the dumplings are great, the dry pot chicken if you’re feeling like challenging your spice level, and the scallion pancake is a staple. Honestly, it’s hard to order the wrong thing here. 

Shuka

Continuing the quest for shakshuka led me to this now-popular brunch spot bustling with a different vibe than your typical bottomless mimosas. The flatbread and labneh (pictured) has nailed all light and fluffy elements. The fried halloumi feels replicable but isn’t – trust me, I’ve tried, and unfortunately for me the shakshuka itself has chickpeas in it but looks quite impressive.

Osteria Morini

A refreshing change from the upscale pasta restaurants in Manhattan. From the reputable Altamarea group famous for the Marea, Ai Fiori, and Nicoletta Osteria Morini brings the proven Michelin quality pasta to a laid back environment akin to a grandma-run osteria. Prepare for a loud and buzzing atmosphere and decently priced pasta that will amaze you. The cappelletti, wild mushroom rigatoni, and squid ink pasta are my favorites here.

I Sodi

Another reservation jackpot is to be reveled with as many pasta dishes as you can get and nothing else. The vegetarian lasagna is a great stand in for non red meat eaters like myself but every other pasta dish stands on its own. The Cacio e Pepe can sometimes show up slightly over-seasoned but generally on point, a textbook brown butter sage ricotta ravioli is executed to perfection. 

Joanne Trattoria

A hidden away secret on the upper-west side, a little known fact about this trattoria is that it’s run by Lady Gaga’s family. Though I’ve never spotted her there, it still makes for a phenomenal outdoor backyard meal with traditional dishes. A staple meal here includes the Aglio e Olio or Calm Sauce Pasta and the Chicken Parmesan. While you wait for the big meal, sip some wine and pick on the Calamari.

Mala project

Not really noodles but fits squarely into the standout Sichuan category. They do serve a good dan-dan noodle at the East Village location as well as some staples like the scallion pancake. But the centerpiece of this establishment is the Dry Pot. Some of the best dry pot elements are not your usual meats. For me it’s the lotus root, wood ear mushrooms, tofu skin, rice cakes, and baby bamboo shoots.

Cafe China

My favorite dan-dan noodles in the city are at Cafe China. The house made hand pulled noodles make a noticeable difference and the peanut sauce is by far the most consistently balanced one I’ve had in the city.  

Momofuku noodle bar

The fomo inducing split-flap display with disappearing menu items is placed centrally at the noodle bar. The caviar is an unnecessary addition to an otherwise average fried chicken bao bun. With salmon roe instead of actual caviar, Noodle Bar is a a microcosm of the larger momofuku ecosystem, focused on the marketability over quality for an overpriced and underwhelming experience.

Double Chicken Please

More like double-take on your menu choices please. The fast-casual bar front seating and the elegant back seating rules are confusing – especially if you’re trying to eat the chicken itself. The sandwiches are interesting, and the chicken liver pâté was okay, but its all bust if you get a coveted reservation for the back before 10pm, because you won’t get the chicken sandwiches. At the same time, some of the interesting cocktails you’d think you can have in the bar area are for the back area. Study the menu and plan carefully!

Isabelle’s Osteria

Expect a decent Italian meal with the one highlight: the mushroom lasagna inspired by his time at Gramcery Tavern it delivers a decadent crispy umami bomb perfect for a chilly winter day you need to carb-load on. A good desert menu takes the pressure off ordering too many mains. Hard to go wrong with getting the olive oil cake and chocolate budino. 

Stone-throw away from Rezdora and across from James Tracey’s old stomping grounds at Gramcery Tavern, Isabelle’s is a good overflow destination for those who have made up their mind for Italian without a planned reservation or not willing to wait.

Very Fresh Noodles

If you think there’s no such thing as “too Mala” you haven’t tried the unmixed noodles at Very Fresh Noodles – it’s guaranteed to make you think your tongue has fallen off. But once you do mix it well its a delicious bowl of not really spicy but just tingly flavorful noodles with well seasoned meat. The chicken wings don’t get talked about enough which in my opinion are the highlight. Slightly sweet and spicy, perfectly crispy delivering a satisfying crunch sound when you bite into it, and meat even non-meat lovers can eat to the bone – the fried chicken is one of the few ones I’d recommend in the city. 

Bob White’s Counter

A short menu with a short review – the spicy chicken sandwich is phenomenal. Flavor and spice packed into a small price point, it delivers on all the classic elements – a kicky pickle, a crunchy battered juicy chicken with a subtle burn from the spice, slathered with mayo and complete with the classic potato bun.

Citizens of Chelsea

We love a good Aussie cafe, and watching this one grow around NYC has been a delight. Aside from the fact that this coconut oatmeal is pure sorcery, with an ice-cream like texture without the dairy and sugar that leaves you perplexed how oats can be this good, the Cast Iron Baked Eggs, and housemade banana bread are perfect low-key brunch dishes.