Inspired by my newly blogging feline friend's scrumptious link lists, I've decided it's time to freshen up my own.
First on the agenda? Top New York Food! I could make a more extensive list, but these are the places that I just can't stop going back to.
Manhattan
- Cones: I'd trade desert for "real food" most days of the week, so Cones is one of my favorite eateries. You'll definitely get sticker-shock from the exorbitant prices, but the white chocolate is so rich and creamy (and flecked with white chocolate flakes!) it's worth breaking the bank.
- BXL Café: Lindemans Framboise on tap and 2 lbs. of steamed mussels. What could make for a better meal?
- Doughnut Plant: Eating one of these doughnuts is a religious experience. Don't forget to wash it down with fresh strawberry juice.
- Food: One of only two good restaurants in my immediate vicinity. Gotta love the calamari with banana sweet chili sauce. update: Food changed ownership and went way downhill, offering just-your-average calamari with *no* banana sweet chili sauce and removing my favorite entrée, the steamed mussels (which had been served with the world's most amazing grilled bread). So Food is officially off the list.
- Kashkaval: When I'm not eating sugary sweets, I'm snacking, so tapas is the obvious dining solution for me. I dream about the olive tapenade for weeks after every visit to Kashkaval.
- Pommes Frites: You can't get better french fries anywhere. The dipping sauces and paper cone totally make the experience.
- Vegetarian's Paradise 2: Some vegetarians hate the idea of fake meat, but I can't get enough of it, especially done up VP2-style. Their soul-fried chicken even reproduces the chicken texture perfectly.
- Wasabi Lobby: Maybe I just like saying the name. But I love the spicy crunchy rolls too!
Brooklyn
- Alligator Lounge: Would I have made it out of my first year of grad school without being hospitalized for malnutrition if not for Alligator Lounge's buy-a-beer-get-a-free-pizza deal? Anonymous sources remain doubtful.
- Chip Shop: An order of fish and chips followed by a fried banana will send you straight to saturated fat heaven. Caution: The cohabitation of Chip Shop and Curry Shop may prompt un-PC comments from your fellow diners, if they happen to be strange British gentlemen.
- Franny's: The fancy pizza is almost as amazing as their extremely delicious wine selection.
- Mango Thai: Yeah, so it's fusion. But it's good fusion! And I love my Thai fried tofu.
- Terrace Bagels: Far and away the best bagels I have ever encountered. The only thing that would make me consider living on the F line ever, ever again.
What did I miss?
I think you got all the old faves. Just don't call them French.
[...] Raki has an extremely strong flavor, but it was perfect for sipping with meze. Although Beyoglu got panned a bit by NYC nosh (and I agree that the octopus was chewy), the hummus and puffy bread were amazingly good and any place that encourages ordering multiple appetizers and no main courses gets an almost immediate gold star (and a spot in the sidebar) in my book. [...]