Rice to Riches

Stopped by this place for a snack while shopping at SoHo.

I ended up getting the chocolate chip flavored rice pudding (although really liked the Nutella or rocky road that I sampled, but they don’t have a smaller sized version of them). Would come back.

Sons of Essex

Technically this is a bar, but we went here for a brunch.

I would come back, bout would definitely order some things over others.

For drinks, mimosas and Irish coffee were great. (Next time I would also try the espresso martini).

For food, I got scrambled eggs and Canadian bacon. The eggs were good, but would probably get regular bacon over Canadian bacon next time.

We also ordered the mac and cheese with bacon. Highly recommend.

Also, will say the owner was very easy to talk to, and there was a DJ playing great top 40 edm music.

Mr. Purple

This rooftop bar is actually pretty good. The view of the New York skyline was great, and also people watching was fun. Had a very Gen Z vibe (even one guy was trying to impress some girl with his trust fund).

FYI, the entrance of it is not obvious (on street level).

I will say drinks are not cheap (it was $25 for one drink… although they do give heavy pours).

I would come back for the people and view.

Buddakan

We went to this really trendy Chinese restaurant. The vibe was very night clubby, and also Gen Z.

Basically when you get in it’s like a Vegas style check in (have people behind a hotel like counter). After, you basically wait in the bar area before you get seated (even if you have a reservation). The bar area is actually quite large, and really good for a pregame (could also go to this restaurant without eating and just chill there). And the DJ was very on point playing great top 40 edm music.

After about 10 minutes we did get seated. We got the chow mein with beef, the dim sum sampler, and something that is like pop corn shrimp (it wasn’t called that, but basically an Asian version of it). Honestly, would get everything again.

For drinks got an Aperol spritz and whisky on the rocks. Can’t go wrong with either of those.

On a side note, there was a downstairs area which looked like it had bomb seating. Also, this place is near the Google office and Tao night club. Would be down to go to this place and explore the area at night next time.

Update (7/21/2024): we went back here for a friends bday. There was 15 of us, so we had to do a fixed menu. The menu is listed below, it I think the highlights for me were the lobster fried rice, the jumbo shrimp, and the cod. Other food was great, but it was just a lot of food (need to pace myself next time).

Russ & Daughters

Tried the bagel place for breakfast/lunch at the lower east side.

This place is known for their lox bagels. And that’s exactly what I got (the original). Honestly it was really good. Got it with a sesame bagel, original cream cheese, tomato, onions and scallions. The salmon they used I wasn’t quite sure what it was, but it was good.

Ye’s Apothecary

So this is labeled as a speak easy, it really it’s just a late night Chinese food place with a full bar / cocktails.

I would go back again for a late night meal. We got the Sui Mai, XLB, noodles with beef, and Szechuan beef. Would get everything again but the beef (pictured below, it was not what I was expecting since it was crispy. Usually it’s not like that).

For drinks, think I just got whisky on the rocks (the usual).

Froth

Had this almost every day when working remotely in New York at the lower east side. Great lattes (almost like blue bottle, so sweet and not bitter like other coffees).

I also did get the breakfast sandwich/wrap (bacon, egg). It was ok, but won’t say it was my favorite didn’t get it again out of the 6 times I went… so).

But yea, would come back (obviously since I went there 6 times).

Naya (Penn Station)

Tried this Mediterranean to go place for lunch (there is one in Penn station and one slightly outside. This one is outside).

Got the Naya bowl (basically a bowl you can customize what you want). What I put in it was some lettuce, rice, half chicken, half beef, onion, tomatoes, feta, and a sauce that was almost like tiziki sauce).

I thought it was pretty good. Kinda wish the rice was the yellow rice. It tasted more cocunutty, but still was ok.

Patent Pending

Went to this speak easy on a Monday night in NYC. Being a Monday, no line.

I was pretty impressed that the speak easy is behind this hidden wall. And it’s disguise as a coffee shop. Also the place is Tesla themed (the inventor).

I will say service was a bit slow, but the menu looked pretty sick (like an engineering notebook from Tesla).

Got a Strawberry magic (it’s like an Aperol spritz, but tasted more orangey). Also got Toki on the rocks.z

Overall yea, like mentioned, would come back.