Skinos

So this place has a really great vibe (almost Vegas like), good music, and really good food. We actually went back twice in one trip!

For drinks, has an espresso martini and mimosa.

For appetizers, has the fried calamari, the thinly sliced fish (what do you call that?), and the meatballs.

For the main (not sure why I don’t have a picture), got the lobster pasta and the beef brisket. Both were great, and would get them again).

Bouchon

We tried this restaurant after visiting Artesa winery in Napa. Note that it took a friend one month to get a reservation! (Also it’s a Michelin star restaurant.

For drinks, got the brut rose and a lemon drop. Both drinks were good (what not amazingly special).

For appetizers, we got the pate, tartare, escargot and deviled eggs. I actually liked all of it.

For the main, got the salmon. Probably shouldn’t have asked for it to be super well done, but still I enjoyed it (also like the cous cous it came with). I did try the steak from someone else. I thought it was too salty.

Bouchon also has a bakery beside it. I got the chocolate macaron, and gotta say, it was the best macaron I’ve ever had! The brownie from there is also good.

In short, I would definitely go back to the bakery. The restaurant I would eat again at, but wouldn’t go out of my way to make a reservation a month in advance.

The William

Went to this place for some fancy drinks in New York City.

The one thing about this place is that it’s small, so getting a reservation ahead of time is recommended. We were, however, able to put our name down (for 3, and sitting at the bar), and waited for 1.5 hours (but waited at Park Avenue Tavern, which was close by).

For drinks, got something called Bad Love (very similar to an old fashion), and also tried the Tuna tar tar. The drink was good. The tuna though was not super fresh.

Katz’s

First Jewish deli I’ve been to in New York City!

Ordered the recommended sandwich, the Bot pastrami sandwich with pickles. Also got a matzah soup. Everything was great! Would go back.

Ps. There was a line, but it went by pretty fast. Also, you don’t pay until you leave (they stamp your ticket and give you a receipt in order to exit).

John’s of Bleecker Street

Apparently the number pizza place in Manhattan.

Got a pepperoni pizza and a mozzarella sticks. The pizza was great (but won’t say is absolutely THE best). It is pretty light (crust is not too thick), cheese is good, and not too much sauce. Mozerella stick was pretty standard. I would come back again (but wouldn’t go out of my way). Also paired my dinner with a merlot (which also was pretty standard).

Eataly

An Italian food market great for drinks and, well Italian food and pastries. (There are also locations in Vegas and Paris, but this one is about the New York).

This is located at the World Trade Center building 4. Definitely great for Aperol Spritz and making your own cannoli (made mine with cow’s milk, and ciocolatto, which is 70% chocolate).

Next time I really want to try the pizza and/or pastas.

Pazzo Notte

Great Italian place at the south side of Central Park.

Ordered an espresso martini to start (which they had a two for one special). Would say it’s the best espresso martini I’ve ever had.

For my main, got a penne vodka pasta with chicken. Solid call. We also had a side of mozzarella sticks (didn’t like how they made them though). Would definitely come back here.

Pick a Bagel

First bagel place that I’ve tried in New York.

Got a ham and swiss bagel near midtown west. I had it with the “everything bagel” (apparently it’s a common bagel that has seeds of various spices like onion, garlic, etc). Definitely enjoyed the bagel, but next time would probably get it not toasted.

Taverna Kyclades

A great Greek place at the east side of New York.

Got the octopus to share for appetizers (by far the best Octopus I have eaten). Then got the Seafood pasta (basically an awesome seafood linguini as pictured below).