In three weeks, I’ll be heading back to New York for the second time.
As my last trip was just over a year ago, it is still relatively fresh in my mind and I’m really looking forward to revisiting some of my favourite spots.
That being said, New York is somewhere you’re completely spoiled for choice when it comes to things to do so there’s still countless places I didn’t get the chance to get to first time round.
In lieu of a restaurant review this month (it is January after all) here are just some of the many food and drink venues on my list:
Nom Wah Tea Parlor
Starting with an old favourite – this was one of the highlights of my first visit.
New York’s oldest dim sum restaurant is no frills and makes you order by crossing what you want off a paper menu.
A roast pork bun, chicken sui mai, chicken soup dumplings, pan-fried pork dumplings and fried shrimp balls came to just over $30, which in New York is incredibly good value.
It may well be the first meal we end up eating after we arrive, as we’re staying just a stone’s throw from Chinatown.
Clinton St. Baking Company
The first full day of the trip falls both on my 32nd birthday and pancake day, so it seems rude to not have pancakes for breakfast.
I’ve read good things about Clinton St. Baking Company and the blueberry pancakes, in particular, look unreal.
With it being ‘pancake month’, there are also daily specials; on my birthday it’s ‘raspberry chocolate chunk’ pancakes, with fresh raspberries, raspberry-caramel sauce and whipped cream.
I may have to end up getting a plate of each.
Katz’s Deli
Similar theme to Nom Wah but this time NYC’s oldest deli.
Immortalised in perhaps the most famous scene from the best rom com of all time, there’s even a sign above one of the tables which reads: “Where Harry met Sally… Hope you have what she had”.
It has got an unfair reputation as a bit of a tourist trap and to be fair the prices for a sandwich are eye-watering.
However, once you tip your server and experience that melt-in-the-mouth pastrami for the first time, it all makes sense.
Balthazar
Brunch for my birthday is sorted but picking somewhere for tea (or dinner if you’re not northern/wrong) has been a more difficult process.
After umming and ahhing over whether to get pasta or steak, I decided on the latter.
There are plenty of specialist steak houses around and the old-school Keens had particularly caught my eye but I’ve heard Balthazar is as good for people watching as it is for its steak frites. The menu is a little more varied as well, so allows me more opportunity for a last minute change of mind.
Scarr’s Pizza
I tried a few pizzas on my first NYC visit, including the iconic Joe’s and the lesser known Vezzo but the stand out was definitely Scarr’s in the Lower East Side.
It might have been partly because I was tipsy after a visit to another spot that is coming on this list but the slice of cheese pizza I had was heavenly.
With staying just a 12-minute walk away this time, it has a late night takeout written all over it.
If I’m not all pizza’d out, I am aiming to get to Mama’s Too and L’Industrie as well.
Amy Ruth’s
I didn’t make it to Harlem last time and I’m definitely looking to fix that.
There are a few soul food spots in the Upper Manhattan neighbourhood, perhaps none more famous than Sylvia’s.
However, it is Amy Ruth’s that I most like the look of and I can’t wait to get some fried chicken and waffles.
The Dead Rabbit
The only pub on this list and one that feels like home.
In the financial district – and really out of the way from anything else on this list – Irish bar The Dead Rabbit managed to provide the winning combination of lethal cocktails and delicious food.
Definitely worth going out of our way for.
Casa Adela
I can’t say I’ve ever eaten Puerto Rican food but the brilliant ‘New York Nico’s Guide To NYC’ had me salivating over the thought of the rotisserie chicken, rice, beans and mofongo from this place.
There are also several speakeasies and cocktail bars I’d love to get to this time round, including Attaboy, Please Don’t Tell and Death & Co to name just a few.
In terms of shopping, we’ll definitely be taking advantage of our proximity to the East Village and their array of vintage stores. Chelsea Market is another must (Los Tacos No. 1 is very likely to get a second visit) and I’ll definitely be swinging by Magnolia Bakery for one of their delightful banana puddings while we’re out west.
There’s something magical about Central Park, especially first thing in the morning when it’s quiet and peaceful, so I can’t wait to get back there. Shockingly we didn’t do Brooklyn Bridge last time so I think a sunrise walk, while battling jet lag on our first full day is definitely in order, possibly after picking up a bacon, egg and cheese from our nearest bodega.
Any other must-visit places that I’ve missed? Let me know in the comments.