A Full Day of NYC Eating
Author: Sharon Li
As a New Yorker, born and raised, it is my personal belief that New York City is home to both the most diverse cuisine as well as the fastest service—if you know where to find it. I was born in Flushing, Queens, but I spent most of my high school career in Manhattan, so I have a good mix of knowledge about the food that exists within these two boroughs. For one, Flushing is the mecca for all types of Asian food; I promise you, if you’re ever craving that late-night umami Asian flavor, you can find it right there in the food court of New World Mall in Flushing. However, for more refined eating, Manhattan is the center of overpriced and fusion dishes ranging from that good ol’ Brooklyn-Italian cuisine to your standard Cipriani Wall Street dinner. As a firm believer in the idea that good food should not equal a hefty price tag, I’m here to introduce some quality places to curb your munchies on a reasonable budget. Get ready to explore a true New Yorker’s full day of eating.
Guide to a full day of NYC eating:
Battery Park City Gourmet Market
(Ferry’s for short)
The typical New York breakfast that comes to mind is very obviously a bagel and a coffee. However, for those who prefer a little bit more than those street-cart bagels that never seem as filling as they look, Ferry’s has all there is to offer for a breakfast enthusiast. Not only are their bagels fresh, but there is also a wide array of sweet and savory toppings to choose from. I would recommend their toasted everything bagel with bacon, avocado, and chipotle sauce on top. The creaminess of the avocado complements the tangy chipotle sauce all while offsetting the greasiness of the bacon. It’s the perfect combination for a good morning. Of course, you cannot forget the iced coffee with cream on the side (which I still have dreams about) to finish off your breakfast. After getting your food, you can have the added bonus of walking around Battery Park and along the Hudson River, a magical sight to see during early New York mornings.
Alma
Known for both its curbside service as well as its rooftop bar, Alma has all the fixings of being the go-to Mexican spot with a great view. Even though this restaurant is in Brooklyn, it is located right off the ferry, so you get both a great river view as well as trendy rooftop vibes. As an avid lover of Mexican cuisine, I would definitely recommend getting the guacamole and chips at the sidewalk bar as you wait for rooftop seating. Munching on those will beautifully open up your appetite to the chilaquiles de pollo or burrito de carne. Not to mention, this rooftop restaurant has amazing margaritas and IPAs that are sure to enhance the already fragrant flavors of the carnes and camarons. This is a go-to spot for grabbing a late brunch or early dinner as you cool off with friends while looking forward to your next city adventure.
Thursday Kitchen
Located on the shoulder of bustling St. Marks, Thursday Kitchen is currently the hot spot for NYU kids to hang out after class. With their notorious fluorescent bagged drinks, Thursday Kitchen makes for both a worthy Instagram picture as well as a delicious hangout area. The atmosphere provides dim lighting and groovy music to give off an underground vibe. Their food mostly consists of tapas– small dishes to share with the table. As they’re on the smaller side of portions, I would recommend getting up to five dishes to share. The lucky noodle dish is a must-try as it contains all the right spicy flavors of hand-pulled noodles with an added Mediterranean twist. Their gnocchi is a delicious blend of Italian textures with Korean flavors, and the steak, though simple in name, has a delicious soy-garlic-feta flavoring that goes well with the juiciness of the meat.
Wo Hop
One of the best places to go when those 3AM munchies hit, Wo Hop has been around for three generations and, as a landmark to true New Yorkers, serves food just as delicious as when it first opened fifty years ago. Located in Chinatown, this restaurant is open through all hours of the night, serving deliciously authentic and greasy Chinese food to the hungry nightlife of New York. For just ten dollars, you can get a meal fit for three. I recommend any of the noodle dishes from Wo Hop because they offer a wide range of traditional dishes from soupy to stir-fried. There are never any complaints when it comes to dining at Wo Hop.
