Haven's Short But Sweet List

FOOD
There are far too many places to list and everyone has a different preference. Here are 3 places that I like and seem to go at least once while I'm in town. The first 2 are very low key, kind of homey, the 3rd can be impossibly crowded and loud - I guess I'm a creature of habit.

My favorite Italian restaurant IN Little Italy is Benito’s 2 on Mulberry, between Broome and Grand. Where's Benito 1? It's right across the street. But I prefer the low-key family feeling of Benitos 2. BEST dish on the menu - Gamberi Alle Francese, battered shrimp in a delicious lemon/butter sauce. It's served at both restaurants. mmm

My favorite straightforward, reasonably priced ramen joint IN midtown is Menchanko-Tei. There are two locations 43-45 West 55th Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues) and 131 East 45th Street (between Lexington and 3rd Avenues). Take-out is available!

The last place I hate to recommend since everyone goes and the wait to get in is INSANE - Serendipity 3. There are way too many tourists, since it showed up in the movie "Serendipity"... but I'm sentimental and at least once every trip (usually late at night) I end up there. It's located at 225 East 60th Street (between 2nd and 3rd), right around the corner from Bloomingdale's.

A great site Menu Pages Restaurant Search gives reviews and a look at each restaurant's menu.

SHOPPING
Strand Books. 18 miles of books... need I say more?

Need some Technicolor wigs, Hello Kitty gear or anything flamboyant and wild? Then visit Patricia Field's Hotel Venus. Located at 302 Bowery (between Blecker and Houston). My favorite past purchases from Venus are a fuzzy apron and mohair pink pig hat combo scarf. Who doesn't need a pig-ear hat combo scarf? There's always something interesting to buy.

Sherin's Mini NYC Hit List - Part 1: Eating Out

No trip to NYC is ever long enough to do and see everything you want to. Here are some of my favorite places.


Pizza
Everywhere
It doesn't matter where you stay in Manhattan; on practically every corner is a killer pizza place. Start practicing your slice curling techniques!

Snack
SoHo
Tucked away on Thompson St, next door to Ina (more on this in the shopping Hit List), is a 5 ft wide 4 table restaurant specializing in Greek food and very budget conscious. A real NY experience.

PEEP
SoHo
This Nouveau Thai joint looks like it just jumped out of the pages of Dwell. Featuring hip electronic music, a fresh menu and peek-a-boo bathrooms!!


Florent
Meat Packing District
Three giant pages comprise the menu for this hipster diner (possible artist sightings here). They serve everything from hefty and delicious cheeseburgers to moules frites. This is a good place for a large group with diverse tastes in food. Make sure you bring cash, cause they don’t take the plastic.


Balthazar’s
SoHo
Ok, so this may bust your $50 a day budget, but if you’re planning on one nice, grown-up dinner during this trip, this would be it. Smack dab in the middle of SoHo a gorgeous fin de siecle French brasserie complete with giant antique mirrors and the best raw bar in NYC. Yes, you should definitely make a reservation ahead of time. Also, check out their site for sister restaurants around town (Pastis is amazing)


Baby Cakes
So tasty (and pretty) you’d never know these were gluten free, sugar free & vegan!


Room 4 Dessert
SoHo
Experimental...deconstructed… hardcore gourmets only. This joint looks more like a modernist science lab than a dessert shop. Be prepared to pay the price for luxury.


ENJOY!

Finding Your Way Around the Big Apple

Here's an easy way to plot your subway trip before you leave the comfort of your hotel room!

hopstop