Foods of New York Tours

Well hello there! Thanks for dropping by. This is the shiny new and improved Foods of New York Tours blog. We've done the blog thing before, and if you check out our archives, you'll find all kinds of tasty morsels and recommendations: best places to check out in Chinatown, official recommendations from our New York Food Experts on the best places to take a date, etc.


Introductions All Around

Dates should never be underrated. Whether with a long-term partner, a good friend, or a new prospect, dates are great ways to explore a relationship. In the recently released movie “Date Night,” the Fosters, played by Steve Carrell and Tina Fey, are a married couple attempting to break their routine and reignite their romance. But when they take another couple’s reservation at a nice restaurant, their date night turns into something much more than they expected. Their identities are mistaken and a wild and high action chase ensues. Hilarious for a movie with such great comedians, terrifying for a real night out.

Dates don’t need to be high chase to be exciting, and they don’t even need to be high stress or cost. Here are three easy ideas for three different types of dates that are sure to impress. They all incorporate our favorite ingredient for happiness: food. Each are placed in unique settings, and when matched with good company are perfect recipes for a great time.

FIRST BITE: High Line picnic with your sweetheart…

Dates don’t have to be nighttime affairs. A daytime picnic at the High Line, explored on our Chelsea Market/Meatpacking District Tour, is a great way to feel like you’ve left the city for a day with your loved one. And it’s perfect for the beautiful weather we’ve been having! The High Line is a 1.45-mile stretch of park raised 30 feet above the Lower West Side of Manhattan. My favorite thing to do is grab a few snacks from The Chelsea Market before heading up to the High Line, and staking out a spot on their oversized lounge chairs. Think finger-food for this type of date. My boyfriend and I like to grab a loaf of freshly baked, handmade, organic bread at Amy’s Bread—I would recommend trying the artisanal seeded peasant bread. We then head to Buon Italia for cheese, meat, olives, peppers, and our favorite artichoke spread. The ingredients are fresh and authentically Italian. My boyfriend doesn’t believe any meal is complete without dessert—we even order ice cream with brunch—so we finish it off with cookies or cupcakes from Eleni’s. After claiming our spot in the High Line, we nosh casually, while soaking in the sun. If you’re looking for something easier (though I promise you, picky food is simple!) you can grab a sandwich from Friedmans Lunch, which sells comfort food at affordable prices. This kind of date is perfect for a casual and relaxing afternoon with great conversation, and a change of pace from New York City life.



MIDDLE BITE: Aperitivo at Cenro Vinoteca for a first date…

The aperitivo hour at Centro Vinoteca, on our Greenwich Village Tour, is the perfect way to create a formal feeling date, with a shockingly informal feeling bill. To set the mood, the bar is stylish and rounded, with a glittery, vintage three-tiered chandelier above. An angled wall of windows gives an almost panoramic view of the West Village. It’s bustling and talkative, which may not be the best setting for an intimate night, but is a perfect place for a first date. Cocktails ease the mood, and high-energy keeps the pressures of a first date at bay. Aperitivo is from 5-7, and serves up a shocking deal. The quartini, the equivalent of about a third of a bottle of wine that is usually priced around $12, is served for $7. The usually $12 cocktails are served for $8. With each drink, you receive a complimentary trio of bites from the piccolini menu: truffled deviled egg, shrimp-chickpea fritter with lemon aioli, and a tiny BLT made with pancetta over smoky tomato confit on an oily crostini. The unusual take on basic concepts leaves each bite lingering with distinctiveness. With those prices, there will be no pressure for who offers to pay the bill. Ladies, be assertive! Men, be chivalrous! And because the apertivo hour ends at 7 pm, the night is still young. If cocktails went well and conversation is still heated, the date can continue on! If the cocktails went well (try the “Spring Thyme”, or the cucumber-gin martini, and we promise they will) but you found yourself more preoccupied with the stem of your glass than your date’s banter, you’ve got plenty of time to salvage the night by meeting up with friends.



THIRD BITE: Comedy Cellar whenever, with whomever!

Going to a comedy club is great for any point in a relationship. I went to The Comedy Cellar, a stop on our Central Village/SoHo Tour, on one of my first dates with my boyfriend, and it proved to be a great opportunity to really let loose and show our fun sides. Learning to gauge what makes someone laugh is a great way to get to know him or her. Since then, we have gone on four more comedy club dates around the city, but The Comedy Cellar is unmatched. It brings top comedians, and guarantees side-splitting comedy. Comedy clubs usually have pricey tickets, plus a two-drink minimum, so the bill can easily rack up quickly. But at the Comedy Cellar, the tickets are only $10, and the two-item minimum can include food from their tasty Olive Tree Café menu if you’re not in the mood to drink. The options are mostly Middle-Eastern, with incredible Kebob Platters if you’re feeling hungry. The burger is one of the best I’ve had—and as someone who normally doesn’t order burgers, I find it hard to pass up here. They also serve unlimited pitas! The show runs from 9 pm- 1:30 am Sunday through Thursday, while Friday and Saturday shows run a bit shorter. A night out at the Comedy Cellar is a great first date and a great 50th date, and a great group date or friend date! It doesn’t get much better than a night out with guaranteed laughter, good company, food, and maybe a few drinks. It’s stress free—just sit back and enjoy the show.

High-end noodle bars and Asian fusion restaurants have become a fast moving trend in NYC. Modern styled restaurants like Momofuku and Buddakan are changing the game for Asian take-out boxes and leftovers. While experiencing these media savvy restaurants is sure to be enjoyable, don’t forget that NYC is still home to Chinatown, where you can find the hidden treasures of Chinese cuisine. In a unique and colorful setting, you’ll have an authentic and delicious experience to remember.

My first experience in Chinatown, I tried jellyfish and shark fin. At eleven years old, I was wildly adventurous. Many years later, I have yet to retry those unique plates, but have expanded my repertoire to include some more classic dishes. Here are three Chinese specialties and restaurants you shouldn’t pass up while walking through lower Manhattan’s culturally exploding neighborhood.

FIRST BITE: Dim Sum GO GO

The flourescent lighting and modern décor of Dim Sum Go Go will pull you off the gritty Chinatown streets and into a funky atmosphere, that, when paired with its menu, will appeal to a variety of palates. Two Hong Kong chefs, Ping Chung and Guy Lui, create the expertise in kitchen. From parsley dumplings filled with jícama, to flash-fried roasted chicken served with fried garlic stems, the unusual flavors make it hard to choose, but easy to satisfy. What impressed me most was their ability to remain authentic and truly Chinese, even in their experimentation with nontraditional ingredients. The dim sum is refreshingly light and uniquely made to order. Each table is set with three different dipping sauces that enhance the flavors in every dish: ginger scallion, scallop shrimp and chili, and garlic vinegar. They make Dim Sum Go Go unparalleled in all of NYC. For someone like me, messy at my best, this meant my place seating was decorated with spots of delicious sauce. The tablecloth had to be sacrificed for each perfect bite! A change of pace from the more traditional Chinese restaurants in the area, Dim Sum Go Go is a fun and social setting to try something new!

MIDDLE BITE: Peking Duck House

I am tempted to leave my review of Peking Duck House with this simple message: Go. Eat the Peking Duck. Now. But being a person of few words is not my nature, thus I will explain myself. This dish, centuries old, is an elegant process from start to finish. Requiring artfully mastered seasoning methods, and an elaborate cooking process, the duck must be prepared with precision. Peking Duck House proves itself worthy of its name, serving the crispy brown duck every bit as beautifully as one would hope. The tender meat is served in thinly sliced medallions, accompanied by pancakes, scallions, cucumber strips and sauce similar to Hoisin, but more traditional. The special Peking duck dinner, at only $25.50, includes soup, appetizers, duck, and entrees, and accommodates parties of 4-8 people. So assemble a group of friends, or even not-so-friends (after this meal, you’ll have created an instant bond) and go. Eat the Peking duck. Now.


LAST BITE: Ten Ren's Tea Time

If walking through Chinatown, amongst gaggles of tourists and fake designer products and fish markets and even more tourists, has left you in need of a clean seat and a refreshing drink, then Ten Ren’s Tea Time is perfect for you. White walled and brightly lit, the location is cool, crisp, and lively. Bubble Tea has become a quick trend, and with over 30 flavors, Ten Ren excels at it. I have always loved bubble tea—the tapioca balls resting at the bottom of the cup add a fun and sweet treat to a delicious drink—but a friend of mine has always been suspicious of mixing drinking and eating in a cup with a giant straw. And so, I felt inspired to convert her to a bubble tea enthusiast. Ten Ren let me do just that. I opted for a clean and refreshing Jasmine Green Tea, and she chose a milky sweet Honeydew Milk Tea. Her trepidation was quickly dissuaded. The tapioca was a perfect consistency: not too chewy, and not too hard. The tea was perfectly steeped: not bland, and not too strong. The combination of tea and tapioca made sense: not too weird, and not boring. At the risk of sounding like I’m quoting a nursery rhyme, the Bubble Tea at Ten Ren’s Tea Time is not too much of any one thing, it’s just right. And with the spring quickly turning into summer this year, hot drinks are so last season. But rather than walking the streets with an iced coffee in hand, try a Bubble Tea. It’s sweet and fun, and still a healthy option.

Your diet selection can have a direct impact on your body’s ability to elevate its internal temperature. Eating meat is one way to increase your intake of protein rich foods, which will then increase your circulation and thermogenesis. Here are three meat dishes from our tours that may shrink that mental checklist and keep you warm, even if you’ve forgotten your gloves at home.

FIRST BITE: Steak Sandwich at Pastis

When I think of a steak sandwich, I think of greasy meat, plain bread, and nothing to call home about. But Pastis reinvents the conventional. On our Chelsea Market/Meatpacking District Tour, we’ll tell you all about this gem of a restaurant. Every element of their steak sandwich is intentionally selected and compiled to give it personality. Starting off with fresh crusty bread from Balthazar, the sandwich is built on a solid foundation, then topped with a generous pile of sliced rib eye, and sweet caramelized onions. Melted Gruyere cheese forces this sandwich to be anything but ordinary, and the addition of frisee gives it a fresh bite. On the menu from lunch through post-midnight supper, it can be enjoyed for all different cravings. Trust me, after having one, you’ll definitely be craving more.

SECOND BITE: Pork Chop at Bellavitae

If you thought brick oven cooking was limited to pizzas and breads, then take a seat, and prepare yourself to be wowed. Bellavitae, on our Central Village/Soho Tour, creates a gorgeous dish of pork chops roasted in their brick oven. The fixture, visible to the restaurant’s customers, sears the pork chop to a perfect crust, and cooks the inside evenly. The result is a juicy and full-flavored chop that is served with caramelized onions. It’s a delicate meat, yet the dish is filling and hearty. It’s close to perfect for a meal that will fill you up, without making you want to go into hibernation.

LAST BITE: Veal Parmigiano at Pesce Pasta

You can’t go wrong with well done parmigiana. Sweet and savory tomato sauce, melted Italian cheeses, and tender meat? My mouth salivates thinking about it. The veal parmigiano at Pesce Pasta, found on our Greenwich Village Tour, is classically incomparable. The meat is soft and sweet, and the sauce is light and fresh. The dish isn’t overly seasoned or complicated; it’s simple and delicious. As someone who normally plays it safe by ordering chicken parm, I am happy I tried something different. As a convert into the appreciation for veal parm, I urge you to also take the leap. And at only $18.95. including a side of pasta, the value and affordability are unmatched. The flavors of this dish, combined with the price, will leave a smile fixed on your face that even the cold weather won’t undo.

We are all familiar with the enticing question at the end of a good meal: Would you like to see the dessert menu? If you are anything like me, the answer is always yes! From the French desservir, “to clear the table of what has been served”, dessert has become the rightful conclusion to a delicious experience. This sweet counteraction to a salty entrée can settle a stomach into pure bliss. Thoughts of chocolate, cream, fruit, flaky crusts, hot fillings, and cold ices, fill my mind at the waiter’s question, and my taste buds scream “YES YES YES! BRING ON THE DESSERT MENU!” But who says dessert has to come right after dinner? Here are three treats you can eat in, or order out, that are sure to add that spark of sweet you need (or simply just want) at any time of the day. Plus, walking to any of these spots will surely negate any calorie driven guilt you may be feeling.

FIRST BITE: Cranberry Everything Cookie at Eleni's

Found on our Chelsea Market/Meat Packing District Tour, Eleni’s pink walls invite you inside a cloud of sugary air. I urge you try the cranberry everything cookie. Made with oatmeal, dark chocolate chunks, nuts, cranberries, coconut, and just about everything, this cookie is worth every multi-textured bite. It’s chewy and delicious, and not overly sweet. It’s perfect for someone who enjoys dessert, but doesn’t want a toothache later! Because it’s not too sugary, you can enjoy this cookie at any time of day. I have to admit the first time I tried the buttery and perfectly crusted cookie was at 11:00 am one morning. A cookie before noon? Doesn’t that go against everything our moms taught us? Trust me, once you’ve tried it, you’ll understand.



MIDDLE BITE: Fresh Filled Cannoli at Rocco’s Pastry Shop

As a good Italian girl, it’s in my blood to be skeptical of every shop that claims to make a great cannoli. No one can possibly make the cream as smooth and as rich as my New York Italian aunts, right? Getting the tube shaped fried pastry to stay crispy is a delicate science. There’s nothing worse than a soggy cannoli! Needless to say, my hopes were not high when I first tried the cannolis at Rocco’s Pastry Shop, found on our
Greenwich Village Tour. After one bite, my life as a cannoli-snob was halted. Each cannoli at Rocco’s is filled fresh to order, giving each bite that needed, delicious crunch. The crust is sturdy, but not too heavy, and the cream is not overly sweet. If you’re a cannoli lover like me, you will not be disappointed here. If you don’t think you like cannolis, there’s a good chance you just haven’t had a good one; Rocco’s is sure to change your mind.

LAST BITE: Chocolate Pear Tart at Once Upon a Tart

Although I consider myself adventurous in the kitchen, tarts have eluded me. Are they pies without tops? Cookies topped with custard? They seem dauntingly elaborate, and glazed to artistic perfection. So I leave the tart-making to the experts. That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy eating them though! At Once Upon a Time, found on our
Central Village/SoHo Tour, the name echoes their seemingly romantic tarts. Try the chocolate pear tart, which balances its layers of sweetness subtly. A creamy custard, on top of a crisp crust, with bites of soft pear—the variety of textures will satisfy every taste bud, and have you licking the plate. You’ll be forced out of your comfort zone of cakes and cookies once you’ve entered the world of tarts.

There’s no use fighting it—the cold weather is officially here. So drag yourself out of bed, dust off your warm coat, take your boots out of storage, and add on the layers. Now that you’ve forged ahead into the chilly New York air, we have some advice for how to stay cozy (and happy) out there.

Nothing says warmth and comfort quite like a bowl of steaming hot soup. Here, below, are three different soups you can get at restaurants featured on the Greenwich Village Tour that are sure to warm you from tongue to toe. Take off your gloves, grab a spoon, and enjoy. We’re sure these places will have you forgetting why you didn’t want to get out of bed this morning.

FIRST BITE: Clam Chowder at Home

You’ll feel right at “home” eating clam chowder from, appropriately named restaurant, Home. It’s all about comfort food with a twist here. The clam chowder is made with whole clams, bacon, and potatoes, and is the perfect, hearty dish to fight off a chill. The dining experience at Home, which only seats about 32 people, is intimate and cozy, with heat lamps in their charming secluded outdoor garden. Dip into your delicious clam chowder with Home’s fresh breads from Amy’s Bread, and follow it up with one of their incredible entrees. (Don’t miss out on their onion rings and homemade ketchup too!) The chowder will feel like adding on a wool sweater, and taste even better.

MIDDLE BITE: French Onion Soup at Le Gigot

Step out of New York and into a bistro in Southern France with a bite of Le Gigot’s French Onion Soup. Light broth, topped with rustic bread, and melted cheese—we dare you to leave any in the bowl. Let your taste buds be wowed by this sweet and savory, soft and crunchy, mild yet strong, soup, known as one of the oldest recipes in existence. The food at this small (28 seats) and charming restaurant is fresh, seasonal, organic, and mostly local. Talk about a guiltless pleasure. Before warming up with soup, be sure to ask about the prix fixe menu. At $45 for 3 outstanding dinner courses, your wallet and stomach are sure to be in agreement. Just sticking with soup? Then loosen up your scarf—you don’t want to start sweating.

LAST BITE: Lentil Soup at Little Havana

We know lentil soup is not the most popular, but if you’ve ever turned your nose from this sometimes underappreciated dish, we beg you to try it at Little Havana. Made with ginger, kale, squash, and organic beans, it is anything but boring. Add in the fact that it is rich in fiber and magnesium, it is perfect nourishment for your body and soul. Little Havana will open up your senses to the tastes and smells of Cuba. The extremely affordable prices will have you coming back to try everything—like the filet mignon at only $19.95, with rice, beans, and tostonos (plantains that have been smashed and fried). With only 20 seats, the dining experience is as warm and comfortable as you’re going to feel after eating a bowl of this delicious Lentil Soup.

You wanted it and now you got it: Summertime is upon us!

Those lazy, crazy, hazy and hot days of summer are here - and with August around the corner - it's only going to get worse. Well, bring on the heat - because we've got the treat - that will cool you down so much that you might start suffering from February Flashbacks.

Cold weather: STAY AWAY! Cooling beverages: BRING IT ON!

Here, below, are 3 of our favorite icy treats.

FIRST BITE: 2 for 1 at ONCE UPON A TART

I can't imagine two more perfect symbols of summer: fresh lemonade and sweet juicy strawberries. Put them together and you won't be able to control the summertime joy that will emanate from your soul.

Run right over (Well, ok don't run. We know, it's hot out.) to Once Upon a Tart ( featured on our Central Village/SoHo Tour ) and pick up once of these tasty beverages.

But if you want to know which is the best tart in the shop, well then you'll just have to take the tour.

Drink up & enjoy! But get it fast... because it's only for summertime!



















MIDDLE BITE: Cool off with a Cone

There is no wrong time to eat gelato.
In fact, a few of us over at Foods of NY have been known to eat it 3 times a day.
But this is only on rare special occasions and trips to Italy!

And don't worry your little head about your one-a-day habit. In fact, gelato has a lower fat content than ice cream. The italians knew what they were doing on this one. Typical American ice cream has 13-15% fat while gelato comes in at a low 5-8%. We likey!

Our FAV little west village spot for gelato is L'ARTE DEL GELATO. And if you take the Original Greenwich Village Tour you get a coupon for a FREE little cone of your own. Because when it comes to gelato, sharing is not an option.

Enjoy your free cone today - just come on by and take the tour!



















LAST BITE: SPARKLING SUMMER SAKE

Summer is a time for freedoms and for the pleasures that we don't often allow in the cold of winter. It is a time for tank tops and sunburned shoulders (just don't forget the SPF).
Summer is a sunny, sparkly kind of time.

A perfect time for SPARKLING SAKES from our newest favorite spot in the West Village.
If you take the Greenwich Village Tour - we'll tell you all about these fun & fruity drinks.

Try our favorite - the Asian Pear Sparkling Sake!


















That complete's our list of bites - or sips and licks in this case.
So cool off and take a breezy summertime walk with us.

We'll see you on the streets!!
--Amy Bandolik for Foods of New York
www.foodsofny.com