Momofuku Noodle Bar
If you asked me to pick my favorite treat right now, I’d probably say Momofuku’s pork buns. You might ask, why pork buns, or more specifically, why Momofuku pork buns when there’s better and cheaper versions available in Chinatown and…
Supper
If I were to describe my ideal brunch, it would sound a lot like the one I had at recently at Supper. We rolled up at around 10:30am on a Saturday and were seated immediately in a shady spot on…
Keste Pizza
Would you wait for 35 minutes for pizza? When in doubt, I scope out the people leaving the establishment. Do they roll onto the sidewalk looking food-stunned and satisfied? Are they sighing “oh wow,” and lovingly patting their swollen bellies…
Think Coffee
Think Coffee’s iced cappuccino is my drink for the summer. Note: This is not an iced latte. The beverage consists of 3 shots of espresso mixed with a little cold milk (to avoid plastic cup meltage), a bunch of ice,…
Lula’s Sweet Apothecary
An all-vegan ice cream parlor that looks like an old-time sweet shop, Lula’s will please even rampant omnivores. The menu includes a couple of soy milk-based ice creams, including a convincing cake batter flavor, and about ten nut milk-based ice…
Momofuku Milk Bar
Update: Momofuku Milk Bar now has six locations. If you were the type of kid who did not feel conflicted at all about drinking milk left over from your bowl of Frosted Flakes, a cup of cereal milk ($4) at…
Mayahuel
Mayahuel feels like a tequila sanctuary that’s stationed halfway between glitzy LA and old Mexico–quite a trick, considering its entrance is affixed to East Village’s Indian Row. While walking past hosts hawking $8.95 curry specials, you’ll spot a squat, corrugated…
Royale
After a disappointing burger at Back Forty, I wondered if maybe a non-fancy place, one that doesn’t give a damn about fresh greenery or artisanal cheese, would pour more love into its beef patties. I turned to the crowd-wisdom of…
Back Forty
Update: Back Forty has closed, but a Soho location remains open. I wanted to like Back Forty. I’m all for elevated gastropub fare and Greenmarket ingredients, and I even like the rusticated interior design that’s in vogue these days. And…
Minamoto Kitchoan
Wagashi, sweet pastries artfully shaped like fruit, birds, and flowers, have been traditional tea ceremony snacks in Japan for centuries, but they’re rarely seen in the states. Except for one corner of Midtown, at Minamoto Kitchoan, where wagashi are sold…