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WHAT I ATE: 6 Blue Point Oysters WHY IT’S GREAT: Everybody loves a good happy hour, especially in the summer season. The first thing my belly craves on a warm summer day is oysters and a crisp cold beverage. Fish provides all of these things in a budget friendly happy hour special called the RED,…

We asked a few of our star tour guides and staff for some of their favorite holiday gifts to give this season.  “Just don’t share with EVERYONE they said.” Whoops. Sorry. Tour Guide Anny Scent of the Season… 1.  The New York Shaving Company – Old St. Patrick’s Cologne “The scent mixes nutmeg, cinnamon,…

What’s Thanksgiving Without the Pie!? There’s no need to bake this Thanksgiving holiday. All that precise measuring?! Leave it to the pastry chefs! The amazing bakeries here in NYC have got you covered from traditional pumpkin, apple and pecan to unique ideas like gelato pumpkin pie. There are also delicacies for your breakfast while you watch the parade or…

Are you visiting NYC for Thanksgiving? Or a local and you’re sticking around for Friendsgiving? Maybe you’re tired of being the host with the most? (read as: NO cooking for once!) Any reason is a good reason to be in the Big Apple for the holiday. And we’re here to help! Below are our top picks for Thanksgiving Day…

WHAT I ATE: Preserved egg and pork congee (porridge). WHY IT’S GREAT: This preserved egg and pork congee is cheap and easy. Simplicity with a mouthful of flavor. Smooth, creamy and comforting. Not the New Yorker’s everyday meal, but could easily be – especially in the colder months! WHAT’S ON THE MENU: Step out of…

WHAT I ATE: Pappardelle with Vermont veal ragu and grana padano cheese WHY IT’S GREAT: A hearty, flavorful sauce peppered with tasty veal morsels coats wide, flat pasta. A perfect balance in one bite.WHAT’S ON THE MENU: The veal ragu was so rich, but with a melt-in-your-mouth quality that made me go in search of more and more tasty veal morsels…

WHAT I ATE: Meskerem Combo and Honey Wine WHY IT’S GREAT: An array of complementing flavors, textures and colors.  WHAT’S ON THE MENU: I had been looking forward to eating at Meskerem forever and now was my chance to experience a piece of their culture through their food. Spices filled the air, clearing my mind and preparing…

WHAT I ATE: Sourdough Blueberry Pancakes WHY IT’S GREAT: The tang of sourdough blends with the sweetness of the blueberry compote to create a perfectly balanced plate of pancakes. WHAT’S ON THE MENU: I love pancakes! I could eat them at any time of the day! In fact, I enjoyed this plate at Bubby’s as part of afternoon…

WHAT I ATE: Charred Octopus WHY IT’S GREAT: The perfect balance of tender meat with crispy edges. WHAT’S ON THE MENU: I’m a tough customer when it comes to octopus. I can easy put it on my NO-GO list. But the octopus at Emporio is a cut above and that puts it near the top of my MUST HAVE list….

Are you coming to NYC for the Thanksgiving holiday? We think that’s a great idea! The parade, the Central Park fall foliage, the FOOD! Below are some of our top picks for Thanksgiving Day feasts – mostly pre-fixe menus with one takeout option thrown in (mess-free, stress-free holiday!). Need to bring something to a homemade…

Since 1983, Monte’s Trattoria has been up and running all thanks to the amazing Chef Pietro Mosconi.  Chef Pietro was born in the Emilia – Romagna region of Italy in a small village, in the province of Piacenza.  It was here that Pietro discovered his passion for the traditional Northern Italian cuisine, which has influenced his cooking to…

Queens has a rich history of multi cultural foods offered all throughout the borough, and has been long considered the go to place for great, cheap ethnic eats!  You can literally travel all over the culinary world within a few block radius in many parts of Queens.  So it would only make sense that Queens…