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A tour guide walks in to a Cheese Bar…

Murray’s Cheese Shop has been featured on our Original Greenwich Village Tour since we launched the tour in 1999. We were SO excited when Murray’s opened their first restaurant, Murray’s Cheese Bar, a few doors down from their flagship store last year. Murray’s Cheese Bar is an awesome place to stop by and relax after a…

“The Last Leaf” by O. Henry

Short story inspired by Grove Court, also known as “Mixed Ale Alley,” featured on our Original Greenwich Village Tour. In a little district west of Washington Square the streets have run crazy and broken themselves into small strips called “places.” These “places” make strange angles and curves. One Street crosses itself a time or two….

Shopkeepers Secrets #13: Monte’s Trattoria

Meet Chef Pietro Mosconi, Chef and owner of Monte’s Trattoria on our Central Village/ Soho Tour! MUST EAT ITEM: If Pietro could, he would indulge in lobster, mussels and steak daily, but lately has been opting for lighter options like salad, in particular caesar salad with just the right amount of dressing.  Pietro immigrated from the Emilia-Romagna region…

5 Fun Things To Do With Your Dad On Father’s Day

There’s one day in the year dedicated to letting him know he’s a great dad. What better way than to treat him to his favorite things with his favorite people in the city that has everything? If you live in beautiful New York City or if you’re just visiting with your dad when Father’s Day…

Recipe: Eleni’s Baklava

Try this delicious recipe for Baklava by Eleni Gianopulos, owner of Eleni’s Bakery on our Chelsea Market/ Meatpacking District Tour courtesy of Elizabeth Street. Ingredients 1 lb. phyllo dough 1 lb. butter, melted 4 c. finely chopped walnuts1 ½  tbsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp ground cloves ½  tsp ground all spice 2 c. granulated sugar 1 c. water…

Shopkeepers Secrets #12: Rafele

Meet Raffaele Ronca, Executive Chef and owner of Ristorante Rafele the newest restaurant on our Original Greenwich Village Tour!      Whenever a new restaurant is added to the tour, the tour guides get together for some “research,” i.e. we go out for dinner as a group and try as much of the menu as possible….

Shopkeepers Secrets #11: RBBTS

Meet Tom, owner of Rabbits (RBBTS) on our Central Village/ Soho Tour! MUST EAT ITEM: Tom eats a hamburger from the shop every day. To him, it is the perfect “feel good” food. Made with marinated premium ground beef from Pino’s Prime Meat Market up the street on a brioche bun from Grandaisy Bakery in TriBeCa with…

Shopkeepers Secrets #10: Lucy’s Whey

Meet Nathan, manager of Lucy’s Whey on our Chelsea Market/ Meatpacking District Tour! MUST EAT ITEM: Nathan is obsessed with the grilled cheddar and fig sandwich, which we taste on the Chelsea Market Tour! Made with Cabot Vermont Cheddar and Mitica Fig Jam (the jam is sold at Lucy’s Whey) it’s the perfect combination of sweet and salty…

Recipe: Easy Summer Cucumber Salad

Recipe courtesy of Original Greenwich Village Tour Guide Sephrah! Yield: 2-3 side dish servings Ingredients: 2 large cucumbers diced ¼ red onion chopped 1 tsp. dill chopped 3 Tb. O&CO. MINT OLIVE OIL 2 Tb. O&CO. WHITE BALSAMIC ½ lemon juiced Dash of black pepper 1/2 clove minced garlic Pinch cinnamon ¼ cup golden raisins…

Shopkeepers Secrets #9: Home

Meet John Cordova, Chef of Home Restaurant on our Original Greenwich Village Tour! MUST EAT ITEM: You MUST try John’s signature savory cheesecake with artichoke hearts and Benton’s Country Ham topped with tomato caper salad.  Of course, cheesecake is a must have on any trip to NYC, but John’s savory version brings the experience to a whole new and more…

Shopkeepers Secrets #8: Emporio

Meet Paul, Sous Chef at Emporio on our Nolita/ Noho Tour! MUST EAT ITEM: Paul confesses he is “boring” when choosing what to eat before Emporio gets busy with the dinner crowd. He could eat pasta every day and his favorite is the Pappardelle Ragu, hand cut spinach pasta with traditional Bolognese “sugo” (aka sauce)….

Shopkeepers Secrets #7: Masala Times

Meet Rahul, Manager of Masala Times on our Central Village/ Soho Food Tour! MUST EAT ITEM: Is an Indian food menu overwhelming to you? Take a tip from Masala Times manager Rahul who rotates between Chicken Achari (pickled chicken kebab, pictured), Keema Pav (minced lamb cooked with spices) and the baby lamb chops marinated in…