Prosperity Dumpling

Where can you get a good, huge $2.75 meal in New York City? Prosperity Dumpling (46 Eldridge St, Lower East Side). Ten dumplings plus a sesame pancake. The dumplings are freshly fried, and the sesame pancake is really flavorful. There's kind of no beating this place for value... possibly anywhere in America.

Biriyani Cart

Won't you take me to... Vendy town! Biriyani Cart (46th & 6th, Midtown West) is a worthy winner. No question. Take your $6 and try some of the best Indian food money can buy in New York City.

St Marks Burger

A new burger place just opened up on St. Marks. Specifically, at 33 St. Marks, which Andrea Coyle at the Lower East Side History Project pointed out to me was the original address of Manic Panic. St. Marks Burger, bold new entrant into the East Village burger scene, is seriously worth checking out. Their 2 oz sliders come with or without bacon, and feature delicious grilled onions. Two sliders, enough for a tasty meal, is less than $5. The sauces at the table are homemade and lovely. And good beer is $4.

Hamed Halal Cart

Hamed Halal Cart (11th Street at 1st Avenue) is an East Village institution. Located across the street from the local Islamic Center, these guys get some very particular customers. At the same time, they're innovative with their toppings, often throwing in free falafel balls, pickles, and fries. The beautifully seasoned lamb over spicy rice- $5- is an important staple of my diet. This place is everything good cart food should be. I'm honestly surprised it hasn't been mentioned as a contender for the Vendy award.

Vinny Vincenz

Vinny Vincenz (231 First Avenue, East Village)is another solid neighborhood pizzeria. It's sort of in between a slice place and a sit down restaurant, cute but very casual. I really like their pizza bianca, and consider it one of the best in the style. Although Vinny Vincenz is partly in the shadow of nearby Artichoke, prices here are low for the quality pizza they serve.

Lombardi's

I have seen the top of the pizza mountain, and it is Lombardi's (32 Spring Street, Nolita)! Oh my god. It's not the cheapest, but this old-school place is the perfect venue for out of town guests to experience how good pizza can be. Old-school? Yeah. It's the oldest pizza joint in America. For me, the clam pie is the treat here, lots of fresh clams and garlic, over their signature brick-oven crust? It's like a fine seafood meal, on a pizza.

Rosario's

When I just want to grab a few slices and am feeling broke, you know where I end up? Rosario's (173 Orchard Street, Lower East Side). Again and again. This place lacks frills, does a limited number of pies, but does them really well. I personally enjoy the eggplant and the cheeseburger slices. Cheap slices, quick in and out, and quality ingredients. Yeah, this is the go-to place in the neighborhood.

Posto Pizza

Posto (310 Second Avenue, Gramercy) makes delicious pies. Their signature is the ultra-thin crust, which has been described by critics as matzoh-like. The thing about such a thin crust is that the toppings have to be dead on right, there's no dough to mask the flavor. And Posto does well. What this place isn't a grab and go slice-ready pizzeria. What it is, however, is a cute old school restaurant with a cool bar that serves good thin crust pies. It's a place to linger, more suited for a date than a quick meal.

Two Boots

I like to go around to as many restaurants of the same kind as possible in a few weeks, sort of like a long-term tasting event. New York's obviously the best place on earth for that. The recent event is the eastside pizza olympics, which is exactly what it sounds like.

One week in, I'm liking Two Boots (42 Ave A, East Village). I know why a lot of pizza purists will disagree, but the innovative, even quirky pizzas they come up with are fresh and lovely.

Skeptical? Try The Bird.

Wah Fung #1 Fast Food

Oh yeah. Wah Fung #1 Fast Food (79 Chrystie St, Lower East Side/Chinatown). With a perpetual line out the door and sweaty man with cleaver hacking up meat on a wooden stump, this is why Chinatown is a magical place. I don't mean that some kind of Epcot Center cultural diversity kind of way. I mean that its restaurateurs can make good food that costs much less than the ingredients would in a grocery store. Case in point: pork over large rice, more food than a person can eat in a day, $3.75. And delicious.

Sultana

First of all, let me just say that Sultana (128 E 4th St, East Village) is an adorable space. It's cozy, appointed with Middle Eastern décor, and hookahs. It really is an ideal place for a quiet meeting or date. The proprietor, an genuinely welcoming Iraqi man named Ali, is exceptionally gracious, offering guests lovely mint tea and personable service. The menu is extensive, and the food is very fresh. Sultana is a perfect oasis of dining relaxation in the middle of the East Village's chaos.

East Village Pizza and Kebab

East Village Pizza and Kebab (145 East First Ave, East Village) is surprisingly good. Places that try to serve such a large range of foods, and primarily cater to people out partying, tend to disappoint. Not this one. The pizzas feature an interesting range of toppings, and the Middle Eastern fare is actually very well prepared. Considering the low prices on everything, East Village Pizza and Kebab stands out as one of the best budget restaurants in the area.

Artichoke Pizza

I finally tried Artichoke(328 E 14th Street, East Village). I've noticed the lines going into this little pizza place for years. $4 is well above the standard price for a slice, so I've put it off. However, the thought has often crossed my mind that any establishment that's so perpetually busy must be doing something special. Artichoke is, no doubt about it. These are something different than average slices, and well worth the higher than average price. Don't believe me? Two words: crab slice.

Uncovering The Real Gangs of New York

The Discovery Channel produced a pretty good documentary about one of the most interesting topics in New York history, the gangs of the Five Points.

It goes into some of the history behind the movie The Gangs of New York. I really like it, it gives a good sense of what the area looked like in the 1850s.

Gena's Grill

Yup. Double post. I went back to Gena's Grill (210 First Avenue, East Village). Got the garlic shrimp over yellow rice and beans. Oh my god good, and oh my god huge. Plus they fed me a basket of fresh from the oven garlic bread while I waited.

And I saw on their menu that they have marisco (seafood) soup only on Fridays. Tomorrow's Friday. Is it okay to go to the same place three days in a row?

Seriously, let me plead my defense by directing readers to their amazing menu.

Gena's Grill

Sometimes all a restaurant needs to sell itself is the way it smells when you walk past. Gena's Grill (210 First Ave, East Village) has that rare quality. This tiny, nondescript place serves up amazing 'Spanish' food, favorites from the Cuban, Dominican, and Puerto Rican countrysides.

The stewed goat with rice and beans I got was seriously high quality. The $7 small is enough food for the day. I'm definitely going to be frequenting this place, and look forward to trying its many shrimp dishes. Garlic shrimp over spicy rice and beans? Yeah, that's next. I might even go back tomorrow.

Russ & Daughters

I just took a walking tour with Andrea Coyle of the Lower East Side History Project and learned something interesting.

Russ & Daughters (179 East Houston, Lower East Side) was the first business in the country to use the term "and daughters". Kind of a cool fact about this vestigially elegant gourmet shop.

New Malaysia Restaurant

I've walked past New Malaysia (46-48 Bowery, Chinatown) dozens of times, and taken notice. Mostly I've paid attention to this place because of its historically significant address. This was the site of a tavern where George Washington used to drink, and later the theater where blackface was invented.

But the restaurant itself is an amazing find, the kind of hole in the wall gem you hope to discover when roaming Chinatown. The Malaysian curried beef brisket I had, $6, was one of the best things I've eaten in a while. I can't stop thinking about how good. And their extensive menu promises more culinary delights. Yeah, I need to go back and try the seafood, the clam and crab dishes look like they might cause a full-blown obsession with this hidden little place.

Downtown Bakery

Yeah, Puebla (47 1st Avenue, East Village) is just about as stiff as competition can be for quality mole sauce. But Downtown Bakery (69 1st Avenue, East Village) is damn good. Definitely worth trying, impossible to avoid comparing with the powerhouse down the street, and maybe it even holds its own.

Proof? Look at this menu...

Kebab Garden

Sometimes a place sneaks up on me. Like, I go there, think it's nothing serious, then keep thinking about it and get back any chance I can. Kebab Garden (128 1st Ave, East Village) serves a rotating selection of Turkish dishes, buffet style, by the pound. $6.99 a pound to be specific. When they have stuffed grape leaves I get as many as I can, since $6.99 for a freaking pound of stuffed grape leaves makes me feel like a con man, and hide them under some hummus so I don't get caught cheating the system.

Taverna Kyclades

The lines at this place are daunting. Also promising. Why do so many people want to pack this place? Because it's great. Simply prepared, generous portions of Greek seafood at a price that's almost reasonable? Who doesn't want that? Taverna Kyclades [33-07 Ditmars BLVD, Astoria] offers a chance to taste flavors from seafood you don't often find. Try the grilled clams, the grilled octopus, broiled scallops, and the shark. Lovely, seafood like you can't often find. Seriously, look at these scallops.

Finding an Apartment in NYC

Yeah, yeah, moving sucks. It’s not exactly news. If you want to experience another level of complicated, come to New York. After making the move to this, the most wonderfully frenetic city on earth, you’ll have a new appreciation of what a chore moving can be.

Step one: find a pad.

Locating a suitable apartment is not always so easy. The standard way to find an apartment has become Craigslist’s apartments section.

But you have to be careful. There are lots of scams and misrepresentations out there, so being an informed consumer is important. Check out listings for similar places in the same neighborhood, and get a feel for the price range. If you see a listing that’s significantly cheaper than the rest, it’s likely to be a scam.

Of course, this requires getting familiar with New York City’s rather varied neighborhoods. This is actually a lot of fun, though it takes some time. Check out the Department of City Planning’s site for good maps showing the different neighborhoods.

This Finding Dulcinea guide is also a useful resource, and should be referred to often.

Pinisi Cafe

Okay, these guys deserve another blog entry for their other location. Pinisi Cafe (18 1st Ave East Village) is a bright, comfortable space with wifi and good large coffees for $1.75. This is an excellent continuation of the living room theme started in the post below. I might even like this place better because the people who run Pinisi are so welcoming.

The B Cup

The B Cup (212 Avenue B East Village) is the perfect place to sip coffee and get some work done on the laptop. Featuring comfortable furniture, fast wireless, lots of windows looking out on Avenue B and 13th Street, this is the living room you don't have if you live in the neighborhood.

Against the Grain

If they had wifi, I might never leave this place. Against the Grain (620 East 6th Street East Village) is a real beer lover's kind of bar. It's small, straightforward, with handsome dark wood, a window overlooking some classic alphabet City graffiti, and an extensive beer list. And the bartenders care about beer. Yeah. That'll do it.

Duke's

This is my new favorite scuzzy bar. Duke's On C (129 Avenue C East Village) is a Loisada treasure. $3 good beers for happy hour and fast wifi. Yeah, that about does it for me. On top of that, though, this place encourages a really friendly casual atmosphere.

Kebab Cafe

Steinway Street in Astoria is one of the best places in the city for food, especially Middle Eastern food. One of the major culinary anchors of the community is Kebab Cafe (2512 Steinway Street Astoria). Kebab Cafe is an adorable little northern Egyptian restaurant. Propriety Ali is famous for serving up unusual meat dishes in this cozy little space. Without taking anything away from the meats, I am personally a fan of his vegetarian appetizer platter- which is gorgeous and offers an excellent value for the money.

Burp Castle

Burp Castle (41 East 7th Street East Village) is a deservedly famous destination for beer drinkers. This place has an extensive rotating tap list, and bartenders that are genuinely interested in the finest beverage ever invented. The paintings on the walls, apparently by a now forgotten artist, are reminiscent of Bruegels, and inspire a thirst for Belgian wheats.

Pinisi Bakery

Pinisi Bakery (128 East 4th Street East Village) is downright adorable. They serve good coffee and outstanding homemade baked good. The other day I discovered that they have bhut jolokia cupcakes! I'm not so huge on desserts, but if ever there were a way to get me to buy a cupcake!

New Saigon

I really enjoy New Saigon (59 First Avenue East Village). Okay. This place is definitely for take out, owing to the fact that it is a downright homely hole in the wall. But take a few bites of this surprisingly fresh, gingery Vietnamese influenced Chinese cooking, and you'll be hooked. The people who run this place care about quality, and it sure comes through in the food. Also, at around $5 a portion, this place offers an excellent value for the neighborhood.

Habib's Place

Yeah, Habib should wear a crown, he's the falafel king of the East Village. Habib's Place (89 Avenue A East Village) is worth checking out. Conveniently located next to the world music destination Drom, serves some of the best Middle Eastern food downtown. Habib's trick is to make fresh falafels for each customer, and the results are simply delicious. For under $5 you can get a falafel and hummus sandwich with the works, a good value indeed.

Abraco

Okay. Trying to pick the best espresso in New York City is probably an impossible task. One place that is clearly a strong contender is Abraco (86 E 7th Street, East Village). This is not a coffee house, as in sit around all day playing on the laptop and sipping. This is an espresso bar, a tiny hole in the wall serving some of the strongest and tastiest espresso I've ever had.

Civil War Draft Riots

July marks the 146th anniversary of one of the most violent and destructive moments in New York's history: the Civil War Draft riots. Working class New Yorkers, who couldn't afford the $300 charge to avoid conscription, rose up violently to oppose the war and the federal government. To me, this shows how separate from the rest of the country New York felt even then.

Check out this interesting article.

And here is an interesting lecture by John Chodes that's not to be missed:

Vintage Photos

Of course, it's also fun to collect vintage photos of the city. Here are a few.

Rubin Museum

The art of South Asia really intrigues me. No area of the region produces quite as much interesting art as the Himalayan zone. The Rubin Museum (150 West 15th Street Chelsea)is one of the finest Himalayan art museums in the world, and certainly one of the must-see museums in New York.

Vintage Maps of NYC

I really love looking over vintage maps of NYC. Here's one good collection of old maps. Oh. And a few of Boston. What's Boston?

Kom Tang Soot Bul Hse

Koreatown, located along 32nd Street has a lot of good restaurants to choose from. New York Kom Tang Soot Bul Hse (32 West 32nd Street Murray Hill) is reportedly the oldest of the bunch. If you ask someone's Korean grandfather what his favorite restaurant is, he'll probably guide you here. The lunch specials are especially worth seeking, and feature an incredible quantity of very good food for a low price. Just remember 32 West 32nd St the next time you crave some Korean.

S'MAC

Only in the East Village would people successfully try to sell something as wholesome as macaroni & cheese by referencing heroin. But wow. Sarita's Macaroni & Cheese aka S'MAC (345 East 12th Street East Village) does this classic dish up in ways most people have never thought of. My favorite variants are the Cajun and Indian spiced. Oh yeah. Give me that sizzling skillet. Now.

Accents of the Five Boroughs

This is painful but kind of interesting. I wonder if anyone's actually done linguistic studies of each borough.

Urban Pita

Seriously, who would have the audacity to open up a falafel joint on the same strip as Katz's and Bereket? Talk about strong competition. But Urban Pita (189 East Houston Lower East Side) holds its own, with diverse and fresh toppings and very flavorful falafels. This is a go-to place late at night, after hitting up a few of the area bars.

Negril Village

I'm always a little skeptical of restaurants that take good street food and try to turn it into high class cuisine. But sometimes it works. Negril Village (70 West Third Street West Village) is proof. The food here is really nice. Also the chef understands the importance of the scotch bonnet habanero, one of the most noble peppers in the world and the key to why Jamaican food is so good. Negril Village is also a fun little club, hosting some really decent reggae shows. The lounge atmosphere is intimate and a little sexy, great for a classy date.

El Maguey Y La Tuna

When I first heard of El Maguey Y La Tuna (321 East Houston Lower East Side) I mistakenly translated the name to mean the magician and the tuna fish. What? My bad Spanish gave way to a little research, which revealed that it actually means the agave plant and the prickly pear cactus. Which makes sense considering that this is their logo... Another puzzling thing to me is why the food here is so outstanding yet no one knows about it. Really. El Maguey Y La Tuna is a strong contender in my own personal Mole Olympics. The enchiladas with red mole, mmm! Really phenomenal.

Yola's

Do you have a deep need to eat something as big as your head? Would you prefer it's really tasty? Get yourself to Yola's (524 Metropolitan Avenue Williamsburg) and grab a burrito. I'm partial to Yola's excellent chicken mole burrito. You can sit outside for an hour and peck away at this enormous thing, Mexican food bliss a block away from both the L train and the G train: Yola's.

Hsin Wong

Do you want to try some Chinese food that's really different than what we usually get in America? Do you want to get a good lunch for $5? There's a place that can help you out. Hsin Wong (72 Bayard Street Chinatown) serves some authentic and delicious Cantonese food at a shockingly low price. Hsin Wong's strong point is its treatment of meats, the pork and duck are particularly lovely.

Li Hua

If you want to try some excellent Korean food downtown, there's one place you need to check out. Li Hua (171 Grand Street, Chinatown) offers fresh and tasty Korean cuisine in a comfortable atmosphere. Li Hua's menu is fairly extensive, affordable, and everything I've had there is quality. They also have a good, quirky beer selection. That puts the place over the top in my book.

Zaragoza

One of the great things about eating in NYC is the propensity of the city to surprise. I walked into Zaragoza (215 Avenue A East Village) to buy some hot sauce. I had no idea I was about to have a great Mexican meal. Zaragoza's a little bodega. It's not a restaurant. From the exterior, there is virtually no indication of the great food they serve. But this little culinary secret serves delicious tacos, tostadas, and burritos. There is a good selection of meats (all braised, not grilled!), including goat, which I really enjoy.

Dosa Man

Possibly the best food cart in New York City is the Dosa Man (Washington Square Park West Village). This guy has won the prestigious Vendy Award several times. Definitely grab a dosa from him. Or a samosa. A $5 bill will buy you a memorable and filling vegetarian meal from one of the best cart cooks there is.

Guss's Pickles

Do you like pickles? Try the very best. Seriously. Probably in the world. Guss's Pickles (87 Orchard Street Lower East Side) has been serving their outstanding products for like 90 years. You don't like pickles? These are significantly better than any you've ever had. Try!

Sixth Ward

Looking for a chill bar to hang out with a group of friends? Try Sixth Ward (191 Orchard Street Lower East Side). This place features a good beer selection, friendly hosts, and a cute little beer garden with a view of tenement buildings that lets you know you're in the LES. Oh. And a Guinness drinking competition that you should avoid because it's dangerous. Great bar though, with a sweet location in the best neighborhood in America.

Teany

Once in a while I like to sit for an hour and sip on tea. New York has some cool little tea houses to satisfy that specific craving. One of the most interesting is Teany (90 Rivington Street Lower East Side). This very small (teeny, get it?) place is so cozy and inviting. It serves some quite good vegan food, and has become wildly popular for brunch. Oh, also Moby is an owner, which adds to Teany's mystique.

Shopping in NYC

You want to buy it? It's for sale in NYC. Guaranteed. The variety of choices can be overwhelming, and it takes a few lifetimes to figure out all the good bargains in the city. Check out this guide to shopping for a little clarity on the subject.

SuperVegan

Are you vegan? Condolences. But in New York, there are lots of good vegan restaurants. One place to find your next vegan favorite is SuperVegan.

Eating in Translation

Eating in Translation is an interesting blog about unusual food finds around the city. It's a good resource for finding out about eating-related events.

New York City Walk

New York City Walk is a really cool website. A guy walked down every street in Manhattan and took some excellent pictures. It's an interesting way to get a feel for different neighborhoods in the city.

HopStop

As mentioned before, New York has amazing public transportation. Need to know how long it takes to get from place to place on the train? Try HopStop. This is a great resource.

Hummus Place

Good hummus is an object of much desire in New York. One contender for the best hummus in the city award is (fittingly) Hummus Place. They have several locations around town. I frequent the the downtown east branch (109 St Marks Place East Village). Try several kinds of hummus, stuffed grape leaves, and the excellent coffee with cardamom. It's all good, and it's all very affordable.

Everyman Espresso

I like really strong espresso. And free wireless internet. Everyman Espresso (136 East 13th Street East Village) serves up both in an unpretentious atmosphere. Drop in for some of the finest espresso in the neighborhood, and get some work done on your laptop.

Zocalo

It doesn't look like much from the outside, but step into Zocalo (295 Broadway Williamsburg Brooklyn) for a real culinary delight. The bottom floor houses a cozy little bar, and the main room upstairs is a cute and relaxing space. The food here is really excellent. I'm personally very impressed by the pork mole burrito.

Billiburg Blog

Here's another great, and very browsing-friendly blog about the culturally rich neighborhood that is Williamsburg. Billiburg. Check it out.

Rabbithole

I'm a sucker for a place that serves coffee, beer, and has wireless internet. Rabbithole (352 Bedford Avenue Williamsburg Brooklyn) ups the ante. They also have a really nice space and (pause for effect) $2-3 happy hour pints of really good beer. I mean, try getting 16 ounces of anything you want to drink in New York for less than $2. They also have food, the best of which is the remarkably good scones to go with your morning coffee.

Overheard in New York

No place on earth affords such chances to hear people saying hilarious things. Overheard in New York was created as a place to document this NYC phenomenon. This site is seriously funny!

Fratelli Brick Oven Pizza

So don't make him mad. That's all I'm saying. Because he is obviously a pizza making genius and close to the edge of going off. Let the man make pizza. Yeah, I'm talking about the guy throwing down amazing pies at Fratelli Brick Oven Pizza (159 Grand Street Williamsburg). This place is seriously great. Oh, wait. The vodka pizza. More than great. Like, if you don't try the vodka pizza at least once, you're missing out on a real New York pizza gem. It melts in your mouth. Seriously. Curious? Go try.

Vietnamese Food in Chinatown

So the little secret about Chinatown is that the best food is Vietnamese. Well, it depends who you ask. But if you ask me, I'll steer you to three places, all close to City Hall, all Vietnamese. Pho Pasteur (85 Baxter Street Chinatown) is especially good for seafood. The squid is great. Nha Trang (148 Centre Street Chinatown) is the place for pho and iced coffee. Thai Son (89 Baxter Street Chinatown) is always a good place for pork dishes. I like pork dishes.

Style Wars

Style wars, the classic documentary about New York graffiti. It really is an amazing form of art. I need to get specific and give props to my man Carter Maness (an artist in his own right) for turning me on to this. It definitely gave me a greater appreciation for the older tags around town.

Blind Tiger Ale House

One of the best beer bars downtown, Blind Tiger (281 Bleeker Street West Village) is an all night event. At least for me. Once I come in here, I'll be here for about six hours sampling as many as the lovely brews as I can and still manage to walk to the train. I love beer, and so does Blind Tiger. Their cask selections are especially inspired, and it's worth traveling across town to take in this fabulous pub. Just make sure you have a way to get home.

Awash

I really enjoy Ethiopian food. Spicy beef tibs scooped up with tart and spongy injera bread is a treat indeed. When the craving for Ethiopian hits me, I head over to Awash (338 East Sixth Street East Village). This cozy place has a classy atmosphere, great food, and friendly service. It's definitely one of the best Ethiopian restaurants in the city.

If it's set in New York I'll watch it!

So many great movies are set in New York. In fact, being set in New York goes a long way to making a movie great. I'll watch just about anything that includes interesting footage of the city.

This website, New York in the Movies, is pretty basic but provides a fun interactive map showing where some films were set around town. Also check out this great article- 5 New York City Films- that goes into depth on five classics made in the Big Apple.

Free Williamsburg

Free Williamsburg is an excellent blog about north Brooklyn. I've found lots of great spots to eat and drink here. Check it out if you want to know more about this diverse neighborhood.

Mamoun's Falafel

Mamoun's Falafel (119 MacDougal Street West Village & 22 St. Marks Place East Village) has been serving some of the most delicious falafel sandwiches in the city for over thirty years. The whole time they've been listening to the same bad Israeli disco music too, I think. Their hummus and baba ghannouj are amazing, and everything is very affordable.

Oasis

Are you staggeringly drunk? Is it 3am? Did you just get off the L train at Bedford Avenue? Then there's no doubt about where you're grabbing a bite. Oasis (161 North Seventh Street Williamsburg) serves up some decidedly inauthentic but tasty Middle Eastern food at all hours. Their hummus is a really good deal. The falafel sandwiches are delicious and satisfying, but involve ingredients not often found at more traditional places. Pickles for instance. But it works. The one warning about Oasis is that their bathroom is perpetually broken- sort of a problem for a place that serves hundreds of drunks a day!

Paris Sandwich

Banh Mi, Vietnamese sandwiches on French bread, have emerged as a New York staple in the last decade or so. One of the best places to pick up tasty banh mi is Paris Sandwich (113 Mott Street Chinatown). These are so good, in part because they use exceptionally fresh baguettes. Prices are very low, you can get what you need for around $5. I'm personally partial to the shredded pork banh mi, slathered in extra Sriracha. On a hot day, the Vietnamese iced coffee is a nice treat too.

John's Pizzeria of Bleeker Street

John's Pizzeria of Bleeker Street (278 Bleeker Street West Village) is often mentioned in discussions about the best pizza joint in NYC. No question, this is some fabulous pizza. The atmosphere of the place wins it a lot of affection too. It looks and feels just like a pizza place should, right down to the graffiti that covers every available surface. Step in to this wonderful little hole in the wall and experience one of the finer pies in the city.

Klong

Klong (7 St. Marks Place East Village) serves up some really fresh and well prepared Thai food. I like to take advantage of their very reasonable lunch specials. One big reason to come to Klong is to witness the amazing decorative use of the small space. It's really beautiful. Klong also has a full bar, and deserves to be respected as a classy place for a drink on St. Marks. Thai beers are $4 each and they have two for one happy hour specials, which is a fine deal indeed.

Alan's Falafel

It makes me nervous mentioning the best food cart downtown without giving props to Alan's Falafel (Liberty & Cedar Street Financial District). Serving up one of the tastier falafel sandwiches in the city, this venerable cart is a lunch institution among Wall Street workers. Alan also knows a thing or two about hot sauce, which is hugely appealing to me. I literally can't walk past this place without getting a nice falafel sandwich, it's too good to pass by.

East Village Halal Cart

Okay. I've been avoiding the topic of food carts because it's just so massive. But let me broach the subject by recommending East Village Halal Cart (11th Street & 1st Avenue East Village). In my opinion, this is the best cart downtown. Located across the street from the Islamic Center, this guy set up to serve people who know halal food. By virtue of his exceptional street cookery, he's developed a following that cuts across ethnic lines. Try the lamb and rice, heavy on both the hot sauce and white sauce. The proprietor is likely to throw in some additional morsels, like grilled eggplant and french fries. Go around the corner to Tompkins Square Park. Enjoy how good a hearty lunch under $5 can be in New York.

Jack's Stir Brew

There should be an award for the strongest cup of coffee in New York. And it should be coveted as obsessively as my personal search for the potential winner. In the meanwhile, there's Jack's Stir Brew (138 West 10th Street West Village). The stirring apparently lends a creamy palate to the coffee, and helps the water absorb more of the psychoactive components of the bean. However it works, this is a cute little place, serving a monster of a coffee. It's worth going to just for the atmosphere, but they really might be on to something with this brewing technique.

Klatch Coffee

There are parts of New York that are very rich in cool cafes, and others that are poor. Unfortunately, one of the most coffee house deprived neighborhoods is the Financial District. Luckily, there's Klatch Coffee (9 Maiden Lane Financial District), with an atmosphere as cute as their coffee is strong. It really is an oasis of cool in the middle of Wall Street's caffeine wasteland, dominated by bourgeois blandness.

Jimmy's Diner

There comes a point in any culinary career that a basic diner is what's called for. Jimmy's Diner (577 Union Avenue Williamsburg) is the perfect response to that craving. They serve warm, homemade donuts and unlimited coffee to everyone that bellies up to the counter. Additionally, the pulled pork hash is a little slice of heaven, satisfying for even the heartiest eater.

Santorini Grill

Williamsburg is an amazing place to eat. Until recently, however, it has lacked a serious Greek contender. That's all changed with the opening of Santorini Grill (167 Grand Street Williamsburg), which serves up seriously good food in a charming atmosphere. The lady that runs the place is equal parts hilarious and generous- free deserts are a common occurrence. And speaking of deserts- the Karidopita (walnut cake) is like carrot cake on drugs. It's so, so good, worth seeking out in its own right- possibly the best dessert in Williamsburg.

Moran's

One of the most difficult parts of downtown to find a decent bar is Battery Park. Luckily, there's Morans (103 Washington Street Battery Park). This low-key place, featuring a fireplace, relaxing atmosphere, and great burgers, is an excellent place for a quiet conversation and a few tasty pints.

Brand Nubian

One of the best NYC hip hop groups ever, apparently not as well known as they should be, Brand Nubian still plays around town. You can catch them at SOB's sometimes even. These guys represent the Five Percent, a uniquely New York form of Islam. Check out this music.

Drom

Another great place to hear world music is Drom (85 Avenue A East Village). This place is intimate, upscale, and even a bit romantic. They serve some pretty awesome cocktails and the shows range from good to just plain phenomenal.

I caught Zeb the Spy From Cairo there last winter. He's worth looking out for at Drom. Good times!

SOB's

SOB's (204 Varick Street West Village) is a cool little club that hosts some of the best live music in the city. I am a huge fan of Basement Bhangra, featuring DJ Rekha, pioneer of the New York bhangra scene. This is guaranteed fun, and a must-see for anyone into South Asian music. SOB's also hosts great hip-hop shows on occasion. Check in regularly to see what's coming up at this fabulous little West Village venue.

I was at this show, it was amazing. Ten years!



DJ Rekha's Theme song!

Village Mingala

I've always wanted to go to Burma. Something about that location- neighboring India, China, and Thailand- promises glorious eating adventures. Unfortunately, even the promise of fantastic meals isn't enough to get me there while the brutal military dictatorship is still in power. Luckily, there's a place in New York that offers a good sampling of Burmese cuisines. Village Mingala (21 East 7th Street East Village) has a very cute interior, friendly hosts, and really good food. Their lunch special is a significant bargain, $6.50 for soup and and main dish of your choice.

Jackson Diner

Arguably the best- and clearly one of the best- Indian restaurants in New York, the Jackson Diner (37-74 74th Street Jackson Heights Queens) is a real anchor for the Indian enclave around 74th and Roosevelt in Queens. This place is phenomenal for the all you can eat lunch buffet, featuring dosas made to order. I stop here whenever I'm flying in to LGA or JFK, it really is an ideal place for a first meal in the greatest city on earth.

La Superior

So any place that calls itself La Superior better be great, right? Well, I'm pleased to say that La Superior (295 Berry Street Williamsburg) really does serve some of the finest Mexican food you'll find in the city. This friendly crew specializes in serving street-style food. The tacos are truly phenomenal, especially be sure to try the lengua and chorizo.

Old Town Bar & Grill

If you are in the mood for a good burger and a few beers in a richly historical setting, I know just the place. The Old Town Bar (45 East 18th Street Flatiron) will amaze you with its atmosphere, quality food, and friendly patrons. This has been a favorite hang out of newspaper workers and other writers for over a century, and sitting at the beautiful bar downing a few pints is a great way to tap into the literary history of New York.

Man on Wire

This is one of the greatest stories in New York history. Philippe Petit, an accomplished tightrope walker, staged an amazing coup in 1974 when he walked between the two towers of the World Trade Center. People who were in the city still remember where they were when they heard about this marvelous feat. Apparently it really marked a shift in attitude towards the World Trade Center, which was not popular until this brought such attention to it.

Last year a movie was made about this accomplishment, Man on Wire. It won an Oscar!

If you haven't seen this movie yet, watch it! Here's a preview.



There's a great article about this on the finding Dulcinea website too.

Supercore

If someone asked me to write up a list of my top ten favorite restaurants in NYC, Supercore (305 Bedford Avenue Williamsburg) would certainly be on it. I really enjoy this place. It's basically a hip but cozy coffeehouse that serves what they describe as Japanese comfort food. The Japanese beef curry stew, slow cooked for four days, is an amazing dish worth seeking out. Also, the mainly Japanese staff is cool with writers hanging out in the garden for hours at a time, using the free wifi, so that's a huge plus. Check out Supercore, one of the best kept secrets in Williamsburg.

Lomzynianka

I like Polish food. I especially like Polish food when I'm in Greenpoint. Lomzynianka (646 Manhattan Ave Greenpoint Brooklyn) might be the best Polish restaurant in the neighborhood, which is to say one of the best in the city. Portions are huge and very affordable. Bigos, baby, try the bigos.

Hop Devil

Hop Devil (129 St. Marks Place East Village) has two major things going for it: a sweet location and an inspired selection of beers on tap. It's also quiet enough to have a conversation with friends, making it a perfect stop on a pub crawl around the neighborhood.

Mei Li Wah

Mei Lai Wah was a venerable Chinatown institution, serving baked and steamed pork buns and good coffee for a tiny price. Last year the health department mandated that this grimy little hole in the wall clean up and modernize; the elderly owners decided to just shut down. Thankfully, it reopened with new owners, fresh décor, and a slightly modified name. Mei Li Wah (64 Bayard Street Chinatown) is still the go-to place for delicious and inexpensive pork buns and coffee. They also serve bubble tea now too. If you have $3 in your pocket and want a delightful experience in Chinatown, grab a couple of pork buns (I like the baked) and a coffee, and go around the corner to Columbus Park.

Pica Pica

It's easy to walk past this place, it's tiny and doesn't look like much. But Pica Pica (392 Broadway Williamsburg Brooklyn) offers one of the great food values in the city. Dominican home cooking is delicious, and Pica Pica serves it up in generous quantities for a pleasantly low price. You get flavorful rice and beans, your choice of stewed meat (be sure to get the goat or the ox), and a cafe con leche for less than $5 total. Pica Pica is right around the corner from the neighborhood branch of the public library, and is one of my favorite places for a quick lunch in the area.

Khao Sarn

I literally only know two words of Thai: 'pet ma', very hot. Most Thai places seem to ignore me when I request my food pet ma. Khao Sarn (311 Bedford Avenue Williamsburg Brooklyn) takes it very seriously, making me cry every time I ask. In my book, that makes this one of the finest Thai restaurants in New York. The proprietor, a gay Thai man, is exceptionally friendly and welcoming, and the food is innovative, fresh, and well-prepared. It's also very affordable. Khao Sarn is clearly the best Thai restaurant in Williamsburg, and is a serious contender to the city-wide title as well.

Bereket

Of all the restaurants in all five boroughs, I go to one more than the rest: Bereket (187 East Houston LES). Open 24 hours a day, serving flavorful Turkish food, Bereket is a culinary standout in an area blessed with a plethora of amazing establishments. Nearby Katz's is a deservingly appreciated tourist magnet, Bereket deserves the same attention for sure.

Grand Sichuan

Oh my god! Hot pot at Grand Sichuan (125 Canal Street Chinatown) is the perfect meal for two. Basically, you get a broth with black pepper corns and red chilis, choose some meats, vegetables, and mushrooms, and cook your own food in it like fondue. The broth gets progressively hotter as it boils down, culminating in a deliciously fiery Sichuan soup. Other offerings, especially those involving pork, are also really worth trying here. But the hot pot! I need it on a regular basis. Do they do hot pot IVs?

Best Pizza in New York?

Pizza is a serious subject for New Yorkers. Here's competitive eater Crazy Legs Conti's take on the best pies in town.

Houston Street

When in downtown NYC, Texas should be the last thing on your mind. So pronounce Houston Street right, please. This is such a fine area, the boundary between LES and East Village, home to hipsters and immigrants for well over a century.

Chinatown

Chinatown is certainly one of the most interesting neighborhoods in downtown Manhattan. It's the largest Chinese community outside of China, and is growing rapidly. Exploring Chinatown is a whole lot of of fun, an experience not to be missed when in NYC.

Aroma

Aroma (145 Greene Street Soho) is a good place to sit down with a book or laptop and have an espresso. Plus they give you free chocolates.

Here's the Sohokind video on Aroma.

Don Pancho

Don Pancho (492 Grand Street Williamsburg). Two magical words that unfailingly make me hungry. I systematically tried the mole offerings at over 20 Mexican restaurants in New York City. This place wears the crown. The mole is simply the best. It's also incredibly cheap, portions are enormous, and the staff is beyond friendly. Sometimes people from lesser cities complain that there's no good Mexican food in NYC. When I get tired of hearing that bogus claim, I take them here. This Pueblano family can cook so well it will shut up even the most vociferous LA braggart.

Big L Teaches Harlem Slang

Any linguistic anthropologists out there studying slang of the early 1990s Harlem? Big L's got you.

Lucky Luciano

Who is Lucky Luciano? Seriously? Why is there not a statue to this man on Second Avenue? I guess KGB Bar will have to do.

Bonita

Bonita (338 Bedford Avenue Williamsburg). Oh yeah. This place is good. If I want some fresh, tasty Mexican food in Williamsburg, this is where I go. They pride themselves on using the highest quality ingredients, and it definitely comes through in the food they serve. Also, their homemade habanero salsa is one of the greatest things I've ever had, very hot and very delicious.

Grimaldi's Pizza

In the ongoing and infamous pizza wars of New York City, one name gets mentioned the most. Grimaldi's (19 Old Fulton Street Brooklyn Heights) definitely serves up some phenomenal pies. If you like pizza, this place is a must visit. It's fun to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan before gorging on this delicious brick oven pizza.

Watch this video and then tell me you don't want some.

Porto Rico Coffee

Porto Rico Coffee might be the best place in the city to buy beans. This is some quality coffee, and the prices are reasonable. I always go to the East Village location (40 ½ St. Marks Place), which is also a good place to get a cup to go when out on St. Marks.

KGB Bar

KGB Bar (84 East 4th Street East Village) is one of the best gritty little bars in the neighborhood. It's spooky, supposedly haunted, and the bar itself was evidently purchased by Lucky Luciano back when the place was a brothel. This building is also home to a vibrant theater scene.

Crema

I know it's kind of pretentious. And expensive. To be honest, I generally am not that impressed by upscale Mexican restaurants. However, Crema (111 West 17th Street Chelsea) has something going for it I can't deny. They serve some of the best mole sauce in the city. The atmosphere is also pretty cool, it's a nice place to have a fancy drink. But seriously, that mole is what makes this place special.

New York on the Cheap: Greenwich Village

Host extraordinaire FantasticBabblings takes us around the West Village. There's so much that's good right around Washington Square Park.

Mud Coffee

You know how I can tell if someone's cool? If they drink Mud coffee. This place serves some of the finest coffee downtown. I go to the Mud Truck (4th Avenue and 8th Street- just outside the Astor Place subway stop at the start of St. Mark's) whenever I'm nearby. I need the stuff.

Their sit down place (307 East 9th Street East Village) is also one of the best coffee houses in an area of the city that has a lot of heavy weight cafes. I like to sit in the garden.

Brooklyn Brewery

Ah, Brooklyn beer, New York's deservedly famous barley-based treasure. By any measure, the Brooklyn Brewery (79 North 11th Street Williamsburg, Brooklyn) makes some of the finest beer in the region.

It's a really fun brewery to visit too. You can sit and have some (so fresh!) beers there, and take a very informative tour.

Here's a random video that shows the general atmosphere of the Brooklyn Brewery on a Friday night.

Tenement Museum

I can't believe how many people I meet in New York who have never heard of the Tenement Museum (108 Orchard St, Lower East Side). They restored several apartments to the way they were when an immigrant family was there, and tell the story of that family. It's pretty incredible. If you go to Ellis Island and don't come you're missing out.

Also, they have really wonderful regular free events! Hear some stories and drink free wine. Maybe I should ask them if I could 'donate' some beer and then drink it there. I'd never miss an event...

SohoKind: Cafe Grumpy

I love this SohoKind promotional series, visiting coffee places in the city. It's so smart.

Cafe Grumpy rocks, by the way. They might have the best coffee in the city. Here's their blog.

This shows their Chelsea location (224 West 20th Street). I like this place, but love the one in Greenpoint (193 Meserole). Best coffee in Brooklyn? Probably.

NYC on the Cheap: Downtown East

NYC on the Cheap is such a great series. I really appreciate the creator's (FantasticBabblings) taste. These two, focusing on the East Village and LES, are particularly interesting to me.

Famous Fat Dave

Famous Fat Dave is a pioneer of culinary exploration in NYC. He's a cab driver who gives tours of what's good to eat in the city, and finds some real treats.

All I Know About Life I Learned From Big L

Who needs a therapist to tell you about life when there's Big L?

Buffalo Cantina

Buffalo Cantina (149 Havemeyer Williamsburg, Brooklyn) is famous for their suicidal hot wings. They also have a very spectacular mole burrito. But the suicidal hot wings... these fuckers are seriously hot. Once I got a medium order and ate them all in one sitting. It burned my lips so bad I looked like I put on lipstick on the train. Then I puked. The next morning I stewed the bones and made a soup out of them. Things weren't the same for a few days...

Here's mister Man V Food on them. Let me just ask, where's my TV show?

New York is Red Hot

Just let the Digable Planets sing it...

Jimmy's No. 43

Oh, Jimmy's No. 43 (43 East 7th Street, East Village), home of underground chic and fine beers... Find this place. It's one of the nicest places to drink in the city.

Brick Lane Curry House

Brick Lane Curry House (306-308 East Sixth Street, East Village) is a sort of mecca for seekers of chili-inspired heat. Their phaal, supposedly the hottest curry on earth, is a big draw. You get a free beer if you finish it. It's hot, but not really that hot. I really like goat phaal though, and the free beer's a nice touch. Note to owners of Brick Lane: for a free serving of goat phaal I'll put some in my eyes!

Laboratorio del Gelato

Laboratorio del Gelato (95 Orchard Street, Lower East Side) makes some of the finest frozen desserts in the city. I'm a big fan of the chili pepper gelato!

Chinatown Ice Cream Factory

On a hot day, not much is better than getting some ice cream from Chinatown Ice Cream Factory (65 Bayard Street, Chinatown) and relaxing in Columbus Park- which is the historical site of the infamous Five Points.

Kossar's Bialys

Want a cheap and delicious breakfast? Stop by Kossar's Bialys (367 Grand Street, Lower East Side) and grab a couple of buttered bialys- they're like bagels crossed with English muffins.

Let me warn you though, guys with black hats and sidecurls get served first.

Eric Ferrara

Eric Ferrara gives some damn good tours of the Lower East Side! This guy is a virtual encyclopedia of LES history.

Paul's Guide to St Marks Place, NYC

I really love St Marks. It might be one of the most interesting streets on earth.

Paul's Guide to St Marks Place, NYC does a great job helping people virtually explore this fascinating street.

Vol De Nuit

Vol De Nuit (148 West 4th Street, West Village) is one of my favorite bars. Anywhere. The selection of Belgian beers is extensive, the mussels and fries are out of this world, and prices are good for this neighborhood. This place also has a really magical atmosphere, I just could sit here all night and be a happy guy. Wait. I have. Many times.

Big L

Big L, representing Harlem, a New York original.

Too bad he died so young.

Carmine's Pizzeria

Want some world-class, gourmet pizza at a really reasonable price? Try Carmine's Pizzeria (358 Graham Ave Williamsburg, Brooklyn). Be really polite though. The large men in the expensive track suits sitting there all day may or may not be involved with organized crime...

Biggie Smalls at 17

Do you really think another city could have created a genius like Biggie?

Subway System

New York arguably has the best subway system in the world.

Meyer Lansky: New York Hero

New York made Meyer Lansky what he was, and vice versa.

Veselka

Veselka (144 Second Ave in the East Village) serves awesome Ukrainian food, strong coffee, and is open 24 hours a day. How do some goat cheese and arugula pierogis sound? I sure do enjoy this place!

New York Sounds Better

Nowhere else sounds so good!

Yonah Schimmel Knishes

If you want to see how good knish can be, visit Yonah Schimmel Knishes (137 East Houston, Lower East Side). This place has been making them for about a hundred years. So good!

Katz's Deli

How are you going to visit New York and not go to Katz's (205 East Houston, Lower East Side)? This place legendary for good reason. I've been an avid fan of their corned beef since I was about six.

I'll let Anthony Bourdain explain.

Sigiri

Sigiri (91 First Avenue in the East Village) is a fabulous Sri Lankan restaurant. I have a hard time finding food hot enough for my rather warped palate, but Sigiri always hooks me up! Try the pork black curry, the crab curry, and a few kinds of hoppers.

South 4th Bar & Grill

South 4th Bar & Grill (90 South 4th Street Williamsburg, Brooklyn) is a real neighborhood treasure. They have free Wi-Fi and good coffee, so its a great place to work during the day. It's also a cozy neighborhood bar, with a good beer selection and reasonable prices. The bartender Adam is seriously talented, and makes everyone feel like one of the guys.

Dumont Burger

Dumont Burger (314 Bedford Ave Williamsburg, Brooklyn) is definitely worth a visit. The hamburgers are really excellent, arguably the best in the city. The DuMac & Cheese, made with huge chunks of bacon, is also amazing.

Bridge and Tunnel Club

The Bridge and Tunnel Club is such a cool project. With thorough collections of photos from each neighborhood, it offers an excellent way to virtually explore all five boroughs.