Entries Categorized as 'MURRAY HILL/GRAMERCY'

My Favorite Chain Restaurant: Hillstone… or Houston’s… or Whatever It’s Called

Date June 15, 2012

In case you missed it over the last few years, the restaurants formerly known as “Houston’s” have been renamed “Hillstone” in Manhattan.  Some employees say it’s branding. Others say it has to do with not wanting to list calories on the menu. Ultimately, they can call it “Tommy’s of New Jersey” for all I care, […]

NYC Murray Hill/Gramercy Best Sandwiches: Defonte’s of Brooklyn #20 Hot Roast Beef

Date October 5, 2011

Just in case you forgot, one of New York City’s best roast beef sandwiches is alive and well in Murray Hill. Defonte’s knows that great sandwiches start with great construction. The bottom half of a Brooklyn-baked hero roll is topped with thin slices of fried eggplant, house made fresh mozzarella and rare, machine-sliced house made […]

Gratuitous Food Porn: Shake Shack’s Shack Stack

Date March 23, 2010

Shake Shack really is that good.  There, I said it.  I’ve been reluctant to admit that for a long time because NYC Food Guy is not someone to buy into hype, especially when it involves a 30-minute wait.  But it’s not hype that surrounds Danny Meyer’s burger joint, just pure success.  And rightly so for […]

NYC Best Italian: Maialino Enhances the Danny Meyer Legacy

Date January 15, 2010

The Executive Chef, Nick Anderer, he knows how to do it.  Dana, my waiter, he knows how to do it too.  Even the cute barista (yes, Maialino has actual baristas) knows how to do it, as the feathery heart she shaped into my cappuccino foam proves.  “It” is a microcosm of the Danny Meyer brand; […]

East Village Late Night Eats Part 1 (With One Out of Bounds 24-Hour Exception)

Date May 8, 2009

I’ve already done a comprehensive round up of cheap late night eats all over Manhattan but now it’s time to focus on the East Village, arguably Manhattan’s finest neighborhood for eating after midnight. Read on for the final word on Artichoke Pizza, plus the best slice if you don’t want to brave Artichoke’s line.  We’ll […]

NYC Sandwiches: Defonte’s of Brooklyn Open in Manhattan

Date February 24, 2009

There are a lot of delis in Manhattan, but there are few with the pedigree of Defonte’s, a Brooklyn relic known for their massive roast beef sandwiches and their house made fresh mozzarella.  NYC Food Guy was ready for sandwich satisfaction on Defonte’s first day of business in Manhattan, on 3rd Avenue and 21st Street.  […]

NYC Chinese Food: $3 Scallion Pancakes Steal The Spotlight at Mee Noodle Shop

Date January 21, 2009

We came for the noodle soup, we left praising the scallion pancakes.  Mee Noodle Shop on 2nd Avenue near 30th street may have the best prices outside of Chinatown, but at this meal neither noodle soup with meat dumplings or General Tso’s chicken beat the heaping $3 pile of greasy, flaky and freshly fried scallion […]

NYC Best Wings Part 1: Blind Tiger Ale House Flies Ahead of the Pack

Date December 12, 2008

NYC Food Guy loves wings; high quality chicken, crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and doused in a fiery sauce. Astonishingly, there are no go to wings in New York City. Dinosaur BBQ never disappoints but it’s just one place, way uptown. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to find the city’s […]

NYC Steak: Angelo & Maxie’s $20.99 Lunch Special is Lackluster

Date November 19, 2008

NYC Food Guy likes steak. Unfortunately, steak doesn’t fall within the Food Guy’s budgetary constraints — until today. Enter Angelo & Maxie’s $20.99 Lunch Special, served Monday through Saturday, 11:30AM to 3PM, and comprised of three courses: 1) Soup of the day or Caesar/House Salad 2) 11 oz. NY Strip, 8 oz. Filet or Filet […]

NYC 24 Hour Restaurants: Sarge’s Delicatessen

Date September 18, 2008

NYC is the city that never sleeps, but in reality, quality 24 hour restaurant options are lacking. Forget the diner and the corner store, it’s time for you to check out Sarge’s Delicatessen on 3rd Avenue between 36th & 37th street. Since 1964, this kosher-style deli has been serving up overstuffed pastrami sandwiches, crinkle cut […]

Sandwiches To Avoid at Lenny’s & Todaro Brothers

Date June 24, 2008

A bad sandwich is like a missed layup, it invokes groans and easily avoidable pain. NYC Food Guy is here to tell you to avoid the #2 Italian Style sandwich at Lenny’s (top) and any sandwich that’s made to order at Todaro Brothers (bottom) on 2nd Ave and 31st street. Lenny’s rarely disappoints but the […]