There’s still no definitive “best taco shop” in NYC and while Pinche, La Esquina and Pampano Taqueria are quality, they’re not supreme enough to keep me from telling you about the delicious skirt steak taco, tilapia taco, unique guacamoles and perfect churros at Mercadito Cantina.  Read on to find out which tacos disappointed and which […]

Posted in EAST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN, Mercadito Cantina 18 Comments »

“Pop the the pretzel-covered sea-salted caramel ($2.25) in your mouth in one bite,” said the smiley counter girl.  “You need to contain the liquidy caramel.”  I happily obliged and was immediately searching for a counter to lean on.  All my energy surged to my taste buds, the better to absorb the transcendent flavor transformation taking […]

Posted in Bespoke Chocolates, EAST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN 9 Comments »

America loves a good sandwich, but in New York City, we’ve got higher expectations.  In satisfying our cravings for adventure and a full stomach, the Vietnamese banh mi and the Mexican torta have risen to the forefront of sandwichdom.  So to determine sandwich supremacy, NYC Food Guy called in the big guns: Nicky’s Vietnamese Sandwiches […]

Posted in EAST VILLAGE, FOOD SHOWDOWNS, MANHATTAN, Nicky's Vietnamese Sandwich Shop, Puebla Mexican Food, Sandwiches: Puebla's Torta vs Nicky's Vietnamese Bahn Mi 25 Comments »

Kool Bloo, a small chain of grease pits throughout Manhattan, just opened the 24 hour take out/delivery area of their new East Village location on 12th Street just off Avenue A.  Kool Bloo has the potential to become the go to late night dining spot once the main room opens but there’s two problems: 1) […]

Posted in EAST VILLAGE, Kool Bloo, MANHATTAN 13 Comments »

There are certain dining experiences that just make you feel like a New Yorker. Sitting at Veselka’s counter sipping coffee and dipping chalah into a bowl of soup exemplifies this notion 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Originally opened as a candy store in the mainly Ukrainian East Village of the 1950s, “Veselka,” […]

Posted in EAST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN, Veselka 14 Comments »

NYC Food Guy loves bakeries that create unique and fresh desserts.  The only trouble is, when you find a place like this, it’s hard not getting one of everything. I’m taking it upon myself to make things easier for you by discovering what’s delicious at Pinisi Bakery on 4th Street near 1st Avenue.  Read on […]

Posted in EAST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN, Pinisi Bakery 13 Comments »

In this “burger obssessed age“, where beef on a bun is the restaurant industry’s lone recession-proof dish, NYC Food Guy is here to shed some light on three burgers that are a break from the normal fare.  One’s both beauty and beast, one’s from Down Under and the last is just a heart-stopper.  Read on […]

Posted in Del Frisco's, EAST VILLAGE, Great Jones Cafe, MANHATTAN, MIDTOWN WEST, Ruby's, SOHO 18 Comments »

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 […]

Posted in Blind Tiger Ale House, CHELSEA, Croxley Ales, EAST VILLAGE, Lansdowne Road, MANHATTAN, MIDTOWN WEST, MURRAY HILL/GRAMERCY, One and One, Pete's Tavern, RUB BBQ, Sidewalk Bar & Restaurant, St. Mark's Ale House, WEST VILLAGE 74 Comments »

Cheese steaks may be native to Philadelphia, but in New York it doesn’t matter where a food originates, we think we’ve got the best.  And if something deserves that title, NYC Food Guy is going to find it.  Back in April, I called Shorty’s cheese steak the best I’ve had in NYC, and other than […]

Posted in 99 Miles to Philly, EAST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN 20 Comments »

What tortillas are to Mexican food, arepas are to Venezuelan. Arepas are fried, but not greasy, corn pancakes. They’re crisp on the outside, airy on the inside and when sliced open, they can be stuffed with meats, cheeses and vegetables. Caracas Arepas Bar, on 7th St. near 1st Avenue, offers 14 varieties of arepa in […]

Posted in Caracas Arepas, EAST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN 25 Comments »

Since moving to the East Village, my eating to do list has grown immensely, but one place that has been on it for a while is S’Mac, on 12th street between 1st & 2nd Avenue. Sarita’s Macaroni & Cheese offers 12 standard varieties in addition to the option of creating your own. All are served […]

Posted in EAST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN, S'Mac 33 Comments »

The East Village is abundant with Italian restaurants but thin on Italian speciality shops where you can find great sandwiches and well prepared sides. Porchetta, which opened this week on 7th Street between 1st Ave. & Avenue A, provides just that but in a very streamlined manner; the only meat served is porchetta. The fatty, […]

Posted in EAST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN, Porchetta 28 Comments »

Everyone always asks me for my Italian restaurant recommendation and surprisingly, I didn’t have one until I ate at Gnocco, on 10th Street between Avenues A & B. The food is delicious and affordable, the service is attentive and helpful, and the atmosphere, thanks to the backyard garden, is great for a date or dinner […]

Posted in EAST VILLAGE, Gnocco, MANHATTAN 21 Comments »

What: These simple cookies are simply delicious.  A macaroon-like cookie filled with chewy almond paste and topped with crunchy pignoli (pine) nuts.  If you’re feeling bold, prepare dip the cookie in some Dulce De Leche ice cream. Unreal. Website: http://www.venierospastry.com/ Where: 342 East 11st Street off 1st Avenue NY, NY 10003 212-674-7070 Inside info: Have […]

Posted in EAST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN, Veniero's Italian Bakery 6 Comments »

NYC Food Guy Note: I’m on vacation in California so I’m sending you on a NY Food Tour to keep your stomach happy while I’m gone. Enjoy the deliciousness. What: Fried egg and cheese between two slices of homemade sweet, fluffy Chalah baked daily at this vegetarian diner. It’s a great hangover helper and it’s […]

Posted in B&H Vegetarian, EAST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN 11 Comments »