About
Eating my way through the Big Apple and around the world.Always in favor of extraordinary flavor versus saving a few calories, I’m constantly seeking the best restaurants, recipes, and random little food finds. This blog chronicles my discoveries, most of which are located in New York City, the foodie heaven I am fortunate to call home.
I've been in NYC since 2006, via Green Bay and Minneapolis. After living in Manhattan for five years, I finally made the move to Brooklyn (Greenpoint) at the end of 2011. I could not be more excited to discover and devour all the great eats in my new borough. (Recommendations very welcome!)
I take my photos with a point-and-shoot Canon PowerShot SD850. Which goes to show that if you're passionate about photography but can't afford fancy camera equipment, you can still take quality photos.
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Food truly is an art form. Ancho-crusted tuna and yucca cakes in smoky peanut sauce.
Sadly, my meal at Hell’s Kitchen, a tiny Nouvelle Mexican restaurant, was super rushed (all thanks to me). But it’s a great spot for pre- or post-theater dining, just be sure to make reservations several days in advance.
What’s my number one budget restaurant in NYC? Blockheads/Benny’s, hands down.
Everything in this picture—frozen margarita, unlimited chips and salsa, and a giant burrito with side of guac that makes two meals—totaled $15.
Fifteen dollars!!!! God bless America.
After my surprise birthday party this year, I vowed I would return to Mercadito under less excitable conditions. Perfect sunny weather is a great excuse to eat fresh guacamole al fresco.
Now I can confidently announce the food rocks. The guacamole doesn’t beat Rosa Mexicano’s (my favorite in the city), but is delish nonetheless. The tacos, on the other hand, rival La Esquina’s (my standard for grade A tacos). We had the estilo baja (beer battered mahi mahi, Mexican style cole slaw, chipotle aioli) and the mole (sauteed chicken, sweet plantain, crema fresca, mole poblano sauce), and both were outstanding. I’d love to try the guacamole tasting next time, which includes traditional, mango, and pineapple mint varieties. I think I just found my next excuse to come back!
Let’s just talk about this avocado butter ice cream, mixed with strawberries, peanuts, and chocolate sauce, served guacamole style with chocolate tortilla chips, that I’m having at Rosa Mexicano right now.
At the takeout counter at La Esquina. That’s my favorite mushroom taco and a cup of rice, beans, pico de gallo, and queso fresco. Life doesn’t get much better than this!
Blockheads will always be one of my favorite restaurants in this city, and is probably the place I’ve frequented the most. It was even the site of my 23rd and 24th birthday celebrations.
They have delicious Mexican food and drinks for cheap. This plate of two tacos and rice and beans? Nine dollars. (!!!) Margaritas are $4. And an all you can drink mimosa brunch (including entree and chips and salsa) is $10. How can you go wrong?!
The Upper East Side haunt is my favorite, but there are locations all over the city and most have outdoor seating. Yay summer!
The Oscars and La Esquina. I don’t know if I can think of a better combination.
I’ve realized I’ll never be able to move out of this neighborhood (not that I ever want to) because I’ve become completely dependent on LE’s taqueria. And by completely dependent I mean at least twice a week. I have to eat cereal for dinner the rest of the time or I’d be facing a serious growth problem.
But three or four bucks for a giant taco that can suffice for an entire meal? Who’s complaining?
I rang in my 25th year this weekend with a surprise party at Mercadito. Unfortunately I was so shocked with the surprise that I could hardly focus on tasting the food. But it was all beautiful, and the stand-out shrimp and mahi-mahi tacos were incredible. I can’t wait to go back under less excitable conditions!
Appropriately, we finished the meal off with Crumbs cupcakes. (Thanks Fuzz!) Much love to Spencer and my wonderful friends and sisters for making this one of my best and most delicious birthdays ever.
(photo via jessica p)
Ed. Note: I am often asked for restaurant recommendations, so I’ve decided to compile my (hopefully helpful) advice and turn it into a little blog series. Enjoy!
Situation:
Date in the West Village: Drinks, followed by dinner (preferably Mexican)
Vibe:
“Cozy”
Suggestions:
One of my go-to spots for great margaritas in the West Village is La Palapa. Site of my annual birthday margarita, 2008. La Palapa is great because not only do they have some of the best frozen margaritas in the city, but they’re two-for-one until 7. This also usually includes free chips and a trio of delicious salsas. Besides some of the appetizers, I’ve yet to try the food, but I remember liking the gauc. For what it’s worth, the cuisine looked amazing.
My other West Village Mexican mecca is Benny’s Burritos (a division of Blockheads). The food is cheap yet delicious and the drinks are… well, cheap and delicious! I mean, $4 for a frozen margarita. How can you go wrong? I recommend throwing in an extra buck and splurging on the “flower bomb” (may or may not be the exact name, but it’s what I’ve come to call them): half frozen margarita/half sangria. Limit two.
Finally, Agave is a sleek little Mexican restaurant/lounge if you’re looking to take things a step up. Again, fantastic frozen margaritas and innovative food. It’s more expensive than the other two options, and I’m not sure the food quality makes up for the price difference, but there are definitely more options here than just your “standard” Mexican fare.
