Sick of New York City posts yet? Well you asked for them, so I'm givin' em. Get over it already, I'll be back to talking only about Spain here in 49 days! Until then, it's either New York, or Oklahoma. And I have a feeling you're going to like the NY posts better than the Okie ones.
The following restaurants are my absolute favorites in New York. I can go to them day after day and never tire. They're good for all tourists, virgins, sluts and even locals. I broke it down by mealtime, the rest is up to you to figure out.
Breakfast/Brunch
Good - West Village $$
My Fave on the menu: They have some amazing scrambles, one of which has goat cheese and pesto in it which I absolutely die everytime I get it. They also have great stuffed French toast. You can't really go wrong on this menu. They're famous for their breads, so if you get a chance, try the orange donuts or anything else on the bread menu.
Blue Ribbon Bakery - West Village $$$
My Fave on the menu: They're famous for something called the Blue Ribbon Benedict and it's no wonder, it's fab. Branch out if you want to, but I'm sticking here. Warning. Blue Ribbon tends to be popular and you will wait if you don't have a reservation. You'll wait a lot.
Ess-a-Bagel - Stuyvesant Town $
My Fave on the menu: Everyone has their favorite bagel place in New York. And I am sure I will begin many arguements that will never end by stating that my favorite of such bagel establishments is Ess-a-Bagel over by Stuytown. So what if it was my first memorable bageling in NY. So what if I was hungover. I still go there as often as possible and still love it. So there. Order. Whatever you like. Try something new. But don't get up to the counter without knowing what you want, it's embarassing.
Lunch
Five Guys Burgers and Fries - All over NYC $
My Fave on the Menu: Call it the In-N-Out of the East Coast (or I guess, EC-ers probably call In-N-Out the Five Guys of the West Coast... whatever) but this place has got the burger thing down. The menu is simple, order what you want. I can't really break it down more than that. It's a great, cheap, quick burger. Well cooked, yummy, easy, done.
Eataly - Chelsea $$
My Fave on the Menu: This is a newish establishment started by Mario Batali and is a great lunch or dinner spot. I personally love the pizza/pasta restaurant at the farthest North Western corner. You absolutely must get the fresh buffalo mozzarella which is so good they don't even need to put tomatoes or basil with it and you'll still be begging for more.
Any Corner Deli $
My Fave on the Menu: Like your favorite bagel place, everyone is partial to their corner deli. Mine happens to be on the corner of 8th Ave and 38th St near where I work - but any street corner will do. The important thing is that they use Boar Head meats, that you have to wait in a Soup Nazi like line and that you put all of your favorite stuff on your sammy.
Dinner
Hecho en Dumbo - East Village $$
My Fave on the Menu: The Venison Tostadas are what sold me on this place when I was eating at an East Village Eats event last fall. I'm really picky baout my Mexican food, and this place manages to make good mexican without trying to be like everyone else. It's a win in my books for sure.
Tortilla Flats - West Village $$
My Fave on the Menu: Uhh... can you tell I like Mexican? Maybe it was my hiatus that drew me to the Mexican restaurants in NYC which, I guess, shouldn't be your first stops, but Tortilla Flats is excellent, has great STRONG margaritas and a great summery atmosphere.
Sparks - Upper East Side $$$$
My Fave on the Menu: Well, this is an easy one. My dad used to bring us here when we were kids and he was doing a fair bit of commuting between NY and Oklahoma. And I'll never forget it. It's a classic American steakhouse. Not too much frills off of that. It was an old Italian mobster hangout and has amazing wall-art and lots of things to look out. Good steak. Good service. Good booze. I always order a Filet Mignon medium rare, but that's just me.
I know this is just a tiny TINY bit of the amazing restaurants there are in New York. Go ahead, weigh in, what are your favorites?