New York Restaurant Roundup

A roundup of eateries I dined at in New York:

Beard Papa (recommended by me)
Japanese Cream Puffs - Various Locations
Surprisingly, few of my friends had tried this, despite the fact that Beard Papa has been open at several locations in NY for over a year now. So I took it upon myself to introduce them to the delicacy known as the Japanese cream puff. Beard Papa is a popular chain imported directly from Tokyo, and their puffs consist of a creamy custard, sweetened to perfection, injected into a delicate and flaky puff. Just the smell of the place upon entering is enough to keep you coming back. Just be careful not to inhale the powdered sugar.

Peanut Butter and Co. (recommended by Danielle)
Peanut Butter & Jelly - Greenwich Village
Ok, let's get the obvious out of the way first. Would you like something other than a peanut butter (and jelly) sandwich? This is NOT your place. But there is something to be said for specialization. I can wholeheartedly recommend the Elvis - peanut butter, bananas, honey, and bacon, grilled on two pieces of wheat. Paying $7 for PB & J seems a bit precious, though.

Veselka (recommended by Danielle)
Ukrainian - East Village
Ukrainian food for hipsters having a post-club snack. Los Angelenos, think Swingers, but with pirogis and stuffed cabbage and borscht. My first time having all three, as well as my first time imbibing the New York institution known as the Lime Rickey.

Bombay Frankie Roti Roll (recommended by Matt)
Fast Indian - Morningside Heights
Now this is one of those things that gives NY an edge over LA. (Don't get uppity New Yorkers - we don't have to take a number here just to ENTER Trader Joe's - we just walk right in like we own the place.) Fast Indian food - brilliant! Imagine a non-fried samosa burrito thingy filled with chicken (marinated in cream and spices) or spiced potatoes and sweet peas. All for less than four bucks.

Good Enough To Eat (recommended by George)
Comfort Food - Upper West Side
According to George, this is one of the top ten places to eat breakfast in the United States. The menu consists of exceptionally well-executed breakfast staples - nothing too fancy here. I had the turkey hash with eggs, and thought it was just about perfect.

Taam-Tov (recommended by Matt)
Uzbek - Diamond District
Chicken schvarma so tender it just falls apart in your mouth, releasing its subtle flavors in the process. Good stuff.

Shake Shack (recommended by Matt)
Burgers & Shakes - Madison Square Park
A faux-retro roadside stand located in the middle of a diminutive city park. Often cited as the best burger in New York, but Fairway is better, so whatever with that. The burgers and fries are decent, but the shakes and the frozen custard - in an impressive array of flavors - are incredible.

Fairway Cafe (recommended by Matt)
Supermarket Steakhouse - Upper West Side
This is a fancy steakhouse on the second floor of a supermarket. They serve a pretty damn good $12 burger, served on brioche with some excellent fries. We're talking the thick and juicy patty, not the thin and crispy variety that some people tend to favor. Best of all, they cook the thing medium rare, which I'm not sure is even legal anymore. But damn the law - this is my burger we're talking about.


Edit: a few last minute additions.

107 West(recommended by Matt)
Yuppie Southern food - Upper West Side

Tomo Sushi and Sake
Yuppie Japanese - Upper West Side

Queen of Sheba
Yuppie Ethiopian - Hell's Kitchen