Just back from my first NYC trip in about 6 years and decided to visit as many spots as possible over four days (I ate a lot but I also walked an average of 17 miles a day for four days)
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1) Scarr’s Pizza – 9.2/10 – Mushroom slice and Hotboi – this is exactly what I feel a NY slice should taste like – maybe slightly unfair score because I had toppings here whereas I mostly did plain cheese at other slice shops, but I thought it was excellent despite mixed reviews.
2) Prince St. Pizza – 8.6/10 – Pepperoni square slice – it doesn’t look appetising with all the grease and the first bite is deceptive because you aren’t sure if you even like it but it hits like crack and before you know it you’ve finished the whole slice
3) Katz’s Delicatessen – 7.1/10 – Half pastrami and matzo ball soup – despite being to NYC a few times I’d never done Katz since 2nd Ave Deli is always my go to Jewish Deli. While the pastrami was incredibly fatty and tender the sandwich fell apart before I’d even taken a bite (they should use better rye bread) and I think the meat was almost too tender. I’ve also been to Langer’s in LA and I would put Langers and 2nd Avenue ahead of Katz for overall deli experience despite Katz being iconic. The matzo ball soup was excellent though. Bonus point for being open at 7am and no line (I had jet lag).
4) Leon’s Bagels – 8.9/10 – B.E.C. – can’t come to NYC without a B.E.C. and this hit the spot. Crispy bacon, melty cheese, soft bagel. The perfect morning bite.
5) Hamburger America – 8.7/10 – the classic smash burger – I opted for a smash rather than the fried onion burger. Loved the vibe in there and great counter service. The patties were incredibly beefy and you have to work to get the perfect bite but all in all an incredible, simple and understated ode to the smashburger.
6) Los Tacos No. 1 – 8.8/10 – tacos – the carne asada and pollo asada really hit the spot (the abodaba was maybe too salty for my liking). The rojo salsa elevated them to a good level of heat and flavour.
7) Ceres – 6.5/10 – plain cheese – some guys were carrying Ceres boxes as I was leaving a pub and they were kind enough to give me a slice to try (I didn’t intend on going). I don’t know if it’s a fair review because the pizza was already cold, but the flavour just didn’t do it for me at all. The texture was very good though and I found myself finishing the whole slice because of that crispy base.
8) L’industrie – 9.4/10 – margherita and spicy salami – I don’t know if it’s because I queued for like 40 mins which built up my sense of anticipation but this was exceptional pizza. The spicy salami was one of the best I’ve ever had. Scarr’s Hotboi isn’t far off though. Everything you want in a NY slice and definitely worth the hype.
9) The Belfry – 10/10 – picklebacks. I love picklebacks.
10) Russ & Daughters – 9.7/10 – lox, scallion cream cheese and sliced tomato. I love this place so much. As an Englishman raised on smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels, Russ & Daughters epitomises everything good about NYC food culture, the heritage and the pride. The simple combination of lox (we call it smoked salmon), scallion cream cheese and fresh tomato to create maybe the perfect NYC bite cannot be overstated.
11) Clinton St. Baking Company – 9.1/10 – blueberry pancakes – I was kind of full from the lox bagel but managed to squeeze another breakfast in. Not much to say apart from soft, fluffy, fruity, sweet, syrupy. Can see why it’s such a popular spot.
12) Wah Fung No.1 Fast Food – 8.8/10 – large three meat box – so much meat and rice. The pork was delicious, the chicken/duck were too but kind of hard to eat standing up cos of the bones. The sweet sauce over the rice and the cabbage also made it. Probably the best value for money of all the things I ate in NYC as was only around 10 bucks for a lot of food. Downside I queued for like 45 mins in the NY heat with a hangover which was rough.
13) King Dumplings – 9.1/10 – fried pork and chive dumplings – I loved this place. I didn’t do it justice because I was already kind of full, but as a potsticker fanboy I really got off on the authenticity of this place, where they make everything by hand the old fashioned way (a mound of minced pork on the counter) and scream at each other in I assume mandarin in the kitchen. The dumplings came out real fast and were dangerously hot, but you know when something is so good that you can’t stop eating it despite burning your mouth?
14) Michaeli Bakery – 9.9/10 – chocolate rugelach and bureka – this was a religious experience. I’ve never experienced such pillowy goodness my entire life. If I had one of these where I lived I’d die very fat and very happy. I’ve tried a lot of rugelach and these were the best I’ve ever had. The bureka hit like flaky mouthfuls of crack.
15) La Cabra Bakery – 9.2/10 – croissant – I’m usually a pain au chocolat guy but I wanted to see what the hype was about. Excellent, buttery, sweet. I totally get why the French care so much about croissant now.
16) Breads Bakery – 8.9/10 – chocolate rugelach – loved this place, but the rugelach wasn’t as good as Michaeli bakery (I believe he worked at Breads). Too yeasty compared to Michaeli bakery which take the prize for best rugelach out of these two anyway.
17-18) Keens Steakhouse 9.6/10 – wedge salad/taste of mutton/sliced sirloin steak (not shown) – I’d never had a wedge salad before (I have since had 2 more). How is it possible something as simple as iceberg lettuce, blue cheese dressing, bacon and tomato can be THIS GOOD. It blew me away. The balance of flavours and quality ingredients. Probably the perfect salad. The taste of mutton was a delight and as someone who knows lamb and mint jelly (I’m from the UK), the fact they make their own mint jelly did not go under appreciated. The sirloin and red wine sauce was also excellent and their homemade fries reminded me of my mum’s homemade chips. Definitely the best steakhouse experience I’ve had in NY and everything you want out of an old school cool place. Tradition and execution.
19) John’s of Bleeker St. – 9.9/10 – plain cheese pizza – it was a Monday night and there was no queue. I thought my NYC pizza journey was over (I was on my way to get sushi) but I couldn’t pass up this opportunity. I told myself I’d get a pie and eat a couple of slices and give the rest away. I ordered the plain cheese. It didn’t look that impressive, but my oh my are looks deceiving. This had something no other pizza I’d tried on this trip had. Nostalgia. This was a slice that evoked memories of being a child and trying pizza for the first time. The intense, rich tomato sauce, the chewy but not overpowering cheese, the soft and crispy base. It wasn’t trying to be special, and yet it was an emotional experience. I only ended up giving away 2 slices to people sitting on tables next to me who were waiting for theirs, because I couldn’t help but keep eating it.
20) Magnolia Bakery – 9.1/10 – banana pudding. I like bananas. I like cream. I like cake. This has all three.
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Levain bakery – 9.5/10 – double chocolate cookie – indulgent.
7th street burger – 9.2/10 – jalapeño smash burger – excellent.
The donut pub – 9.4/10 – Boston creme/glazed/jelly donut – excellent donut shop.
Lucia pizza of soho – 8.8/10 – plain cheese slice – good NY slice.
Nolita pizza – 8.7/10 – plain cheese slice – perfect drunk slice.
Thanks for reading. I’m going on a diet.
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