NYC Eats
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Chocolate croissant from cafe maman near grand central station
NYC is one of those places that each time you visit, there is always something new to see, do, or eat! I have been here a handful of times and let me tell you, every time is different. Its been almost 3.5 years since coming back to this city and this time I was on a mission. I was there to eat as much as I could and really take in the sights and smells of NYC on my own terms and it was quite the adventure! I wanted to share a few of my favorite places so that way you have somewhere to check out on your next trip!
Sushilab (Midtown)
Sushilab in Midtown is a great little gem hidden up on the rooftop of a hotel! A friend of mine recommended this place and I was not disappointed. Its not too far away from Time Square so if you wanted to do lunch/dinner before or after a Broadway Show, you totally could! When dining here, you have the option of doing a 10 or 15 course Omakase at the sushi bar or you can dine at a table and choose from their fantastic roll selection or small plates! I decided to do the 10-piece Omakase since I wasn’t too hungry. Every piece came out well time and was amazing. The quality in each piece was fresh. I love how each piece had it’s own signature flair, whether it was topped with crispy nori or caviar. Not only was dinner delicious, but I thoroughly enjoyed the cocktails and atmosphere of the restaurant. You can hear the hustle and bustle of the city and the beautiful rooftop is decorated like a garden party. This place would also be a great venue to host a corporate event or a special occasion.
I got caught in a rainstorm on my 2nd day but that didn’t stop me from venturing out of the hotel. After I bought my umbrella, (I’m so embarrassed to even say that since I’m from Seattle) I meandered my way down the streets and stumbled across a ramen shop. The perfect combination. Hot piping soup and rain. I by no means discriminate and actually eat hot pot all year long but something about the sound of rain and slurping up a big bowl of soup and noodles is just extra comforting.
The restaurant had metal music blaring which I thought was odd but not really because it fit the vibe of the restaurant. I was the first person who arrived at the restaurant for an early lunch and was able to snag a table in the back. Totto Ramen specializes in chicken paitan broth. The broth is still cloudy and creamy like a tonkotsu but instead of pork bones, it’s simmered with chicken bones! It’s fairly lighter but still has the richness in taste. I was on my way to another place for some desserts, so I didn’t want to fill up too much. I asked them to only do half the serving of noodles and he kindly did that for me. I ordered the spicy ramen and it was just happiness in a big bowl. You are able to get char sui pork or chau sui chicken in your soup. I love how they give you that option. The spicy ramen had a good kick to it. Not too spicy for those who are looking for a little extra oomph in your dish. Aside from the ramen, they also had a great selection of snacks from bao buns to fried chicken. If you’re not in the mood for soup, they also have rice bowls such, tuna don and gyu don (Tuna and beef rice bowls)! This was a fun find, and I really enjoyed the light yet flavorful soup. I would definitely come back again or travel to their other locations as well!
I found this on my explore page on Instagram and am so happy I came! If you know me, I LOVE afternoon tea. Something about spending time with a nice pot of tea and snacks makes my heart happy.
Traditional afternoon tea usually comes with savory sandwiches and sweet pastries. Sarisa Café offers a twist on this English classic. Sarisa offers traditional Thai desserts. You may be familiar with popular favorites like mango sticky rice but you may have not had a sweet rice crepe with mung bean before! First impressions of walking into the café is the warmth you feel. The colors used in the café are yellows and warm browns and wicker accent furniture. Even the lighting itself is warm so it’s a bit easy on the eyes I wasn’t blinded walking in. I was very lucky to be the first one here and I got to sit at the best seat in the house. It gives you living room vibes with the couch, coffee table and the wide floor to ceiling windows. Their desserts rotate so you may not get the same thing.
The desserts were beautifully displayed in a chest like jewelry box and you can tell each piece was crafted to have it’s own unique look. Everything I had was amazing. It honestly reminded me of desserts my mom makes at home. I’m not Thai, but Cambodian desserts have very similar ingredients and cooking/baking techniques so you can taste the similarities. Something that about that was very comforting and drew me in a bit more to the cafe. The tea option was a simple jasmine tea and complimented the desserts well. And as for the taste, it wasn’t too sweet so it was a winner in my book!
This was the day the rain/flooding took place so I enjoyed my time sipping my tea and watching the storm roll in. Something about sitting by the window while watching the rain hit the window pane is relaxing. Feels as if time slowed down and I can catch a breath. It was just what I needed after. I would highly recommend trying this out. If you can, try making reservations in advance. This a great spot to take yourself on a solo date or going with friends
Okdongshik was one of my favorite places on this trip. I wasn’t aware of their Michelin rating until I walked by and saw the sign and then decided to look them up. I would say to try and make reservations in advance if you want to secure a spot. I did take a chance since I was a solo diner and came early, stood by the door about 10 mins before they opened and was able to get a seat right away! Visually, the restaurant is small, quaint, and perfect for a date with a loved one or even with yourself. It was a bar sitting in an L shape. They had hooks on the walls for your coats or underneath the countertop. The light wood panels added warmth and didn’t feel so serious, and the open kitchen concept is always a great addition in this type of intimate setting.
This restaurant is owned by Chef Ok Dong Shik. He also has one located in Hongdae, South Korea. This place specializes in Gomtang and Gukbap. Gomtang is a traditional Korean soup that is slow cooked with meats and bones from chicken, beef or pork. Gukbap is a dish served with hot soup and rice. Some may associate this to congee but they’re different. Congee is rice and water cooked down until the texture is a bit thicker. With Gukbap, you are still able to visibly see the rice grains.
The difference between a traditional Gomtang and the one served at Okdongshik is how it’s made. The one made here at the restaurant is not actually made from bones or even pork. It is simmered with veggies and other meats. The taste alone is out of this world. Every sip of the soup was clean and vibrant but still so full of flavor. There is thinly sliced porked topped with green onions and they also give you a spicy fermented sauce (similar to a gochujang texture) to dip your meat in. Aside from order the main dish, you can also order their kimchi mandu (dumplings), as an appetizer. Those came out piping hot and delicious. The filling had the perfect amount spice and was generously filled!
The overall atmosphere of this place was just so comforting. Having it all be bar seating made it really nice because everyone was facing the wall or maybe turned to the side to talk to their friends but if you’re solo dining, bar sitting is the way to go. You don’t have to worry about making eye contact with the couple sitting across from you or the the other solo diner. You can just simply stare into the kitchen and admire the artistry of how the meals are pieced together. This will be a staple for my New York trips.
This is one of those places I wish we had in Seattle because I would go on a date night here at least once every two weeks! I love a great traditional Korean restaurant but would I love even more is when they do fusions and they do them WELL.
Mokyo is ran by Chef Kay Hyun who also runs Thursday Kitchen. Mokyo is inspired by Chef Kay Hyun’s travels to South America and Spain. You have Asian dishes with a touch of Spanish flare. One of my all time favorite things I ate there was their rice with Octopus, which was simply just, congee. The congee itself was flavored with a sweet soy sauce and then added pimento and chorizo for a little spice. The octopus was done well and the entire dish felt comforting yet elevated. I’ve eaten enough congee in my 31 years on earth and this has to be top 5. All the other dishes were tasty and I could’ve honestly eaten the entire menu if could!
You can look at this place as more tapas style so you can definitely order for the table to try a bit of everything. The atmosphere was bustling for a Friday. Another place I recommend for reservations if you can remember. If you’re solo dining, you most likely can be seated at the bar. The bar is dimly lit and is perfect for an intimate dinner date with a special someone, or a great starting place with friends if you want to get small bites and drinks before painting the town. Speaking of drinks! Did I mention you can get an adult caprisun?! One of the many reasons to come back!
