Bright Lights, Big City is the first thing that comes to mind when visiting a place like New York. On almost every block you’ll come across a 99¢ Pizza neon sign which beckons you in. Take the cue, go inside, and eat the slice because chances are it’ll be one of the best cheap bites in the city. There’s no denying how good pizza tastes on any given occasion but enough about food bae, let’s get to the rest!

Before booking my trip I made sure to do my research aka (consult with my favorite food bloggers on where to eat, play, and stay in the city) and let my instincts to do the rest. I tried to fit in as many places as I could in just a few short days and during the cold, bitter, weather. Fortunately I’ve been to New York before so the really touristy stuff is already crossed off my list and we can focus on the good stuff.

Where to Eat

Taverna Kyclades:

I had just finished watching Mama Mia 2 when my plane landed in New York, where I was greeted by a freezing cold 10° temperature while looking for my Uber. The movie aroused an aching for a taste of warm weather and Greek food. Inspiration at its finest! Thankfully I was headed to Astoria (known for its many Greek restaurants) to stay with an old friend and her half Greek roommate.

That night when we first walked into Taverna Kyclades the line was long but the host was very accommodating. He allowed us to check in and said he would text us when our table was ready, during this time we had a drink across the street in another bar. This allowed us to make perfect use of our 30 min wait period. When it was our time to dine, we were greeted by our main server, Kostas, who took great care of us that evening.

My standout dishes from the meal were the quartet of delectable spreads: tzatziki, skordalia, taramasalata, and tyrokafteri (a peppers-and-feta purée) with warm pita bread. The incredible Saganaki (pan-fried cheese) think Greek mozzarella sticks along with the perfectly sweet and slightly smokey taste of grilled prawns. A meal here also comes with free dessert, galaktoboureko, which is a divine combination of creamy custard and flaky phyllo dough. The perfect way to end a delicious meal!

Emily’s:

I was told by one of my favorite food bloggers Ms. Kaitlin Orr (follow her here @carnivoor) about needing to try one of the BEST burgers in the world. She was right! This burger was seriously delicious and YOU need to try it if you ever get the chance and have $26 to spend on such delicious things. Emily’s is a small restaurant with two locations, one in Brooklyn and another in the West Village. I opted for the West Village location because it was closer and they serve The Emmy burger all day, unlike the Brooklyn location where they only serve 25 burgers a day on a first come first serve basis.

Everyone around me was ordering The Emmy Burger and upon first bite their face said it all. The whole restaurant of new comers were in disbelief about how damn good this burger is! A double patty perfectly cooked and still juicy in the middle, smothered in their addicting Emmy sauce, pressed between two large pretzel buns. A taste of actual heaven. Come here and be prepared to not share because if you’re anything like me you’ll want to order a whole one for yourself.

Panna II Restaurant:

I’ve walked by the place many times on every New York trip I’ve had, not knowing if it was a restaurant because there are so many flashing lights you’d think it was an electrical sign and equipment store. Warning (this place can really give you a seizure if you’re prone to those) but I decided to take my chances and enjoy the ambiance.

I was told the restaurant didn’t have the best food ever and was BYOB so my friend and I grabbed a nice bottle of wine and decided to share a small meal so we could at least enjoy the lights on a buzz. Not going to lie, the owner was mildly unpleasant and raised his voice when he found out we were ordering one entree to split. I’m glad we shared a plate because the Chicken Tikka Marsala was the most OKAYEST, mediocre, Indian food I’d ever eaten.

Come for the lights, super fun techno music, and don’t forget the booze because it’ll get you through your meal. (Tip: This is a cash only place)

Ichiran:

Add this to your bucket list because this is the BEST Tonkatsu ramen ever created! Don’t @ me.

Made famous in Japan, Ichiran is known for it’s flavorful Tonkatsu dish. The brand is slowly making it’s way across the states (please come to LA!). Upon entering the restaurant guests are assigned a table number at which they will be dining alone. When the number is called, you head to your private booth, press a small call button and a waiter appears to take your order. I ordered the “Recommended Set” (pic below) which will run you $24 and a Matcha Beer $8.90 for good measure. The booths are close enough so you can still converse with a friend but private enough so you can cut out any distractions and focus on the meal at hand. All in all a wonderful experience and the perfect dish for a cold winter day.

Roberta’s Pizza:

Ok, so I didn’t get to visit the NYC location and this pic is from the LA pop-up happening right now (who knows how long it’ll be around) but I HAD to include it because it’s truly some of the best ‘restaurant dining’ pizza in New York and another MUST eat. Their famous “Bee Sting” pizza made with spicy honey soppressata is the perfect sweet heat additive to make this slice seriously addicting. It’s also a very photogenic pizza. The Bee Sting is definitely the the Bella Hadid of modeling!

Where to Drink & Play

Rolf’s German Restaurant:

This place is like Christmas on crack and I LOVE IT! You can’t be a grinch going in because the decor is absolutely magical. Known for its over the top Christmas themed bar, Rolf’s keeps its Christmas decorations up from Nov-May so don’t miss out on the fun. My friend and I decided to grab some quick cocktails here, a glass of Mulled Wine and the Rolf’s Chocolate Martini which are both worth the pit stop.

Starbucks Reserve:

Think Starbuck’s rich cousin, who only wears Gucci, drinks high end cocktails, and dines gourmet only. The grande size of Starbucks locations, the store is by far the most impressive coffee shop I’ve come across. With so many exotic beans from all over the world you’ll need to consult with a barista on the best bean to order for your jolt of joe. If you’re looking to spice up your cup of caffeine, head up stairs to grab a Whiskey Barrel Aged Guatemala coffee cocktail from the bar. The interior is beautifully designed and the flatbreads, croissant sandwiches, and pastries are next level menu items at this location.

House of Yes:

One of my best friends recommended this club and I knew I had to go once I saw footage online of acrobat dancers swinging from the ceiling, over the top costumes, and a lady twirling from a birdcage high above the crowd. You can either RSVP online and get in for free before 11PM or buy a ticket which will grant you GA for whenever. The club is usually open till 6:30AM so the party never stops.

Every night is a different theme, my friends and I showed up on a Saturday to their “Glitterati” event which was really fun and lively. They had a glitter face painting station where you could get done up for a small amount of money and good music to dance to all night. Everyone went really hard with the costumes which you should too because why not? Check out the House of Yes website HERE for tickets and upcoming events.

Hardware Bar:

I was dying to see a drag show since I’d never been to one in New York. There wasn’t much going on Sunday night but my friend and I managed to Google something close by and boy was it fun. The bar had no cover charge and the seating, entrainment and ambiance was fabulous. New York drag queens are next level and miss @jansportnyc and @rosewithanaccent danced the house down with their spectacular performances!

Where to “Get Cultured”

Sleep No More:

This is HANDS DOWN one of the most unique, interesting, and memorable plays I will probably ever experience in my lifetime. I’ve been dying to come here ever since I first saw a glimpse of it on Gossip Girl ( “The Big Sleep No More” Season 5, episode 7) to be exact. Yes, this is a real play and its almost like being apart of a high performance art piece. Everyone wears a mask (one is provided for you) and you remain anonymous throughout the play while watching the performers.

The play is loosely based on Macbeth. There are several characters you can follow throughout the 3 hour production at the McKittrick Hotel. The hotel has 5 floors and many different rooms to explore. Each with dim lighting, intricately designed sets and hundreds of props you can tinker with. My favorite room was an old timey candy bar with real candy in it, take one! I could write a whole blog post dedicated to how this play works but I don’t want to give to much away. Just know that if you decide to go, follow closely behind the two main characters Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Get ready to see a lot of nudity, be open to anything because the performers might interact with you one on one. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes because you will be walking/running around a lot. For more information and an unforgettable experience book a ticket HERE. All pictures provided by Google.

Museum of Sex:

My friend and I got free admission to the museum thanks to some helpful hookups and it was worth a peep if you’re into this sort of thing. Jump for Joy in the “Bouncy Castle of Breasts” (which is harder than it looks), see some naughty videos uncovered from the 20s, admire odd objects and explore the influence of the Punk Era featuring lots of Sex, Drugs and Rock n’ Roll.

Whitney Museum of Art:

After paying the $25 charge for GA tickets, a visit to the 8th floor is a must because it’s where you’ll get the best view of the city and some cute picture ops. The featured exhibit was Andy Warhol, which is sure to put a smile on anyones face. The bright colors and loud prints will leave an imprint on your mind for decades to come. The museums other floors had many nice offerings and you can’t help but leave feeling inspired after visiting a really great art museum.

Bonus Bites & Places to Go:

Some other places I’ve visited on previous trips to NYC and worth mentioning are listed down below.

Dominique Ansel Bakery:

I’m so happy they finally opened up an LA location but if you’re in New York and in need of some delicious pastries, the famous Cronut and the DKA (short for “Dominique's Kouign Amann") is like biting into pure bliss. Both are buttery pillows of perfection with just the right amount of sweet that linger with you for a lifetime.

Prince Street Pizza:

Warning: The lines are LONG but this pizza is pretty darn delicious! I especially loved their famous Spicy Spring pizza — a crowd favorite made with a spicy, garlic-spiked sauce and the most perfect little cups of pepperoni’s ever. If you’re into pizza then this slice is a MUST try.

Red Rooster Harlem:

For moist, juicy, and perfectly crunchy fried chicken that ever touched lips, try Red Rooster Harlem. So finger lickin’ good I think about Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s Hot Honey Yardbird more times than I’d like to admit. The side of cornbread with apple butter is a hit too! Make a reservation in advanced because this place gets packed, especially on the weekends.

Chelsea Market:

With so much to variety to choose from, there’s something for everyone! Dozens of little eateries, shops, and nooks to explore. If I had all the money in the world I’d come back to eat at every single restaurant here.

Olio e Piú:

Come here for a cute date or if you’re in the mood to splurge on a good Italian meal. The food is fresh, well made and the ambiance is delightful and quaint. My friend and I split the Bruschetta Ricotta, Spaghetti Alla Carbonara and Cozze En Padella.

The High Line:

The perfect place to walk off all that amazing food you’ve been devouring along your trip, The High Line is a 1.45-mile-long park created on a former New York Central rail line. Overlook the west side of Manhattan while admiring artwork, nature, city architecture and people you come across as you encounter them on you leisurely walk.

The MET:

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the world's largest and influential art museums. So much to look at and admire here, GA is $25 for adults and an extra few dollars for whatever special exhibit is happening at the moment. Known for putting together it’s most famous celebrity filled benefit, The Met Gala. If you’re ever in town you must visit the museum during one of its ever change fashion exhibits. The lavish attention to detail that they pour into these exhibits is truly spectacular.

MOMA:

I was lucky enough to come here back in 2010 during Marina Abramović’s famous performance of The Artist is Present. A life changing art piece that that holds a special place in my heart. Although you won’t be able to see her on display (peering deeply into your soul) there’s hundreds of artworks to admire and lots of interesting special exhibits to look at. You never know what you’ll find, hopefully its that mind bending art piece that sticks with you for life!

Marina_Abramović,_The_Artist_is_Present,_2010.jpg

Every time I come back from a trip to New York. I somehow leave feeling refreshed and inspired. I love the rush (BCE) big city energy can give you! Hopefully you’ll visit some of the places mentioned up above and create your own adventures. You never know where the city will take you!

Please feel free to tag me @heykatbabe if you visit any of the places off my list and let me know where I should visit next. :D