Summer in the City: NYC To-Eat List

Posted on May 28, 2014 by Madeline

I’m a list-maker, so in order to make the most of my summer – potentially the last I have in NYC if I move come graduation – I’m going to make a number of lists that I’ll share with you via my “Summer in the City” series.

This first list is one of my favorites: my “to-eat” list. I have bookmarked and taken photos of things I need to try in NYC this summer. For those of you looking to make lists in your own cities, Serious Eats is one of my favorite sources of inspiration, but Pinterest is always a reliable one, too.

ricotta gnudi, The Spotted Pig, $18 – I think Serious Eats will make you understand if the photo below doesn’t already: “the warm, tender, sheep’s milk ricotta burst out of its paper-thin pasta shell, a drizzle of browned butter, sage, and mounted butter the only other ingredients that share the plate.” I mean… that’s all.

The Fat Radish – I tried to find plates to mention in this post, but as I looked at each the brunch, lunch and dinner menus, I really couldn’t decide. All the more reason to go to The Fat Radish, a farm to table restaurant, with a group of friends so I can try more than one thing on the menu. Here’s what I THINK I’d try:

Brunch
Spring pea pot pie ($16)
Asparagus Frittata, lively run goat feta, sunflower sprouts ($16)
House made donuts with seasonal jam ($9)

Lunch
Charred spring garlic & sheep milk yogurt with naan and breadcrumbs ($12)
Warm roasted vegetables & quinoa salad ($12)
BLT Sandwich, avocado, farm poached egg ($15)

Dinner
*Special: NC Shrimp and Grits
*Special: Poached egg & farro, charred greens, dashi broth

rigatoni with eggplant, ricotta salata and basil, Bar Primi, $16 – This new homestyle Italian food joint on Bowery is going to be the talk of the town. With homemade pastas and dishes to match its classic Italian decor, this is one I’ll stop by for a delicious taste of familiarity.

patty melt, Court Street Grocers, $12 – I read about this sandwich in Bon Appetit, and now that I’ve read that it’s served on Orwasher’s rye, home to one of the best baguettes in NY (which I can tell you from experience is absolutely true), this sandwich became even more necessary. The magazine described it as “one hot mess” with “tender meat with sweet caramelized onions and melty cheddar on buttery rye.”

pancakes, Clinton Street Baking, $14 – These are some of the most famous pancakes in NYC right now, and as per my sister, it’s for good reason. They’re fluffy, and with a choice of blueberry, banana walnut and chocolate chunk and served with warm maple butter, can it get any better? Oh, and did I mention the spot serves breakfast for dinner?

Monday Mélange: NYC To-Do List

Posted on May 26, 2014 by Madeline

After a long, stressful last few weeks of school, I’ve made it home to NYC in one piece. I had 3 bags – each packed to the brim – and a great year of memories, new friends and experiences to accompany me. For one of the first times of my life – excluding my days in Paris – I was more sad than excited to come home. This year was my best so far at school, and I wasn’t ready for it to end. I still don’t really feel like it’s over. For that reason, I’ve decided to occupy my mind in other ways.

After walking around my neighborhood and Central Park with my dad for a total of 4 hours, I realized how many New York moments I haven’t really experienced. So after compiling a list in my planner, I’ve decided to share the top 5 things on my New York to-do list for this summer.

1) Go to Coney Island. Not only do I want to visit the famous amusement park, I need to try to the original Nathan’s hot dog. For those of you who’ve seen Uptown Girls, you know the reaction I get when people have heard I’ve never been to either.

Nathan’s Hot Dogs at Coney Island | Netflix & Nutella

2) Go to a Yankee game. Ok – so this I’ve done, but only twice and I’ve never gone with friends. Once I turn 21 in late-July, I’m looking forward to getting some $20 seats up in the nosebleeds and enjoy a game with some friends. This is how I’m imagining it:

Sex and the City at the Yankee game | Netflix & nutella

3) Go to NY’s free concerts. I’ve never been to one of the free concerts in Central Park, and after some research, I’m excited to see Ingrid Michaelson with Summer Stage and the New York Philharmonic’s concert featuring music from my favorite classical composer, Tchaikovsky, and Strauss.

NY Philharmonic in the Park | Netflix & nutella

4) Eat the city’s best chicken parm. After reading this article, I’ve been wanting to try Parm and have just never had the chance. It’s the perfect opportunity for me to bond with my brother and dad, as they will be the experienced judges to see if this chicken parm sandwich is truly the best.

Parm NYC | netflix & nutella

5) Go to the HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival. Free movies in Byrant Park? You can ask how I’ve never done this before; I simply don’t have an answer. May or may not be most excited to see Blazing Saddles.