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CULINARY EXPLORATION NEW YORK
NEW YORK
NEW YORK = THE BIG APPLE
With more than 8 million people, NYC is not only America's biggest city, but also the most diverse food culture around. Us research chefs refer to it as one of the big three, and it is an important culinary trend incubator for us to spend time in. I roamed Manhattan and Brooklyn looking for street trends, New York style pizza, rich ramen, and secret bars. Along the way I stumbled on some amazing finds and some of the countries best food. Scroll down to see my top picks for the city that never sleeps.
The Pig
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PIG'S PICKS
Where to eat Pizza, slurp ramen, and drink secretly in New York city.
JOE'S PIZZA
PIG SCORE: 4.0 / 4.0
WHAT: NY STYLE PIZZA
WHEN: You're in the mood for some of New York's finest.
PRICE: $
PAYMENT: Cash only
HOURS:
Sun - Thur: 10am - 4am
Fri & Sat: 10am–5am
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MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Slice of Cheese
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Slice of Pepperoni
WHY: ......Ah New York, the hustle, the bustle, grabbing a slice of great pizza. Well, Joe's is THAT place, the one that captures it all and dishes it out one slice at a time. This little pizzeria has been serving Greenwich village since 1975. Don't come here expecting table service, or a place to sit, but do expect a great slice and some New York charm. Now get outta here.
IVAN RAMAN SLURP SHOP
PIG SCORE: 3.9 / 4.0
WHAT: JAPANESE RAMEN DESIGNED BY A JEWISH CHEF.
WHEN: Your taste says Japan, but your pocket book says New York.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
HOURS:
Sun - Thurs 12:30PM–10:00PM
Fri & Sat 12:30PM–11:00PM
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MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Chicken Paitan
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Tokyo Shio Ramen
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WHY: I read his book about how he went to Japan to roam, and fell in love with the small ramen shops he found along the countryside. He finally branched out on his own and against steep odds became one of Japans top ramen chefs. Now Ivan graces us with his bowls of steaming hot broth and delicious rye ramen noodles.
ATTABOY
PIG SCORE: 3.9 / 4.0
WHAT: A SECRET BAR WITHOUT A DRINK MENU
WHEN: You're looking for a bartender jedi master.
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
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HOURS:
7 days 6:00pm – 4:00am
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MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Gin and Spicy
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Whiskey and sour
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WHY: This little secret bar is hidden behind the M&H Tailors store front. Nestled between two buildings, these bartenders are professionals at what they do. You won't find a drink menu, but will be asked a few simple questions about your likes. A short time later they somehow deliver the cocktail of your dreams, that you didn't even know you wanted.
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HOW TO GET IN: Find 134 Eldridge Street, it should say "M&H Tailors" and ring the buzzer. It doesn't hurt to stop by your church and make a prayer on the way that they might have room for you.
PLEASE DON'T TELL
PIG SCORE: 3.9 / 4.0
WHAT: CRAZY DOGS WITH A SECRET
WHEN: You want more than just mustard with your dog.
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
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HOURS:
Sun - Thurs 6PM–2AM
Fri & Sat 6PM–3AM
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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A Specialty cocktail
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A Secret Menu Dog
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WHY: First of all the hot dogs are legit, but the secret bar is even legiter (yes, I made that word up). They have solid drinks, and a secret hot dog menu that you can only get in the back bar.
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HOW TO GET IN: Walk into Crif Dogs and find the small phone booth with the red phone. Dial #1, ONLY once. Wait for them to answer and hope they have room for you in the tiny bar. Reservations are always a good thing here.
MIZNON
PIG SCORE: 3.9 / 4.0
WHAT: ISRALIE STREET FOOD.
WHEN: You're craving some serious noshing.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
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HOURS:
Sun & Mon 11AM–9PM
Tues - Sat 11AM–10PM
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Roasted Baby Cauliflower
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Run Over Potato
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WHY: Who knew Israeli street food could be this good, actually who knew Israeli had street food. But dang if Miznon doesn't nail it out of the park with this roasted baby cauliflower.
WAFELS & DINGES
PIG SCORE: 3.85 / 4.0
WHAT: WAFFLES WITH ATTITUDE
WHEN: You want breakfast, but its really lunch time.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
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HOURS:
Sun 9AM–10PM
Mon - Thurs 7:30AM–10PM
Fri 7:30AM–1AM
Sat 9AM–1AM
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MAP IT: (three locations)
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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The Bacon & Bourbon Waffle
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The Throwdown Waffle
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WHY: Waffles are delicious, and these guys take it to a higher level. Eat breakfast at anytime of the day.
NAKAMURA
PIG SCORE: 3.7 / 4.0
WHAT: JAPANESE NOODLES
WHEN: You're looking to get your noodle on.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
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HOURS:
Sun - Closed
Mon - Sat 11:30AM–11:30PM
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Torogara With Egg
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WHY: This tiny little noodle shop is the show case of Chef Nakamura, considered a top ramen chef in Japan.
SUNSHINE LAUNDROMAT
PIG SCORE: 3.75 / 4.0
WHAT: SECRET BAR / PINBALL EMPORIUM
WHEN: You're with the guys, have dirty laundry and a lot of extra quarters.
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
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HOURS:
Mon - Thurs 4PM - 2AM
Fri 4PM - 4AM
Sat 12PM - 4AM
Sun 12PM - 2AM
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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One Of The Many Great Beers
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A Frozen Pizza (yes frozen)
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WHY: Is it a coin operated laundromat? A secret bar? A pinball collection? Or all of the above??
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HOW TO GET IN: Walk into the laundromat, go to the back wall. Find the lone set of stacked dryers, pull it open, walk into the Pinball Wizard's dream.
TACOMBI
PIG SCORE: 3.5 / 4.0
WHAT: MEXICAN STREET TACOS
WHEN: You want Mexican in a casual setting.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
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HOURS:
Mon - Wed 11AM–12AM
Thur - Sat 11AM–1AM
Sun 11AM–11PM
MAP IT: (Three locations)
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Al Pastor taco
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Barbacoa taco
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WHY: They might not be the most authentic Mexican tacos you'll find in the city, but they are good, and has that little neighborhood taqueria feel. This is a great casual spot to grab a bite.
KATZ'S DELICATESSEN
PIG SCORE: 3.25 / 4.0
WHAT: SERIOUS PASTRAMI
WHEN: You want to fight a crowd for a piece of cured meat.
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
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HOURS:
Mon - Wed 8AM–10:45PM
Thurs 8AM–2:45AM
Fri 8AM–12AM
Sat Open 24 hours
Sun 12AM–10:45PM
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Katz's Pastrami Hot Sandwich
WHY: You want a little piece of the old school NYC experience. This is a mad house of cured meat, but they somehow balance the act of being a tourist trap and being loved by locals.
McSORLEY'S OLD ALE HOUSE
PIG SCORE: 3.3 / 4.0
WHAT: THE OLDEST BAR IN NYC
WHEN: You want a drunk history lesson.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Cash only
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HOURS:
Mon - Sat 11AM–1AM
Sun 1PM–1AM
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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One of each
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WHY: In existence since 1854, this is the oldest bar in NYC. They painted over their windows during prohibition, and kept right on serving. If you want a craft cocktail or wine, this is not the place for you. They only serve two drinks, a light or dark ale. It may be a hole in the wall, but it is worth the trip just to say that you've peed in the same urinal as Abraham Lincoln.
MILK BAR
PIG SCORE: 3.25 / 4.0
WHAT: SMALL DELICIOUS DAIRY BITES
WHEN: You want something sweet and are on the go.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
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HOURS:
Sun - Thurs 10AM–1AM
Fri & Sat 9AM–1AM
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MAP IT: (multiple locations)
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Cereal milk soft serve
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Compost cookie
WHY: These little shops are uniquely NYC. Some are basically hole in the side of buildings with little metal garage doors that open up for service. Make sure to try some of their cereal milk specialties, the flavor will take you back to being a kid and slurping up the last of the milk from your bowl of cereal.
LOMBARDI'S
PIG SCORE: 3.2 / 4.0
WHAT: THE ORIGINAL COAL FIRED PIZZA
WHEN: You want a slice of pizza history.
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Cash only
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HOURS:
Sun - Thurs 11:30AM–11PM
Fri & Sat 11:30AM–12AM
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Margherita Pizza
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Buddy's Special Pizza
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WHY: Look, I'm not going to blow you a line of smoke and say this is the best pizza in New York, it's not. But, it is the epicenter for pizza in the U.S.. Lombardi's is and was the first pizzeria in America, and has been pumping out coal fired pizza since 1905. You have a local favorite pizzeria in your hometown? Then you have Lombardi's to thank for that, and that makes this is a pizza pilgrimage for any serious pie lover.
LITTLE CUPCAKE BAKE SHOP
PIG SCORE: 3.2 / 4.0
WHAT: SMALL BATCH PATRIES
WHEN: You need a serious chocolate fix.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
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HOURS:
Mon - Thurs 7:30AM–11PM
Fri 7:30AM–12AM
Sat 8AM–12AM
Sun 8AM–11PM
MAP IT: (multiple locations)
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Brooklyn Blackout
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Red Velvet
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WHY: They try to source locally, and are often mentioned as the best cupcake or chocolate cake in the country. They don't use preservatives, so you need to eat them that day, but let me tell you, this really wont be a problem, they're that good.
