One of my favorite things to do when I travel is eat. I mean who doesn’t love to eat good food in cool new places? One of my favorite places to eat is NYC. Prior to my trip there in March, I’d only been there once. During my quick trip in college, I ate at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, a hot dog in Times Square, a salt bagel in Chelsea and at Subway. When I came this time, I stepped up my game. Check out my food journey!

Blue Box Cafe

When Tiffany & Co. announced the opening of Blue Box Cafe last year, I about had a heart attack. I don’t know if there’s ever been a more perfect restaurant for me to eat at. Sure Holly Golightly wouldn’t have approved, but it was simply beautiful. When I initially looked into reservations, they were only taking reservations two weeks out so I set up alerts on my work calendar. On a whim at the beginning of February, I went to check the reservation page again + I’m so glad I did because they were now taking reservations 30 days in advance. I snagged a reservation for the first day of my trip + wow! What a way to kick off a visit to NYC. Blue Box Cafe offers three menus that can be ordered from at all times: breakfast, lunch + tea service. I ordered breakfast naturally. I had a lovely fruit + flower bowl to start + my entree was avocado toast of course. Was it the best avocado toast ever? I mean, probably. I was on the verge of excited tears the whole time + even wore a black dress + pearls. 

CATCH NYC

I’ve eaten at the ever lovely Catch LA restaurant in West Hollywood twice so I was very excited to grab a Thursday night reservation at Catch NYC. Catch is known for its delicious seafood options + small plates perfect for sharing. With the same menu as their LA location, I quickly knew what I wanted! The lobster mac + Catch Roll are delicious. They even come to your table with a small blowtorch to toast the top of your roll. I sipped on the Dirtier Bastard, a gin-based cocktail in a copper mug, + wished it was warm enough to sit on the rooftop. But inside with my best friend was just as nice. I definitely prefer the decor of the LA location, but the food + drinks are phenomenal on both coasts so check this one out!

Famous Famiglia–New York “Pizza”

Let me start off by saying that New York “pizza” is not pizza. I’m from Chicago + I studied in Italy in college. I know pizza. To call what I had in NYC “pizza” is an abomination. There. I said it. But, that being said, what I had was tasty, just definitely not pizza. After a long day of walking + needing to grab a bite, Nina + I stopped at a pizza place that I’m well aware is a chain for a slice. I have never before or since gotten a piece of pizza + simply referred to it as “a slice.” Even typing it seems weird. I also know I’m holding it incorrectly, but when I did fold it a la real New Yorkers, it simply funneled the grease directly into my lap. The need for two hands makes this not pizza. But it + the garlic knots were darn delicious. If you know me, I rarely drink pop, or “soda” as I reluctantly had to refer to it there, but I knew the grease was going to bother my stomach. Hence the ginger ale.

The Bagel Store

What seemed like a few days after arriving in NYC, Nina snapchatted me a rainbow bagel. Immediately I responded + told her that needed to be on our list when I came to visit over spring break. We finally made it out to this unassuming little storefront on Metropolitan in Brooklyn on Saturday morning of my visit. I wish we’d gone on a slower day because we did so much walking this day + I wish I’d eaten something more filling or gotten two bagels. I’ve heard fantastic things about their breakfast sandwiches + will be trying one upon my return to NYC. I would have loved to order a bagel with the funfetti cream cheese, a sweeter selection that includes sprinkles, but as I can’t eat sweets, I wasn’t going to waste this magical opportunity. I ordered a unicorn bagel toasted with plain cream cheese. But did it live up to my expectations? You bet it did!

Veselka

This stop was for my Gossip Girl loving self. This is where Dan always got pierogi from (though they always said pierogis + that’s super frustrating because the plural of pierogi is pierogi) + Blair had her first American date with Louis there. It does not look at all the way it looked on TV + I don’t know if it never looked like the real restaurant or if it’s been updated since the show wrapped but dang this Ukrainian food was amazing. Nina + I took an authentic New Yorker here for lunch + we were all blown away. I was also blown up from all the food I ate but it was so totally worth it. Sauerkraut pierogi + beef stroganoff made for a very filling last meal in NYC + kept me from eating whatever smelled really good at the airport. If you find yourself on the Lower East Side, you have to try this!

I’m hoping to make it back this summer for a Broadway show, to see the Empire State Building (it was under construction this last trip) + to continue to eat my way around NYC. Until next time, New York, I like you as a friend!

xo.