Your New York Experience: Eating Your Way Through the Big Apple

by Sue Bryker

Last week, I told you about how an ex-New Yorker and travel agent like me can help you book an itinerary that gives you the exact experience you are looking for. This week, I thought I'd focus on the tasty details of eating in the big city. With so many things to see, you're sure to work up an appetite. Thankfully you'll be in one of the culinary capitols of the world.

Let's start with the big names. Sardi's is the world-famous place to eat in New York, and they offer a variety of menus depending on the time of day you visit.

A favorite of mine is Frankie & Johnnies, which is a former speakeasy. They have two locations, both of which are frequented by a lot of celebrities. I was eating there one night, and Tom Selleck was eating only a few tables away!

New York City was a haven for Irish immigrants, and it's second only to the Emerald Isle itself for great Irish food. I'd recommend The Playwright Tavern & Restaurant. It's owned by Irish folks, the entire staff is Irish, and they serve great Irish fare. I've eaten there many times, and I'd personally recommend any lamb dish, which are all excellent. Make sure you wash it down with a Guinness!

Another great ethnic food option is Italian. Pellegrino's is personal favorite of mine. It's a family-owned place, and they've been there forever. It's also right next to La Bella Ferrara Pastries, so you can eat a great lunch and go right next door for dessert.

And then there's the Jewish delis. If you find yourself in Brooklyn, I'd recommend Junior's. It's a nice Jewish deli, owned by nice Jewish folks. It has a world-famous cheesecake.

For memorable and family-friendly place to eat, I'd recommend visiting a themed restaurant like Mars 2112 in Times Square. It's an immersive experience that starts with a virtual-reality ride of a rocket launch and landing on Mars.

If you plan to spend the day shopping, you'll probably be able to eat at your favorite stores. Macy's has a great lunch counter, and Barney's Department Store has an excellent restaurant. It's a good way to eat like a local, and both are great places to spot celebrities, too.

For a romantic night out, I'd recommend dinner and dancing at the Rainbow Room. Or, if you'd like to have a more traditional New York City experience, you could dine at Tavern on the Green, followed by a Hansom Cab carriage ride through Central Park.

And lastly, no visit to New York City would be complete without eating the way the locals do. Like a hot dog from a street-corner cart, which are usually fantastic. (Especially the later in the day you eat them, because they've been marinating all day, and are inundated with flavor.) You should also try the bagels at any Jewish deli, which is a classic flavor of the city. And, of course, you should try the pizza. My rule of thumb is that unless it says Pizza Hut or Domino's, it's probably an authentic New York-style pizza place. Even chains like Sbarro make their pizzas to cater to the local tastes.

Of course, that's only the basic list of what's available to eat in New York. As a truly cosmopolitan city, you can find foods from nearly every nationality at a range of prices. As your travel agent, I can help you find anything you are looking for. And as an ex-New Yorker, I can help you do it in the best way to get the most out of the experience, whatever your budget.

Next week, I'll be talking about some smart ways to keep your trip fun and safe! Stay tuned.