The holiday season is upon us, and I know I’m excited! There are so many things to see, do and sample! One of the best places to go on the East Coast is New York City. Head to Manhattan and you’ll be treated to some of the best holiday displays in the world: the tree at 30 Rockefeller Center (an 85-foot high majestic Norway spruce donated from the Sigafoos family in Danville, Pa.), ice skating in the rink below, the shopping on Fifth Avenue, the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker performed by the New York City Ballet, the Cocoa and Carols Cruise and so much more.
So, while you’re there, you’ll need to keep up your energy and have a bite to eat. Try one of these restaurants in between shopping and taking in the awe of the center of the universe.
Start downtown at the Olive Tree Cafe in Greenwich Village (117 MacDougal), above the Comedy Cellar. This solid staple offers up hearty bites in a funky vibe, with movies on the brick walls and chalkboard tables. Sip a specialty hot cocktail (Venetian Chocolate or Hot Apple Grog) or a pot of tea, and enjoy one of the special borscht dishes or one of my favorite plates: the Middle East Combination Platter, which is a robust combination of falafel, chumus, babaganush, Israeli salad, stuffed grape leaves, feta cheese, olives and peppers with chicken.
When you find your way uptown and are ready for a special date night or a glorious dinner out, dine at Malaga on 73rd Street. Malaga is a family-run establishment focusing on fresh Spanish cuisine with a vibrant atmosphere—think a holiday with your family: great food and lots of fresh sangria. Bold colors on the walls add a festive air, and the small front-room bar was quaint and intimate. Tapas and vegetarian dishes will sate even the hungriest person plus hot salsas, unique seafood, delicate vegetables and perfectly cooked saffron rice. Try the Angulas con Ajo (baby eels) which are cooked in scorching oil and garlic, and served in the pan they are cooked in. If you aren’t feeling as adventurous, try the Pollo Villaroy (béchamel fried chicken). The staff can guide you if you aren’t sure what you are hungry for, and you can dine on tapas all night and share. Hit up happy hour if you can—excellent prices on fresh tapas and sangria.
Head to the outer boroughs to nosh like a New Yorker! Start your day and get juiced up at Ginger Organic Juice Bar in Astoria (30th Avenue). You can’t beat refreshing, delicious smoothies and fresh-pressed juices that are good for you! Try a mint green tea pineapple smoothie or a tall glass of fresh cold-pressed Super Greens juice. Bunny Juice (my favorite, with carrot and ginger) is refreshing and perks me right up. The price is right for some goodies for your insides.
In Queens, get pizza and buzz at Republic (33-29 Astoria Blvd N) for a perfect Saturday night nosh. This pizza bar in an elegant relaxed atmosphere is the guest-home of hit spinner Grand Master Flash and offers up some of the freshest and most original pizza this side of the Mississippi, and in the whole of NYC, that says a lot. Every pizza is unique and there is a wide variety of choices, flavor profiles, and vegan options. Try the bricked-oven-baked Grand Central pie with pomodoro sauce, Parmigiano Reggiano, and arugula.
Get geared up for a day of shopping or sightseeing, or relax when it’s all over, with a visit to the Cocoa Bar (7th Ave, Park Slope) to fortify yourself with a strong cup of hot chocolate or a relaxing glass of wine at night. This dual coffeehouse/restaurant appeals to all appetites and dessert-lovers alike, ranging from a goat cheese & walnut salad to the chocoholics sampler. If you need to try both you sure can with a wine & chocolate pairing. When I lived in Brooklyn, I was here almost daily, and always called it the ‘chocowine bar.’ I could purchase a bar of spicy chili dark chocolate and an espresso, and happily write the day away in the back garden.
NYC is one of the best places to nosh. Where do you like to go?
- Photography: Nina Lea Photography
