there are so many damn restaurants in new york it can make your head spin. but once you re-gain your senses, get ready for some good fuckin’ food.

sighhhh…i love this silly city.

i have had so many fantastic moments involving a plate, good wine & company it is nearly sinful. here are my favorites.

1. Da Andrea for the Cavatelli. My sis and I have gotten so many people hooked on this place, a class action lawsuit against us is surely pending. I’m just going to claim insanity because this homemade damn-near gnocchi in pesto with piles of salmon and shrimp has me lost in the sauce…literally. Second in line is the pappardele smothered in meat sauce and truffle oil.
2. Cascalote Latin Bistro is so good you will either scream, cry or just keep ordering. I think I have done all of the above the half dozen times I have been over the past 9 months. Though I have had quite a few things on the menu, the Mata Cuatro (Peruvian chicken with a heaping of perfect sides) is my last supper meal. And don’t even get me started on the incredible Chef Julian and his family- this is a literal mom/pop shop and I’m honored to have them one block from me. Oh, did I mention everything is so fresh because they don’t own a freezer? TRY.ME.
3. Otto Enoteca’s Pane Frattau pizza is beyond. End of story. Order a rose on the side and prepare to never want to be without thin-crust, fresh pecorino and egg another second of your life.
4. I have hit a weird place in my life as it relates to falafel. Whaaaa? you say. Well, I am seriously addicted. And one random Saturday when I was stuck in USQ hangry as f$#% but willing myself not to eat Chipotle I found the mecca of all that is fast, fresh and holy- Rainbow Falafel. Since that day I have eaten falafel (at min) 1x/week. In fact I had RF today and almost slapped a USQ farmers market vendor it was so gd good. I told you this falafel thing was getting strange.
5. One magical sunny Friday, my gorgeous BFF and I were running on all-cylinders- we left work at 1pm, the C train conductor opened closed doors for us and the holy grail: we got a 50-yard line table outside at The Standard Grill. I nearly disowned my vegan Dad after one bite of the Standard Ranch Burger because GOOD GOD THAT THANG IS GOOD! The bacon is literally the best I have ever had and these delicious little pickles just up the ante. My BFF ordered a TDF tuna nicoise so I guess you can go healthier if you’re into that kind of shit. But just order the burger, k?

No juice bars or quinoa salads on this list. While I am allllll about the healthy lifestyle, life is too short/crazy to deny yourself one or two good indulgences.

Live it up, y’all ;)