Restaurant recommendations: New York City, NY – Part 2

New York calls to me always, and I’ve made effort, for a few years now, to get in at least one annual trip to my favorite city. We all know that there are a wealth of experiences to be had in the city, and that besides all the sights and sounds, besides the exciting hustle and bustle, in the midst of it all there is food and more food. This April I stayed in Jersey City for two weeks with friends Steve and Alexia, in a cute little store-front apartment just a short little walk down to the Path station and across to Manhattan. I didn’t eat much in Jersey City, for though I’m sure there must exist restaurant gems there, I could not help but be drawn each day into the tunnel under the water, into the city, to feed off the energy, a palpable presence in the subways, on the streets, in the people, the bars, the restaurants, the food, New York energy in the food.

My girlfriend at the time shared with me a passion for food, at the same moment as interested in eating a dirty water dog in Central Park as checking out what dinner was like at the restaurant of one of our favorite celebrity chefs. We would try everything if we only could. The beautiful thing about eating in New York City is that you can have an eclectic day of taste discovery on Monday, followed by a completely different day of diverse dining on Tuesday, and let’s not forget about the rest of the week, so many new opportunities to eat.

Whether visiting or residing in New York, you can easily follow your own food path, and I recommend spending at least one entire day doing so, forging ahead on a discovery of your own, following your nose or merely following happenstance. Wandering, after all, is filled with discovery in Manhattan. There are times, however, when it’s best to have some recommendations, and so here are some of mine to choose from, culled from places I dined in April.

First things first, pair up with a good dining partner. Having along another person who also appreciates food lends unquantifiable value. When you discuss your experiences, you gain more insight into them. Is it possible that talking about the nuances of flavor in a meal can deepen your experience of the meal? Most definitely.

Next, avoid Roy Rogers, even if you are hungry and tempted to eat fast food, do not go inside. Roy would be ashamed of what they’ve done to his legacy. I was also disappointed by Dallas BBQ on 42nd Street. We were seated without any problems and ordered a few minutes later, at 11:49 p.m.,