1. My restaurant, of course. http://jackrestaurant.com

Failing that, I love WD-50. Cru is also good.

2. Jacques Torres, for the wicked hot chocolate. Podunk, for one of their wonderful complicated teas with baked goods.

3. I don’t eat much italian, so can’t help you too much here. I really like Al Di La, usually, which is a few blocks from my apartment.

4. Di Fara’s, my parents’ local pizza place. Or, um, that place on 7th Ave in Park Slope near Union St.

5. Not so sure on coffee or donuts, but the best cupcakes are at Sugar Sweet Sunshine Bakery on the lower east side.

6. The bowery!!! Also, Kitchen Arts & Letters. And the NY Cake Supply Store!

7. My kitchen. Come on over!

8. Me. Come on over! Okay, okay. Il Laboratorio del Gelato is very very good. Also I like the almond cookie ice cream at the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. And Cones on Bleecker.

9. Nobu is quite good.

10. Would you like to crash on my futon here in Park Slope? You’d be very welcome. I have a kitchen, a boy, a kitty, and a place to sleep. And a spare key to hand you while you’re in town.

Seriously, I would *love* to see you while you’re in town! Please let me know when you’ll be here and when you’re free to meet up, if you don’t take me up on the offer of crash space (which I do mean seriously).

Okay, sights to see - walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Wander Chinatown. Visit the Union Square greenmarket. And ohmygod you have to go to Kalustyan’s on 28th and Lexington Ave, it is the best most amazing spice store around.

How exciting for you! I spent a few months living in NYC and it still wasn’t enough time to find answers to all of the questions you’ve posted….but I wish you luck on your trip. Here are my suggestions: For cookbooks, check out Kitchen Arts and Letters. It’s somewhere in the Upper East side of Manhattan…not sure exactly, but very accessible. Brunch is the best thing about NYC, in my opinion. SaraBeth’s is a classic, and very yummy and reasonable. And you MUST MUST MUST go to Zabar’s! I used to go every Saturday morning just to browse and get my weekly stash of olives from their amazing olive bar. Have fun!

Hmm, my NYC opinions are about 8 years out of date, but since I’m a native I feel I’m still entitled to my opinions despite their unreliability. So I’ll pick-and-mix answer you…

2. Everyone’s a fan of the Magnolia bakery, and you could certainly do worse than visiting there.
3. The Italian place I’ve loved the most is Frank, in the East Villiage. Very family feeling and slightly cramped quarters, but it was the most authentic food I had outside Italy. There’s another restaurant by the same restauranteur around the corner but I forget the name now…
4. Best pizza is usually suggested to be Grimaldi’s, under the Brooklyn Bridge. Only whole pies and always a long wait. My brother’s friends swear by L&B Spumoni gardens in Brooklyn but it can be tough to get to.

For an eating experience, you should consider Shopsins on the Lower east side. Quirky doesn’t do it justice. There are only a few tables so you may have to wait, but it’s inside a lovely food mart so you can wander around and gawp at things.

You *haven’t* asked where the best bagels are, which is a huge oversight on your part. Those can be found at David’s Bagels on 1st Ave and 14th St. I can swear hand on heart this is true, and I bring back a dozen bagels to London every time I visit home, and dutifully eat 1 bagel from the freezer each month until I can return for more of these wonders.

OK, I am going off of your list of questions a tiny bit.. because I love NYC and the food is one of the best parts!

1) Craft, Tom Colicchio’s place on E. 19th Street. It’s incredible and the desserts are divine.

4) If you want an easy slice, I love Famiglia’s (several places in Manhattan), otherwise, go to Grimaldi’s in Brooklyn.

I love Serendipity, on E. 60th St. I know it’s overrated, but the frozen hot chocolate and other desserts are huge and really good. It’s tough to get into, so if you are planning too, go at off-times. (Oh, and don’t eat the food there, it’s not worth it.. just dessert)

9) Sushi of Gari on E. 78th St. is my favorite sushi place there. Order the omakase tasting menu and you won’t be disappointed.

10) a. Depends on where you want to be around. I like the New Yorker near Penn Station as it’s a) cheap, b) has free wifi and c) not bad for a cheap NYC hotel, lol. It’s really close to everywhere you need to go. However, if price wasn’t an object, stay on 5th or 6th Ave.
b. Not to miss is a hard one. You have all your typical touristy places, and they are.. miss-able. Chelsea flea market is cool, as is Canal Street for shopping. I wouldn’t miss WTC, I go there every time I’m in NY.

Off your list.. go to Topaz on W. 56th St. if you want INCREDIBLE thai food. We go every time we’re in town.
Pommes Frites on 2nd Ave. is also a must-go. They make Belgian-style french fries and have dozens of sauces. It’s really, really good. (They also make poutine which my boyfriend adores.)

Oh, and I don’t know if you read Habeas Brulee, but he’s opening an occasional restaurant in Brooklyn that I am looking forward to trying.. http://habeasbrulee.com/2008/03/13/jack-my-occasional-restaurant/

I’ll have to get back to you about most of these but in regards to the cookbook buying and kitchen utensils thing, well that is easy! You let Breadchick personally SHOW you where to get those things and along the way we can take care of that sushi thing too…

1. I really, really enjoyed Gramercy Tavern last summer for our anniversary, but you have to do the tasting menu (actually, I’m not sure you have a choice). If you want to take a little drive, try Blue Hill in Westchester (there’s on in the Village as well, but I think it’s all about seeing the farm), one of the big farm-to-table pioneers in this area. These are my two favorites for big ta-da meals at places that limit their self-adulation. Something random and new-ish: Pamplona; a meal there last week blew my mind and not our wallets. Urena trained with Adria at elBulli in Spain.

2. I was going to pass on this one but instead want to say that Patisserie Claude on West 4th has the very best croissant I have eaten outside France and it costs less than $2. Many pastries as well, but a shoebox of an undecorated place.

3. I second Danielle’s vote for Al Di La (though I’m biased because a friend makes pastries there). The wait will be tremendous, though, and there are no reservations. For a meal that I think is the very essence of NYC old-school Italian restaurants with impeccable food, try Maurizo Trattoria on West 13th.

4, 5. Passing on the pizza and coffee (I like making my own and street cart coffee for 75 cents, respectively) but you’ve got to go to the Doughnut Plant on Essex Street for old-fashioned donuts in new-fangled flavors like valrhona chocolate and dulce-de-leche-filled. (My favorite Pickle Guys are on the same block)

8. My friend at Al Di La. Or Laboratorio del Gelato

10. I vote for you staying somewhere in the Village, West, East or Central, SoHo, Tribeca, LES or in parts of my hood, Chelsea. You’ll be happiest to walk out and be right in the middle of everything.

2. I recommend Beard Papa near the AA… Idk which part of NYC it was, I’ve only been there once myself, and I forgot. Anyhow, try not to go too late or they may be out of vanilla cream puffs and only be left with strawberry.

I have no suggestions to offer as I’ve never been, I will just diligently copy down what everyone else says so that when I finally make it there I’ll know where to go.

1. I would go to Havana Cafe down on Elizabeth street in Nolita. The food is great, it’s tiny and you can bet on a celeb siting. The area is so cute and it’s right near Little Italy and China town as well as great shopping on Broadway in that area.

2. I just moved to Las Vegas from New York, and the last place we went to on our drive across the country was Billy’s Bakery on 9th ave near 21st. They have the best banana cake and key lime pie. It’s also adorable.

3. Oddly enough the best Italian I had while living there was when my husband’s parents came to town and look us to Carmine’s in mid-town. I hate mid-town, but that was worth it.

4. I’m going to agree with everyone else and say Grimaldi’s under the Brooklyn bridge. I also recommend walking across the Brooklyn Bridge around sunset and then going to eat there. It’s a stunning view of the city and a truly New York experience.

5. Donut Plan t is m favorite on Grand St. in the LES (Lower East SIde). You have to go earl in the morning when they open to get the best ones. They have every flavor donut you can imagine. The grapefruit one is surprisingly pungent and true to the fruit. I don’t drink coffee so I don’t have any suggestions there.

6. The Strand in Union square is a great place for books, not certain about cookbooks but the Grand Central Market is amazing for any food shopping and good seafood.

7. My favorite place to brunch is WAY up in Upper Manhattan in Fort Tryon Park. The New Leaf Cafe. It’s SO delicious and sitting outside under the treetop canopy is phenominal. It’s totally worth the ride to 190th on the A train. Or a $35 cab ride.

8. When you’re done stuffing your face with pizza at Grimaldi’s just walk down the street to the pier under the bridge and get the peaches and cream hand made ice cream from the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory. They only have about four flavors and they are ALL amazing!

9. My favorite is probably the nameless place on Broome street just east of Mulberry street. I used to order from them all the time when I was in college. It wasn’t too expensive and was always great. Otherwise Nobu is great, if you want some glamour.

10. As for places to stay, it’s always been my dream to stay in the Chelsea Hotel. It’s wicked expensive, for me anyway, but it’s in a great location and it’s NOT in midtown. Again, the anti mid-town comes out.

Have so much fun! I loved living there!

I can’t answer too many of these since I have only been living here for 8 months.

6. If the Cream Puff wanted to buy cookbooks and cooking supplies in NYC, what’s the best place to go?
supplies-NY Cake and Baking Supply-LOVE this store! www.nycake.com
cookbooks-I haven’t been here yet but I really want to go: http://culinarytypes.blogspot.com/2008/01/for-sale-vintage-cookbooks-cookbooklets.html

oh! I wish we were going at the same time! I’ll be going for my first NYC visit on the 2nd weekend in April. I’ll keep an eye on your post for some good suggestions!
If I do anything super fun while I’m there I’ll make sure to post it for you!

1.) Gotham City Grill
2.) Payard (in upper east) or Ferrera’s (in Little Italy)
(Bearded Papa’s is in NoHo/Astor Place-Decent puff pastries…). They have lollipop cheesecake trees in DavidBurke&Donatella on the Upper East! It’s great! For cupcakes, don’t go to Magnolia’s-go to Sugar Sweet Sunshine.
6.) Broadway Panhandler!
7.) Corner Shoppe (off of Broadway in NoHo)
10a.) Midtown East. Its crazy expensive but the most spacious and cheap room is in the Beekman Towers.

Oh, I’m having envy attacks. I haven’t checked your blog for a while and I’m green that you’re going to NYC! I love it.
5. forget the donuts–eat the bagels!
6. Dean and Deluca–but there are probably better ones.
8. Serendipity–very wonderful Frozen Hot Chocolate but the other girl was right. Long wait; highly overpriced, but so much fun.
10b. The Grand Central Station Market, Times Square at night, and the Statue of Liberty (gotta see it! even from the pier)
Who eats in NYC–go to the theatre, girl!! Have fun; I can’t wait to read about your trip. God bless.

1. There are too many amazing restaurants to chose one. i love falidia’s, lorely and WD-50 are my favorites

2. everyone likes magnolia, i love sweet melissa’s in cobble hill in brooklyn, and jacques torres is dumbo

3. i like al di la and falidia’s

4. Di Fara’s is the best. I’ve been going there as long as I can remember, my dad’s been going there since he was a kid. Dom makes the pizza himself and always has. There’s always a wait though.

5. Coffee is anywhere. Donut Planet!

6. walk around bowery.

7. don’t do brunch, sorry

8. brooklyn ice cream factory

9. nobu is good, but over priced

10. hmm sights..empire state building, just walk around the city, walk across the brooklyn bridge, brooklyn bridge park in dumbo, cobble hill/downtown brooklyn, maybe williamsburg

You’ll have an AWESOME time!! To help yourselves out, you should order the Not For Tourists book for NYC (we use ours every time we go!) Make sure you ride the subway - it is a highly entertaining method of travel if you like peoplewatching.

7. We love Norma’s in the Le Parker Meridian Hotel for brunch. We go every time. Seriously the best freshly squeeze orange juice around!

10a. We really enjoyed our stay in The Benjamin Hotel. It was pretty centrally located to everything we wanted to do and the service was terrific. Sign up for their promotion emails, and you could get a great deal!

I have a suggestion for 1 and 3, and its the same restaurant. I don’t know what these people are thinking suggesting anything other than Angelo’s on Mulberry in little italy for the most delicious italian meal ever. my parents have been going there since before I was born, and I request to go there for my birthday every year, despite other places i love. fyi - not open monday and packed on the weekends, so go early. also, it might be cliche, but Nobu (or nobu next door) is no joke and is an incredible meal.. personally i’d pass up the sushi there and choose a selection from the hot and cold lists, seriously some of the best food i’ve ever eaten, and i’ve eaten at a lot of fancy places. reservations at nobu need to be made a month in advance, fyi. if anyone suggests per se, its supposed to be the hottest new thing.. eh, overpriced and overrated.

also, for brunch on sundays, the plaza athenee at 37 E 64th St. has a delicious (and expensive) awesome brunch.

oh cool! I’m going to NYC in April for the first time in about ten years. I’ll be leeching off this list. Thanks!

You have a lot of suggestions to pack into 5 days. Thanks for sharing your list with all of us who would love to g there some day also, now here is an insiders list to start with. Welcome back.

This is so handy, Ivonne! I’m going to visit NY for the first time in May, so I’m bookmarking this for any recommendations!

Things to do:
Sunny Day:

You should definitely do the ultimate free thing in NYC: take the Staten Island Ferry (can be boarded at Battery Park) to Staten Island and back. You’ll get a great view of the Statue of Liberty as well as the southern tip of NYC (http://www.siferry.com/).

Brooklyn Botanical Gardens should not be missed, especially in May when all the irises will be in bloom (http://www.bbg.org/).

Walk through Central Park, but only after you’ve gone to the sculpture garden on the top of the Metropolitan Museum. Plan to do this on a Friday afternoon so that you get to the Museum of Natural history on the other side of the park just in time for tapas and live music (http://www.amnh.org/rose/specials/jazz/).

Wave Hill (http://wavehill.org/events/5.html) — amazing gardens, tastings, really neat events.

The top of the Empire State building — a great view (http://www.esbnyc.com/index2.cfm?CFID=26697817&CFTOKEN=5949853).

Rainy day:
The Guggenheim Museum, the Cloisters (can also be done on a sunny day because they have amazing gardens), the MOMA, the Fricke collection. Links to all here: http://www.ny.com/museums/all.museums.html.

Things to try:

Fancy vegan: Zen Palate — the food is tasty and the atmosphere serene (http://www.zenpalate.com/).

Agave cupcakes: Babycakes Bakery — and if you want to see how matzoh is made, the Streit’s matzoh bakery is right down the street and around the corner (http://www.babycakesnyc.com/, http://www.streitsmatzos.com/info.html).

Luzzo’s pizza (http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/41451669/) Go at an off time during the week, like 2 pm. You’ll get personal service and great food.

When money’s no object, definitely take Famous Fat Dave’s Five Borough Eating Tour. My nephew and I took one and it was great fun, really good food, and an educational experience to boot! http://www.famousfatdave.com/

Last, but not least, get to Trader Joe’s in Union Square for their bulk nuts and dried fruits. Great prices and very high quality.

Hope you have a great trip and get to try loads of new things.

welcome to new york!
if you’re up for a drink before dinner one night, go to the Lobby Lounge in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, which is in the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle. The Lobby Lounge is on the 35th floor overlooking Central Park, with big comfy chairs and incredible views of the city and the park. the best time to go is sunset - it’s truly breathtaking. and they have great cocktails and deeelish little nibblies.

pizza has to be John’s pizza on Bleeker Street.

I’ve only been to NYC twice, so I won’t be able to do the whole list. Still, there are a couple of things I can recommend:

4. Best pizza I had was in one of those corner shops, called Sacco’s, I think, at the corner of 54th and 9th Avenue. I say ‘best’ when I mean “most like I expected pizza to be in NYC”. It was $2 a slice at the time, and just your standard big floppy pizza, with fat slices of Italian sausage on it.

5. Can’t speak to that, but I can speak to good and cheap breakfast — Times Square Bagel and Deli — which is NOT on Times Square. It’s in the vicinity of 34th & Broadway — it may be called Brooklyn Bagel Cafe now (which is what Google Maps pulled up closest, at 32nd and 5th). They have a breakfast sandwich there for less than $2 that’s pretty damned decent, and the bagels were really tasty. It’s simple food.

10. a) I’ve stayed in Manhattan both times, and it was very convenient for me. (The Holiday Inn Midtown was, surprisingly, not bad.) It’s close to Central Park and the museum district, which is something I enjoy a whole lot.
b) The sight not to miss you can’t miss — if you’re not distracted by touristy stuff — it’s New Yorkers. The most memorable part of my last trip there was getting to watch the Alvin Ailey dancers practice. Their studio is at 55th and 9th in Manhattan, and the external walls are glass, so that passersby can see anything that’s happening in the studio. We sat and watched them practice for about thirty minutes (there are benches right outside) and it was outstanding.

P.S. If any bona fide New Yorkers could verify the location of the (former?) Times Square Bagel & Deli, that’d be great.

For bakeshop you absolutely without a doubt HAVE to go to Crumbs. There are several locations–they have to die for cupcakes and cookies. I recommend the black and white cookie–but make sure you get the buttercream frosting–and the Artie Lang cupcake.

I don’t recommend staying in Times Square. It is nice to visit, but it’s not where I would want to stay.

I’m thrilled to hear you are coming to my town “The Big Apple!” Would love to meet for coffee, tea or whatever you can fit it because I know you will be crazy running around trying to see and taste it all.

I fell in love with Cream Puffs more than a year ago when I was exploring and planning my blog Postcards from New York and since you are asking about great places to visit, that’s what I write about.

Please take a look at www.postcardsfromnewyork.com and you will find lovely photographs and many of my “favorites” there. Great cannolli at Rocco’s, a classic New York egg cream at Gem Spa, croissants and breakfast at Chez Laurence and J’adore, gelato and breakfast at Sant Ambroeus–either in Greenwich Village or on the Upper East Side, tea at the St. Regis, “to die for” northern Italian Venetian food under beautiful Murano chandeliers at Remi, delectable Ligurian nouvelle cuisine at Cinque Terra, great place to meet for drinks as well–by the way this is in an Italian run hotel where you can enjoy a fantastic massage in their Spa, a great after theatre choice–French bistro Chez Josephine and don’t forget to introduce yourself to Josephine Baker’s son Jean Claude, wonderful espresso and cappuccino at Crestenello’s, great hotdog’s and potato knish at Katz’s the landmark Lower East Side deli, a site not to miss–Top of the Rock in Rockefeller Center.

Where do you think you would enjoy staying? Tell me a little more and I will make some suggestions. Since we get a great many European tourists who take long vacations, I am working on a story right now about reasonably priced places to stay from a week to 2 months?

Love to hear from you, and I am serious, it would be an absolute pleasure to meet you. I love Cream Puffs from Venice! Oh I forgot, another fabulous place for breakfast or lunch in the most beautiful new buildings in town–the Time Warner Towers–Bouchon. Don’t forget to check out the produce in the super-market on the lower level–Whole Foods, where you’ll find great brick oven pizza.

Being a native New Yorker who has not been in NYC for 20 years (living in France), I would love to somehow acquire a reservation to go to Babbo (that would be the answer to both your #1 and #3 questions).

http://www.babbonyc.com/

As for NYC pizza, honestly, just hang out in front of any of the many plate-glass fronted pizza parlors, and see if the pizza maker, usually a young guy in a long white apron, is flipping (vigorously and tenderly at the same time while briefly locking his gaze with yours–this is v important!) the dough in the air to thin it. If so, then most likely you will get the typical NYC pizza–thin, crisp, bottom crust, luscious doughy rim crust and a mass of bubbling cheese and sauce, served piping hot and super fresh via a huge slice which can be cleverly folded in half so one can eat and enjoy its culinary splendor while trotting down the street.

10: make a list of the places you want to visit and then site them on a map. stay at a hotel nearest the majority of them because the time spent going across town can be a killer.

Have fun in NY! It’s a beautiful place to visit-I hope you enjoy it. I haven’t been there in a very long time, but I do reccommend La Goulue, where I had the best (and priciest)lunch of my life. can’t wait to see what you report back, and I think people’s suggestions have been incredible! I want to hop on a plane!

If you want to try Japanese sweets, how about
http://www.kitchoan.com/

I’m also interesting in Amai Bakery too.

I’m going to NYC this summer, so I’m excited to hear all of the responses. This won’t be my first time, but it’s been so long, and I wasn’t as interested in food back then!

yay for visiting nyc! it’s my favorite place in the whole wide u s of a and that isn’t just because i happen to live here

you’ve already got a lot of good answers, so here are some additional thoughts …

1. if you like fish, i would go to le bernadin. although you must also like classic french style and presentation, and that’s not always for everyone.

3. noodle pudding in brooklyn heights. this isn’t fancy italian, just simple but delicious meals. order a bunch of the appetizers to start with and you’ll be amazed by the sumptuous tastes. sometimes we’ll actually only order several appetizers as they are really that good. tony (the owner) is one of the best and his staff is well trained (and paid and benefited) so they are tops.

6. cooks companion on atlantic avenue in brooklyn. yeah yeah, i’m brooklyn biased! i’d also say broadway panhandler too. if you just want kitchen stuff, i’d suggest going down to the bowery where the wholesale/retail supply shops are.

9. i think most people would say masa, but that would be out of my price range! other people might say nobu, although that is better known for small plates (not their sushi) honestly, i think sometimes the best sushi is found in smaller, less known places. i have my favorite, but again, it’s in brooklyn. ask around in chowhound too.

10. i’d recommend soho and chelsea.

have fun!! we should have a DB meetup in the city when you’re here!!

Yay! You’re coming to NY!

Paz

1. Per se
3. Babbo or del Posto
4. Grimaldi
6. Broadway Panhandler in soho
9. Masa but Blue Ribbon is more affordable
10. Soho

1. 21 Club - Old speakeasy with a lot of character and high prices to pay for that character. http://www.21club.com/web/onyc/onyc_a2a_home.jsp

2. Lady M Confections - Clean and sophisticated decor. You’ll definitely feel hoity toity stopping here, but the desserts are certainly worth the trip. They are known for their Mille Crepes (which you HAVE to try). Also delicious are the Strawberry Shortcake and the Banana Mille Feuille. http://www.ladymconfections.com/

Rice to Riches - Who’d have thought that selling only rice pudding would be a huge hit, but it is. Another cleanly futuristic decorated establishment. Tons of different flavors of rice pudding to choose from, which you can sample before you commit to one. Feel free to ask for samples. You must make this part of your trip. They come in great plastic containers. http://www.ricetoriches.com

Eleni’s - In Chelsea Market, which itself is a great stop if you’re a foodie (http://www.chelseamarket.com/). Eleni’s is cleanly decorated and one of the best places to get a cupcake. They have a great selection of flavors. http://www.elenis.com/

Tonnie’s Minis - Another great cupcake place. A bit of a hole in the wall, but the cupcakes are so flavorful and moist. This isn’t one of the more popular bakeries and it’s tucked away…can easily be missed, but it’s definitely worth a stop. http://www.carrotcakesonline.com/

Crumbs - a cupcake chain with lots of different unexpected flavors. http://www.crumbsbakeshop.com/

Sugar Sweet Sunshine - Another good cupcake. http://www.sugarsweetsunshine.com/

3. Mario Batali’s Babbo - You must call about a month before to get a weekend reservation. http://www.babbonyc.com/restaurant.html

4. John’s Pizzeria - it’s a bit touristy, but the atmosphere is fun and energetic. They have a couple of locations…W 44th between 7th and 8th; and on Bleeker between 6th and 7th.

5. Balthazar - French bistro with old world charm. You walk in and feel like you’re in Paris. Great strong coffee and you can’t miss with any of their bread products. Not sure about the doughnut (aside from Krispy Kreme), but you can’t go wrong with bread and butter at Balthazar. http://www.balthazarny.com/

6. Sur La Table - In SoHo…it’s a chain but you can find plenty of eclectic products you may not be able to find elsewhere. http://www.surlatable.com/

7. Balthazar - (See #5 above). French bistro with old world charm. You walk in and feel like you’re in Paris. A must for either breakfast or brunch. http://www.balthazarny.com/

8. Serendipity 3 - Not a huge ice cream eater, but Serendipity is very popular and you can get big portions. http://www.serendipity3.com/

9. Nobu - Fresh sushi, but a bit pricey. It’s a place for some possible celebrity sightings. http://www.myriadrestaurantgroup.com/nobu57/index.html

10. a)SoHo, Chelsea or the Village. b) Before you visit any of the usual city sights, you must visit all the locations I listed in my response to #2!

Have a great time and can’t wait to hear all about your trip! Take copious notes because we’ll want to hear every detail!

i don’t live in NY (so take this all w/a grain of salt) and i don’t claim to be an expert, but for your first question i would go to the rainbow room - more for the view than anything else; food is excellent too but the view is great. and you must go see les miserables on broadway! have fun!

bakery: cupcakes at magnolia are highly overrated. get the banana pudding instead. tisserie, at the northwest corner of union square, is tasty.

kitchen supplies: the bowery! tons of restaurant supply stores. also, broadway panhandler. kitchen arts & letters. for cookbooks, bonnie slotnick cookbooks in the w. village is a MUST. a must, i tell you.

ice cream: i stand by cones on bleecker street over il labrotorio del gelato. but, i haven’t yet been to grom.

pizza: i love john’s on bleecker (bonus: it’s right next to cones!), but lombardi’s is also damn good.

donuts: doughnut plant! get the dulce de leche. droool.

as a new yorker and a pastry cook, here are my choices:

1. mine! le bernardin
2. i’ll second jacques torress, but try amai too (i haven’t been there yet)
3. babbo, lupa, centro vinoteca, da silvano, del posto
4. otto?? not really sure, as i’m not a huge pizza eater
5. doughnut plant
6. kitchen arts and letter, jb prince, ny cake and bake, broadway panhandler, anywhere in the restaurant district
7. jane in soho
8. chinatown ice cream factory, brooklyn ice cream factory
9. bond st. no question about it.
10. midtown or chelsea or murray hill will prob be cheapest. union square has the farmers market. soho is chicest. greenwich village and west village are hip and trendy. so whereever you prefer. as for sites, i’m not much of a tourist now, so i’m not really sure!

but enjoy your trip and please let me know if you do come to le bernardin!

Ivonne, you should contact Kathy at A Passion for Food - she actually lives in New York City, and will have lots of ideas. If you look at her blog, she provides tons of reviews at places she eats at every week. She would be a great resource. Here is the link:
http://apassionforfood.blogspot.com/

Ooh! I’ve been to NY twice in my life and loved it both times…unfortunately niether trip was long enough or recent enough to suggest anything useful. You will have a blast!!! And you have a lot of great sounding suggestions here

To eat sushi in Masa is one of my big food dreams!

Wow what wonderful suggestions you’ve gotten. Maybe I could come and carry the suitcases

hey cream puff, i love your blog!

i just wanted to let you know that the best place for pizza in NYC is, hands down, Lombardi’s Pizzeria.

search it yourself, its NYC best pizza!

located in 32 Spring St, if going by subway, get out at 6 at Spring Street.

take care,
maia

1. At this point, I’d probably say Jean Georges - I’ve been wanting to go for ages. Also, I was lucky enough to win a dinner to the James Beard house. I LOVED it. It’s not always NY chefs, but it was a super experience.

2. For croissants, Patisserie Claude. I love Payard for their cakes. Not pastry, but I highly recommend Kee’s chocolates.

3. I rarely go out to Italian, but I personally love Esca, although it’s more seafood oriented. I haven’t been in ages, but my favorite is the Uni/Sea Urchin pasta.

4. I’m not a big pizza person, but I hear Sullivan St. Bakery makes some interesting pizza (not necessarily the best NYC pizza - but interesting).

5. I’m looking for good coffee myself! I hear Joe’s coffee is good. Doughnuts - Doughnut plant - love their stuff. Don’t miss the tres leches one.

6. No particular store for cookbooks - I usually just go to Borders as they always have good coupons. Cooking Supplies, I like Broadway panhandler. I think it’s the best non-industry store. There’s a bridge place in midtown - and as mentioned above, places like JB Prince and such.

7. Prune - I love their dutch pancake.

8. It’s Gelato - but Il Laboratorio Gelato. If it’s ice cream you’re looking for, Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory.

9. It’s expensive, but I LOVE Sushi Yasuda.

10. a) I can’t recommend a particular hotel - but I’d say miditown or somewhere downtown. As long as you’re close to a subway station you’re all set. (b) hmm..sight to see? I think it depends on what you want to see! There’s something for everyone here!

If you need any other recommendations, let me know!

Not a bakery, but I really love Dylan’s Candy Bar. A wonderful candy store, you could pick up some sweets for your latest creations.

For fun, I recommend Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum. It is so much fun to go through and you get some great pictures.

hmmmmm……not sure about all answers but:

bakery - must, must, must go to Magnolia Bakery in Greenwich Village for cupcakes (although be warned - it’s tiny!)
brunch - Pigale’s (i think it’s on 8th Ave), esp good on a sunday
cook books/supplies - Williams Sonoma at Time Warner, Colombus Circle
stay - somewhere in the middle of the island; times square is good as then not too far to anywhere
Tip - go up the Empire State an hour before sunset so you see the view light, during sunset and in the dark; it’s awesome.

Enjoy!

Just went to NYC myself at the beginning of February. Not a huge amount of recommendations as I was on a sight-seeing mission, as opposed to a food mission. Best pizza, in my opinion, is definitely John’s on Bleecker. Loved Zabar’s and Big Nick’s. We stayed at Hotel Belleclaire on the Upper West Side and really liked it. A lot quieter than Midtown, just 2 blocks from subway stop, 3 blocks from Central Park. I personally wouldn’t miss the Brooklyn Bridge. You can see some pics from our trip here.

I have never been to NYC, but I hear that Magnolia is world famous for their cupcakes and not to be missed! Enjoy! Take lots of pictures!

One last thing…if you want to see the skyline, go to Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center. Even New Yorkers go..Empire State is overrateeeeedd! : P

Another alternative to Magnolia’s is Amy’s Bread.

I enjoy your blog very much and hope that you have a super trip to NY in May.

For a v. unique meal while you are here - Bouley www.bouley.net on West Broadway (if cost is not an object)

Also excellent - Cafe Bouloud on East 76, www.danielnyc.com/cafeboulud (more reasonable cost)

Best Italian, here, too, there are several
I agree that Felidia is worthwhile (part of the Lidia Bastianich empire)
Less expensive - Becco on Restaurant Row - West 46 STreet, in the Theatre district.
Bice on East 54 www.bicenewyork.com - I was recently in their Palm Beach, FL restaurant and it was divine Italian
I’ve heard wonderful things about Al di La in Park Slope but have not managed to eat there yet. Lines at the door seem endless.
Also, L’Impero in Tudor City across the Avenue from the UN building.

For best pizza I concur - DiFara on Avnue J and East 15 Street in Brooklyn - pizza available by the slice or multi-serving pie. Grimaldi’s at the foot of the Bklyn Bridge is excellent but not available by the slice - whole, multi-serving pies only.

Best Italian Coffee - Via Quadronno, East 73 Street between Madison and 5th Avenues on the Upper East Side. excellent selection of french/Italian pastries and panini.

Patisserie Payard on Lexington Avenue and East 73 Street - wonderful cakes and pastries.

Best sushi - Sushi of Gari on the Upper East side I absolutely agree if at this location
Japonais on East 18th Street (Park Avenue South)
Sushi Yasuda - East 46 Street www.sushiyasuda.com

For things to do..rent a bicycle and ride along the westside highway from Battery Park to Riverside Park and beyond. There are great parks all along on the river side of the highway. Chelsea Piers for all sorts of sports and
for a wonderful sail around NY: http://sail-nyc.com/ They also have a good Sunday Brunch on a beautiful sailboat.
Definetely the Brooklyn Botanic Garden or the NY Botanical Garden (Bronx), Central Park - All of it, The Village - everywhere,

The best brunch is by far Sarabeth’s on Madison Avenue and 92nd Street.
Do visit Chelsea Market for excellent imports and fresh seafood and vegetable mkt.

The Union Square Greenmarket for the best farmstands - go on a Saturday morning when all the vendors are present, then head over to Union Square Cafe for a wonderful lunch - I once sat at the bar just one seat away from Alice Waters.
Across from the Market area is Barnes and Noble with a large selection of cookbooks.

Do try to get to the theatre while you’re here. try the TKTS booth on the day of the performance for discounted tickets. there’s one in Times Square - you can’t miss it.
There is so much to do, see and experience in NY. I hope you enjoy yourself while you’re here! Ciao.

Wow I am green with envy- it’s been about 15 years since I last went to NYC. Wish I could go this year- I’d definitely go to Danielle’s occasional restaurant Jack.
I always used to go to the Hungarian Pastry shop near Columbia University just across from the Cathedral of St. John the Divine- I loved it but don’t know if it’s still good.
Have a fab trip!
x x x

I’ve only been to NYC once. But I can tell you that I love Al Roker and so I went to see the Today Show at Rockefeller Center. Somewhere around there is a museum art store, but what I will always remember is this chocolate store very close by called Teusher. I went shortly before Easter and there were garlands of paper flowers all over the shop and the neatest paper boxes for chocolates. I think we may have bought 2 truffles from the store, but we stayed for a while just looking at all the decorations. The chocolate was great, but the paper artwork and windows were stunning.

Ivonne –
Are you going to do an NYC meet-up? Lots of folks would love to hook up with you, I’m sure. Me being one. But in addition, if you like, I will take you “fooding” in Manhattan neighborhoods. I also live a couple of blocks from Museum Mile and the gorgeous Central Park Conservatory Gardens — great things to do in NYC. If you want to be adventurous and go to the “real” Little Italy in the Bronx, Arthur Avenue, I’ll take you there, as I did for the Amateur Gourmet on his virtual book tour. And maybe we can get Bakerina to take us fooding in Astoria, which is fabulous too. As for your other questions –

1. NYC Restaurant — Daniel might be my all-time fave, although I haven’t been there in a while. Nobu, Per Se — I’ve not gone, but you probably can’t go wrong. I love The Modern, Gramercy Tavern, Eleven Madison Park — these are all incredible for special occasion meals. Loved my recent meal at Alain Ducasse’s Adour. Dying to go upstate to Blue Hill at Stone Barns.

2. Payard Patisserie for the luxe, gorgeous, patisserie experience. Afternoon tea there is really fabulous, as are almost any and all pastries and chocolates. Mitchell London’s for cupcakes. My house for something really good that I’ll bake just for you.

3. Everyone will say Babbo, and they’re probably right, although you should make your reservation NOW. I still haven’t gone, but it is supposed to be the pinnacle, and not the most expensive, either. I love a little tiny place in the East Village called Col Legno.

4. Best pizza is probably Grimaldi’s and then Lombardi’s. But being an East Harlem girl, I’m partial to Patsy’s, which dates from 1933, was one of NYC’s first coal-fired oven pizzas, and where you can still eat your pie seated under the full-length portrait of Frank Sinatra.

5. Best coffee? My apartment. Best doughnut? Doughnut Plant. Plan? Buy donuts, bring them to my place to have with coffee.

6. Cookbooks? Hands down, Kitchen Arts and Letters. Amazing place to while away an afternoon. The Oxford, the Cambridge, the Harvard of cookbook stores. And only 12 blocks from — my place.

7. Brunch? My house. Sorry, I don’t much like brunch out in NYC. I always find myself paying $25 at places like Sarabeth’s for $2 worth of eggs, etc. that weren’t cooked to my satisfaction. But it’s fun to go out in ethnic neighborhoods and get a Mexican or Dominican breakfast, for example.

8. I’d probably also go with Il Laboratorio di Gelato.

9. Uh-oh — not much of a sushi eater, can’t help with this one.

10. Wow, that’s challenging. You could probably crash with different food bloggers like Danielle or myself, we’ll clean up the back bedroom — but I can also find you some hotel recommendations — gotta find my little list that I used for my wedding. I’ll email it to you.

1. If you could only go to one NYC restaurant for the meal of your life and price would not be an option, what restaurant would you recommend? This is SO hard, there are so many great choices. My favorites are: Bar American on West 52nd, Le Bernardin (W 51st) and per se (Columbus Circle).

2. What pastry shop/bakery must the Cream Puff absolutely and unequivocally visit before leaving NYC? Magnolia Bakery is over-rated - try Sugar Sweet Sunshine Bakery on the Lower East Side…no question the best cupcakes in the city.

3. What is the best restaurant for an Italian meal? Pellegrino’s is the best of Little Italy - you can’t go wrong here.

4. Where can I get the best pizza in NYC? Now this is a hugh matter of opinion - there are many schools of thought. I don’t tend to get pizza when I am in New York, but my last trip my friend took me to Grimaldi’s (sorry, it’s in Brooklyn). This was some of the best brick oven pizza I have ever had.

5. Where can I get the best coffee/doughnut in NYC? The only place I have been in Joe (West Village). Excellent.

6. If the Cream Puff wanted to buy cookbooks and cooking supplies in NYC, what’s the best place to go? Bowery Kitchen Supplies for open stock and professional supplies. This is at The Chelsea Market (over by Food Network).

7. Where’s the best place for brunch in NYC? The Sunburnt Cow on Avenue C - yum!

8. Who makes the best ice cream in NYC? Cones on Bleeker Street.

Enjoy - I love NYC!

Oh what HAVE you DONE!

1. Applewood, in Park Slope, Brooklyn - preferably on Valentines Day or similar, when they have a tasting menu, or on a meet-the-farmer night, when upstate producers come and feature their wares. Pork belly and a spiced pear whiskey sour are musts.

2. Sunshine cupcakes at Sugar Sweet Sunshine in the Lower East Side.

3. I’m almost afraid the disclose this one, so shh! I Coppi on 9th between 1st and A. The most wonderful wonderful wonderful Tuscan meal you will ever have. The chef and owner are sisters, and all the recipes are their Tuscan mothers’. Get the Orange-gin crab gnocchi.

4. Well, everyone says Grimauldi’s, and it *is* really good. As a Georgia girl, though, I’m an easy palette, since all NY pizza tastes like gold to me.

5. The fabled Donut Plant on Grand street. I recommend the coconut creme or the peanut butter & jelly, but really, you can’t go wrong.

6. The Old Cookbook Shop in the West village for wonderful, out-of-print novelties. Otherwise I just stand in Williams Sonoma and drool.

7. Not to be redundant, but, um, I Coppi. Only on Sundays, I think. home-baked french toast with fresh berries and vanilla-mascarpone cream - or the carbonara that made my fiance CRY WITH JOY. Fresh squeezed juice, fab coffee. To die for.

8. Il laborotorio, if gelato counts. If not, the Chinatown Icecream factory, where you can get old favorites as well as black sesame seed ice cream, taro and red bean.

9. Well, there’s obviously Nobu. But here are some other suggestions: 1) a place called Bozu in Williamsburg that has delicious dome-shaped “sushi bombs”, as well as a spectacular not-sushi menu; 2) Sushi Samba - Japanese-Brazillian; 3) this sushi place on St. Marks and Ave. A, where all raw-fish items are half the menu price (and delicious!).

10. a) Stay below 14th street, preferably in the East Village. If that isn’t where you sleep, be sure you spend a lot of time there. b) Not to be missed - go see the show Fuerza Bruta in Union Square. Don’t wear fancy clothes. Rush tickets are $25. Trust me.

Also! Call me and I will join you for ANY of these outings!!! Email me for my phone #.

Have a wonderful trip!

I know little about NYC, but hope you have a great time there! Happy Easter Cream Puff!

1. Per se? Never been but that is where I would go.

2. Veniero’s at 342 E 11th St, New York, NY 10003. They have the hugest most lovely assortment of pastries and they are open LATE
www.venierospastry.com/

3. I used to say Il Bagatto but I can’t anymore. It is still good just not transcendent.

4. Lombardi’s. No doubt.

5. Doughnut Plant 379 Grand St
New York, NY 10002. www.doughnutplant.com. But I can’t comment on the coffee.

6. Broadway Panhandler and check out the kitchen supply stores on the Bowery south of Houston for fun stuff like ENORMOUS bowls.

7. Really it is more of a breakfast and it is in Queens but IMHO The New Bel Aire Diner on Broadway in Astoria is the BEST diner in NYC.

8. Ciao Bella or Mr. Softee if drunk at 2AM.

9. Tomoe Sushi (cash only). 172 Thompson St., New York, NY 10012 . Great and not expensive.

10. a)Stay wherever you can get a good rate. As long as it is well served by the subway you will be fine. b) Don’t miss Chinatown. Make sure you take the time to walk around it and appreciate the neighborhood where the residents have created a truly unique place in NYC. Make sure to check out the less touristy Chinatown all the way on the East side too.

How exciting, Ivonne! I can’t pretend to recommend anything in NYC, but do take a peek at my blog post that journals a quick trip we took down there last June. We ATE and ATE and there are plenty of photos. Some places we would return to, and some we would skip.
Have a great time!!!

Aimee xxox
Here is the link:
http://underthehighchair.blogspot.com/2007/07/uthc-travels-new-york-city.html

Hello Cream Puff,
Glad you are visiting my home town… I would say stay at the Mercer Hotel in Soho, you will have easy walking access to a lot of shoppes etc. They also have a restaurant attached to the hotel and the SOHO is great for shopping!! As for cooking supplies I say Crate and Barrel on West Houston and Broadway in SOHO and Sur la Table also in SOHO just off Broadway.

Best Italian Meal- La Traviata in Brooklyn on Montague street.

I also would suggest the Shark Bar on 79th Street- They serve lunch, dinner and brunch Neo-Soul Food style. Basically the best mac and cheese, yams and apple cobbler etc in NYC. Always crowded make reservations.

Cookbooks- Barnes and Noble Union Square and belive it or not Anthropologie on West Broadwayin you guest it SOHO… You will also find Unique dishes plates glasses etc.here with a vintage feel here. The type of kitchen/home items they sell look like the ones you use in tour beautiful photos.

Enjoy!

Rem

hello,
1.the best money-is no-object restaurant to have a meal is Per Se in the time warner building….
7.the best brunch is at Tribeca Grill…prix fixe even!
9. for the best and most expensive sushi experience, its Masa in the time warner building
enjoy!

Maybe you should check some recent posts at the Serious Eats website (above), as those folks love to eat in NYC!
I think you will have a very very good time …

Thank you to everyone for all the incredible suggestions! I wish I could spend a month in New York to get to all the places that you’ve mentioned! Mille grazie!

Ivonne

for just number 5 and 7 - go to le pain quotidien! they have branches all over new york and they are gorgeous cosy litle cafes with long communal tables! simply amazing simple food as well!

also for something to do you can join a small group and go on a three hour food tour around certain areas of new york. you visit delis, restaurants, shops and see the sights at the same time - lovely and well worth doing.

hope you have a lovely time in the big apple,

lucy x

For italian restaurants, you should definetly check out Basta Pasta and dessert wise, Max Brennar is not too shabby either. Hope that you enjoy your stay in the Big Apple!

Oh fun — I am happy to chime in! You will have a great trip.

1. If you could only go to one NYC restaurant for the meal of your life and price would not be an option, what restaurant would you recommend?
Jean Georges, Gramercy Tavern, or Nobu, depending on what you’re in the mood for. I’ve been to all of them in the last six months and had amazing meals! Gramercy is perhaps on the best (upward) trajectory — it’s better than it was a year or two ago, by far.

2. What pastry shop/bakery must the Cream Puff absolutely and unequivocally visit before leaving NYC?
Amy’s Bread on Bleeker Street between 6th and 7th Avenue in the west village!!! They also have a store in Chelsea Market, which is super fun too.

3. What is the best restaurant for an Italian meal?
Depends on what kind of Italian food you like. People say Il Mulino for the best heavy, traditional italian food, but I like Babbo for more interesting, contemporary italian.

4. Where can I get the best pizza in NYC?
I’ve never been to either, but others swear by Lombardi’s in Soho, or Grimaldi’s in Brooklyn, just across the Brooklyn bridge.

5. Where can I get the best coffee/doughnut in NYC?
Coffee — I like Grey Dog Coffee in the west village, and it’s also a really cute brunch or snack place. Full of hipsters (not me) and law students (me) because it’s right near NYU.

6. If the Cream Puff wanted to buy cookbooks and cooking supplies in NYC, what’s the best place to go?
Chelsea Market is phenomenal — Bowery Kitchen Supplies is great. 75 Ninth Avenue, and devote a few hours to going through all the stores — it’s so fun!

7. Where’s the best place for brunch in NYC?
Cornelia Street Cafe is a classic, in the village, as well as Grey Dog, which I mentioned earlier.

8. Who makes the best ice cream in NYC?
This is by far not the “best”, but you have to try Tasti D-Lite. They’re all over the city — just look to where the skinny girls are heading.

9. Where can the Cream Puff try the best sushi in NYC?
I really like Tomoe for less expensive sushi downtown, or Haru if you want more of an atmosphere (it’s trendier). There’s a place right near me that I *adore* called Tenzan on the upper east side, but it’s a little out of the way compared to the other places.

10. a)Since the Cream Puff has never been to NYC before, what part of the city do you recommend she stays in? b) What is the one sight in NYC not to be missed?
a) If you can stay in the west or east village, that’s super fun. But really, the whole city isn’t hard to get to, so as long as you’re not staying somewhere way uptown or way downtown, you’re fine. But in the village or grammercy would be ideal probably.
b) Walking around central park in may is not to be missed. The union square farmer’s market is my favorite place in the city (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays from 9 to 6 or so). Walking around in the west village is pretty much heavenly, and for shopping, definitely go to soho and Fifth Avenue from 49th to 57th, and Madison Avenue from 57th up.

Hope this helps! Have a great trip!

Oh wow, I was looking over the other responses, and how could I forget Bouley?? So romantic and such great food. Definitely a must-eat!

hi Ivonne,
just read this post (I’m a little bit behind on my food blog reading, like 4 months or so) and thought I’d throw in my 2 cents as well. I’ve been in NY so many times it feels a bit like home!

The first thing I advise any first-time visitor to do is the Empire State building (early enough to avoid long queues). Get an audioguide, that will tell you where everything is. It will give you a pretty good idea of the layout of the city and where all the big landmarks are.

Midtown I think is a good area to stay, it’s fairly central and from a tourist point of view easy to get everywhere. But more downtown is very buzzing and v nice to go out in the evenings.
Personally, I wouldn’t stay anywhere above 59th street, as I feel that’s more residential.

St Mark’s Place and around is great for sushi - no specific restaurant recommendation, but there’s lots of Japanese places around there.

One of my favourite breakfast places is Le Pain Quotidien - it’s Belgian as well They have wonderful bread baskets, with different breads, served with jam and hazelnut spread, and lots of other yummy things.

And my number one restaurant there: the Gramercy Tavern. I’ve been there only once, for a friend’s birthday so we went all out and had the spring tasting menu, which was spectacular! The dessert made such an impression on me I immediately bought Claudia Fleming’s Last Course, and now, 2 years later, it’s still my favourite cookbook. Googling Claudia Fleming also made me discover food blogs and start my own, so I might be a bit biased. But the food is amazing. Not cheap though (but they have a bar menu as well).

Have fun!

Hello Ivonne
This is my first visit to your website/blog, via flickr and your enticing photos and recipes. My family was lucky enough to spend 9 days in NYC over last Thanksgiving as my daughter was chosen to be in the All-American Marching Band for the Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade. We stayed in Midtown (west 57th) and it was fantastic! It was a semi-residential area with small shops and just three blocks from Central Park and an easy walk to subway, Fifth Avenue and the museums.

We tried to cram in as much in as possible, but in the “not to be missed” category, I’d have to say Central Park and The Metropolitan Museum of Art (although I loved the Guggenheim and MoMA as well). We spent fistfuls of cash, so didn’t really get a chance to eat at fancy restaurants. Did go to Carnegie Deli, and the four of us dined and then shared what was the BIGGEST piece of cheesecake that I have ever encountered. I have heard that Magnolia is tops for cupcakes and recently saw Levain Bakery on a TV show featured for their outstanding and huge chocolate chip cookies.

The most memorable moment for our family was on Thanksgiving morning, as we stood on the street curb across from Central Park watching the Macy’s Parade, and seeing our daughter play piccolo and march in the band that led off the parade. A lifelong memory

Before my visit to NYC, I kept wondering why anyone would want to live in the “asphalt jungle.” Well, I’m a convert. I fell head-over-heels in love with NYC and would pick up and move there if possible. Don’t forget comfortable shoes (you’ll walk more than you thought possible) and make sure you have loads of $$ (you’ll spend more money than you thought possible). I hope you have a fantastic time and I will be looking forward to hearing about all the places you saw, and all the wonderful restaurants you visited, and the food you enjoyed. Have Fun.

Hi,
Just stumbled across your blog in time to help you out with your visit to my city!!!
First of all, don’t come in the summer. It’s tourist hell. There will be nothing but tourists everywhere you go, and it will be reeeeealy humid. Come as early as you can before that starts.

1. I don’t live on a “meal of your life” budget, so I don’t know much about that, but I will say that my favorite restaurant is Doyer’s Vietnamese on tiny Doyer’s Street in Chinatown. It is not authentically Vietnamese, but it is authentically New York and authentically soulful, delicious food with practically nothing over $10.

2. Someone must have already told you about Beard Papa, the trendy Japanese cream puff chain we have around the city that was at the height of it’s popularity a few years ago, but if you like cream puffs, try. They make them right before your eyes and feature different custard flavors daily like green tea and pumpkin.

3. For New York style Italian, I am head over heels in love with the little neighborhood place my boyfriend took me to after I moved to Brooklyn, La Locanda on Graham Avenue. In Manhattan, don’t miss the garden at Lil’ Frankies on 1st Avenue and 1st Street, if you want more of a party atmosphere. There’s an indie radio station next door and they broadcast (loud) in the restaurant.

4. Yes, Grimaldi’s and Lombardi’s are both amazing, but I can’t resist the cute quaintness of 5 Roses on 1st Ave., run by two Polish ladies who make everything by hand. It more New York than Italian style, and I would recommend the meat special…the one with sausage, pepperoni…and PS: BYOB.

5. I’m not big on coffee, but I am big on cocktails, and French Roast on 6th Ave has the MOST amazing coffee cocktails you will ever try. They will give you a buzz and a buzzzz. Bonus= sidewalk cafe for people watching, and they also have a pretty nice brunch.

6. Get lost in the West Village and you’ll find all kinds of little used book shops. Believe me, it is so much more fun to stumble across a discovery of your own than have to search out someone else’s.

7. See # 5 and also my favorite, Cafe Habana on Prince St., for Chilaquiles and Mexican Corn. It is worth the wait if you like Latin flavors and a funky vibe.

8. Go to Chinatown for Ice Cream…flavors like pineapple, lychee, everything. There is one place on West Broadway, one on Baxter, is one on Division still there?? I don’t know names.

9. My favorite place for sushi is Tomoe on Thompson…I have been to Japan and this is the closest to authentic…but for a rowdy, FUN time with the college-crowd try Kanka on St. Marks…it’s not sushi but Japanese bar snacks…go LATE night and try the deep fried garlic. Just look for the giant racoon with the red eyes (the sign is in Japanese).

10. a)I reccommend you do not stay anywhere near midtown. Big hotels full of tourists…you might as well be in Disney. See about subletting someone’s apt. on craigslist. You could stay in Soho, or the Village, where hotels cost hundreds, but you’ll pay less. b) Don’t miss a walk across Brooklyn Bridge and see if you can download a “tour” because it has a long and fascinating history.

HAVE FUN!