Restaurant Guide
"My mum’s favorite thing to make for dinner is RESERVATIONS." |
"My mum’s favorite thing to make for dinner is RESERVATIONS." |
New York, New York, USA 1. Afternoon Tea at the baccarat hotelThe Baccarat Hotel offers nothing but luxury and extravagance from the moment you walk in. When I entered their Grand Salon, I was impressed by how deluxe, classy and tasteful it all was. The decor itself features a contemporary modern interior design, high ceilings, hints of crimson and of course, lots and lots of crystals along with grand chandeliers. What makes afternoon tea so special in this place is all the interesting options to choose from. First you have the King Louis XV (The more traditional afternoon tea including scones, sandwiches and sweets; which is what I went for), then The Prince of Wales (featuring three course foods), Sultan Abdulazis (A very Middle Easternly chic meal for two) and The Tsar Nicholas II (including caviar dishes and champagne). 2. Sushi YasudaSushi Yasuda, located near Grand Central terminal, is probably one of the best sushi places I could recommend! Something I love about this place is that you can do something called Omakase (Meaning I'll leave it up to you), so you are basically served the chef's choice. They'll bring around three dishes at a time until you tell them you are done. I particularly think this is an awesome way to try different dishes and flavours you would have never thought of ordering from the menu. The food literally melts in your mouth and the fish is so fresh! The location is simple, sleek and cozy and has incredible service. I do recommend that you make reservations with enough advance in order to avoid disappointment. Also, make reservations for around noon, as soon as they start serving lunch, as they could run out of certain items rather quickly. 3. MariebelleMariebelle is the prettiest chocolatier in all of New York City. In the front of the store, they sell all sorts of chocolates, truffles, teas, cakes and goodies. At the back of the store you'll find The Cacao Bar and Tea Salon; the perfect place to go with friends and enjoy some chocolate goodness. I would recommend you get the Marie Antoinette cake, which as seen in the picture below comes in the most adorable and creative book styled box. Inside you will find the unique story behind this cake. I brought two back home with me! 4. The BG Restaurant at Bergdorf GoodmanIf you are looking for a chic and upscale ambiance for either lunch, afternoon tea or dinner, then the BG Restaurant, located on the 7th floor, is the place for you. As soon as I first walked in, I was astounded by the gorgeous pastel rococo interiors designed by Kelly Wearstler along with the natural brightness of the room and its views over central park. Their menu includes a large variety of fresh and deliciously unique dishes. Plus, I cannot speak highly enough of how attentive and obliging the staff is here! Probably the best I've encountered in the city! This place is a must when in New York! 5. EatalyYou guessed it! Just as its name would suggest, Eataly, located in the Flat Iron district, is more than just a restaurant or a food hall! It offers the best of all worlds when it comes to Italian food. Think of it as a big hall divided into different restaurants and kiosks. Here you'll be able to find any, but I mean ANY type of homemade pasta, pizza combinations, cheeses, fresh bread, meats, italian oils, sauces, candies, souvenirs as well as some really cool kitchen gadgets. Oh!! and let's not forget their fabulous Nutella bar, where you can eat basically Nutella stuffed anything! 6. The polo barI was lucky enough to get a last minute work invite to this spot and am happy that I jumped on the opportunity. Apparently, this spot has been here for years but I never knew about it. The Polo Bar, from its traditional english style decor to the other patrons, transports you into a world of luxury and opulence. I love the atmosphere and superbly cooked food, but the bar and lounge area that you're met with as soon as you enter the restaurant is certainly the highlight of the night! I do have to note that the place was particularly crowded and service is a bit slow; still, it's a fabulous spot in the city that cannot be missed. 7. Magnolia bakeryFor all my Sex and the City fans, this place must sound familiar! Magnolia Bakery, founded over 20 years ago, has become a New York City Icon along with being particularly favoured by those with a sweet tooth! The bakery is known for its variety of pastries, especially its cupcakes. My special favorites will always be their hummingbird cupcake, a banana, pineapple and pecan cake with cream cheese frosting, and their White Chocolate macadamia cheesecake. So so good!! 8. Au Za'atarIf you are looking for rich, flavourful, and well seasoned dishes, then Au Za'atar, near Chinatown, is one place you cannot miss in New York. If you wish to order Shawarma, their signature dish, beware that it is not on the menu and you must ask your waiter as they do tend to run out. Trust me when I say you won't regret it. Their pita bread and hummus is so fresh and goes nicely with most of their dishes. I myself also had their grilled Hulloumi, (which is a type of cheese made of a mix sheep, goat, and sometimes cow's milk), it was wonderfully tasty and came with different types of middle eastern sauces. Delicious! I too loved how crunchy their Chips, or French fries, were; they make for the perfect side dish for anything you order. Well, that's all for now! I am always in search for new food places whenever I visit New York City
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