So good. I grew up in the Village at the same time! John's and Mama Budha are core memories, it brings me back to when it felt like a real neighborhood. Visiting recently I was really sad to see Claude's bakery go, where we got eclairs and napoleons growing up (the store is still there but they don't serve the french specialty stuff, just $8 matcha croissants).
All my favourites in the honourable mentions! Plus the tuna melt at Good Enough to Eat, the whitefish on black rye at Eli Zabar’s EAT and the cream cheese stuffed date-walnut bread at the Cupping Room Cafe. I miss NYC so much.
Truly one of my favorite pieces ever. As a fellow born and bred New Yorker I’m amazed by your memory of each year and I definitely need a phone call to my parents to capture this same essence. Restaurants are history and memories and it’s also why I love this industry so much!!!
Only went to Hart’s once, per a friend’s recommendation/decision-making capability. Considered moving to NY solely to be apart of that staff and atmosphere. Great memory.
love this! also love that the first NYC restaurant I ever dined at (15 years ago!) is in your honorable mentions — Cafeteria’s coffee and donut dessert is seared into my memory
So good. I grew up in the Village at the same time! John's and Mama Budha are core memories, it brings me back to when it felt like a real neighborhood. Visiting recently I was really sad to see Claude's bakery go, where we got eclairs and napoleons growing up (the store is still there but they don't serve the french specialty stuff, just $8 matcha croissants).
I could read this list over and over. I love that Hug Esan is included. That’s a top three Thai restaurant for me!
As a lifelong NYer: this is truly fabulous.
Thank you, Elissa! Would love to read yours…
Welcome back!
Northern Spy Food Co.!
Love this! I've been thinking of doing something similar for Oakland as well, except for only shuttered places. Sad how these things go sometimes..
They must be memorialized!
I'd give it all up for one more lunch at Fred's
I’d argue that the Mark's Madison Avenue Salad, a tuna chopped, was the best salad known to man
YES. I also loved Estelle's chicken soup. Both perfect with that cone of thick fries
Literal perfect order, we are the same
All my favourites in the honourable mentions! Plus the tuna melt at Good Enough to Eat, the whitefish on black rye at Eli Zabar’s EAT and the cream cheese stuffed date-walnut bread at the Cupping Room Cafe. I miss NYC so much.
RIP Northern Spy!!
The kale salad to end all kale salads
Absolutely legendary 18th birthday dinner
Truly one of my favorite pieces ever. As a fellow born and bred New Yorker I’m amazed by your memory of each year and I definitely need a phone call to my parents to capture this same essence. Restaurants are history and memories and it’s also why I love this industry so much!!!
Only went to Hart’s once, per a friend’s recommendation/decision-making capability. Considered moving to NY solely to be apart of that staff and atmosphere. Great memory.
This is one of the best things I’ve read all year!! Made me really appreciate why this is one of the best food cities in the world:)))
Great post, Emily.
love this! also love that the first NYC restaurant I ever dined at (15 years ago!) is in your honorable mentions — Cafeteria’s coffee and donut dessert is seared into my memory
Omg Kae! I had my 8th birthday there, it rocked. The mac n cheese!
You went to Little red growing up? I went to St. Luke’s. My downtown spot for a lot of occasions was Noho Star.