32 Comments
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Elissa Altman's avatar

As a lifelong NYer: this is truly fabulous.

Emily Wilson's avatar

Thank you, Elissa! Would love to read yours…

ilexa landau's avatar

Same. Loving the Perla shoutout haven’t thought about that gem in a while

Gabrielle Scelzo's avatar

I'd give it all up for one more lunch at Fred's

Emily Wilson's avatar

I’d argue that the Mark's Madison Avenue Salad, a tuna chopped, was the best salad known to man

Gabrielle Scelzo's avatar

YES. I also loved Estelle's chicken soup. Both perfect with that cone of thick fries

Emily Wilson's avatar

Literal perfect order, we are the same

Emma Orlow's avatar

RIP Northern Spy!!

Emily Wilson's avatar

The kale salad to end all kale salads

Juliette Sibley's avatar

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!!!

Lily Starbuck's avatar

Otto. Best childhood memories. Always ready for dessert.

Em's avatar

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).

Kerry Hoffman's avatar

I could read this list over and over. I love that Hug Esan is included. That’s a top three Thai restaurant for me!

Mahira Rivers's avatar

Welcome back!

Matt Rodbard's avatar

Northern Spy Food Co.!

JAKE MIKE BOY's avatar

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..

Emily Wilson's avatar

They must be memorialized!

Felicity Spector's avatar

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.

Phoebe Fry's avatar

Absolutely legendary 18th birthday dinner

Patrick's avatar

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.

Abena Anim-Somuah's avatar

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:)))

Brooks Reitz's avatar

Great post, Emily.

Kae Whalen's avatar

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

Emily Wilson's avatar

Omg Kae! I had my 8th birthday there, it rocked. The mac n cheese!