Travel Guide: NYC

Last weekend, Graham and I traveled to NYC (our first trip without Arthur!) for our friends Chloe and Nick’s wedding. I hadn’t been on an airplane in three years, and the travel was smoother and better than expected. We didn’t have a ton of time in NYC, but we did try to eat as much good food as possible. I know I wrote last week that I only wanted to revisit old favorites—well, it turns out I couldn’t help but try at least a couple of new restaurants, and I wanted to share a few of my favorite spots:

Mel

When our flight touched down in JFK and I turned off airplane mode, the first text that I saw was from Chloe. She told me to check out Mel, a bakery that she promised was the best in NYC. We both have high standards for bakeries, so I knew she wasn’t playing around, and that I better find my way to Mel. The morning of Chloe and Nick’s wedding, we stopped by and tried the poppy seed snail pastry (phenomenal) and coffee cake (possibly the best I’ve ever had). I brought a loaf of rugbrød home, carefully packed in my suitcase, and we ate it for breakfast—thinly sliced, toasted until dark around the edges, and generously buttered—all week long.

Kiki’s

Another Chloe recommendation! Kiki’s is a Greek restaurant around the corner from Mel. We had a late-night dinner here after arriving in NYC. It’s so popular and the food is so delicious that there was still a wait for a table at 10:30pm, when we put our name on the list.

Zabar’s

A classic that I hadn’t ever had the chance to visit until this trip. Wow, I would shop here every week if I could. We tried the Israeli salad, a couple of warm knishes (potato and spinach), and the legendary babka. All of it amazing.

East Wind Snack Shop

We spent an entire day hanging out in our old Brooklyn neighborhood. The dumplings at East Wind haven’t changed since we used to live down the street. They are just as juicy and hot as ever.

Bagel Hole

Still my go-to bagel in the whole city. Is there a better bagel? I don’t think so. I love how they are not trying to be hip in any way. I love their dedication to the craft. I love their bagels and I really wish I lived within walking distance of the Bagel Hole.

There’s so much more! The city is vast and the food options are glorious. Where do you love to eat in NYC?