I stumbled into this tiny restaurant with one desire: Sushi. What I walked out with was way better and fully unexpected. Attracted by the humble sign on their front door that reads “No Spicy Tuna, No California Rolls, Just Trust Me,” I knew I wanted to explore this little sushi joint. I walked in and…
Scarpetta on the Beach – Montauk
Here we go! Located in the lovely Gurney’s Sea Resort, Scarpetta is the restaurant of choice (and only choice) at this luxury sta A dimly lit modern setting greets you with a crowd of Gurney’s vacationers. Nevertheless, the star of the restaurant is obvious: The Food. The bread basket was great! There was a prosciutto…
The Up & Up – Greenwich Village
Right on MacDougal, The Up & Up is a hidden gem. It’s easy to miss — you have to go downstairs into a relatively spacious dark room. First, outside, there is usually someone who puts you down on the waiting list. I am surprised that there is usually almost always a bit of a wait,…
Spicy Moon – East Village
Spicy Moon is a relatively low-key whole-in-the-wall joint in the East Village, and actually happens to be right in the heart of the Ukrainian village. The place is rather small and casual, but nonetheless has a very comfortable and home-like vibe. The service and owners seem very caring, pleasant, and overall the vibe left a…
Small Batch – Garden City
I used to watch Top Chef on Bravo a lot, so visiting Tom Colicchio‘s restaurant in Garden City was rather exciting for me. Located right at Roosevelt Field Mall, Small Batch is located amongst the other collection of restaurants at the mall, such as Capital Grille. I really liked the exterior of the restaurant. The…
The Polo Bar – Midtown East
The Polo Bar has easily risen as one of my favorite restaurants in New York City. Elegantly designed by Ralph Lauren’s taste, the restaurant is ordained in handsome and classy brown leather, green plaid, and plenty of horse-related decor. A reservation is absolutely essential. Perhaps you could squeeze yourself in if you are truly lucky,…
Lobby – Aruba
Right outside of the long strip of hotels in Aruba is a small area full of nightlife, and right at the heart of this area is a relatively new restaurant with chic and beautiful design called Lobby. At first, I was relatively skeptical of going to a “new” restaurant near our hotel, especially with a…
Gatsby’s Landing – Roslyn
Right on the water, Gatsby’s Landing boldly claimed a rather powerful name. Naturally, Long Islanders and visitors alike must be drawn to the allure of any restaurant willing to claim the grand name of Gatsby. Gatsby’s Landing has a relatively modest interior, considering its name. It has a rather Hamptons, chill and relaxed atmosphere. The…
Mara’s Homemade – Syosset
You know the feeling — when all you want is some Southern comfort, Cajun spice, barbecue, and good old fashioned home cooking. There’s very few places around that can give you that level of authenticity that is commonly found in the streets of NOLA. But, there is a place… Mara’s Homemade is tucked away in…
Hummus & Pita Co. – Midtown West
Right by Port Authority is a small joint called Hummus and Pita Co. There are multiple locations throughout the city, and it appears to be a Chipotle-version of Mediterranean food. There is plenty of seating at this location, including an upstairs seating area. You order yourself at the counter. The location is clean and well…
Set L.E.S. – Lower East Side
Lower East Side has handfuls of great restaurants. Set L.E.S is a trendy little restaurant offering a lot of pub food — sliders, burgers, sides, wings, skewers, etc. The restaurant is not very large, but is comfortable enough to have dinner with a relatively large group of people. The coolest thing that this restaurant has…
Rothchild’s Coffee and Kitchen – Great Neck
On Middle Neck Road, which is a rather busy and trendy street full of small cafes, bakeries, and shops, there is a very quaint location for brunch, lunch, or even dinner. Rothchild’s has a menu collectively from American, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern background. The atmosphere is very modern and refreshing, and relatively casual. It seems…
Gabby's Choice 