I've been finding many gems as of late, and I found another one in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. From the team behind Txikito and El Quinto Pino in Chelsea, two awesome Spanish tapas joints, comes the new La Vara, another fabulous tapas spot. This place is true perfection.
Read moreMezetto
On the corner of Allen and Houston lies the gem of a Mediterranean tapas joint called Mezetto. What was once the Spanish tapas joint Oliva now serves delicious Mediterranean tapas, and it's great.
Taking the "bun" to the Mediterranean, they replace pork belly with falafel, a tasty little starter.
Read moreBikinis
I found another gem in the East Village. A treasure. It's small and
cute, a low-key cafe vibe. And I love the place. It's called Bikinis,
and it specializes in..the bikini- a Barcelona style pressed sandwich.
Duck's Eatery
Another day, another East Village gem. I stopped into the new Duck's Eatery recently and was pleasantly surprised with how good the food is here.
A snack called "Dee's Nuts" ($6), cashews, Benton's bacon, cocoa krispies, and and bing cherries, was addicitve as can be. This would pair well with any beer or cocktail.
Read moreEl Toro Blanco
From the team behind Lure Fishbar and Burger & Barrel, comes their rockin' and fun new Mexican joint El Toro Blanco. Just like their other two spots, this is a festive joint, with delectable fare.
Read moreThe Beagle
When I told the waitress at The Beagle, a cocktail lounge in the East Village, that I was more interested in eating the food than drinking, she frowned upon it. She gave us a little attitude and in fact, she was not "comfortable and inviting" as their website states.
Read moreGwynnett St.
Brooklyn is booming with fabulous restaurants. I tend to dine out in Manhattan more, the city I love, but Brooklyn should not be overlooked. With casual, cool, and hip gems, for less money, Brooklyn is where it's at.
Read moreDumpling Man
I lover a good bang for your buck. I love dumplings. A lot. Usually for the best dumplings, and for the best bangs for your buck in all of the World, I head to Chinatown in NYC. Well, there are plenty of other great bangs for your buck all over the city too.
Read morePorsena Extra Bar
Before Miss Sandy came into town, I found myself grabbing lunch at Porsena Extra Bar a lot. The annex to Porsena, Sara Jenkins' pasta restaurant, Porsena Extra Bar serves fantastic sandwiches and salads for lunch, and I highly recommend you stop by.
Read moreNeta
One of the most exciting restaurants to open up this year is the Japanese jewel Neta, on West 8th Street. With the two chef/owners hailing from Masa and Bar Masa, you would expect pure awesomeness. And that is what you get.
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