Guidebook for New York
Food Scene
Hands-down my favorite Thai restaurant among the many in the neighborhood. Try the Ratchaburi Crab & Pork Dry Noodle and the Chicken Curry Puffs. They don't take reservations, so be prepared to wait during peak hours.
Tip: Swing by on your way back to the apartment to put your name and number on their list.
102 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pure Thai Cookhouse
766 9th AveHands-down my favorite Thai restaurant among the many in the neighborhood. Try the Ratchaburi Crab & Pork Dry Noodle and the Chicken Curry Puffs. They don't take reservations, so be prepared to wait during peak hours.
Tip: Swing by on your way back to the apartment to put your name and number on their list.
Cute and romantic restaurant just around the corner. Great for cheese and wine.
52 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Casellula
401 W 52nd StCute and romantic restaurant just around the corner. Great for cheese and wine.
Incredible Mediterranean cuisine. Their trio of dips is a must along with their made-to-order breads. Everything here is delicious and flavorful. A little on the pricey side but totally worth it.
56 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Taboon
773 10th AveIncredible Mediterranean cuisine. Their trio of dips is a must along with their made-to-order breads. Everything here is delicious and flavorful. A little on the pricey side but totally worth it.
Solid restaurant and menu with a cute ambiance. Great cocktails.
35 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bea
403 W 43rd StSolid restaurant and menu with a cute ambiance. Great cocktails.
44 & X
622 10th AvenueFantastic brunch menu and great-looking staff.
Perfect spot for a late-night or post-bar meal. Open till 4am on weekends.
12 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Luckys Famous Burgers
370 W 52nd StPerfect spot for a late-night or post-bar meal. Open till 4am on weekends.
Open 24 hours to satisfy those hunger pangs. I love the pepperoni (tastes like a Hot Pocket) and the cheeseburger.
115 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Empanada Mama
765 9th AveOpen 24 hours to satisfy those hunger pangs. I love the pepperoni (tastes like a Hot Pocket) and the cheeseburger.
Shake Shack
Madison AvenueA must for any burger lover.
Fantastic modern Korean cuisine. This place held 1 Michelin star for a few years.
21 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Danji
346 W 52nd StFantastic modern Korean cuisine. This place held 1 Michelin star for a few years.
Delicious Mediterranean food. It's a bit out of the way, but they have great cocktails and an excellent brunch.
Ousia
629 W 57th StDelicious Mediterranean food. It's a bit out of the way, but they have great cocktails and an excellent brunch.
You'll likely need reservations for this unless you're super lucky with a walk in. The place is small, holding only about 12 guests at a time, but if you love cheese, it's a winner.
19 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Raclette
511 E 12th StYou'll likely need reservations for this unless you're super lucky with a walk in. The place is small, holding only about 12 guests at a time, but if you love cheese, it's a winner.
My favorite ramen spot. They don't reservations so get there earlyish to beat the dinner rush. Shisito peppers and pork buns are must-haves for starters.
116 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ippudo Westside
321 W 51st StMy favorite ramen spot. They don't reservations so get there earlyish to beat the dinner rush. Shisito peppers and pork buns are must-haves for starters.
Hidden Japanese gem. Incredible authentic dishes that you don't find in most NY Japanese restaurants. They have an extensive Sake menu.
21 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sakagura
211 43rd StHidden Japanese gem. Incredible authentic dishes that you don't find in most NY Japanese restaurants. They have an extensive Sake menu.
My go-to spot for smoothies. They also make some great açai bowls and carry a bunch of healthy and gluten-free snacks.
67 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Juice Generation
210 Bedford AveMy go-to spot for smoothies. They also make some great açai bowls and carry a bunch of healthy and gluten-free snacks.
Yes, it's a chain, but they have some delicious sandwiches and even yummier desserts and treats that are beautifully-made and packaged. This place is great for a quick bite on the way to the park or while wandering around Midtown. Also, don't be misled by the name. It's actually a Korean company.
47 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Paris Baguette
6 W 32nd StYes, it's a chain, but they have some delicious sandwiches and even yummier desserts and treats that are beautifully-made and packaged. This place is great for a quick bite on the way to the park or while wandering around Midtown. Also, don't be misled by the name. It's actually a Korean company.
Parks & Nature
High Line Park
Great place for people-watching and laying out. This is my favorite alternative to Central Park. Very gay-friendly.
13 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Christopher Street Pier
393 West StGreat place for people-watching and laying out. This is my favorite alternative to Central Park. Very gay-friendly.
Arts & Culture
David Zwirner
537 W 20th StThe Museum of Modern Art
11 West 53rd StreetEssentials
Don't waste your time washing your own clothes while on vacation. This is my go-to place for "wash-and-fold" laundry service. Drop off your laundry in the morning, and it will be ready by the evening.
14 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Laundromat
500 W 48th StDon't waste your time washing your own clothes while on vacation. This is my go-to place for "wash-and-fold" laundry service. Drop off your laundry in the morning, and it will be ready by the evening.
Forgot some toiletries? Need some meds? This is your place to go.
230 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Duane Reade
2864 BroadwayForgot some toiletries? Need some meds? This is your place to go.
A more specialized grocery store. This place can be a bit pricey, but it's convenient.
197 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Amish Market
731 9th AveA more specialized grocery store. This place can be a bit pricey, but it's convenient.
Getting Around
C/E Station. Pay attention to which entrance you take for Uptown- or Downtown-bound trains. You cannot switch platforms once you've gone through the turnstile.
14 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
50 Street Subway Station
C/E Station. Pay attention to which entrance you take for Uptown- or Downtown-bound trains. You cannot switch platforms once you've gone through the turnstile.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great place to end the night with some dancing. Don't be intimidated if there is a line out front. It moves fast.
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Ritz Bar & Lounge
369 W 46th StGreat place to end the night with some dancing. Don't be intimidated if there is a line out front. It moves fast.
Favorite gay watering hole with a neighborly vibe. This place is a great start or end to a fun night out.
12 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Rise Bar
859 9th AveFavorite gay watering hole with a neighborly vibe. This place is a great start or end to a fun night out.
This bar is just across the street from Therapy, so it's great for barhopping. Arrive closer to midnight when there's a decent crowd, but beware of long bathroom lines.
44 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Industry Bar
355 W 52nd StThis bar is just across the street from Therapy, so it's great for barhopping. Arrive closer to midnight when there's a decent crowd, but beware of long bathroom lines.
Shopping
Accessible luxury shop featuring a gorgeous interior at this flagship location.
27 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Club Monaco
160 5th AveAccessible luxury shop featuring a gorgeous interior at this flagship location.