A Few of Erin's Food Picks

When Ben and I had our weekend without kids a little while back, we asked my sister-in-law Erin for food recommendations. The New York food scene is extensive enough that no matter how many places we've tried and loved, we never come close to trying them all. Erin had wonderful ideas, keeping in mind places she knew we hadn't been to. Here they are with her notes:

For Lunch
Bouchon Bakery — Columbus Circle in the Time Warner Bldg. By Thomas Keller of French Laundry and per se fame.

Momofuku Noodle Bar — The chef was Bon Appetite's chef of the year this year. It's casual sit at a bar kind of place — think ramen noodles but totally homemade.

Rickshaw Dumplings — 61 W 23rd st. (23rd between 6th and Broadway) We love the pork and the chicken dumplings. Ben would like the chocolate dumpling.

Shake Shack — Madison Square Park, Broadway and 23rd



For Dinner
Gotham — 12 E. 12th st (between 5th and University) They have a $25 lunch prix fixe if you can't get in for dinner.

Craft — 43 E. 19th St. (bet. B-way and Park Ave. S.) Rebecca R. told me this was her favorite place they'd been, so we tried it last year. It's amazing. Same price point as Gotham.

Vong — 200 E. 54 th St (3rd Ave.) They call this French-Thai. Lots of Thai flavors but more French preparation. They have a pre-theater prix fixe that is a great price.

For Dessert
Pinkberry — This is the frozen yogurt place. There are lots of locations, all open until 11:00.
32nd street - 7W 32nd st.
Chelsea 170 8th Ave.
Columbia 2873 Broadway
Greenwich Village 177 Bleecker St.
Spring Street 41 Spring St.

Chickalicious — 203 E. 10th St. (between 1st and 2nd) One of my most favorite New York memories. You put your name in and wait in this tiny place (it seats 20) for like an hour, but then enjoy a three courses of dessert. And it's nothing like a buffet dessert, each course is simple and small and beautifully crafted. A husband/wife team runs it, the wife is Japanese and you see her influence in presentation and simplicity. It's a prix fixe menu — $21 a person. It's amazing!!

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What a list! Perfect for our weekend. We didn't get to every place on Erin's list, but we loved having options so we didn't have to think hard about it and could pick a restaurant close to where we were. We ended up at Gotham (classic New York) for dinner on Friday and Momofuku (super-hip, young New York) for dinner on Saturday and loved them both.

She might have different recommendations for a different weekend and a different couple. But I thought I would share this great list because I know how many people come into town for the Holidays and need food advice. Erin gives great food advice.

images from Momofuku, Bouchon and Gotham