Umami Burger

With three other friends around 6 o'clock at night we decided to walk around the East Village and decided we were all starving so I recommended a burger place called Umami Burger that is well known in California and since the franchise opened up a New York location, that location has always been packed. We walked over to the New York location in Greenwich Village. Once we walked in we saw a line and we were close to changing our minds and leaving to go to another restaurant, but we asked how long the wait would be and the waiter kindly said probably 30 minutes. The four of us decided to stay and try out the amazing burgers at this restaurant and see if it was worth the long wait. 

After 30 minutes like the waiter said, we finally were seated and asked if we wanted sparkling, crystal or tap water. We agreed with tap water. One of my friends ordered an iced lemonade. The rest of us decided tap water would be fine with the meal. After carefully looking at the menu we ordered as a group: 3 truffle burgers, 3 truffle fries, 1 side of onion rings and 1 throwback burger. You can find the full menu: here. 

The burgers were all the size of the burgers compared to Shake Shack. Even though they were not too big, I decided to still cut it in half so that it would not be too messy. After taking the first bite, it was so savory (note: the motto of the restaurant is to eat amazing food and savor it all). Between the truffle fries coated with cheese and the burger itself, it was understandable why people wait half an hour or longer to have a burger from this restaurant. The waitress serving and helping us also brought over the special sauces they have that pair out nicely with the fries. It was great to experience and try something new. My friends and I were all happy with our choice of going here for dinner and to catch up and just chat while enjoying some amazing food.

432 6th Avenue

New York, NY 10011

Jack's Wife Freda

The 6 train stops fairly close to this small cafe and restaurant. It is convenient for Hunter College students because you take the 6 down to Spring Street and just walk a few blocks. The park across the street is called the Petrosino Park where you find people sitting inside on the benches either people or bird watching and also little and big dogs on a walk with their owners. On a nice day you could sit outside to order and enjoy your meal while looking at the park.

On a Thursday right after 4:30pm, my friend who goes to the New York Institute of Technology and I met up at Aroma located near W Houston Street and Greene Street to then walk over to the restaurant we planned to dine at. Along the way of walking over to the restaurant we passed by a few photographers whom were paparazzi waiting to photograph Kim Kardashian. After finally arriving at the destination, we walked in and were extremely grateful it was not too packed inside and noticed there was a perfect spot secluded just for two people. Our waitress seats us and we immediately look at the menu that are placed on every table in the restaurant because it also acts as a place mat for the food and drinks you order. 

Immediately on the table I notice the different types of sugar the place has and I had to take a look at the sayings. The sayings were: "Sugar for my honey," "Jack loves Freda," and "I love you a latte."

The breakfast and lunch menu is available: here and the dinner menu is available: here. 

After looking at the menu for about 10 minutes, we placed our orders. I ordered the chicken prego with arugula salad along with a cappuccino. The chicken prego comes with either fries or salad. You have the option to pick which you would like before you order since it states it on the menu. In addition the waitress asked if I would like avocado and cheese on it, which I kindly said yes please. 

After receiving the food, I started with the salad which had some balsamic vinegar which tasted delicious. There should have been more dressing because some of the arugula tasted plain and bland. For the sandwich it was the right size and amount for a light but filling meal. The avocado and cheese made the sandwich so mouthwatering that I ended up eating the sandwich pretty quick. The chicken was grilled and seasoned. As I was close to finishing the sandwich, it started to fall apart a little, but even if it turned a little messy, it was still very delicious and manageable. 

The avocado and cheese were extra on top of the regular price, so the sandwich came out to be around $17 then the cappuccino was $4 and with tax and gratuity it came out to be around $25 for the entire meal.

224 Lafayette Street

New York, NY 10012

Gemma at the Bowery Hotel

After a long school day and meeting up near the East Village, my friend Nicole and I decided to try the food at the restaurant that we've been hearing reviews about. We have always heard good things about the margherita pizza which was perfect for us to share. Since we both finished all our classes and hadn't eaten all day it was perfect to have a nice late lunch and early dinner. 

Once walking in we were then seated and after getting the menu, we didn't have to look long at the menu and we told the waiter that we were planning to share the margherita pizza. After placing our order the waiter brought over some bread with olive oil and seasoning on top as a side while we waited for the pizza. 

The various menus including breakfast, brunch, brunch cocktails, lunch, dinner, cocktails and dessert are: here.

After getting our margherita pizza, it was nice and warm. Since it was too hot to use our hands we both used the forks and knives to eat the pizza. We each had three slices since there was a total of six slices. We both agreed that the pizza was up to what the big hype was about. After finishing the pizza and bread, we decided that we would both each order tiramisu.

 

The tiramisu was affordable and also very good compared to what both of us have ever had. In total the order came out around $20 for each of us, including gratuity. 

355 Bowery

New York, NY 10003

The Melt Shop

On a rainy day, my friend Nicole and I decided to stop by Melt Shop just a few blocks away from where Gigi on Broadway was playing.

After walking in and looking at the menu for a few minutes we finally decided to order. You can find the menu: here. 

We both ordered the "classic sandwich" which is a regular grilled cheese, but better. In addition we also ordered with additional things inside. My friend ordered it with onions inside and I asked for bacon inside which is an additional amount. We also ordered a side of the "shop tots" which are tater tots seasoned. 

The shop tots are seasoned and with a little ketchup on them makes it even more delicious. The ketchup is self-served and it comes in little packets. 

The orders came out to be approximately $10-$14. 

Overall the meal was filling and it is not too expensive so it is affordable for almost anyone even college students. Even if you were to go in to order a snack, I highly recommend the shop tots. 

135 W 50th Street
New York, NY 10020

Four other locations: here

Haru Sushi

Before seeing a movie near Union Square, my French friend and her friend she met through her internship on the Upper West Side in an office building, we all decided to grab dinner at a sushi restaurant nearby. Located near Gramercy Park and just a few blocks away from Regal Union Square Cinemas, it was really convienent. 

We met right outside the restaurant on the corner and introduced each other and then walked in. Immediately we were asked if we wanted to take part in happy hour and be seated at the sushi bar or just regular seats. Happy Hour was offered from 3-7pm on Mondays thru Fridays. We had chosen to sit at the sushi bar and order off the happy hour menu. We took about 10 minutes to decide what we wanted. First we ordered drinks, and I had ordered a mojito. 

We then all ordered amongst the three of us a list of rolls and appetizers including: vegetable spring rolls, California rolls, and crunchy spicy salmon rolls. The restaurant also offered spicy tuna rolls for a discounted price during happy hour. Although we only ordered off the happy hour menu, they offer many various other rolls and dishes that you could order off from as well. 

You can look at the various different menus: here. 

After getting all the food we finally dig in and we al agreed that the meal was delicious. When you bite into the crunchy spicy salmon rolls you really hear the crunch echoing in your head as you are chewing. The vegetable spring rolls were not fried which made it delicious. Sometimes having too much fried and oily foods is very unhealthy. The California rolls tasted like any other California roll from any Japanese sushi restaurant or even the sushi that Whole Foods sells. As for the mojito I ordered, it was not as bitter as some places would make so it was good. Overall the entire meal was great and I definitely would come back and introduce the place to other friends. 

220 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 

Cafe Gitane 

Located in SoHo downtown on Mott Street and Prince Street is a little French cafe called Cafe Gitane. When it is nice out, enjoy a nice meal outside while getting some fresh air. However for my friend and I, it happen to rain and snow when we decided to go to the cafe. After opening the door to walk in, there is a step and then curtains and the place is darkly lit. We get out menus and sit down. After glancing at the menu, we reached a decision. My friend and I both ordered cappuccinos. I then ordered avocado toast and the baked pasta, while she ordered a waffle with fruit. Find the menu here.

The cappuccino needed lots of syrup. The restaurant provided a bottle of syrup that could be used in both my friend's waffle and also in the drinks. After getting the food, the pasta was really hot, even the plate. I decided to start on the avocado toast until the pasta cooled off a bit. The avocado toast had a very strong taste of lemon compared to other avo toasts I've had in other places around New York City. The pasta was really good and the way it was made definitely lived up to that name of the dish because it was listed as "baked pasta." It was nice and cheesy as well as filled with many spices that would linger on the tip of your tongue. My friend really enjoyed her dish she ordered and she can find herself coming back with other friends or family.

242 Mott Street

New York, NY 10012

HOURS OF OPERATION

Sun - Thur 8.30am - midnight

Fri & Sat 8.30am - 12:30am  

**CASH ONLY**

Chobani SoHo

On a cold and freezing afternoon during a snowstorm, I met up with my French friend who is studying and interning in New York City for this semester. We had met through another friend of mine who I met a few years ago. Once she said she wanted to try the best food places and try new food, I knew we would get along right away. 

Going for something like a light snack, we decided on Chobani in the SoHo area of the city where you are able to create your own yogurt creation with many toppings or to pick a blend of toppings and yogurt they have picked for the menu. 

After arriving at the location, the place itself is surrounded by all glass windows which lets people who pass by to look in. Not only do they offer yogurt creations, they also offer sandwiches, soup and coffee and tee which you would not think a yogurt branded store would have. 

Click on the menu image for a bigger version. A copy of the menu can also be found here. 

After carefully looking at the menu my friend decided on the half-size "Peanut Butter & Jelly" yogurt creation. The ingredients in it are the original Chobani yogurt, creamy peanut butter, fresh red grapes, concord grape jelly and roasted peanuts. I ordered the full size "Toasted Coconut & Pineapple." It also has the original Chobani yogurt, fresh pineapples, toasted coconut flakes, crushed hazelnuts, light agave nectar. They offer two sizes: half and full size. The half size is approximately the size and amount found in a yogurt cup you purchase at the store where as the full size would be closely equivalent to a store created yogurt parfait with fruit and granola. After finally getting our orders and we started to try it out I asked what my friend thought about hers right away.

My friend said she really enjoyed hers and that she would try to learn how to make the same creation at home with the same ingredients. 

When ordering my yogurt creation, I was intrigued by the ingredients but mostly pineapple because I have never had yogurt with pineapple in it. The "toasted coconut and pineapple" yogurt creation is good for anyone who loves pineapple. The pineapple used in it were nice and sweet, it reminded me of the pineapple from my work. At my work the pineapple we cut and process are super sweet with no hint of sourness at all. I loved having it as a small snack and I can definitely see myself combining pineapple into vanilla or greek yogurt in the future as a home creation made at my house. 

The total came out to be around $12 for both yogurt creations.



152 PRINCE ST. NY 10012
MON-FRI 8AM-7PM
SAT 8AM-8PM
SUN 9AM-7PM

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