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

Official Website| Twitter | Instagram

The Smile

"The Smile, which opened in March 2009, is a cozy, subterranean café on picturesque Bond Street in Downtown Manhattan. Located in a landmark 1830s Federal-style townhouse, the café is firmly rooted in the local community and serves as a clubhouse of sorts serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner." - from the About Us page on the official website.

Always being the one to recommend restaurants and nice little cafes to friends to try, this was the first time one of my good friends recommended a place we should try together. My friend, Alexis, and I decided to check out The Smile on Bond Street in New York City. 

The restaurant looks like one of those underground clubs or pubs located in a not so popular street in New York. You have to go down a set of stairs and after opening the door you go through curtains. After entering the American restaurant, a waitress greeted and seated us near the bar and placed the menus in front of us and asked if we would like sparkling or tap water. The place looks so small on the outside but once going inside you really get the look of the full room. It looked twice the size we both thought it would be. 

After glimpsing at the menu, both my friend and I ended up ordering the same food and additional drink. 

You can find a copy of the menu here.

It was a really cold afternoon and to stay warm we both ordered cappuccinos. We each ordered the "Harissa Honey Roasted Chicken Breast" sandwich. The description of the sandwich was listed on the menu as: roasted red peppers, manchego and preserved lemon mayo on baguette. Every sandwich is served with Northfork potato chips and house-made pickles.

 

First trying a few pieces of chips, it reminded me of the chips that you get at Panera Bread when you ask for chips with your order there. The sandwich was really filling. I would recommend going to order a sandwich here if you are starving because you walk out of there being full and completely satisfied. 

The sandwich was extremely crunchy. You hear the crunch and cracking echoing as you take each bite. The mixture of cheese and the red peppers gave it a damp and chewy feel.

The pickles had the mixture of both sweet and sour but because of the sourness my friend and I both were unable to finish the side of homemade pickles. 

After finishing and asking for the bill, it came out to be approximately $20 for both my friend and I each (including gratuity).

Official Website 

Instagram | Twitter | Facebook 

 

26 Bond Street

New York, NY 10012

Monday to Friday 8am - 11pm

Saturday 10am - 11pm

Sunday 10am - 10pm

Cafe Champignon

Commuting for school every day over the past few years led me to spend quite some time in New York City. The commuting allowed me to explore what places the great city has to offer that you do not hear about often. 

Two years ago on a slightly warm day in April after walking from 34th Street to Union Square I came across Cafe Champignon, a small French cafe located in Chelsea, just two blocks away from the 1 train. 

After finally deciding to try the food at the cafe. 

On a chilly morning at 10am with about three other customers inside the cafe sipping on coffee and munching on breakfast, while walking inside the waiter greets me and asks kindly how many people and if there was a preference in seating. Simply replying with one and saying no preference, he guides me to a set of red couches along the wall while placing the menu on the table and placing a fork and knife on the napkin prior to me sitting. 

 

The waiter was really attentive and came up to ask for my order fairly shortly after being seated but was happy to allow more time to make a decision. After carefully looking over the menu, I decided to order a cappuccino and an eggs benedict with salad, him offering a choice of home fries as an alternative.

In about 10 minutes I received my cappuccino and around 20-30 minutes I was given my plate of eggs benedict and salad. Starting with the salad, a mix of field greens with balsamic vinaigrette vinegar as the dressing, it was fairly tasteful with a bit of sweetness and sourness. With very little pressure and cutting into the eggs benedict, the yolk from the poached eggs pour out over the bacon and English muffin. It lets the overall taste stay moist. The English muffin halves are just right with a little crunchiness on the outside but the center is nice and soft.

You can find a version of the menu online here

 

 

200 7th Avenue

New York, NY 10011

 

Two Hands

A small cafe in the middle of Little Italy and Chinatown once started as a simple go up to the register, place your order and then find a seat sit-down restaurant. However, the cafe now offers waitress service where you have to wait to be seated to then order.

After walking thru two sets of doors and then being greeted by a female waitress you finally get seated. The waitress presents you and other guests with a small pamphlet that is the menu for the cafe. Words are printed on white sheets of paper with black ink from smoothies, caffeine drinks to small portioned snacks.

Find a version of the menu below from the cafe's official website:

A huge recommendation for any individual who loves food and finds themselves to have never tried avocado toast, worry no more and do not be afraid to take a risk and try it today. The avocado toast has a thick layer of smashed up avocado with pinches of salt, black pepper and chili flakes with olive oil. In addition there is a lemon wedge on the plate for customers to squeeze over the piece of toast to add more flavoring to better their appetite.

Next, also order yourself a cappuccino. The pairing of the 'avo toast' and a cappuccino will make your taste buds melt.

Squeeze the lemon wedge all over the toast layered with smashed up avocado. The combination of lemon and avocado creates a sensation just inside your mouth. While cutting with a knife and digging into the toast, after swallowing and savoring little piece by little, you taste the juice from the lemon and bits of saltiness with a little of spices for flavoring.

After almost putting the last bite into your mouth, you just do not want it to end. Staring at an empty plate of the avo toast you just devoured and the cappuccino, next after a while the waitress passes on the bill to calculate the total of everything. With the avocado toast being $7 and a cappuccino for $3.50 and in addition we have to include the tip and taxes, the total comes out to be around $13 each person.

164 Mott St

New York, NY

Official Website | Instagram

HOURS OF OPERATION

open everyday at 8am.

kitchen closes at 5pm.

open for coffee, tea and snacks 5-6pm.

cafe closes everyday at 6pm.