You can try a new restaurant in Metro Vancouver everyday and still not try them all. Trust me, I’ve tried… or am trying? The turnover is high and new restaurants pop up like bunnies in Victoria. Rent is high, standards are high, and we spread our love of food around so much that it can be hard to compete in a flourishing restaurant scene.
But if you think it’s tough in Vancouver....
The criteria is the same, but the competition in Manhattan is much higher and the options are endless. The city offers everything, which makes it that much harder to make a decision.
Any time in New York goes by quickly and every dining opportunity is precious, so use your time wisely. Luckily Cathay Pacific Airways can help with timing; it is the only luxury airline to offer direct flights between YVR and JFK, and even better is that both are red-eye flights.
That means you can sleep comfortably on the plane and arrive early the next morning, saving on a night’s accommodation — money that can then be put towards your dining budget.
I’ve been to New York before, and there are lots of “must tries”, but here are some of my under-the-radar favourites and hidden gems from this round of Follow Me Foodie to New York.
Charlie Bird – It’s an eclectic Italian inspired restaurant with notable wine selections and a wicked play list of old- and new-school hip hop. The live Diver scallops with brown butter and garlic chives, Tuscan chicken liver with balsamic raisins, capers and walnuts, and Farro Salad are not to be missed.
CharlieBirdNYC.com | 5 King | Manhattan
Luksus at Tørst – It’s an “in the know” hot spot. Chef and owner Daniel Burns was previously at René Redzepi’s Noma and Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck before opening Tørst and Luksus. Luksus is a hidden 26 seat restaurant behind the beer bar Tørst. It’s a tasting-menu-only restaurant featuring an exclusive beer menu that would impress any beer connoisseur.
LuksusNYC.com | 615 Manhattan | Brooklyn
L’Ecole – Restaurant of the International Culinary Center in New York – Like most restaurants where the food is cooked by students of the culinary school, L’Ecole offers excellent value with three-course menus for $44 or four courses for $59. Bobby Flay, David Chang, Wylie Dufresne, and Vancouver’s very own Angus An of Maenam are graduates at ICC.
LEcoleNYC.com | 462 Broadway | Manhattan
The Raines Law Room – It’s one of New York’s most popular speakeasies, but you couldn’t guess from its ultra secretive vibe and process to get in. Located in a basement, your table is ready when you receive a call from a private number. The dark, sexy and Victorian-inspired room is ultra posh and the drink list and concoctions will not disappoint.
RainesLawRoom.com | 48 W 17th |
Manhattan
Zenkichi – From the outside it just looks like a random building made of wooden planks. It’s certainly discrete, but this modern Japanese restaurant serving authentic izakaya is worth seeking. With an omakase menu starting at $65 and a reasonably priced a la carte menu, it’s appropriate for any occasion.
Zenkichi.com | 77 N 6th | Brooklyn
Enter to win two round-trip airfare tickets on Premium Economy Class from Vancouver to New York from Mijune and Cathay Pacific Canada at FollowMeFoodie.com. Follow Mijune’s culinary adventures in The Big Apple on her blog and follow @followmefoodie and #FMFinNY on Twitter for updates, questions, and clues for when qualification questions will be revealed.
