By Mercedes Masohn
My favorite thing about New York is the amazing dining scene. Being a self-described foodie, I have to say restaurants are my favorite things to discover and explore. I find myself watching a lot of restaurant shows. Anthony Bourdain is one of my favorites, I love the idea of him traveling; I love him discovering new and different cultural foods and I love that he goes to small villages - not just the big towns where everything is such an obvious restaurant find. He’ll go to the nitty-gritty and to the food markets and the small towns where someone’s grandmother will cook for him; I love, love, love that.
I actually look for that when I travel. So it is no surprise that in New York, I have a long list of places I want to go to that friends have told me about. And because I haven’t lived in New York for almost five years, there are so many places that spring up. I love that New York is ever changing; I don’t ever get board because there is always something new to discover, especially in the restaurant world. So to all the chefs out there - I am your friend - let me come eat!
I am a huge sushi fan, I am obsessed with Sushi in LA because it’s really something that is different from any sushi that I have ever had; I have never experienced anything like it, the sushi almost melts in your mouth. These amazing tiny cuts of deliciousness; I am forever looking for that in New York. Some of the places I’ve been told, of course are: Sushi of Gari, Sasabune, 15 East and Masa are all on my list.
On the other hand, everyone has been telling me about this place called Mission Chinese. I’ve heard it’s a complete colt favorite. It’s one of those places that I am dying to try; I have to find someone who is brave because it’s different - chicken livers and pork feet and things of that nature.
One of my favorites that I’ve already tried is the restaurant on top of the Nomad Hotel, it is so beautiful, I have been lucky enough to have eaten there a couple of times. The view is tremendous if you are out on the patio, and they have this chicken that is to die for! Another one of my favorites in the city, because I love jerk chicken and Jamaican food, is Ms. Lilly’s. It’s totally a hole-in-the-wall; if you don’t know about it I doubt you would pay attention as you walk by. I love to get the jerk chicken plate.
A great place to have a drink is Angel Share. It’s easy, it’s sweet, it’s not a scene and the cocktails there are phenomenal; the mixologists there are extremely talented.
As the weather starts getting colder, the best way to socialize is at a restaurant. I hope you guys try some of these places and I hope that I am able to find a great sushi place! I just love living in New York and I can’t wait to experience the wonder! •
