A weekend with rain in the forecast is something every California native hates to see. So when I learned that one of the worst storms in years was headed for Los Angeles, I decided to book a long weekend in New York, where to my surprise, it would be sunny and 65 for the weekend. The city that never sleeps is my long distance love, as I find myself craving a visit whenever I can. With sunny skies and President’s day off, this past weekend presented the perfect opportunity to be reunited with my favorite foods and the streets of my favorite city. So if you’re just visiting for the weekend or a New Yorker looking to expand your horizons, here are some of my go-to spots in the Big Apple.
For breakfast on-the-go: Oatmeals (20 W 3rd St, New York, NY 10012)
Just around the corner from Washington Square Park, this cafe offers the perfect spot to escape the cold and enjoy a hot breakfast. With a full-on oatmeal bar, you can choose from both sweet and savory toppings to complete your bowl to your liking. My favorite combo is bananas, walnuts, chocolate chips and almond butter drizzled on top. They also have great almond milk lattes and baked goods, fresh out of the oven!
For pancakes: Clinton Street Baking Co. (4 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002)
I am usually not one to order pancakes at brunch, but let me assure you that these are above and beyond your average stack of pancakes. Cooked to fluffy perfection, these pancakes have the prime consistency and are paired with warm maple butter. My favorite is banana walnut with chocolate chunks on top. Also, because February is pancake month, they are offering a variety of specials such as apple pie pancakes, German chocolate, and blueberry crumb streusel. The best part? They serve breakfast all day so if you are one to order breakfast for dinner, this is the spot for you!
For brunch with your girlfriends: Pietro Nolita (174 Elizabeth St., New York, NY 10012)
This cute Italian hotspot will surely catch your eye from down the block because of it’s pink decor. From the pink booths to the countertops, this Italian cafe has a charming aesthetic, making for the ideal spot to catch up with your girlfriends over coffee and croissants.
If you want a taste of California: Sugarfish (33 E 20th St, New York, NY 10003)
For those of you who are bicoastal or California natives who transitioned to the east coast, I would hope that you were as excited as I was to learn that Sugarfish has officially opened in NYC. Taking the New York sushi scene by storm, Sugarfish is a must-go destination for all sushi lovers. Because of its recent opening and surging popularity, be prepared to wait in line because they don’t take reservations. But trust me, it’s worth it. (P.S. Order the “trust me” if you want the classic Sugarfish experience.)
For dinner and drinks: Buddakan (75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011)
Located within walking distance of New York’s hottest nightclubs in Chelsea, Buddakan is a token spot for dinner and drinks before a night out on the town. With an Asian-fusion cuisine and a dazzling decor, the food is both creative and delicious. My favorite menu items are the tuna pizza with spicy aioli and pickled japaneño, the miso black cod, and the cauliflower lollipops.
For a scene: Vandal (199 Bowery, New York, NY 10002)
Located on the lower East Side, Vandal blends cultures, presenting a menu inspired by Chef Santos’ personal global travels to Greece, Thailand, Amsterdam and more. Owned by the Tao group, Vandal presents street food from around the world, with a menu highlighted by the grilled chilean sea bass tacos, peruvian style ceviche, and the wild mushroom street pizza. With a lounge and bar accompanying the restaurant, Vandal is a great place for people-watching so grab a drink from their creative cocktail menu and check out the NYC scene.
For dessert: Cookie DŌ Confections (550 LaGuardia Pl, New York, NY 10012)
As a cookie dough fanatic, I had to visit this highly touted new spot that serves edible cookie dough by the scoop. With 17 flavors ranging from peanut-butter snickerdoodle to oatmeal M&M, there’s a little something for everyone. Although the lines were upwards of two hours on the weekend, I have to say, it was love at first bite and totally worth the wait. However, if you are impatient, don’t worry because you can get any of their flavors delivered right to your door!