The New York City Wine & Food Festival is in full swing after an opening party at the Tin Building that saw culinary A-listers like Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Martha Stewart hobnobbing and noshing.

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This year, the festival returns to Manhattan, with a new home at the South Street Seaport — a genius move for its accessibility and gorgeous views. With the weather promising to be spectacular, the festival should be tops on your “to do” list this weekend if you’re in or around New York City (or want to catch a last-minute flight like I’m doing).

I hear your inner monologue: “But I forgot to buy tickets”…Luckily, there are several events that are still available for the rest of the weekend. I suggest texting a friend and making plans now.

Tonight (Friday)

Burger Bash

One of the festival’s signature events — and a “must do” for burger lovers — the Burger Bash offers you the chance to sample the city’s best burgers under the stars. Rachael Ray hosts this annual love affair with beef, with DJ Cassidy providing the beat.

José’s Table: An Intimate Dining Experience with José Andrés

Okay, okay — the tickets cost the price of a round trip to Spain ($1,570 per person), but when are you ever getting another chance to have an intimate dinner with chef/humanitarian José Andrés? Rumor has it that there are only two seats left for the dinner for 12, since the winemaker opted not to be seated for dinner. Personally, I’ve met the chef numerous times, and his stories and culinary talent are genius. If this is a bucket list item, it’s worth exploring.

Saturday

The Grand Tasting

Part trade show, part walkaround tasting, part carnival — the Grand Tasting is THE SHOW in a nutshell. If your idea of a grand afternoon is to walk around and drink wine and cocktails, sample some of New York’s culinary treasures, and be entertained beyond belief — all under a crisp autumn sky — then you cannot miss this. This is as much an annual Fall ritual as is watching the leaves change color in Central Park.

Grand Tasting After Dark

Say you can’t make the Grand Tasting in the afternoon, or you simply want to double down on a good time, this year, the NYCWFF introduces Grand Tasting After Dark. Instead of Saturday and Sunday sessions, the festival has broken down the Grand Tasting into day and night sessions — kinda like tennis. The evening event, hosted by Bobby Flay and Brooke Williamson, promises to be a great time with culinary demos, tastings, and plenty of fun. And, don’t you want to take a gander at Williamson’s “rock” that the tabloids have been writing about?

Sunday

Catch of the Day: A Seafood Feast

Imagine the ultimate Sunday seafood brunch loaded with oysters, shrimp, ceviche, and crabs. Imagine downing plate after plate of raw items like a Mermaid on a bender. Then, imagine free-flowing glasses of crisp Modelo to wash it all down with — while Andrew Zimmern gently coaxes you to go for another round. That’s what you’ll experience at Sunday afternoon’s Catch of the Day event, hosted by Zimmern from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sunday Supper

If you’ve grown up in NYC, you know Sundays are all about mom and Nonna spending hours preparing the Sunday gravy and meatballs. Even if you didn’t grow up in an Italian household, chances are you’ve been invited to this most decadent, down-home tradition. This Sunday, close out the festival with an array of pasta and parm, hosted by the Pasta Queen, Nadia Caterina Munno, and Lil Mo Mozzarella.

Sea change

Just after its 5p opening last Wednesday night, I claimed one of the few empty seats at the vibrant central bar of the reborn W Union Square’s new restaurant, Seahorse. Sunlight poured in through slats on the west- and south-facing windows, drenching the room in a dreamy autumnal late-afternoon glow. Waiting for a friend, I watched the light chase itself across the bar into the adjacent dining room, which was also about to come alive.

Around the turn of the century, this restaurant space housed Olives, the first New York City restaurant from Boston wunderkind chef Todd English. Believe me when I tell you: in its early years, Olives was a cool power center that balanced the perennially hot Blue Water Grill on Union Square’s west side. Olives shuttered in 2014, Blue Water Grill in 2019, and with the loss of Coffee Shop around the same time, Union Square itself lost its luster as a dining (and drinking) destination.

Seahorse changes that. It’s impossible not to think of Soho classic Lure Fishbar when stepping inside, and not just because they both put seafood at the center of the menu and share longtime restaurateur John McDonald as owner and impresario. But the restaurants are not twins.

There’s no sushi at Seahorse, for one, though a sizable oyster bar, clad in blue tiles that evoke mermaid scales, anchors the far side of the bright, airy dining room. There’s also that sunlight, which helps give the room — crowned by a whimsical seafaring mural — a light, airy feel, distinct from Lure’s below-deck vibes.

At a preview dinner at Seahorse a few weeks earlier, I went deep on chef John Villa’s relatively straightforward menu, starting with a platter of Kumamoto, Oishii, and Beau Soleil oysters, proffered with individualized relishes for each. A trio of crudos were served simply and properly with salt and abundant olive oil, while Skull Island prawns, drenched in Calabrian chili, brought the heat. Main courses upped the wow factor, with seared tuna au poivre (accompanied by perfect McDonald’s-style french fries) and Dover sole, a platonic ideal of the dish, artfully filleted at a tableside cart and doused in Meuniere. (The turf options include roasted duck a l’orange and Amish farm chicken.)

Back at the bar last week with my just-arrived friend, sipping a house white Negroni and eating a bar snack of Maine lobster on brioche toast — an open-faced lobster roll, delightful — I couldn’t help but feel that New York City needed this once-vibrant corner of the city to come back to life. Yes, there’s a passageway at the back of the bar into the W hotel lobby. And yes, hotel guests make up part of the clientele (shoutout to the two women from Seattle sitting next to us at the bar watching the ALDS on their iPad).

But Seahorse is also an instantly cool new New York City destination, for a power dinner or just a quick drink, right where we always needed it. –Lockhart Steele

→ Seahorse (Union Square) • 201 Park Ave S • Sun-Thu 5-10p, Fri-Sat 5-1030p, breakfast and lunch service debut later this month • Reserve.

Restaurant Rush, fall 2025

9 hot openings for the season. Additions or subtractions? Hit reply or found@foundny.com.

• Unglo (Upper West Side), Thai barbecue in former Picholine space, reserve

• Danny’s (Flatiron, above top), ABC legal analyst Dan Abrams’ clubhouse for media friends and more, reserve

• La Boca (Chelsea), Argentine chef Francis Mallmann’s first NYC spot, for food charred on plancha at new Faena NY, intel, reserve

• Seahorse (Union Square), upscale seafood spot grabs pole position at remade W Union Square, intel above, reserve

• Wild Cherry (West Village), Le Rock’s Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson take over restaurant at Cherry Lane Theater, reserve

• Cove (Hudson Square), chef Flynn McGarry’s new spot, for 8-course tasting menu ($210 per) or à la carte, reserve

• Muku (Tribeca), Sushi Ichimura reborn as kaiseki-inspired 10-course counter, $295 per, intel, reserve

• Barbuto Brooklyn (Brooklyn Heights, above), chef Jonathan Waxman takes his West Village classic to 1Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, reserve

• Bar Lumière (Columbia St. Waterfront), New American cooking from Junoon vet, plus wines by Andre Mack, reserve

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FOUND NY delivers recommendations and intel for people who earn and spend well in and around New York City — where and how to eat, live, get away, shop, work.

The web is a morass. Quality recommendations are particularly hard to come by. Enter FOUND, built to be highly interactive and extremely useful.

To that end, subscribe. Paid subscribers will receive an email full of actionable information every Tuesday and Friday, plus full access to our archives and community. Unpaid subscribers will receive previews, occasional emails, and a sense of longing.

The New York City Wine & Food Festival (NYCWFF) runs from October 15 to 19, with four days of parties, dinners, classes, brunches, and more. This year, the festival celebrates a new home base that’s filled with waterfront charm and easy access from nearly anywhere in the city: the Seaport.

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The festival, now in its 17th year, offers more than 50 different star-studded events ranging from the grand tasting hosted by Sofia and Manolo Vergara to an intimate dinner for just 12 people, hosted by José Andrés. In other words, there’s an event for every taste. This year, the festival benefits Event Zero Foundation, which promotes sustainable event practices, and the James Beard Foundation.

The task of securing hundreds of some of the best culinary names in the business each year is daunting. Festical founder Lee Brian Schrager says the first thing he does is to reach out to the people with whom he’s forged a relationship. “You go to people you know and lock in the names that have credibility.” From there, Schrager examines who has received James Beard Foundation awards and then asks the chefs already on board who they would want to partner up with. “People want to cook with their friends,” he says.

Schrager tells Broken Palate this year’s festival is remarkable in many ways. First, the new Seaport location, says Schrager, is ideal. “All of our large and midsized events are in the Seaport and within walking distance of the Seaport, so it’s great for eventgoers and it’s also great for the chefs and restaurateurs.”

The festival maven is also particularly thrilled about this year’s event lineup — especially a new marquee event: An evening edition of the Grand Tasting on Saturday evening hosted by Bobby Flay & Brooke Williamson. “I’m really excited for it — probably more excited than I’ve been in a long time,” gushes Schrager. “This nighttime Grand Tasting is going to be amazing. We’ve never had a host of the Grand Tasting, and Bobby and Brooke will be amazing. We’re going to have DJ Tokyo Rose spinning, and plenty of VIP chefs presenting their best food — all with an amazing river view.”

So with Saturday evening secured, what other events would Schrager recommend to round out a perfect weekend at the festival? Here are his picks:

Wednesday

A Taste of the Tin Building: A Party hosted by Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Gregory Gourdet

Jean-Georges Vongerichten officially welcomes the NYCWFF to the Seaport at this event that invites guests to eat their way through some of the Tin Building’s best spots, including

• T. Brasserie – a modern French brasserie serving timeless classics with elegance

• House of the Red Pearl – a hidden jewel offering bold, Asian-inspired dishes

• The Frenchman’s Dough – wood-fired pizzas and rustic Italian favorites

• Spoiled Parrot – playful sweets, confections and indulgent creations

• Patisserie – pastries and seasonal specialties from Executive Pastry Chef Rory Macdonald

Thursday

Asian Night Market hosted by Padma Lakshmi and Jean-Georges Vongerichten

This recreation of a lively night market invites guests to sample dumplings, noodles, and more from New York’s best chefs.

Friday

Burger Bash

Brooklyn Beckham and Rachael Ray host this annual tribute to the great American burger. Whether you like your burgers thick or smashed, there’s plenty to go around. Plus, you get to vote for your favorite, along with celebrity judges Ja Rule, Ana Navarro, Sunny Anderson, Ben Leventhal,
Olivia Tiedmann, and Joshua Weissman.

Elvis Duran and the Cast of the Z100 Morning Show’s Late Night Bites, Beats & Sweets

Schrager says, “everyone loves karaoke” — and he’s correct. Elvis Duran hosts this late-night karaoke party that allows you to show off your pipes for a chance to win a three-night stay at Nassau’s Atlantic Cove to attend the Nassau Paradise Island Wine & Food Festival, or other prizes.

Saturday

The Grand Tasting - Daytime Edition

Grand Tasting After Dark

According to Schrager, it’s OK to double dip — at least when it’s regarding the Grand Tasting. The daytime and evening editions of the Grand Tasting will be different, with Sofia and Manolo Vergara hosting the Saturday daytime portion. As always, look for your favorite celebrity chefs hosting culinary demos, including Alex Guarnaschelli, Andrew Zimmern, Maneet Chauhan, Rocco DiSpirito, and Kwame Onwuachi.

Sunday

Catch of the Day: A Seafood Feast hosted by Andrew Zimmern

It’s only fitting that Andrew Zimmern hosts a seafood feast along the cobblestone streets that once housed the Fulton Fish Market. Step into history as you feast on oysters, scallops, fried clams, ceviche, and more.

Sunday Supper hosted by @The_Pasta Queen Nadia Caterina Munno and Lil “Mo” Mozzarella

Close out the 2025 edition of the NYCWFF with pasta, wine, and friends at this tribute to all things Italian: pizza, antipasti, pastries, and more await.

Once upon a time, back before the days of Instagram and TikTok, New Yorkers could get a good bagel with a schmear without a four-hour wait.

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Sure, if it was Sunday morning prime time, you’d wait at Russ and Daughters or Ess-a-Bagel for a bit. But now, if you just want a bagel with a schmear, it could be a long time before you get to tear into your food.

Appolo Bagels is one such bagel place that has exceedingly long lines. Granted, the bagels are delicious — crisper and less doughy than traditional NY bagels, with a slight sourdough-like tartness.

You can wait in line for Apollo Bagels, then find a park bench to nosh out…or you can stay in your jammies and have a butler prepare your carb-laden feast.

The Fifth Avenue Hotel has partnered with Apollo Bagels for a special, limited-time breakfast in bed collab.

Simply stay at the Fifth Avenue Hotel and order the breakfast in bed package (in advance via a custom door knocker). The next morning, a butler will wheel in an entire spread of Apollo Bagels along with all the trimmings: smoked salmon, trout roe, pickled onions, cucumber, capers, tomato, soft-boiled eggs, and whipped cream cheese. It’s also paired with soft-boiled eggs drizzled with olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper.

Your butler will even toast your bagel and prepare it with whatever topping you want from the selection. We recommend a classic of cream cheese, smoked salmon, onions, and plenty of capers, but it’s your choice, so pile it all on.

If you’re looking to ease into the fall, why not check in for a staycation, have breakfast in bed, and then play tourist for the weekend? The bagel breakfast in bed costs $60 per person (reasonable when you consider both the spread and the hours of your time spent reading in bed instead of schlepping in line) and is available through September 30th.

If you’re a baller — or just want to really up your Instagram game, there’s also a Breakfast in Bed stay package that includes a one-night stay, the breakfast in bed bagel experience, valet parking, a “breakfast in bed” sweatshirt, and a custom bagel spreader by Sabre in The Fifth’s signature color palette. The Breakfast in Bed package begins at $1,895.

Now that’s a lot of dough!

New York City is going nuts with the buzz that Erewhon is opening a location in the Big Apple. So will Erewhon, the California-based food store that’s vital for its Hailey Bieber's Strawberry Glaze Skin Smoothie and $25 strawberry, actually be expanding its footprint to the Big Apple?

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The answer is yes….and no.

The hubbub started when fashion designer and Kith creator, Ronnie Fieg, posted a blueprint for his upcoming Kith Ivy project, located at 609 Greenwich Street in Greenwich Village, on Instagram.

The drawings show various amenities forthcoming at the private club, including three floors of padel courts, rooftop padel courts, a boutique, a gym, sauna and steam rooms, lockers, and an area marked “Erewhon”.

Immediately, New York bloggers, writers, and everyone else went insane at the prospect of Erewhon opening in Manhattan.

I contacted Erewhon and received confirmation that, indeed, an Erewhon of sorts would be opening. But, before you open a HELOC in order to buy your goodies at the grocer-to-the-stars, here’s the real deal: Erewhon is only opening a limited experience at Kith Ivy — and you may or may not be able to partake.

A spokesperson for Erewhon confirmed the news and offered an explainer: “We are opening a tonic bar within the Kith Ivy members' club; this will not be a full-service grocery store. A limited selection of juices and smoothies will be available to members. Non-members, within a select radius of the club in Manhattan, can purchase Erewhon smoothies and juices from Kith Ivy in limited quantities exclusively via the Postmates and Uber Eats apps.”

Upon looking at the Kith Ivy website, Erewhon is clearly featured, along with a gorgeous dining room and cocktail bar, and a Giorgio Armani-branded pool or plunge area.

So, New York City, you have options if you want that Hailey Bieber smoothie.

You can pony up for a membership, which is said to cost $36,000 for the initiation fee, with a $7,000 annual membership rate. That will grant you access to the Erewhon Tonic Bar, along with the other amenities.

Or…you can order your smoothie for delivery. If you’re out of the delivery range, you can always choose a park bench as your geolocation and wait for your $21 matcha smoothie that will likely cost $40 with delivery fees and tip.

If you’re looking for Erewhon snacks that aren’t as perishable as a smoothie, the grocer does ship more than 500 items, including spring water for $80, organic beef bone broth for $50, a $100 Erewhon beach towel, and some $50 chicken noodle soup.

Or, you can hop on a plane and just go get the smoothie in Los Angeles. That’s still an option.

New York’s annual Grand Slam tennis tournament, the U.S. Open, has taken over the city, with more than a million people turning into tennis fans now through September 7th.

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The stakes are high, with a total of $90 million in prize money at stake according to the U.S. Open’s own site. The competition is fierce, and the players are in it to win it. Just today, defending champion and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner advanced against Vit Kopriva of Czechia, 6-1, 6-1, 6-2, in his quest for another victory.

There’s more than tennis to enjoy at the U.S. Open. Like most major sporting events, many come just to tour the grounds, enjoy good food and drink, and watch a little tennis along the way.

If you are going for the food and cocktails, you’ve got a lot of A-list options available. Here are the highlights you won’t want to miss.

The Honey Deuce Cocktail

First and foremost, you’re going to want a Honey Deuce, the official cocktail of the U.S. Open, and a “must” for your social media. After all, have you been to the U.S. Open if you don’t catch yourself sipping on this refreshing delight in a souvenir cup? The Honey Deuce is a take on a raspberry lemonade, spiked with Grey Goose vodka. It’s garnished with a honeydew melon ball (to replicate a tennis ball), and is served in a commemorative cup. At $23, you need at least one.

COQODAQ’s “The Golden Set”

Grab restaurateur Simon Kim’s chicken sandwiches and nuggets at CQDQ, but if you want something Extra with a capital “E”, head over to COQODAQ for “The Golden Set”, which offers six 24-karat gold chicken nuggets paired with Petrossian caviar, crème fraîche, and chives. Various sides and extra sauces are available to customize your experience.

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream’s U.S. Open Exclusive

It’s hot in the stands, so cool off with Van Leeuwen’s Honeycomb Fudge Slam. This flavor, exclusive to the U.S. Open, is a sweet cream ice cream with gooey honeycomb candy pieces and fudge swirls.

Carnegie Deli

All the NY classics are here: pastrami and corned beef on rye, hot dogs, cheesecake, and black and white cookies.

Red Hook Lobster Pound

Missing the Hamptons already? Eat your feelings with Red Hook Lobster Pound’s Maine lobster roll — a chilled lobster roll with lemon mayo.

Eataly

Eataly represents at the U.S. Open with an assortment of pizzas, pastas, salads, and more. A standout is the trofie al pesto: housemade trofie pasta, with housemade basil pesto, and Pecorino Romano DOP. Don’t forget the cannoli.

PastaRAMEN

James Beard Rising Star nominee, Robbie Felice, debuts pastaRAMEN at the U.S. Open this year.

Fly Fish

Chef Josh Capon serves up a bounty of seafood, including a refreshing bay scallop ceviche with chile, lime, Bermuda onion, and celery.

Dobel Tequila Club

Dobel Tequila and Oyamel by José Andrés Group have collaborated for a Mexican fiesta right at the U.S. Open. Guests will enjoy various Mexican dishes, including Oyamel's taco cochinita, made of Yucatán-style pit barbecued pork, achiote, Mexican sour orange, and pickled red onion. Pair with Dobel Tequila cocktails.

Aces

This U.S. Open exclusive pops up once again with dishes from a plethora of celebrity chefs, including Ed Brown, Masaharu Morimoto, and Kwame Onwuachi.

Fare by Chef Alex Guarnaschelli

Chef Alex Guarnaschelli returns to the US Open for her fifth consecutive year, offering Mediterranean dishes and craft cocktails.

Mojito by David Burke

David Burke offers Cuban-American cuisine (along with the eponymous rum-based cocktail, Mojitos).

For all the food and drink offerings at the U.S. Open, visit usopen.org.

Pop-up by Rocco, the seasonal restaurant by Rocco DiSpirito, is one of the hottest tables to snag in the Hamptons this summer.

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The Southhampton eatery garners buzz for its beautiful setting, with an outdoor patio surrounded by flowers, but it’s the menu that has all of the Hamptons talking: a curated list of coastal Italian favorites that reads like a list of what DiSpirito would make for an intimate gathering of friends: a Maine lobster cocktail, James River oysters, fresh farmstand crudites, marinated olives, linquine vongole, spaghetti pomodoro, and sweet nut-crusted halibut are some of the dishes offered.

Dispirito needed only to look out at the ocean and shop for local vegetables to get the inspiration for the pop-up. “I love cooking out here,” says the chef. “The access to produce and seafood is unparalleled.”

Dispirito likes to reverse engineer his dishes — and the purveyors in the Hamptons gave him much to work with, including Hank’s Farmstand in Southampton. “I call Hank in the morning and say, I need six or seven cases of tomatoes.”

DiSpirito says that tomatoes are especially fantastic right now. “Tomatoes and basil are peak quality, and soon it will be corn. How great that I have Sungolds, Heirlooms, and sauce tomatoes that are so beautiful. The work is sourcing the ingredients. That’s true for any Italian dish. The work is obeying Mother Nature.”

DiSpirito uses those tomatoes to make his pomodoro from scratch, turning a simple dish into something craveworthy. “I’ve had cooks ask me why I’m not using canned tomatoes. It’s because I’ve seen people have an a-ha moment with my freshly made pomodoro. They can’t believe how great a pomodoro tastes.” The praise for the pomodoro goes right back to Hank Kraszewski and his farmstand. “Hank and his family pour so much love and joy from their heart into the earth.”

Tomatoes aren’t the only local item that’s inspired the chef this year. The clams coming from the nearby seaside towns of Mastic and Shirley have been especially flavorful this year. “They’re making the linguine vongole very memorable because of the deep richness of the clam’s flavor,” says DiSpirito, who also praises the local line-caught Bluefin. “It’s so good, I can’t even believe it. The colors are a gorgeous ruby red, and the flavor is just mind-blowing.”

The chef says that buying locally caught fish pays off in every aspect. “You can buy blocks of tuna from the same guys who sell you dish soap, but that tuna has no family background, and you can taste it.”

By working with local fishermen, DiSpirito helps the community and provides the best meals for his guests. “I’m happy that I can serve flavors that take your breath away. This is not just a mindless exercise. I see that happen.”

DiSpirito isn’t just about feeding the Hamptons set. The chef plays a big role in advocating for City Harvest, New York City’s leader in helping New Yorkers facing hunger. “I think chefs are uniquely able and suited to help easily with their platforms. We’re passionate about feeding people, and City Harvest has been feeding people for years." I’ve been part of the chefs who have helped for 20 years. I’ve been on the streets, in the field, on the trucks. They’re the largest food rescue organization, and the need for food pantries right now is the highest on record,” he says.

DiSpirito feels it’s his mission to help feed people in any way he can. “Chefs are always there and willing to help. That’s our personality. We’ll take a piece of food off our plate to share with someone.”

Dispirito says the act of feeding someone does have some magic to it. ”We take raw materials and turn them into something delicious.” He adds that the people behind the burner go one step further when they help their neighbors. “We can also move food to pantries. And we are happy to do that.”

Having previously sat in the main dining room—which felt like you could be stepping into a place that's been part of NYC’s dining scene for years—I booked a stool at their white oak and quartzite bar this time around.

The menu opens with an amuse bouche section. My first bites came from there: a sweet, delicate shrimp tartlette and a tiny slice of pillowy French toast topped with uni and bone marrow—decadent and balanced. I paired those with a refreshing Anacapa cocktail before moving on to a white wine when the next bite arrived: a cod cheek nugget with caviar.

Seemingly a nod to both New York’s fried chicken and caviar obsession and Alexia’s British heritage on her mom’s side, the battered cod wasn’t just a vessel for the caviar—it stood on its own as a highlight of the meal. Succulent white fish filled my mouth with flavor, and the crisp, light batter added a perfect contrast in texture.

Next up from Chef Duchêne’s kitchen was a lovely dry-aged tuna carpaccio with an unexpected kick of spice. Made from a whole tuna caught off Montauk, broken down and aged in-house, it reflects the restaurant’s focus on sourcing and seasonality—not in a preachy way, but in a way that’s baked into the place’s DNA.

Whilst Alexia runs the pass (which you can see from the dining room) with calm precision, Ron works the front with charm, greeting nearly every guest personally from the host stand.

I don’t know why he looks so serious in all the press photos—he’s an effervescent character, full of stories, especially if you’re talking wine. That side of the experience is his domain, along with sommelier Simon, and he’ll take you on a journey—or a few rabbit holes—if you’re open to it. The wall of finished bottles, many far above my pay grade, says plenty about their clientele.

I’d thought about ordering the pithivier again—the house specialty meant for two, and something we loved last time—but decided to explore more of Alexia’s dishes. Once the spiced duck landed in front of me, the plating alone (and maybe my reaction) made the couple next to me order it too.

The dish—two pieces of duck served slightly pink, crispy skin, and a rich, glistening sauce—typifies the menu and the restaurant: indulgent and exacting. Dinner here isn’t cheap, but it’s worth the splurge. Same goes for the caramel and vanilla millefeuille I ended with. The place feels fancy and luxurious without tipping into pretension. The food requires real technique, but nothing is overcomplicated for the sake of it.

»Book your dinner here or preview menu here.

Si Willis is a food writer and content creator behind Consuming Couple and Eating With Experts on Instagram, where he shares thoughtful reviews and behind-the-scenes stories from the hospitality world. And he and his wife Lauren are now on Substack - Eating With Experts

This is the first of a series of upcoming restaurant reports done by guest editors.

New York City can be brutal in the summer: the heat, the humidity, the asphalt that sticks to your shoes like hot tar. At first, you might want to join your friends migrating to the Hamptons or the Jersey Shore. But don’t.

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Summer in the city can be wonderful if you play your cards right: the streets have a more casual vibe, you can probably get a ticket for that show you’ve been dying to see at a discount, and you can find a seat at your favorite bar.

Best of all? It’s New York City Restaurant Week season. Running from now through August 17, New York City Restaurant Week offers 2-course lunches and 3-course dinners for $30, $45, or $ 60 at more than 600 restaurants across all five boroughs.

The restaurants listed include ones run by celebrity chefs, classic favorites, and establishments listed in the Michelin Guide. In other words, restaurants that you really want to go to. That’s a deal. Here are five Broken Palate favorites to get you started, along with their official Restaurant Week descriptions. Find all participating restaurants at nyctourism.com.

Cha Cha Tang

Cha Cha Tang is a Chinese restaurant by Wilson Tang and John McDonald. The kitchen, led by executive chef Doron Wong, offers a playful rendition of a classic “cha chaan teng” (a Hong Kong-style cafe or diner) with a downtown fine-dining ambiance. The menu features a variety of dim sum, noodles and rice, along with chef specialties. They offer Cantonese Roasted Duck on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, or upon request. The beverage team has curated an extensive wine list along with a collection of Asian Whiskey.

Ci Siamo

Ci Siamo translates to "here we are" or "we've finally arrived." Celebrating the beauty of simplicity, chef Hillary Sterling centers her Italian-inflected menu around live-fire cooking and seasonal ingredients, bridging the traditional with the contemporary in a transportive yet familiar space. Eating through the menu with friends is one of the best pastimes you can do on a Summer day.

Delmonico’s

In business since 1837, Delmonico's revolutionized the way we eat out: these guys literally invented eggs Benedict, lobster Newberg and baked Alaska, among other now-standards, and changed the face of fine dining in early America. The financial district location looks exactly like you’d expect from an old-school steak house—deep hues, dark woods and understated opulence in which to enjoy the huge Delmonico rib-eye and the Parmesan creamed spinach.

Have & Mar

Hav & Mar is a vibrant seafood house from chef Marcus Samuelsson located in the Manhattan arts district of Chelsea. Chef Samuelsson and executive chef Fariyal Abdullahi’s energetic and globally inspired menu focuses on thoughtfully sourced seafood and seasonal greenmarket produce. Gracious hospitality, show-stopping cocktails, and a groundbreaking wine list spotlighting BIPOC and female producers contribute to Hav & Mar’s convivial and festive atmosphere.

Neir’s Tavern

The oldest bar in Queens (and possibly the oldest in the City—it dates its origin as far back as 1829, having been through a few incarnations since then), Neir's serves locals with a taste for a simple setting and uncomplicated drinks. Mae West performed here and Martin Scorsese filmed part of Goodfellas on site. Loycent Gordon, a firefighter, bought the bar back in 2009 and has been preserving its history ever since. Visitors should keep their eyes peeled when trying to find the place—it's housed in a relatively nondescript brown townhouse.

With the arrival of the 2025 New York City Summer Restaurant Week (July 21st—August 17th), that makes things easier. We have compiled a list of all participating MICHELIN Guide restaurants —so you don't have to. From special menus to discounted prices, these are the places to eat (and stay) in the Big Apple during this year's restaurant week.

New York City is considered by many to be the greatest city in the world, not only for its stunning skyline, fine dining, cultural exhibits, and rich history, but also for its vibrant community and resilience.

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In 2020, the city was reeling from COVID-related lockdowns, with many people losing their jobs. Food banks and other social services were overwhelmed. It was then that Asmeret Berhe-Lumax decided to do something. The former fashion and beauty executive decided to set up a community fridge in Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy community, rallying support from family and friends to keep that one fridge stocked with nutritious food.

That one little act of community grew into a grassroots movement. Since then, One Love Community Fridge now operates 10 of its community fridges and supports an additional 30 partner fridges in New York City and Seattle—with Los Angeles and Atlanta soon to follow — each offering free food for neighbors in need. The registered nonprofit partners with farmers, community gardens, restaurants, schools, and food purveyors to stock the fridges. The organization’s ultimate goal is to completely eradicate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition through an integrated movement that includes access to fresh food, nutrition education, and sustainability.

This year, the inaugural North America’s 50 Best Restaurants is honoring Berhe-Lumax with the “Champions of Change” award, which celebrates unsung heroes of the hospitality sector who are driving positive action in their communities and creating blueprints for a more inclusive society.

William Drew, director of content for North America’s 50 Best Restaurants, says: "We are proud to name Asmeret as the inaugural recipient of the Champions of Change Award for North America’s 50 Best Restaurants. Through her visionary leadership of One Love Community Fridge, Asmeret has created not just access to fresh, healthy food through community fridges but also a powerful community-led movement grounded in inclusion, education, and sustainability. Her work exemplifies the spirit of the “Champions of Change” award – grassroots action that drives real, long-term progress in food and society.”

In return, Berhe-Lumax says she is honored to receive the award, which includes a grant to forward the organization’s mission. “This support not only amplifies the reach and impact but will also serve as a powerful inspiration for others to join in and contribute. This award is a testament to what’s possible when a community comes together. One Love Community Fridge embodies the power of food to nourish, to unite us, and to promote health, healing and collective care rooted in dignity. Small, consistent actions can lead to big, meaningful change.”

The “Champions of Change” is the first of three awards to be announced ahead of the inaugural North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 awards ceremony, taking place at the Wynn Las Vegas on Thursday, September 25. The “Art of Hospitality” and the “One To Watch” awards will be announced leading up to the event.

The Fourth of July is a holiday steeped in tradition.

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Each year, Americans celebrate the official start of the United States of America with the signing of the Declaration of Independence. We plan beach days, grill burgers, drink beer, celebrate with friends, and watch fireworks displays.

But the oddest and most satisfying tradition to come out of Independence Day is the annual Nathan’s hot dog eating contest, held at the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island, Brooklyn.

Though there is speculation (and a possible publicity stunt) that says the first Nathan’s hot dog eating contest was held way back in 1916, the first recorded Nathan’s hot dog waiting contest was held on July 4, 1972.

Nathan’s loves a good story, so this year, according to Brooklyn’s most famous “dog” shop, marks the 103rd contest.

The rules are simple: the winner is the person who downs the most hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. There are two competitions (one for men and one for women), with each winning the coveted “Mustard Belt”. The total purse for the 2025 contest is $40,000, which gets split between the male and female divisions. Men's and women's first-place champions get $10,000 apiece, second-place finishers get $5,000 apiece, and third-place finishers get $2,500 apiece.

The reigning men’s champ, Joey Chestnut, holds the Nathan's hot dog eating contest record for the most hot dogs eaten at 76 in 2021. Miki Sudo holds the women’s record with a record 51 hot dogs eaten in last year’s competition.

Last year, Patrick Bertoletti won the men’s competition by eating 58 hot dogs. Crowd favorite Joey Chestnut was banned from competing in 2024 over an Impossible Meat sponsorship deal.

This year, Chestnut returns in an attempt to reclaim his title and the coveted “Mustard Belt”, which he last won in 2023.

Don’t let all the hyperbole fool you, however. The Nathan’s hot dog eating contest is truly a sport, with each contestant training for the big day. In addition, there are nationwide qualifiers for a chance to take the stage in Coney Island on July Fourth — this isn’t your state fair eating contest — this is a real competition sanctioned by its own organization, Major League Eating (MLE). Chestnut, by the way, is ranked the number one competitive eater by the MLE.

And, like all other sporting events, the competition is covered by ESPN, with nearly a full day’s roster of events planned:

*All times Eastern

10:45 a.m. - Women's Contest - ESPN3

11 a.m. - Miki Sudo Cam - ESPN3

12 p.m. - Men's Contest - ESPN2

12:30 p.m. - Joey Chestnut Cam - ESPN3

5 p.m. - Main event re-airing

9 p.m. - Main event re-airing

Like pretty much all sporting events, you can even bet on the action. Online betting site, Draft Kings’ bookmakers are bullish on Chestnut for the win, with -2000 odds posted (yes, that’s a negative). If there’s anyone who wants to wager against Chesnut, they’ll get a substantial payout if another contestant manages to win.

Whether you’re a betting person or not, the annual Nathan’s hot dog eating contest is one of the most unusual (and long-standing) ways to celebrate Independence Day and exactly how the founding fathers likely envisioned their countrymen would celebrate two-and-a-half centuries later.

Hmmm….Maybe Lin-Manuel Miranda should write a musical about it?

Father’s Day is that time of the year when you celebrate the first man in your life…with socks. Or a tie if you’re old school.

This year, why not give dad what he really wants: a good meal, some good Scotch or bourbon, and for his kid to pick up the tab for once.

If you're celebrating in New York City, here are some exceptional offerings for Father’s Day.

Carve Your Feelings….in Meat

For the not-so-subtle dad: The Times Square Edition Hotel is offering a special Father’s Day tomahawk steak, engraved with “#1 Dad” on the bone!

Sunday Brunch “Dad” Style

So you want to take dad to brunch but he’s not into the rose-all-day places that feature pink neon signs that say “bottoms up, bitches” or “YOLO”?. Take him to Bar Mercer for a weekend brunch that’s more cozy pub than tea party. Instead of a mimosa, order a perfect Old Fashioned. It pairs perfectly with the housemade pigs in a blanket (a personal favorite and a “must have”) and a dozen oysters. Follow with the steak au poivre or the hangover pasta with ham, bacon, sunny side egg, pecorino, and black pepper. Bar Mercer is open for brunch on Saturday and Sunday, starting at noon.

The Animal House is a Farm to Table Meal

If your dad is more of the meat-and-potatoes type than the tiny, “interesting” tasting menu kind, take him (and the entire family) to Marc Forgione’s NoLita restaurant, Peasant for its Animal House Menu.

The dinner, which costs $145 per person with a minimum of eight guests, includes a whole chicken, a duck, a rabbit, and a goat shank. Also included is prosciutto draped over a sourdough pillow, ricotta, and olives; calamari with squid and fermented long hot peppers; wood-roasted oysters with nduja and bone marrow butter, and more. Reservations three days in advance are suggested by emailing animal@peasantny.com, with a very limited number available for walk-ins and last-minute reservations.

If you’re looking for something smaller than an entire zoo, the restaurant offers a Sunday chicken dinner. A heritage breed rotisserie chicken is served over local potatoes with a sizzling caper-shallot butter emulsified with a smoky chicken jus tableside. $82 buys you a whole chicken, $41 gets you a half.

June might be the best time to be in New York City: The spring showers are (mostly) gone, 90-degree days are still on the horizon, and the city doesn’t smell like hot garbage yet.

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It’s days like these that call for one of the city’s greatest pleasures — taking a long walk with no destination in mind before stopping somewhere for some refreshments. Since New York may be one of the greatest walking cities in the world (except, maybe, for Rome), it’s easy to meander in any one of the city’s wonderful neighborhoods: gallery hopping in Soho, strolling the Highline, lustfully eyeing real estate on the Upper East Side.

There’s one place in New York that takes the cake when it comes to an afternoon stroll.

Since 1876, Central Park has provided recreation, greenery, and sanity to New Yorkers who use the park for play, exercise, and social activities. Although it’s a major tourist attraction, according to the Central Park Conservancy, 70 percent of the people who visit Central Park are locals.

The park has many places to grab a snack or a beverage, but if you want to drink in some New York tradition, you’ve got two great choices.

Tavern on the Green

Originally built as a home for the sheep that grazed at Sheep Meadow, Tavern on the Green was once known for its spendid decor and mediocre food. You know — the kind of place to celebrate graduations and birthdays with grandparents. That iteration of Tavern on the Green closed in 2009. It reopened in 2014 (and closed again during COVID) and reopened once more in April 2021.

This new iteration of Tavern on the Green feels much lighter and democratic. No longer relegated to dreaded family gatherings, Tavern on the Green now offers weekend brunch and a late-night happy hour from 8 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. The place to be, however, is at the outdoor bar, which transforms into a beer garden when the weather’s warm. Grab a beer (there are always a few local selections on draft), get comfortable on the insanely tall bar stools that always feel like you’ll fall off them after a few sips, and strike up a conversation with some new people. Last time I was there, I discussed “Oh, Mary” with the couple on my left and talked craft beer with the people on my right — all while the sun shone. A splendid afternoon, indeed.

The Central Park Boathouse

Like Tavern on the Green, the Boathouse also experienced an extended closure, reopening last spring with a new operator that also provides food for Yankee Stadium. We’re not talking about food, though…we’re here for the drinks.

The Boathouse is light and airy, and romantic. It somehow resembles a piece of New England in Manhattan — Block Island or Provincetown, perhaps. That could be the reason why you’ll spot a lot of cardigans and Ralph Lauren. But who could forget the time Big and Carrie met for lunch at the Boathouse and fell into the lake?

It’s not summer in the city until that first gin and tonic at the Central Park Boathouse. If, however, you want to recreate your Big/Carrie adventure (sans swim), the bar makes a great take on a Cosmo. The Clearly Cosmopolitan is made with vodka, white cranberry juice, triple sec, lime juice, and a twist. It’s a lovely sipper.

But who says you have to choose? Start at the Boathouse and walk to Tavern. It’s the perfect way to get those steps in.

At chef Stefano Secchi’s Michelin-starred Flatiron restaurant, Rezdôra, you’ll find one of New York City’s most soulful (and beloved) meals: a regional pasta tasting where diners are treated to plate after plate of delights from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. At his newer sister restaurant, Massara, Secchi explores the Campagnia region, with its own tasting experience.

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Both restaurants offer many options, but for Secchi, pasta is the star of the show: Handmade daily, and paired with fresh, local ingredients.

Born in Italy, Secchi has never forgotten his roots. His restaurant, Rezdôra, translates to “head of household”, more specifically, the Italian family’s matriarch, or Nonna.

Secchi tells Broken Palate that both restaurants are a tribute to his family. “I remember summers in Italy watching my nonna work with such precision and care, rolling pasta by hand, closing each pasta ripiena with patience. There’s something sacred about that process. It’s not just food; it’s my family. My father and aunts, uncles, cousins, who all still live in Italia. It’s the history, love, and homage to the head of the household. That spirit lives in every dish at Rezdôra & Massara.”

Secchi’s goal at his eateries is simple but noble. “ We are simply in the business of making people happy, that’s what we strive for every night at Rezdôra & Massara,” he says.

To accomplish that task, the chef takes a 360-degree approach to dining. “It’s never just about the food. It’s the ambiance, the company, the playlist, the story behind the ingredients. It’s when the thought behind a dish surprises you, evokes a memory, or creates a new one.”

The work has paid off.

Rezdôra was given a three-star review by the New York Times and has earned a Michelin star annually since 2021. Massara (the new kid on the block, which opened just about a year ago) has also been listed in the Michelin Guide.

For Secchi, the accolades are an acknowledgment to keep going. “It’s an incredible honor. But we haven’t changed how we cook. We’ve always aimed for absolute top-notch ingredients and excellence. It just reinforces our commitment to tradition and consistency.

And of the tasting menus? For pasta lovers (like me), five courses of the most sublime pastas is tantamount to heaven on earth. The chef agrees with the statement. “We 100% agree. We spend much time developing and arranging the two pasta tasting menus! The Pasta Tasting Menu at Rezdôra is our love letter to Emilia-Romagna, Massara is dedicated to Southern Italy & Campagnia. They are both curated journeys through textures, flavors, and techniques. Each course is distinct, yet connected by region and tradition.”

For Secchi, being soulful doesn’t stop when he steps away from the kitchen. The chef supports City Harvest, which helps to provide food for New Yorkers in need. According to Secchi, the work City Harvest does is essential. “New York City is a community of neighborhoods, and food is at the heart of so many of them. Organizations like City Harvest make sure people don’t fall through the cracks.” And, says Secchi, there’s a great need to give back to their community. “As chefs, we’re in a privileged position — we get to nourish people daily. It’s our responsibility to extend that beyond the walls of our restaurants, and I believe every chef should be part of that, and we have to push to be more impactful outside of our simply our restaurants.”

Secchi is participating in City Harvest's Summer in the City, the organization’s annual summer fundraiser.

On Wednesday, July 11, starting at 7:30 p.m. (6:30 for premium ticketholders). the Lighthouse, Pier 61, Chelesa Piers will be transformed into a mega Jet Set-themed tasting event featuring food from Andrew Bellucci’s Pizzeria, Bangkok Supper Club, Bungalow, Dhamaka, Ma•dé, Mercado Little Spain, Muddling Memories, Wayan, and Secchi’s Rezdôra. Last year, the event raised enough to feed more than one million New Yorkers — a staggering number. Says Secchi, “We're excited to be a part of it again. City Harvest does incredible work, and Summer in the City is always an excellent, high-energy event with such great participants.”

Secchi provided a sneak peek at what guests will be eating at the event. “We’ll be serving a dish that celebrates summer produce — some sort of stuffed summer pasta...it's become a staple of ours when we participate.”

Tickets for Summer in the City start at $350. Purchase them here.

Chef Dominique Ansel and his pastries have been going viral since before viral was a thing.

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When Ansel introduced his Cronut at his eponymous Dominique Ansel Bakery in 2013, New York City (and the world) swooned over his invention that could best be described as the love child of a croissant and a doughnut. Instantly, the Cronut became the toast of the town, with newspapers, bloggers, and a fairly new social media platform called Instagram spreading the word about this tasty treat.

People waited for hours to secure one of the pastries that take three days to make and are offered in rotating flavors.

The frenzy became such that Cronut lovers would hire people to wait in line for them, as if they were securing Taylor Swift tickets. 12 years later (to the very month), the Cronut is going strong.

Now, the master chef has announced the opening of a new shop and an entirely new concept. Papa d'Amour, chef Ansel's newest bakery concept, opens tomorrow, May 22nd, at 8 a.m. at 64 University Place in New York City

At Papa d’Amour, the chef will explore Asian bread culture, taking inspiration from fluffy shokupan and milkbreads, steamed buns, egg tarts, flaky layered pastries, and more. In addition to Asian bread culture, look for playful “nods” to New York City staples like hot dogs and giant pretzels and the chef’s French pastry expertise.

The new bakery is a labor of love for the chef. Its name — “Papa d’Amour” is what his children, Celian (5) and Elise "Mei Mei" (2), affectionately call him. The babies, who are Taiwanese and French, pay tribute to their combined heritage.

The menu reads like a fever dream of everything you might want to eat in this world. Savory items include pretzel salt egg tart, brushed with brown butter with crunchy pretzel salt studded in the crust; a scallion basil blossom, a nod to Taiwanese streetside scallion pancakes, with a flaky laminated crust that you can peel away; and a kurobuta hot dog spiral with sticky rice and sesame furikake.

Freshly baked shokupan loaves are available to purchase whole and are sliced and used for sandos and toasts. There’s also a steam station for baos, including an egg and tomato breakfast bao, and a hot & cold red bean butter croissant bao.

Sweet offerings include a taro lace batter mochi donut, inspired by the taro puff and a banana bread Malay cake.

If you’re looking for the next food sensation for your Instagram or TikTok followers, check out the “jam jar” cakes: Slice them open to reveal a molten center of fruity, jammy goodness. There are four different varieties, but I want to check out the strawberry jam jar, a chiffon cake filled with fresh and confit strawberries, olive oil ganache, and basil seeds; and the black sesame jam jar, filled with black sesame and coffee jelly.

What item will take the crown as the reigning pastry king of social media? We’ll find out in the days to come, for sure.

If you’re on Instagram or TikTok, you probably have seen Labubu — the tiny plush toy with a creepy monster face.

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Labubus were created by Hong Kong native artist Kasing Lung. Lung, who now lives in the Netherlands, was inspired by Nordic mythology to create these little monsters. The Labubus are sold in “blind boxes”, meaning you don’t know which monster you’re going to get.

Celebrities like Rihanna, Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, and Lisa from Blackpink have all been spotted with Labubus hanging from their designer Bottega Veneta and Birkin bags. Much like a Birkin, these little critters are hard to come by, with people selling them for big money on the secondary market.

If you love the thrill of a mystery box item like a Labubu but you’d rather put your money where your mouth is, check out a new limited edition collab Cronut between chef Dominique Ansel and Kith Treats to celebrate the bakery’s 14th anniversary and Kith Treats’ 10th birthday.

Here’s where the mystery aspect comes in: The “Metropolitan” Cronut’s flavor will remain a secret until its launch. The only clue is that the taste is inspired by Kith’s global mantra, “New York to the World”.

The Metropolitan Cronut will be available exclusively at Dominique Ansel Bakery in Soho.

In addition to the Cronut, all U.S. Kith Treats locations will debut an ice cream swirl infused with the mystery flavor Cronut for one weekend only - Friday, May 16 through Sunday, May 18.

If the suspense is too much, the flavor will be officially revealed on social media the day before, on Thursday, May 15, via @kithtreats and @dominiqueansel. Any guesses before the big day?

Gail Simmons wants two things for Mother’s Day.

The author, Top Chef judge, and mother of two wants a relaxing morning with her family — and she wants to ensure children in New York City have enough to eat this summer.

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A member of City Harvest’s Food Council, Simmons shared details on a campaign that she co-chairs and that’s near to her heart: Share Lunch Fight Hunger.

This online fundraiser runs now through May 16, 2025 with a goal to feed more than 12,000 children and families throughout New York City this summer. Many New York City families rely on city public schools to provide lunch for their children. When schools are in recess, many children are left without steady meals. City Harvest provides a way for kids to get the crutial nutrition they need.

It’s easy to participate in the Share Lunch Fight Hunger challenge: Simply donate the cost of what you would spend on a lunch date to City Harvest. A $25 donation, for instance, provides free food to 19 children and their families.

Simmons shares that Dana Cowin started the challenge when they both worked at Food & Wine. “Dana started this campaign. She thought it would a simple way to give back if everyone donated what we spent for lunch in one day to City Harvest. She thought that the amount of children it could feed would be really transformative.”

Simmons added that Cowin would place brown lunch bags on the desks of her Food & Wine colleagues. “We’d put our lunch money into the bags and hand them in to Dana, who would give them to City Harvest. That’s the grassroots beginning of the campaign. It’s now turned into a citywide event.”

Simmons said the work that City Harvest does is crucial in a city as large as New York. “New York City is a city more more than eight million people. 50 percent of working households are struggling to make ends meet. The city hasn’t recovered fully from the pandemic, and more challenges have been piled on. Our children should not have to go hungry.”

That’s when the citizens of New York step in to help their neighbors. “New Yorkers band together like nothing I’ve ever seen. I’ve lived here through 9/11, Hurricane Sandy, and the pandemic and New Yorkers are the most generous people,” she says.

The Top Chef: Destination Canada judge says that her Canadian roots and culinary mentors showed her that giving back is essential. “Canada has a reputation for kindness and generosity. My parents have always participated in their community. Coming to New York and working in the culinary world, I had the greatest mentors including Dana Cowin and Daniel Boulud. It’s all about being a good human and a good citizen and setting the tone.

Simmons says the Share Lunch Fight Hunger challenge is a simple way for everyone to lend a hand. “Everyone can do a little bit. Even if you give the price of a cup of coffee, it helps. No donation is too big or too small.”

This weekend, Simmons will allow herself to relax and have her family take over for an annual Mother’s Day tradition. “My kids are really excited to get up early and make breakfast. They always cook for me. They’re 11 and seven and they make me cards and get me flowers. It’s the cutest thing. My husband has been known to sneak out and go to a new bakery and get some over the top pastries, too. I don’t need gifts. I want a day of rest, especially since I’ve been on the road this month.”

And, with the new Top Chef season halfway through, Broken Palate asked Simmons what viewers can expect in the episodes to come. “We have a couple more episodes in Toronto then we start exploring other regions and that’s going to get interesting.” Simmons wouldn’t give away any spoilers, except to look out for “over-the-top, amazing challenges” and a field of truly top chefs vying for the number one spot. “They really are, collectively, the greatest group we’ve ever had. This year it’s anyone’s game. There are so many mind-blowing moments to come.”

Donate to City Harvest’s Share Lunch Fight Hunger campaign here.

Since I can remember, I have always had a love affair with all things shiny and kitschy — Coney Island’s Wonder Wheel lit up at twilight, the Empire State Building, the Twin Towers (before the unthinkable) when they would turn golden with the setting sun’s reflection, and — yes — the sensory overload of Times Square.

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In elementary school, I produced a short film about the Nights on Broadway (set to the Bee Gees’ song of the same name). I also attended the High School of Performing Arts, spending four years on 46th Street just off Broadway, back when adult film halls and dirty arcades were the main tenants in the neighborhood.

Today, the M&M’s Store and McDonald’s have replaced most of the slime, with a touch of seediness like cheap Elmo impersonators to keep its sense of place. It’s also home to the Theater District and a stone’s throw from Central Park. Broadway shows and the incredible talent that graces the stages of New York’s theaters are unique to the world and a reason why people from around the globe visit the city.

There are so many other reasons to visit — the cabarets where talented performers workshop new routines or just show up and sing for the pure joy of it; the small independent restaurants and tiny bars, and the incredible light show, Midnight Moment, where the billboards of Times Square transform into a larger-than-life art gallery each night at 11:57 p.m. So, yes, Times Square and 42nd Street are worth a second look or — dare I say — an entire weekend.

Where to Stay

If you close your eyes and conjure up a picture of the center of New York City, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville might not be the first thing that comes to mind but when you walk through the doors of the Margaritaville Times Square Hotel, you’ll quickly be reminded that Manhattan and any Caribbean paradise have one thing in common — they’re both islands. In case you didn’t make the connection, the elevators welcome you to “the island of Manhattan”. The rooms are cozy with just a touch of coastal style mixed with a tongue-in-cheek nod to the fact that, yes — you’re in Margaritaville in Manhattan. For instance, a New Yorker-esque picture of the Statue of Liberty graced the bathroom — but this time, Liberty was clearly enjoying a day off, trading her torch for a frozen blender drink.

The rooms do offer stunning views of the skyline, and the hotel’s 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar is a two-story rooftop bar on the 31st and 32nd floors offering panoramic views without the velvet ropes, lines, and cover charges that many other rooftop bars have.

Where to Eat

Bea

This Hell’s Kitchen bar and restaurant is the kind of hidden secret that usually needs a referral from a friend to discover its warmth. This cozy hideaway is warmly lit with candles, with black and white movies projected on its walls. There’s a good selection of beers on tap, and the burger is one of the best in New York City. Best of all, Bea is open late for a post-theatre meal or cocktail.

Joe Allen

Located on “Restaurant Row”, just blocks from most Broadway theaters, don’t be surprised if everyone at the bar starts reviewing the various shows they’ve just seen. That’s actually the beauty of Joe Allen — it’s a pre- or post-show tradition that’s also very much an insider’s hangout. The menu is filled with classics from steak frites to meatloaf and sauteed liver, but the La Scala salad is hands down the most popular choice.

Sardi’s

This Theater District classic has been in movies, television shows, and even been spoofed in Broadway musicals for good reason — it’s part restaurant/part homage to Broadway itself. The restaurant offers good standard fare and the upstairs bar is a cozy place for a pre-theater cocktail, but the real star of the show is in the Al Hirschfeld prints on the walls that depict just about every star that’s graced Broadway stages.

Where to Drink

Algonquin’s Blue Bar

If you’re looking for history, the Algonquin Hotel’s Blue Bar is steeped in it. Opened in 1933 (at the end of Prohibition), the Blue Bar was the stomping place of Dorothy Parker, Alexander Woolcott, Al Hirschfeld, and New York’s acting and writing elite. Get a taste of history with cocktails such as the Dorothy Parker, the Writer’s Block, and the Vicious Wit.

Don’t Tell Mama

The rousing cabaret is within walking distance of most Broadway theaters, so don’t be surprised if someone you’ve just seen on stage gets up to sing at the piano. Don’t Tell Mama hosts regularly scheduled cabaret shows and open mic nights where anything can happen, and anyone can appear.

Jimmy’s Corner

There are plenty of dive bars in the area, but Jimmy’s is a unique piece of New York history. This boxing-themed bar is as no-frills as it gets: No menus, no fancy drinks, no food, no outdoor beer garden. Just a narrow bar that makes the kind of drinks that have three ingredients — one being ice. But this beer and a shot place is gritty, authentic, and a slice of the real, old school New York that everyone says is slowly being lost. Skip the M&Ms store and drink here instead.

What to Do

Broadway

For more than a century, the Great White Way has been one of the reasons New York City has attracted the most creative and talented people in the world. Broadway is truly the city’s heart, and live theater is like nothing else on earth. Shows like Hamilton and Wicked have ensured that theater is alive and well, with new generations coming to experience Broadway. This season is particularly ripe with talent — from Audra McDonald in Gypsy to George Clooney in Good Night and Good Luck — there’s an electric night of passion for every taste.

Midnight Moment

Each night in Times Square (except for New Year’s Eve), when the clock strikes 11:57 p.m., Broadway’s giant billboards transform into a giant art gallery, showcasing digital works from a variety of artists. This month, Cannupa Hanska Luger is the artist on display, with works rotating monthly.

and is easily accessible to most every subway line in NYC. It’s also

Being the executive chef at an iconic restaurant in New York City is a daunting task that requires endless hours, nonstop dedication, and a nearly superhuman ability to multi-task.

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For more than a decade, Preston Clark has done just that at the iconic Soho favorite, Lure Fishbar. Now, Clark has taken on the task of helming the kitchen at a second restaurant: Bar Mercer, the West Houston Street restaurant that opened just a month ago in the former Bar Tulix space. Mercer Street Hospitality owns both restaurants.

Clark says he created a menu at Bar Mercer that speaks to how people like to eat. “It’s a neighborhood spot, so the menu is approachable. I wanted to create dishes that I like to eat. I wanted to create a craving.”

The chef has succeeded.

The menu reads like a list of favorites like a grilled pork chop with mushroom and cipollini white wine sauce, a filet au poivre with peppercorn sauce, a proper burger (with American cheese), and the “hangover pasta”, a comforting bowl of chitarra, ham, bacon, and a sunny side egg. “I’m a little more out of the box from Lure, because I don’t have to stick to a predominantly seafood menu. It’s fun for me to do a chicken liver mousse or a sliced ribeye on the blackboard,” he says.

The restaurant is also causing a sensation with its mini pigs in a blanket — a modern rendition of a retro classic cocktail party snack that is the ideal companion to a pre-dinner martini.

Clark says his inspiration came from English Pubs mixed with a classic New York hotspot with a close, personal connection: The Odeon — a restaurant that his father, Patrick Clark, the first Black chef in the U.S. to win a James Beard award, helped open with restaurateur Keith McNally back in 1981.

The elder Clark, whose career included helming the kitchen at Tavern on the Green, helped forge Patrick’s career from a young age. “My father would take me to work with him when I was young. I decided to be a chef when I was 13 or 14.” One of Clark’s first jobs was at Tavern under the guidance of his dad. Though the Lure and Bar Mercer chef lost his father nearly 20 years ago, he continues to be the driving force in Patrick’s career.

As executive chef of Lure Fishbar, Clark has placed his mark on another iconic New York establishment. “I’ve been there so long, I feel like it’s mine,” he says of the SoHo seafood house. In a city where dozens of restaurants open daily, Clark says the secret to success lies in simply making guests happy. “There are so many flash-in-the-pan restaurants that people never return to. I want people to enjoy the restaurant so much they return. That’s the key to longevity.”

Clark says being a chef is satisfying not only for the food but for the community building. “We’re able to provide jobs and be a part of the fabric of the city. I can help by teaching people a skill. If you’re able to change the life trajectory of a few people, that’s being successful.”

With leading two restaurants in Manhattan, Clark says the only challenge is trying to make room to try out other restaurants to stay current on dining trends. He admits to eating at home a lot with his son but says he makes time for a few favorites, like sister restaurant, Cha Cha Tang for the roasted duck and dumplings by chef Doron Wong. “I love how clean the food eats,” he says.

You might also find Clark at Bar Mercer on his days off. “I like to eat there to make sure the chefs are executing the dishes properly. Plus, I love the menu,” he confesses.

Michelin Guide is having one busy week. Just on the (boot) heels of celebrating the inaugural Texas Guide, Michelin has announced that several New York restaurants have joined the Michelin Guide.

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The announcement serves as a tease before the December 9th ceremony in which New York, Washington D.C., and Chicago restaurants all learn their official ranks in the Michelin Guide.

These new restaurants are all now included as “Recommended” restaurants, however, that status can change in December and any of these newbies can upgrade to Bib Gourmand or even earn a Star (or Two or Three).

New restaurants earning a place in the New York Michelin Guide include:

• Eulalie

• Cesar

• Tadhana

• Acru

• Bungalow

• Penny

• Odre

• Le B

• Ishq

• Massara

• Sailor

• Theodora

• Joo OK

• Octo

• Sawa

• Lingo

• Uzuki

• ILIS

• Sushi Sho

• Veerays

• Okonomi Market

• See No Evil Pizza

• YingTao

• Blanca

• Le Veau d’Or

• Daphne’s

• Cafe Boulud

• Lungi

• Bayon

• Tha Phraya

For a complete list of restaurants in the New York Michelin Guide, including tasting notes, visit michelin.com.