NYC Best Bites

***Happy Hour Tao Uptown, Midtown, NYC

Our ex.expat New York group New York group began hosting happy hour gatherings on the first Wednesday of every month. This time, we chose the stylish Pan-Asian eatery, Tao Uptown. What we loved about this happy hour was the spacious lounge with comfortable seating, which made chatting much easier than sitting on bar stools. The highlight was their martini flights presented on a carousel, allowing you to choose three mini martinis for $15. The options included lemon drop, dirty martini, cosmopolitan, lychee martini and appletini. The only downside: the restaurant didn’t have enough holders or glasses, and servers would take them away as soon as one was finished. I would [...]

By |2025-06-01T06:58:01-04:00June 13th, 2025|Happy Hours, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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MAD Museum’s Robert Restaurant, Midtown West, NYC

After visiting and shopping at the fabulous MAD About Jewelry 2025,  the annual benefit awards celebration and sale of contemporary jewelry at the Museum of Art and Design, we took the elevator up for a quick lunch at Robert, located on the ninth floor. If you go, request a window seat with views of Columbus Circle and Central Park. Service is top notch in this quiet setting. We sipped the Pasqua, Rose, 11 Minutes, Treviso, Italy, 2023 ($55) while savoring our lunch. My dining partners enjoyed their toothsome pasta. One had the rigatoni ($25) with a pomodoro (tomato) sauce topped with artisanal ricotta and fresh basil, the other their penne [...]

By |2025-06-01T06:58:09-04:00June 11th, 2025|Big Apple Life, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Joseph Leonard, West Village, NYC

"I'm in love! This place is a great find. The friendliest staff!" I texted my dining partner when I arrived at Joseph Leonard in the West Village. Each staff member greeted and welcomed me warmly to the restaurant. "That's the best table," Daly commented as he seated me window side on the upper bar level. He then proceeded to describe the menu items in mouthwatering terms. I couldn't wait. While waiting, I sipped their nectarous JL Old Fashioned ($19), a blend of rye, bourbon and—for the sweetness—amaro.  My dining partner started with a glass of rosé, the Famille Coulon 'Le Petit Renard' ($16), Rhône Valley, France 2024, grenache. Following Daly's [...]

By |2025-06-09T09:34:35-04:00June 9th, 2025|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Birthday at Zizi, Chelsea, NYC

I had only been to ZiZi for their happy hour and liked what I tried when one friend suggested it as the location for a birthday gathering. Five of us went, starting with their $11 happy hour martinis! Remembering a wonderful lemon drop martini at Bar Hemingway in the Ritz Hotel in Paris years ago, I had to try the Motek Martini lemon drop one. Delicious. The five of us then shared some apps. After ordering, one server accidentally served us someone else's halloumi pesto and hummus and decided to leave it for us, which we devoured. After enjoying that, we shared the roasted cauliflower with lima beans ($16), crazy [...]

By |2025-06-07T08:11:41-04:00June 7th, 2025|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Felicè 56, Midtown, NYC

A gathering of girlfriends took place at Felicè 56, which we discovered is regarded as one of the best Felices in Manhattan. At least, that's what we heard and experienced while dining with Italian royalty at this lower level location. Some of us had drinks while catching up. I recommend their Espresso Martini. Make sure to request their special pizzetta, which isn’t listed on the menu ($25). It's a small, pizza-like, unleavened bread, we ordered ours topped with prosciutto. I also recommend the fried baby artichokes and calamari ($25) as well as the baked eggplant parmigiana ($22). Management surprised us by sending out the Fusilli al Ferretto e Burrata ($29) [...]

By |2025-06-01T14:45:26-04:00June 5th, 2025|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Brunch at Pascalou, Upper East Side, NYC + Conservatory Gardens

After meeting at the 86th Street subway entrance, we walked along Central Park to the 105th entrance to the Conservatory Gardens, passing from the formal French gardens to the more relaxed English gardens, both in full bloom. I highly recommend making this stroll. We headed downtown on Madison to find a place to grab a bite. Fortunately, we snagged a window seat (which had the best light for photos!) at the small split-level French bistro, Pascalou. We started with an Aperol Spritz and engaged in lots of conversation while sharing two delectable entrees. One, a bucheron goat cheese omelet, the other a ham and cheese quesadilla. Each came with two small [...]

By |2025-06-01T14:39:43-04:00June 3rd, 2025|City Bites, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Dizzy’s Club, Jazz at Lincoln Center, NYC

I looked forward to what I remembered as authentic Southern cuisine before enjoying some great jazz and panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline at Dizzy's Club. The venue is located within Jazz at Lincoln Center, on the 5th floor of The Shops at Columbus Circle, not at Lincoln Center. When I visited  Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, Jazz at Lincoln Center a decade ago, the food from Great Performance Hospitality Group and the service were good, and the jazz was great. I had the same experience this time, although the minimum cover charge has increased to $21 per person per set, up from $10 a decade ago. We experienced the incredible "South African [...]

By |2025-06-01T16:58:58-04:00May 30th, 2025|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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John Fraser’s Iris, Midtown, NYC + All-Schubert Program at Carnegie

Before heading to an All-Schubert Program, Piano Four Hands, at Carnegie Hall, we stopped at John Fraser's Mediterranean restaurant, Iris. At this Aegean restaurant, we chose an Assyrtiko white wine for our meal. Specifically, the Atma Assyrtiko, Macedonia, Greece 2022 ($98), a crisp white variety with notable acidity. My friends selected some items from the menu I hadn't noticed before, as at Iris, I often enjoy their mezze options with their incredible spicy lamb flatbread ($18), which we did, too. Their crispy veal sweetbreads came with chili-honey savoy cabbage with a pine nut gremolata ($30) and the two meaty, small—and quite bony—pepper-crusted quail ($32). Also tasty is the branzino fillet [...]

By |2025-05-27T09:06:47-04:00May 27th, 2025|Big Apple Life, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Ci Siamo, Manhattan West, NYC – After A Walk on the Edge

The first time, a private event had locked us out of The Edge at Hudson Yards. We had spent the required amount ($40) at The Peak to secure free entry, but we talked too much. By the time we were ready, the party had already started. Their management promised us free entry upon return. It worked. We skipped the lines and walked right out onto that triangular point sticking out of the 101st floor of 30 Hudson Yards. It was a chilly spring day with incredible 360-degree visibility. Lucky us. We had escaped the line-up to get in, but for the first time I remember, we found ourselves queuing in [...]

By |2025-05-27T08:45:51-04:00May 23rd, 2025|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Outdoor dining at Novita, Flatiron, NYC

My friend and I decided to get together at the last minute. I called around the neighborhood and was lucky when Michelangelo answered the phone and mentioned he could accommodate two more guests. As I arrived at Novita, a couple was finishing their meal outside, allowing us to enjoy dining al fresco on a perfect spring evening. We started with martinis ($23) while perusing the menu and listening to the specials. The funghi misti, which features a delicious grilled blend of mushrooms with Parmigiano shavings ($23), is a must-try. The simple combination of portobello, shiitake and oyster mushrooms paired wonderfully with a glass of Chianti Classico ($20). The night’s special [...]

By |2025-05-27T09:07:54-04:00May 21st, 2025|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Returns to Chez Josephine, Theatre District, NYC

I love the immigrant story of Manuel Uzha, dishwasher turned owner of Chez Josephine, that I learned about on visit earlier this year. Since then, I've returned multiple times to a warm hug welcome. It's that kind of warm and welcoming place. From those visits, I'd like to recommend a couple items including their espresso martini, their country pâté with a celery rémoulade and their cheese plate with three yummy cheeses. I highly recommend a visit!   Chez Josephine Hells Kitchen 414 West 42nd Street New York, NY 212.594.1925 chezjosephine.com

By |2025-05-11T07:19:29-04:00May 19th, 2025|Big Apple Life, City Bites, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Return to Serendipity, Upper East Side, NYC

Why would I return so quickly to Serendipity? Not because of its fabulous food but because my other grandkids, these two from out west, were visiting New York City this time, and I had promised them a Serendipity sundae. We arrived after a long day at the American Museum of Natural History, starting with the show at the Planetarium, and it left us very hungry as our reservation was midafternoon. I ordered the fried mozzarella sticks ($17.95) for my growing ravenous grandson, who also ordered the footlong classic served with French fries, coleslaw and pickles ($18.95). He took half home, leaving room for his Drug Store ($22.95) sundae with three [...]

By |2025-05-11T07:10:09-04:00May 16th, 2025|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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**Happy Hour, Irregulars, Upper East Side, NYC

Arriving early to meet my friends for an evening of trivia at the Irregulars on the Upper East Side, I grabbed an espresso martini before the gals arrived. I connected with Mike Eagan, the owner, who highly recommended their housemade meatballs from the happy hour menu ($13).  Mike mentioned that recently, his mom had come into the kitchen and made 500 of them. I had to sample them. He is right! Don't miss these three pickleball-sized meatballs. I sopped up every drop of the sauce using the herbed garlic bread in the bowl. I recommend Irregulars's happy hour with each HH offerings that could make a meal, at least for [...]

By |2025-05-11T07:05:16-04:00May 12th, 2025|Happy Hours, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Bobbie Lloyd

What New Yorker isn't familiar with Magnolia Bakery? That small corner shop in New York's West Village has become a global phenomenon, now boasting 46 stores worldwide. This success is largely due to Bobbie Lloyd, their incredible CEO and Chief Baking Officer. I had the pleasure of meeting Bobbie when she joined Les Dames d'Escoffier New York (LDNY) and attended our annual conference in Phoenix, where all the New York Dames hung out. I learned that she has had a fascinating career; she served as Calvin Klein's private chef after finishing culinary school and then approached Danny Meyer at the original Union Square Cafe, where she started as a waiter. [...]

By |2025-05-10T06:59:51-04:00May 10th, 2025|Big Apple Life, City Bites, Foodie Interviews, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Sicily Osteria, Theatre District, NYC

If you're a theatergoer, I suggest dining at Sicily Osteria before your curtain. It's a warm, inviting restaurant on Restaurant Row in the heart of the Theater District and Hell's Kitchen neighborhoods. As their guests, we started with their specialty cocktails as we perused the menu. Requesting a non-sweet cocktail, our host suggested the Capri Crush made with vodka, Limoncello, St Germain, lemon juice, and egg white. It was perfect, even a tad tart. My dining partner sampled the Limoncello Spritz, a refreshing cocktail trending in Italy that replaces Aperol's bitterness with the less-complex, sunny taste of lemon. Restaurant Business recently reported that it's on trend to be the next Aperol [...]

By |2025-05-11T07:49:02-04:00May 8th, 2025|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Argavi, Midtown, NYC + UN’s Focus on Woman Tour

Virginia, our passionate United Nations guide for our "Focus on Women" tour, amazed us with the figures and facts she spouted. She shared that in 1948, the UN had adopted thirty articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and we were shocked to learn that not one country honors them all. After our tour, we walked east to Argavi, a Georgian restaurant. I ordered thin slices of fried eggplant rolled around savory walnut stuffing ($16) and the traditional Khachapuri bread. I like the Adjaruli, an open-faced version topped with raw egg that gets cooked as the server mixes it with hot cheeses and butter ($18). Not to be missed. We [...]

By |2025-05-06T07:40:38-04:00May 6th, 2025|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Nom Wah Tea Parlor, Chinatown, NYC + Statue of Liberty

We headed outside again after walking up the pedestal to and around the museum inside the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island. Tickets to the crown had sold out a month before when we booked, so we could only walk the 215 steps of the pedestal. Afterward, we headed to the Statue of Liberty Museum, which opened in 2019, where the helpful rangers gave my grandkids a booklet, pencil and directions to finish the required activities. We rested while they worked on their form. We returned to Manhattan after completing their paperwork and earning their ranger badges. They wanted Chinese; They mentioned wanting Chinese as we disembarked the ferry. I [...]

By |2025-04-13T10:12:09-04:00May 4th, 2025|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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RH Rooftop Meatpacking District, NYC

After walking the High Line and Little Island with my grandchildren, we headed to RH Rooftop for brunch. It never fails to satisfy or impress. Two of us ordered the Cappelletti Spritz ($18). I'm liking all the new twists on Aperol ones that are popping up on menus. Cappelletti is similar to Campari both traditional Italian aperitivi, but made with a wine base instead of a neutral grain spirit. Another a Golden Road mango wheat ale ($8). My 9-year old grandson ordered the broiled salmon and a side of asparagus, finishing the whole thing and washing it down with Fentimans rose lemonade ($7). I tried their Caesar salad ($18) with [...]

By |2025-04-13T10:20:08-04:00May 1st, 2025|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Balaboosta, West Village. NYC

With New York offering so many dining, it's hard to revisit ones you've enjoy. Like Balaboosta in the West Village. My friend reminded me how much we liked it and suggested it for our catch-up dinner. I've been traveling so much that we needed gab time over a meal. Appetizers and small bites or Mezze—my thing at Mediterranean restaurants. As we yakked, we nibbled the puddle of hummus ($17) with droplets of tahini, warm chickpeas and green s’chug, the green chilies and cilantro sauce with their warm pita. The cauliflower florets ($19) came topped with peanut tahini, mixed with pickle crumble and topped with small puffed corn-peanut balls, bamba. Interesting, [...]

By |2025-04-20T13:41:32-04:00April 17th, 2025|NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Brunch at La Pecora Bianca, Bryant Park, NYC

Not all La Pecora Biancas are the same. Oh, they have the same menu, but what comes out of the kitchen depends on their staff. I met a friend for brunch at the Bryant Park location, as La Pecora Bianca offers ricotta pancakes—perfect for my dining partner, who doesn't eat eggs. We experienced a slow start with the service. My friend ordered the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes ($21), which come topped with blueberry compote and whipped crème fraîche, while I chose the Gramigna pasta—curly pasta with house-made sausage, broccolini, and chili flakes ($28). Although it took a while for our food to arrive, we didn't mind, as we had a lot [...]

By |2025-04-20T13:29:43-04:00April 14th, 2025|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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