City Bites

The best City Bites from New York

Shuka Birthday Celebration + Art on Broadway + Billiards

We kicked off our celebration at the new production of ART, this time with Bobby Cannavale, James Corden, and Neil Patrick Harris. I had seen the original version with Alan Alda, Victor Garber, and Alfred Molina in 1998. I haven't laughed so hard since I saw the original cast of Spamalot!  James Corden stopped the show.... more than once.  I highly recommend. We stopped at Amsterdam Billiards for some fierce ping pong competition before heading to dinner at Shuka on McDougal. Once settled in, we ordered lots of their shareable mezze, including squash hummus ($12), taramasalata ($14), tahini dip ($12), crisp cauliflower ($17), crudite ($11), falafel $14) and a fall [...]

By |2025-12-23T10:41:49-05:00January 5th, 2026|Big Apple Life, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Vinateria, Harlem, NYC + It’s Only A Play

When my friend suggested going to see Terrance McNally's hilarious play, "It's Only A Play" at Morningside Theater in the Morningside Heights area of Manhattan, I suggested we first dine at my friend and fellow Dame, Yvette Leeper Bueno's Vinateria, with its Spanish- and Italian-influenced food. Yvette graciously donated the gift certificate to a Les Dames d'Escoffier raffle, which I won. She warmly welcomed us to her friendly establishment, introducing us to her special people. I started with an Old Fashioned made with Cooper's Daughter, a small-batch bourbon finished in black walnut syrup barrels. This distillery is woman-owned and family-operated, also producing its own cooperage and apples. My dining partner [...]

By |2025-12-23T10:41:09-05:00January 2nd, 2026|Big Apple Life, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Lunch at Marseille, Hell’s Kitchen + Little Bear Ridge Road

I jumped a subway from my pickleball game to try to get uptown quickly to meet friends for a quick lunch at Marseilles before theatre. Always a good choice. To make up for my lateness, I ordered a chicken salad from the menu so it would be ready when I arrived, so we'd get to the curtain on time. I walked in as our fab server, Carlos, placed my grilled chicken salad with mixed greens, celeriac remoulade and cherry tomatoes in a mustard vinaigrette ($24). It was just missing the menu-stated haricot vert. So tasty, though. I'd order it again. One dining partner savored their crab salad with asparagus, shaved [...]

By |2025-11-28T19:09:27-05:00December 3rd, 2025|NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Salinas, Chelsea, NYC + Ethan Cohen’s Let’s Love!

It wasn't our first time at Salinas, so we knew to reserve a table in the well-lit garden room at the back. Unfortunately, a party was taking place there, so we were seated in a comfortable booth as close to it as possible, allowing the outdoor light to brighten our experience. Two of us started with their Sangria, a delightful blend of Spanish red wine, brandy, pomegranate, citrus fruit and red wine ice cubes to prevent dilution ($42 per half liter). We started our meal with a few shared appetizers, including the very tasty coliflor, featuring tender tricolor cauliflower served with a citrusy Greek yogurt sweetened with sweet paprika ($19). [...]

By |2025-11-01T09:57:58-04:00November 5th, 2025|Big Apple Life, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Frena, Hell’s Kitchen, NYC + Caroline at MCC

Before heading to MCC, the far west theatre west of 10th Avenue, we stopped at Frena, where Taboon once was located on the corner of 52nd and Tenth Avenue, for a quick bite before our 6 pm (odd time, I know!) show, Caroline. The weather cooperated, and we were still able to sit outside and enjoy the last nice days of summer. The three-woman powerful show explores the challenging dynamics between three generations of women. This thought-provoking 90 minutes of theatre is not to be missed. As for Frena, we once again indulged in their mezze, featuring a trio of choices ($26) served with their addictive, freshly baked bread. We [...]

By |2025-10-02T09:21:30-04:00October 28th, 2025|City Bites, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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A Return to Mary Lane + Josh Sharp & Jean Smart

We stopped in for a mid-afternoon brunch at Mary Lane (part of Blackfoot Hospitality - Little Owl, The Clam and more) before heading to Greenwich House Theater to see Josh Sharp deliver his hysterical 80-minute 2000-slide one-man show. We had an attentive staff as we enjoyed an afternoon meal. We started with cocktails that included their first crush ($12) and a couple of Cappelletti spritz ($12) as we got caught up. Our server took our order, then asked if we might want anything else, as the kitchen was closing shortly. We knew that. Our show started at 5, so we leisurely sipped our drinks, awaiting our selections. One had their [...]

By |2025-10-05T08:43:25-04:00October 5th, 2025|Big Apple Life, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Red Hook Lobster Pound, Red Hook, Brooklyn NYC

Sometimes, you find yourself at the right restaurant at the right time. After a morning at Ikea in Red Hook, Brooklyn, we ended up at Red Hook Lobster Pound. Our friendly server, David, mentioned that, in addition to it being Restaurant Week, it was also Lobster Wednesday, when their classic lobster dinner was just $25 instead of the usual $52. This incredible meal features a 1.5-pound, fresh Maine lobster—straight from the tank—served with boiled potatoes and deliciously sweet corn, which was even sweeter than what I've picked up at the Union Square Farmers Market. We learned that the lobsters arrive fresh from Maine twice a week. We donned our lobster [...]

By |2025-10-05T08:48:33-04:00September 27th, 2025|Big Apple Life, City Bites, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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The Rotating View, Marriott Marquis, NYC

Knowing that The View, the revolving restaurant atop the Marriott Marquis on Broadway, is a venture of Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG), we knew the food and service would be good. We weren't disappointed. And knowing it was on the 48th floor and having visited the Marriott many times, I headed straight to the lobby's elevators, planning to punch in the 48th floor and board an elevator. Not. I learned after wandering around looking for someone to assist that I was supposed to go to the third floor, then follow the signs for The View, where a host should greet me and point me to the correct elevator. [...]

By |2025-08-17T09:43:58-04:00August 17th, 2025|City Bites, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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**Happy Hour at Mermaid Inn, Times Square, NYC + John Proctor, The Villain

We grabbed a bite during The Mermaid Inn's Times Square happy hour, as my theatre-going friends are oyster lovers. That and it was close to the theatre where we were heading to the Tony-winning play, John Proctor the Villain, which I would recommend.  During happy hour, the restaurant offers the chef's choice of oysters for $2 each, with a minimum of six.  In addition to the oysters, we tried the fried calamari ($11), which was almost entirely composed of fried coating. I'd skip the lobster roll ($26), as it the crustacean wasn't very fresh. What I'd recommend is the country-fried free-range chicken, served with jalapeño cheddar cornbread and braised collard greens, [...]

By |2025-06-28T10:39:29-04:00July 7th, 2025|Big Apple Life, Happy Hours, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Pig & Khao, Lower East Side, NYC

NOTE: After visiting, we saw this notice online: "Our last day of service will be June 22." Both the UWS and Chesea (Piggyback) locations are open.  Earlier this year, my daughter-in-law raved about a Southeast Asian restaurant on the Lower East Side where she met a colleague when in town. I couldn't resist trying it, so I made a reservation with some friends I had met on a recent trip to Ecuador. We squeezed into a cozy corner booth, and right away, the atmosphere was lively and casual, with loud 90s hip-hop music playing in the background. I love the family-style dining experience, as it encourages sharing. Once we sipped our [...]

By |2025-06-30T16:01:33-04:00June 18th, 2025|Big Apple Life, City Bites, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|2 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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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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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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Chez Josephine, Hell’s Kitchen, NYC + Little Shop of Horrors

It's a true New York immigrant story! I hadn't been back to Chez Josephine since before the pandemic. During my first visit, Jean-Claude Baker, the adoptive son of the restaurant's namesake, Josephine, welcomed me. This time, however, it was Manuel Uzha, the current owner, who greeted me. Jean-Claude entrusted Chez Josephine to him when he passed away. Their connection began in the 1980s when Manuel worked as a dishwasher while Jean-Claude was the maître d' at an Upper East Side restaurant. After enjoying the always entertaining "Little Shop of Horrors" at the Westside Theatre, we arrived at Chez Josephine. I noticed that the front table in the window was empty [...]

By |2025-01-29T12:14:06-05:00February 24th, 2025|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Unique Coffee Shop: Ariston Flowers & Cafe, Chelsea, NYC

Need a place to meet for coffee?  My current favorite is Ariston Flower's & Cafe where the aroma of coffee mingles with flowers as you walk through the flower shop to the cafe in the rear. In addition to the Devocion farm-fresh specialty Colombian coffee selections, Ariston Flowers & Cafe offers pastries, sandwiches, salads and other breakfast offerings. On my last visit, my friend enjoyed their egg & bacon on a brioche roll ($9.50) and coffee while we sat and yakked in the aromatic location. I highly recommend this coffee shop Ariston Flowers & Cafe Union Square 78 5th Avenue New York, NY 10011 646-759-1963 aristonflowers.com

By |2025-12-24T14:36:07-05:00February 10th, 2025|Big Apple Life, City Bites, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|1 Comment
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Baar Baar, Lower East Side, NYC + Wicked

My friend asked me to join her for comp cocktails and a meal at Baar Baar, an Indian gastro pub with a modern yet rustic approach to contemporary Indian cuisine. The restaurant is walking distance from where we saw Part I of  Wicked at the local AMC with their comfy reclining chairs! We began sampling their unusual cocktails, with my friend sampling their Anarkali made with gin, Aperol, housemade rose cordial and Prosecco and the Hera Pheri with clarified Mezcal, orange liqueur and spicy guava chutney. We nibbled the assorted papad and crisps, along with three homemade chutneys including mango and tomatillo chundo, chili and peanut and mint cilantro ($15). [...]

By |2024-12-15T14:51:25-05:00January 15th, 2025|Big Apple Life, City Bites, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings|0 Comments
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Rosa Mexicano, Lincoln Center, NYC + Robert Downey Jr. in McMeal

After seeing Robert Downey Jr. in McMeal at Lincoln Center Theatre, we crossed the street to grab a bite at Rosa Mexicano. The show is Ayad Akhtar’s new play, which closed in November, about a literary icon who gets assistance from AI. The subject matter reminded me of Glenn Close in The Wife. With five of us, we started with a double portion of their tableside guac ($32)— served with warm corn tortilla chips and roasted tomato salsa—and margies, with one ordering the frozen blood orange ($16). Being hungry, I overindulged in the guac and chips! Four of us then shared two orders of the roasted half chicken ($31) with sautéed [...]

By |2024-12-20T09:51:09-05:00December 20th, 2024|NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Orso, Theatre District, NYC + The Counter

Orso on Theatre Row was one of my go-to's when I lived in Connecticut and came into the city to the theatre. The food was consistently good, and I often saw a celebrity at a table. We started with a white pizza topped with fennel sausage, romano and mozzarella cheese, sprinkled with rosemary ($24). It could have been our meal! I had their rigatoni with a bolognese meat sauce ($28) and my dining partner, the sauteed calf's liver with fried onions ($32). Sadly, nothing stays the same. The service was lackluster, but the food was fine. I loved that they still served on a beautifully painted Italian terra cotta dinnerware. [...]

By |2024-11-26T07:45:06-05:00November 26th, 2024|Big Apple Life, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Pre-Theatre Menu at the Greek Kellari Taverna, Theatre District, NYC + Our Town

After reading Ann Patchet's Tom Lake for one of my book groups, where they put on a production of “Our Town,” by Thornton Wilder, we realized that show was coming to Broadway and vowed to go together. We did. I highly recommend the production with Jim Parsons playing the narrator. Before the show, we opted for the $65 three-course pre-fix dinner at Kellari Taverna. We all nibbled the olives, hummus and radishes. One started with the cauliflower soup, and the other three enjoyed their gently pan-fried tender calamari with onions, peppers, capers and fava bean spread. One chose the swordfish daily special, another the lavraki (also called branzino or Mediterranean [...]

By |2024-11-03T08:02:32-05:00November 8th, 2024|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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The Lambs Club + Roommate, Not

A leisurely lunch at the Lambs Club was our plan. Then, we'd walk around the corner to see Mia Farrow and Patty Lupone in Roommates at the Booth Theatre on 45th Street. We hadn't yet discovered that the show was canceled as Mia Farrow had COVID. The Lambs Club is America's first professional theatrical club, organized in 1874. At that time, no women were allowed. It moved, reorganized and re-opened after COVID in 2022. The walls are adorned with portraits of former club members. We chatted with the lovely manager about the club, the menu and the cuisine.  After that, he kindly sent us the sweet and savory summer green gazpacho gratis [...]

By |2024-11-03T19:12:06-05:00October 22nd, 2024|NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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