The Sophisticated Life
  • Home
  • About
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Wine
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
The Sophisticated Life
  • Home
  • About
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Wine
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
The Sophisticated Life
No Result
View All Result
Home Food

Food Story: NYC Food Crawl

by Nadeen
September 22, 2019
A A

I had the pleasure of going to NYC over Memorial Weekend this year. I was excited to experience the various cuisines offered in this amazing city.

My first dinner in New York City was the Friday of Memorial Day weekend at Blue Fin, located on the first floor of the W Hotel Times Square. I was told it was a good place for seafood and sushi. As a resident of the Georgia coast, where fresh seafood is abundant, I was skeptical. When I arrived the host promptly seated me with a smile. My table was neat and located at the front of the restaurant which allowed me to see everyone in the dining room and those outside on Broadway. I ordered the crab cake small plate along with their signature drink-The Blue Fin. Both were very good. The cake was full of jumbo crab meat with very little filler. The cocktail was reminiscent of a hypnotic martini but smoother. This drink is a must if you are visiting the in the warmer months of the year. As my entree I had the filet with goat cheese and house made onion rings. The steak was delicious and after adding a little crushed black pepper and salt, the onion rings were perfect. In addition, I loved the lively atmosphere of the restaurant. Overall I had a pleasant experience and it is definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.

On my second day after a packed day of shopping, I met an old friend in the Korean district of 35th and 6th, who recommended Mandoo Bar for dumplings. I knew this would be a treat since there were two women in the front of the store feverishly making plain, spinach and seafood dumpling dough. I could not wait to sample them. We were seated immediately and ordered the pork flash fried dumplings. They were served with pickled vegetables. They were so good! Light, crispy and full of meat and vegetables. The cost was 5 for $5.50. I ended up eating all five of them rather than sharing with my friend! We said our goodbyes and I left for Gramercy Tavern in the Flatiron area for dinner.

The walk there had a completely different feel from the hustle of Times Square. The tree lined sidewalks and large plain glassed storefronts invoked a sense of calm and relaxation. As I entered the restaurant, I was greeted by a smiling and friendly hostess. I did not have a reservation but was told the bar accepted walk-ins. I went to the bar, which had no empty seats, but managed to order a cocktail and put my name on the waiting list. As I was sipping on one of their specials-a Pineapple Painkiller cocktail, I was shown to my seat. They suggested several appetizers that seemed fabulous, but I had to pass since I had just had the awesome dumplings an hour earlier. I chose the Atlantic char with vegetables as my entrée with a glass of Turley zinfandel. As I savored my meal, I realized this fish was a fresh as any I have at home on St. Simons Island. The texture and taste were magnificent. I finished the meal with strawberry shortcake and vanilla ice cream. The atmosphere and delicious food tempted me to stay longer but I had tickets for a Broadway show. Gramercy Tavern is a must when visiting New York and the prices are reasonable.

I had now been in the city for three days and felt like a native. I had navigated lower and upper Manhattan and ran four miles along the Hudson River. I had worked up quite an appetite, so the thought of the unlimited pasta trio at Becco was at the forefront of my mind. I made reservations to this spot, located in Hell’s Kitchen, prior to my arrival in New York. My godson’s grandmother, who is Italian, recommended Becco to me. I have had her pasta and sauce numerous times and knew that if she gave it the nod it was going to be great and indeed it was. I was quickly seated and ordered their ‘Not your Nonnas’s Lemonade’. It was appropriately tart but thoroughly quenched my thirst. As the server attempted to give me a menu, I told him I wanted the chef’s trio and the house red wine. My meal started with a generous Caesar salad, which I quickly devoured then suddenly my empty white dinner plate was being filled with pasta and tomato sauce, pesto shells and fettuccine meat sauce. The flavors of each dish were very distinct yet blended well together. As I was enjoying my feast, I heard a couple speaking French at the adjacent table. I asked in my southern Georgia accent “Tu habite a Paris?” They replied, “non, Montreal.” We attempted to communicate with my broken French for about five minutes then converted to English. They were extremely nice and we ended up talking for about an hour. I thought to myself-only in New York City can a southern guy eat fantastic Italian food, meet Canadians and speak French. During my conversation, I received a second helping of each dish, slowing my eating pace to enjoy each bite more completely. Although offered, I ultimately chose not to get a third serving of the trio although I could have easily downed another plateful-it was just that good! When visiting this establishment arrive hungry, yet know that you will certainly leave satiated.

I was only in New York for three and a half days, yet had the most interesting and fantastic dining experiences. I have already booked a return trip in the fall to continue my dining adventures, so please feel free to give me the names of some interesting and favorite establishments.

 

S.D.Jones

 

Join over 2k travel enthusiasts on The Sophisticated Life email list & get access to travel updates, exclusive content & offers!

+ Get the Pandemic Travel Checklist FREE

Thank you! Check your email for your checklists!

Tags: new yorknew york citynycusa
Previous Post

Wine Fundamentals by Keith Edwards

Next Post

Bisa Butler: African American Quilter Extraordinaire

Nadeen

Nadeen

Dr. Nadeen White is a "Blogger by Day, Physician by Night". She is an award-winning travel blogger, Amazon bestselling author and speaker. The Sophisticated Life Blog covers affordable luxury travel, culinary travel and wine. Her domestic and international travel guides gets people to the destinations of their dreams. So, if you are living the sophisticated life or desire to do so, this is the blog for you!

Related Posts

photo by Adam chandler courtesy of charleston wine and food festival
Wine

2022 Charleston Wine + Food Festival-Recap!

March 31, 2022
sonoma county wineries and restaurants, sonoma, california wine region, sonoma wines, wine tasting
Wine

Sonoma County Wineries & Restaurants.

December 13, 2021
things to do in malibu california, malibu restaurants, wine tasting in malibu, malibu beaches, shopping in malibu
Travel

Things to do in Malibu California this Weekend.

March 21, 2022
asheville travel guide, things to do in asheville north carolina, places to stay in asheville, where to eat in asheville north carolina
Travel

The Ultimate Guide of Things To Do in Asheville, North Carolina!

September 22, 2021
black-owned businesses in asheville north carolina, hood huggers tours, black-owned business in asheville, asheville north carolina, black-owned restaurants in Asheville, downtown Asheville,
Travel

Black-Owned Businesses in Asheville, North Carolina.

September 22, 2021
midtown atlanta travel guide, discover atlanta, visit atlanta, midtown atlanta, atlanta georgia, planning a trip to atlanta
Travel

Midtown Atlanta Travel Guide: Things to Do & See!

March 4, 2021
Next Post
Quilt by Bisa Butler

Bisa Butler: African American Quilter Extraordinaire

Travel Story: Rio de Janeiro

No Result
View All Result
Subscribe for updates!

Subscribe for updates!

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Best-selling Travel Ebooks Available for Download

Travel Guides to Your Favorite Destinations

USA Wine Guide for Travelers

Culinary Travel Guides: Food & Wine

Recent Posts

Wine

Sonoma County Wineries & Restaurants.

by Nadeen
December 13, 2021
Wine

2021 Wine & Spirits Holiday Gift Guide Featuring Black-Owned Businesses!

by Nadeen
November 27, 2021
  • Welcome to Chicago! The Chi. Chi-town? What comes to mind when you think of Chicago? 
This may be my shortest reel yet but it captures a lot of my quick trip to Chicago over the Holiday weekend! 

1) an amazing stay at the new luxury hotel 🏨 downtown @thelasallechicago part of the @marriotthotels Autograph collection
2) The architecture cruise 🚢 on the Chicago river. It’s such a great way to learn the history of Chicago! 
3) a visit to Millennium Park to grab new pics by Cloud Gate AKA “the bean” 
4) Pictures by “The 🦩Flamingo” the red sculpture 
5) Dinner in Hyde Park at the Black-Owned restaurant @virtuerestaurantchi congrats to @cheferickwilliams for his James Beard award for best chef Great Lakes!
6) Dinner @hugosfrogbar with the insane macadamia turtle ice cream cake! 

I didn’t get any deep dish pizza 🍕 this time but my husbands favorite @parrishu70 (he’s from Chicago) is @giordanospizza and I still need to get to the top of the @willistowerchicago 

Have you been to Chicago? If so what are your favorite things to do there?

#chicagotravel #downtownchicago #visitchicago #chicagoeats #chicagorestaurants #milleniumpark #cloudgate #chicagobloggers #luxurylifestyle #blacktravelfeed #blackwomentravel #blacktravelgram #traveltuesdays
  • 🤣🤣. Just a reminder to still #maskup 😷and use your hand sanitizer and don’t travel if you are sick!

I have been traveling/flying about twice a month and I’m still surprised how many people are not wearing masks. People, kids, children, babies are still getting COVID-19 and being hospitalized for it. 

Get vaccinated, get your boosters. There is no guarantee that new strains won’t pop up. 

I am cautiously optimistic and I’m looking forward to finally doing more international travel but I plan to still take precautions. 

But can we talk about how funny and cool 😎 this @usher meme and performance is?!! Has anyone seen his Vegas show? Decades later and he is still an excellent performer! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

#instagrammemes #usherraymond #covid19memes #blackdoctorsmatter #blackdoctorswhitecoats
  • Happy 4th of July 🇺🇸🇺🇸weekend from CHICAGO!!
Did you really go to Chicago if you didn’t get a picture of “the bean” Actually called Cloud Gate. 
But on a Holiday weekend why was I still shocked 😳 to see lines to enter Millennium Park?!! 
A lot of content creators get up at sunrise 🌄 to get pictures without crowds and get those “Instagram vs Reality” shots. I don’t have that lol I only have the REALITY shots because I am a night owl and nocturnist and I can never get up early! 
Thank goodness the line went fast and I got my pics in 20 minutes although with lots of people in them. 

I have been here several times before but when I come to Chicago I ❤️ seeing it and capturing new pics. It’s like going to Paris. I always have to go by the Eiffel Tower. Like duhhhhh

#cloudgate #cloudgatechicago #milleniumpark #4thofjulyweekend🇺🇸💥🇺🇸 #4thofjuly2022 #happy4thofjuly🇺🇸 #blacktravelmovement #blacktravelfeed #travelnoire
  • ***MIAMI Save for your next trip to Miami Design District! 
We had the most delicious Mexican food @tacombi 
A lot of the restaurants in this area were pricy and had long lines but Tacombi is a casual Mexican eatery with Art Deco decor and savory authentic eats! 
Try the 
 🍉 margarita 😋😋
 🥑 chips & guacamole 
🌮 Baja crispy fish
🌮 Chicken tacos 
🌮sweet potatoes 🍠 and black bean 🫘-so unique!
🌽 corn esquites 

Thanks to @key2mia and @blacktravelsummit for picking such a delicious restaurant for the tour! 

#miamidesigndistrict #mexicanfoodporn #miamirestaurants #mexicaneats #foodbloggerslife #luxurytravels #culinarytravel #blacktravelfeed #travelnoire #hardlyhome
  • It’s still June 30th in Chicago and I couldn’t let the month end without saying #happypridemonth🌈 
To all my LGTBQIA friends and followers #loveislove🏳️‍🌈
We all should have the right to be who we are, love and marry who we want. 
Equal rights for everyone. 💞 

#happypride🌈 #pridemonth2022 #happypridemonth🏳️‍🌈 #gaymarriage #equalrightsforall
  • 📸📸📸 @iamslepton did his thing during the @key2mia tour during @blacktravelsummit 
How often do you use a professional photographer when you travel? I don’t do it often enough!
My husband and I did a professional photo shoot for our second anniversary in Paris and the pictures were beautiful. Since then we have been taking our own or rather mostly I have been taking selfies lol 
But there are so many options now. We used @flytographer but @airbnbexperiences also has options. The pics are so much nicer. 
I ❤️ these! They were taken in the Miami Design District which is a great backdrop! 

#photoshoot #miamidesigndistrict #luxuryphotography #luxuryphoto #fashionphotographers #luxurytraveler #luxurylifestyles

Black-Owned Businesses

black-owned businesses in asheville north carolina, hood huggers tours, black-owned business in asheville, asheville north carolina, black-owned restaurants in Asheville, downtown Asheville,

Black-Owned Businesses in Asheville, North Carolina.

September 22, 2021
black-owned rosé wine brands to sip on this summer, rosé wines, black-owned wines, rosé wines, summer wines, black-owned wines, black-owned wineries, mcbride wines, black girl magic wines, brown estate wines,

Black-Owned Rosé Wine Brands to Sip on this Summer.

April 27, 2022
atlanta black-owned restaurants, black-owned restaurants in atlanta, atlanta restaurants, brunch in atlanta, atlanta restaurants

45+ Black-Owned Restaurants in Atlanta You Should Support!

May 15, 2022
black-owned wineries, black-owned businesses, black-owned wines, black winemakers, black wines, black owned wines, black owned wineries, black podcasts, wine, wineries, winemakers. wine regions, napa valley, wine tasting

50+ Black-Owned Wineries & Businesses You Should Follow & Support.

March 15, 2022

Explore the U.S.A

photo by Adam chandler courtesy of charleston wine and food festival

2022 Charleston Wine + Food Festival-Recap!

March 31, 2022
sonoma county wineries and restaurants, sonoma, california wine region, sonoma wines, wine tasting

Sonoma County Wineries & Restaurants.

December 13, 2021
things to do in malibu california, malibu restaurants, wine tasting in malibu, malibu beaches, shopping in malibu

Things to do in Malibu California this Weekend.

March 21, 2022
asheville travel guide, things to do in asheville north carolina, places to stay in asheville, where to eat in asheville north carolina

The Ultimate Guide of Things To Do in Asheville, North Carolina!

September 22, 2021
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Myrtle Beach Restaurant Guide for Foodies!

The Best Myrtle Beach Restaurants: A Guide for Foodies!

August 6, 2020
15 fun facts about quebec city canada, travel to canada, canadian

15 Fun Quebec City Facts

August 7, 2018
Diner en Blanc Guide for First-Timers! Everything you need to know to attend this magical event! Includes information on purchasing tickets, preparing for the event, costs and what to expect at Diner en Blanc!

Diner en Blanc Guide for First-Timers!

September 19, 2019
Dubai Trip

Dubai Travel Guide for First Time Visitors!

April 2, 2020
Dubai Trip

Dubai Travel Guide for First Time Visitors!

How I spent 5 Days in Dubai and Abu Dhabi! A Desert Safari, Camel rides, Burj Khalifa, High Tea at Burj Al Arab, Shopping in Souks, Visiting the Grand Mosque and so much more!!

How I Spent 5 Days in Dubai and Abu Dhabi!

Visit Jamaica: Land I Love!

Cruising the Mediterranean Sea on Norwegian Epic!

black owned brunch spots in atlanta, black owned restaurants in atlanta, brunch in atlanta

Black-Owned Brunch Spots in Atlanta

April 27, 2022
photo by Adam chandler courtesy of charleston wine and food festival

2022 Charleston Wine + Food Festival-Recap!

March 31, 2022
sonoma county wineries and restaurants, sonoma, california wine region, sonoma wines, wine tasting

Sonoma County Wineries & Restaurants.

December 13, 2021
black-owned businesses, gift guide, holiday gift guide, wine gifts, wine apparel, wine books, wine and spirits, 2021 wine and spirits holiday gift guide featuring back-owned businesses

2021 Wine & Spirits Holiday Gift Guide Featuring Black-Owned Businesses!

November 27, 2021
The Sophisticated Life

  • About
  • Travel
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

© 2021 The Sophisticated Life

The Sophisticated Life

  • About
  • Travel
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Menu
  • About
  • Travel
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

© 2020 The Sophisticated Life

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
  • Travel
  • Wine
  • Food
  • Contact
  • Work With Me
  • Privacy Policy

© 2020 The Sophisticated Life