Mornings were made for warm fresh bread and steaming hot coffee. If you start your mornings on the Upper East Side, pop into Padoca Bakery for a fresh cup of java and any one of their tasty treats. Padoca is owned by Marina Halpern, a restaurant professional who has worked in some of the city’s finest kitchens.
Location: 1 West 67th Street
Cuisine: Italian
Best Dish: We are torn between the “Gnudi” with its delectable buttery sauce and the Paccheri tender bits of pork and expertly prepared pasta. Both dishes were sublime. The Gnudi was smooth and buttery and the Paccherri hearty and comforting. We highly recommend adding both to your foodie bucket list.
Overall: The Leopard at des Artistes is an elegant space framed by a series of artful murals. Its aestetic appeal is evenly matched by it impeccable service and delicious menu. The venue is a grand space for your next special event, an important date night or a treat for your favorite foodie.
Location: 236 East 77th Street
Cuisine: Italian
Best Dish: The homemade crab meat ravioli was tasty.
Overall: A reasonably priced interpretation of classic Italian cuisine, but nothing special.
Location: 145 Avenue C
Cuisine: Latin/Brazilian
Best Dish: The best dish was the baked mussels. We didn’t need to think it over or debate it, the baked mussels are hands down one the best mussel dishes we’ve had so far.
Overall: A charming lively space with rustic decor, delectable eats, and an energetic performance space.
Location: 489 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY
Cuisine: Indian
Best Dish: The Bhuna Gosht or Curried Goat was the star dish of the evening. The spicy goat meat melt in your mouth and the sauce is hands down one of the best we’ve had in some time.
Overall: A stylish hidden gem with immaculate service to cater to your curry cravings.
Location: 519 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY
Cuisine: Northern Italian
Best Dish: The lamb chops were outstanding and the spaghetti is divine but our favorite dish of the evening was the oven roasted salmon. It is not easy to achieve crisp skin and maintain tender flesh with salmon and yet that is exactly how it was presented and enjoyed.
Overall: The posh decor is reason enough to visit but you will fall in love with the food. If you love Italian cuisines, this restaurant is a must. The venue is also an ideal space for an impressive first date or special occasion. The setting and cuisine are enhanced by a resplendent entertainment experience that features musicians and students from nearby Juilliard and Lincoln Center performing live music nightly and during brunch, and occasional opera.
Location: 225 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Cuisine: Seafood/Italian
Best Dish: The Lobster Rigatoni was stupendous. The pasta was well made and the sauce was a light flavorful complement to the succulent lobster. We also highly recommend the creamed kale, it was one of the very best kale dishes we’ve had. The creamy sauce worked well with the bitter kale.
Overall: Halifax is a beautiful space offering delicious farm to table cuisine. The venue is a perfect place for a special occasion, a rare date night, or just a special treat for any seafood lover (like ourselves).
Location: 303 Park Avenue South, New York, NY
Cuisine: Healthy
Best Dish: The backyard burger is a surprisingly filling and tasty option, but the Mahi Curry stood out as the favorite. The curry was decadent but somehow the veggies remained crisp and fresh tasting.
Overall: A healthy homestyle eatery perfect for a post workout meal, or a healthy alternative for your next casual night out.
