The New York City Traveler

I have a new favorite “cheap eat” in Manhattan: Nicky’s Vietnamese Sandwiches in East Village.  Nicky’s has been a favorite of Lower East Side residents for years, and now I know why… this may just be the best sandwich I have ever tasted.
Nicky’s traditional Vietnamese sandwich ($4.50), or bánh mì, is made with pate, Vietnamese ham, roasted ground pork, pickled carrots, cucumber, cilantro, and mayo on a baguette.  The sandwich is perfection, touching every taste bud in your mouth: the salt of the ham and pork, the sweetness of the carrot, the fresh crunch of cucumber and carrot, …read more

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Spring is here and there are greenmarkets popping up in every corner of New York City.  There are few things that are as easy and environmentally correct as buying seasonal produce from a local farmer, many of whom practice organic farming techniques. 
Greenmarkets don’t just sell produce anymore; they are truly a marketplace where local merchants sell directly to consumers.  Last week, in a quick trip through one of the largest and most popular markets, Union Square Greenmarket, I was surprised that a shopper can pick up an array of fresh fruits and vegetables, organic grass-fed meat, Vermont maple …read more

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I first fell in love with empanadas while in Mexico many, many years ago.  The small turnovers with sweet or savory fillings is the Latin American answer to the French crepe.  So I was ecstatic to find that there was a restaurant dedicated to these tasty delights right here in Manhattan.  Located in a sliver of a Hell’s Kitchen restaurant (seating for 16 at tables, and 9 at the tiny counter), popular with theatre-goers and the Midtown West hipsters alike, is Empanada Mama.    
Empanadas, small turnovers filled then fried until golden brown, is the main feature on the …read more

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Wine Enthusiast is once again presenting a highlight of the New York City epicurean scene, the annual Toast of the Town wine tasting event at Lincoln Center. This year over 500 wines and spirits from around the world will be available for tasting and paired with culinary creations from some of New York’s finest restaurants.
Tickets are now available for the The VIP Tasting and Grand Tasting. The VIP Tasting is a pre-event tasting of reserve and estate wines and includes a complimentary Wine Enthusiast Wine Master 2008 pocket electronic wine buying guide, tasting glass, tasting notes booklet as …read more

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I love dim sum… it’s like Chinese tapas.  Little bites of multiple dishes with served with Jasmine tea make for a great meal, anytime of the day.  I usually have dim sum on my trips to San Francisco, but I have heard so much about the popular Chinatown institution, Golden Unicorn, I just had to go see what all the buzz was about.
Walking down the crowded streets of East Broadway I quickly found the “Golden Unicorn” sign in the sea of Chinese characters.  As I entered the lobby of what appeared to be an office building I was …read more

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This Friday night, trade in your usual club-hopping routine for Guggenheim’s Art After Dark.  The first Friday evening of each month, the Guggenheim Museum opens its doors at for a evening of DJ music, drinks, and art.
This week, Shepard Fairey will be the guest DJ spinning a mix of old-school, hip hop, rock, and electronica at the Guggenheim.  Fairey is one of the most influential street-artists of his time.  He initially became known for his “André the Giant Has a Posse” (later known as OBEY Giant) campaign.  Most recently, Fairey is the artist behind the “Progress: Obama” campaign.   
This Friday, …read more

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Its not too often I recommend a chain-hotel as a must-see destination in New York, but knowledgeable New Yorkers and tourists have been patronizing this hotel bar for years and it is time to let the secret slip. 
Mé Bar is pronounced “May Bar”  and can be roughly translated as “mountain bar” in Korean.  The name is only fitting seeing as the bar is located on the 14th floor rooftop of the La Quinta Inn in Koreatown. 
The indoor bar, featuring high tables, barstools, and skylights, is little different from any hotel bar.  However, the outdoor seating area is the real …read more

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I am always giving advice on “what not to miss” while in New York City so I thought I would give out a little advice on “what to miss” while in New York City. 
A few weeks ago a co-worker wanted a recommendation for a shopping mall in Manhattan.  I paused for a moment before thinking “Does Manhattan even have any shopping malls?”  It is a well-known fact that New Jersey has a plethora of malls and even Elmhurst, Queens has the Queens Center.  Then I remembered Manhattan Mall.
Manhattan Mall was once a gleaming gem in Midtown.  With …read more

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It’s Wednesday night and you need a table at the famed French brasserie Balthazar for 2 this Friday.  Or perhaps you just got into Manhattan for a trip and you want a table for 4 at the celeb hot spot Nobu.  In the often cut-throat restaurant scene in New York, unless your name is Michael Bloomberg or Rupert Murdoch, your chances are zero-to-none that you could get a reservation… until now. 
TableXchange, a third-party online site, offers diners a platform on which they can purchase and sell their reservations to top-notch New York City restaurants.  Most reservations go for a …read more

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Located just a stones throw away from the posh and trendy Tribeca Grand Hotel, the Tribeca Tavern couldn’t be more different.  This neighborhood bar hasn’t lost its charm and accessibility, even after the neighborhood went trendy.
The menu is well-rounded featuring all of the normal bar appetizers (onion rings $4.50, chicken fingers $7.25, buffalo wings $7.25), a selection of burgers from $7.75-$10, and 12″ bar pies (a.k.a. pizza) for $10 and up.  My menu favorite is “The Cowboy Burger,” a sirloin burger topped with cheddar cheese, bacon, jalapeños, and BBQ sauce.  Yes, it sounds like a bit much in …read more

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