Leaving NY! What should I have before I go?

[deeg]

After 5 years in this amazing city, it's time for me to leave. What are some places/meals/foods I should make sure I try before I go?

Thanks!

[piccola]

I'm in a similar situation, and while I will definitely revisit some faves, I'm also trying to hit all those places that I kept on planning to try (but never did). A lot of them are just "experience" places - quirky, if not overall great, spots that I couldn't find elsewhere.

Among others - Kate's Joint, Ssam Bar, Brgr, Kenka, Kyotofu, Café Zaiya, one of the banh mi places, etc.

[rose water]

Oh no, piccola, are you leaving NYC? I will miss your vegetarian recommendations here!

I'm curious that you have Ssam on your list, given that I'm not certain that anything there, besides their fantastic mochi dessert, is vegetarian. But it is fantastic.

Ditto Kate's, ditto banh mi. Would add ronnyfield farms (at Union Sq or Tompkin Sq greenmarkets or Chelsea Market) for the peach yogurt drinks to the must have before leaving NYC list. That and a whole bunch of outer boroughs great things (ricotta from Calabria Pork Store, Mina's pakoras, celery and bean curd from Spicy and Tasty).

[piccola]

I may be leaving if my green card doesn't come through. Not right away, but I have a lot of eating to do so I'm planning ahead. :)

Re: Momofuku - there's one veggie dish on the entire menu, as far as I know, but it's mostly just to check the place out.

Thanks for the other ideas, I'm always looking for more! I forgot to list Caracas Arepa Bar on my other post. In the "outer boroughs" category, I'd add the iced chai at Freeze Peach Café in Astoria.

[csw]

Foie Gras darling.

[beckybee]

Splurge on Gordon Ramseys The London Bar. Best Meal I've ever had!

[traceybell]

Other than favorites, I would also go to at least one place that is a splurge. Something classic like Le Bernardin.

[LFeinberg]

Grimaldi's for pizza.
Where are you moving to? That my help us help you.

[eateryrow]

I agree with ChefJune. Go someplace you love.

[rstank]

Agree... where are you moving to? I moved to Europe for a year, and wish I had eaten more Mexican before departing... I really missed that more than anything else because you couldn't get that.

[scout1]

This is great! I, too, am leaving the city after 6 years (SO! SO SAD!). My husband and I are moving to Chicago. I've made a list of places that I love and that I want to go to before we leave. But then again, Chicago is known to have good food as well. Although, I will have my sister send us bagels. :)

[ronoc]

I myself would go to Lupa for the beets and some pasta, Corner Bistro for a bacon cheeseburger and $2.25 draft McSorley's, and Pearl Oyster Bar for a lobster roll. But they all have sentimental value for me. I totally agree that you should go to the places you already know and love.

[jinet12]

I suppose things that you cannot have once you leave..It's not that you can't get these actual food items wherever you are going, but trust me, they are simply not the same, or as good...This would be the following: PIZZA..BAGELS..BLACK &WHITE COOKIES...A GREAT PASTRAMI SANDWICH...WONDERFUL CANNOLI AND/OR ITALIAN PASTRIES IN GENERAL...( NOT TO MENTION ITALIAN FOOD ITSELF)...These are just a few suggestions, and as far as places go, I would think you would want to revisit places that you have loved, and try to get to those you have always wanted to go to...I'm sure that many will suggest actual places...

[ChefJune]

If you haven't been there yet, you're not going to miss them! I would be returning to all the places I knew I was going to miss....