NYC Itinerary (and suggestions to fill the gaps)

[djquinnc]

I am soon heading to NYC from LA. I have some pretty amazing din-din plans lined up (in order: Momofuku Ssam Bar, Momofuku Ko, Annisa, Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare, Barbuto). Probably don't need to eat anything for the rest of the year after all that. Having said that, I will be staying in the East Village for a week. I would like some suggestions for some decidedly less expensive things to eat at breakfast and lunch time. Also, any good places to shop for groceries produce, etc - as I will have access to a full kitchen. Thanks in advance.

[projectbennett]

If you want newer additions to NYC, for dinner I would hit the pines, battersby, potlikker, and briskettown.

Also, gramercy tavern is always amazing especially at the bar at lunch. Also for lunch, mission Chinese and mile end because the wait is not as long.

Grocery wise, eataly is a no brainer.

Have fun!

[djquinnc]

Thanks to all for the suggestions. Aside from all of the over the top fine dining that I subjected myself to this past week, trips to Ssam Bar (x2), Mogador, Milk Bar (x2), Motorino, Katz (for Xmas day bread), and Eataly were made. I probably had more fun by making the East Village my home base this past trip to New York than in recent past visits. I must say, the undisputed neighborhood highlight was Ko, hands down. Obviously not the sort of place to just drop on in!

Thanks for all your feedback. I will have to delve into more of these goodies the next time I visit!

[kathryn]

Breakfast:
B&H Dairy
Birdbath Bakery
Abraco -- coffee shop with pastries
Peels
Momofuku Milk Bar -- bakery
Cafe Orlin
Northern Spy Co
Prune -- weekends only
Westville -- weekends only
Clinton St Baking Co -- technically on the LES, as it is near the south side of Houston, good for weekdays, long lines on weekends
Russ & Daughters -- takeout only, technically on the LES, south side of Houston

Lunch:
Motorino -- they also have a lunch prix fixe
Ippudo
Momofuku Ssam -- if only for the duck lunch, dependent upon how long you are here
Sunny and Annie's Deli
Luke's Lobster
Caracas Arepas Bar
Grand Sichuan -- only the non-American dishes such as wice cooked pork, cumin beef, gui zhou spicy chicken, cold cucumber appetizers, wontons in hot oil
The Redhead
Crif Dogs - New Jersey-style, deep-fried hot dogs sans batter
Brindle Room
Zabb Elee
Bobwhite
Xian Famous Foods
Banh Mi Zon
Sao Mai
Ngam
South Brooklyn Pizza -- slice joint
Katz's Deli -- technically on the LES
Otto -- technically on 5th Avenue but dependent upon where you are staying, could be a short walk

For groceries, St Marks Market has surprisingly decent stuff.

For more upscale, you're kind of flanked by 2 Whole Foods. The one on Bowery and Houston, and the one at Union Square. The Bowery/Houston one is much less crowded.

There is also a farmers market every Sunday at Tompkins Square Park.

[djquinnc]

Thank you so much. Very comprehensive! Especially the tip about the farmer's market. It will be nice to do some of my own cooking while I’m there.

[Pan]

Kathryn, do you prefer Orlin to Mogador? I like both but tend to go to Mogador because I like the spicy and tasty Moroccan items I can get there.

[kathryn]

Never tried their Moroccan items!

[Pan]

Ain't it about time? Get some tagines or couscous for lunch or dinner, and have their Moroccan Eggs for breakfast or lunch. Also have some of their Moroccan carrots. Their various other mezes are also very good. The other egg dishes I like are the Middle Eastern Eggs and the Haloumi Eggs. And have you tried their strawberry-rhubarb crumble? I love it! I just wish it had only rhubarb, but that's to my taste.