Best of Downtown NYC

First of all I apologize for delays in posting, I went from watching netflix all day to having negative amounts of free time in one fell swoop. 

Anyway I have been wanting to post for a while about my favorite food experiences in NYC so far.  I would like to one day become an experienced foodie, so I would like to have this list to look back on in the future to remember which places I liked most. I was going to do top 5 but it's hard to compare across categories, so I came up with 10 Categories with what is in my opinion the best in each.  Keep in mind I still have not tried a wide breadth of places, so it will be interesting to see how/if this changes in 6 months.

BEST BAGELS:

Village Bagels and Juice Bar
135 West 3rd Street

(Right off 6th Ave)

New York, NY 10012

SO GOOD. This has been a Faturday tradition right from the beginning, fresh baked every morning, I always get a sesame seed bagel with vegetable cream cheese which is hand made so its nice and fresh and chunky and flavorful. Plus they play Saturday morning cartoons on the TV, how great is that?

BEST CAFE:

Argo Tea Cafe
75 University Place
New York, NY 10003

So maybe I have to say this place because I work here and I get drinks for free but even if I didn't I would study here all the time.  I love it, the drinks are sooo delicious and there are an overwhelming amount of options, especially if you are a non-coffee drinker like me.  When I have to get work done I will come and use the wifi and sit for like 2-3 hours because the atmosphere is nice, especially at night.

BEST VEGETARIAN:

Bite
211 East 14th Street
New York, NY 10003
*Note it's not a vegetarian restaurant, but I think they have the most delicious healthy meat free options

Yummy soup and salad. Pietro and I used to stop in here for lunch during the week all the time because it's healthy but VERY flavorful. I've never had such flavorful soups and salads. And everything tastes fresh and homemade. I recommend the tomato soup with the goat cheese salad

BEST DUMPLINGS:

Vanessa's Dumplings
118 Eldridge St
New York, NY 10002

This was actually not my vote, this is the only place I've had dumplings so I can't really compare but we did go here because it is widely known to be the best dumpling place in NYC. They were very delicious and very cheap

BEST BUBBLE TEA:

Golden King Bakery
90 Bowery St.
New York, NY 10013

So this random place in Chinatown has the best bubble tea in NYC because they literally just take fresh fruits, juice them, and put bubbles in them. It's SO refreshing, especially the watermelon and the kiwi flavors. It's a nice change of pace after many overly sweet milky bubble teas.
BEST SUSHI:

East Japanese Restaurant
366 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10016

I went here with my coworker Andy and it is a rotating sushi place.  The sushi was SOO tasty and not too expensive! I even branched out and had eel and squid.

BEST GOURMET RESTAURANT:

Panca
92 7th Avenue South
New York, NY 10014

BEST MEAL IN NY EVERRR. Pretty expensive Peruvian restaurant, but SO worth it. Pietro said it was the best Peruvian food he's eaten in the states. It was the best food I've eaten ever. NOM NOM NOM SO GOOD.

BEST DESSERT:

OK this one is a tie... for more fancyish dessert:

Sweet Revenge
62 Carmine Street
New York, NY 10014

This is a bar/cupcake place. It's nice to drink wine and eat dessert at the same time and their cupcakes are TO DIE FOR!

For something on the go:

Pinkberry
177 Bleecker St
New York, NY 10012

This is the best frozen yogurt place I've been to, their yogurt tastes soo good and they have really fresh topping. They have a new PB&J flavor I want to try :)


BEST BAR:


Peculier Pub
145 Bleecker St.
New York, NY 10012

Great place for drink with friends, not too loud and not too crowded.  I really like their blueberry beer although my friends all say it's gross :P  I have heard they also have good food although I have not tried it, maybe soon!

BEST LATE NIGHT SNACK:

Wafels & Dingus

Food Truck, moves around but I usually catch it at 7th Ave & Christopher Street

Heaven on a waffle. They have this spread called Spekuloos (or gingermousse as Erin's dad calls it) it tastes like graham crackers and gingerbread. and the waffles are all warm and fluffy mmmmmm.

Ok I hope you enjoyed my thoughts on food in the city! This post is making me hungry so I'm going to go cook now...