NYC Tastes

2017 was a very strange year in the world of food.  It started out incredibly boring, with fast casual restaurants and big Japanese chains taking over the city.  And has ended unsteady and downright disturbing, with allegations of sexual harassment exploding in what seems to be every facet of the food industry and country as a whole.  I honestly feel more uncertain as a person than I ever have before.  Which is probably why I've leaned towards comfort food this year with big bowls of ramen, spicy chili oil wontons and other hearty, homey dishes dominating much of my time dining out. Union Square Cafe reopened at the end of 2016 and has been my go-to place for spicy, carrot studded Candele Pasta while their sister cafe Daily Provisions actually took the spot for best new restaurant of 2017. This may seem like an odd choice but it had everything I needed this year; incredible crullers for breakfast, inventive sandwiches for lunch and a quiet, relaxing environment...

The block of East 20th Street between Park Avenue and Broadway has always been a favorite of mine.  The beautiful Gramercy Tavern has been there for ages and newer restaurants like Barbounia, Fusco and ever crowded Sugarfish have really made this block a culinary Disneyland. The newest restaurant to pop up on this street is Middle Eastern gem Nur.  A place so tiny its easy to miss just walking by but quite possibly the best restaurant on the entire block. Nur was opened by Gadi Peleg of  Breads Bakery  and Israli star Chef Meir Andoni.  When I first saw the menu online I knew I absolutely had to come and try out one of my favorite dishes from our last London trip the Jerusalem Bagel. This warm pretzel like roll was very similar to the one we had at The Barbary  but with a fluffier texture studded with sesame seeds and served with a delicious za'atar and lima bean messbaha.  I love this bagel; it puts all other regular NYC bagels to sh...