N.Y.C RECS
We’re so excited to celebrate with you! Below is a list of some of our favorite things to do if you have time when you are in town, including what we’d do on an ideal weekend (scroll all the way to the bottom). We recommend making dinner reservations on Friday when available, though some places are walk-in only. This list leans Manhattan-heavy given our venue is downtown, but we also recommend you spend time in Brooklyn. Below is a link to a Google Map with all of our recommendations.
Restaurants
1.
GEM WINE
Everything is constantly changing and fantastic. Reservations recommended, but walk-ins for small groups.
2.
CERVO’S
Seafood and great wine. We love the green beans when they have them! Reservations recommended.
3.
CHO DANG GOL
Homemade tofu! Be sure to get the Spicy Kimchi Tofu Stew (aka Kimchi Soondubu Jjigae) and a mini Bo Ssam (pork belly).
4.
ESTELA
This is where we ate after we got engaged! It’s a cozy restaurant, we definitely recommend making a reservation in advance if you want to eat here. Must-tries are the Endive Salad and Crab–they also have a great wine list!
5.
EMMETT’S
&
EMMETT’S ON GROVE
A bit of Chicago in NY! They have incredible tavern-style pies, and the best deep dish we’ve had outside of Chicago (but still a step below 🙃). The original Emmett’s is smaller and more relaxed, while Emmett’s on Grove is quite bustling. We recommend reservations for both, but especially EoG.
OTHERS WE LOVE
Alimentari Lucia (attached to Lucia) ✦ Thai Diner ✦ Kisa ✦ Kiki’s ✦ Fish Cheeks ✦ Commerce Inn ✦ Ari Ari ✦ Douska ✦ Leo ✦ Her Name Is Han ✦ The Odeon ✦ Hwa Yuan ✦ Dons Bogam ✦ The Izakaya NYC (on E. 6th) ✦ Soothr ✦ Demo ✦ Frenchette
Quick Bites
6.
LUCIA
The slice shop has some of the best pizza in Manhattan!
7.
GOLDEN DINER
Great for lunch or brunch, make a reservation if going on a weekday but they don’t take reservations on weekends. Chinese influenced classic NY diner food. Michelle loves the breakfast burrito and Nick likes the Katsu Sando.
8.
NON WAH TEA PARLOR
Famous dim sum spot, they serve dim sum all day. Be prepared to wait in line, but it moves fast!
9.
SPICY VILLAGE
Classic BYOB spot. Bring a bottle of wine or some beers and order the big tray chicken with hand pulled noodles. This place is as advertised (spicy) so we wouldn’t recommend it if you're sensitive to spice.
10.
TASTY HAND PULLED NOODLES
Just a few steps away from Nom Wah, a great place if you’re looking for something filling for under $15.
11.
KING DUMPLING
Grab a dozen fried or steamed dumplings for under $5 and eat them in Seward Park or at the counter inside.
12.
SAIGON VIETNAMESE SANDWICH ROLL
Terrific no-frills bahn mi spot. Great Vietnamese coffee/tea too.
13.
RUSS & DAUGHTERS
They have two locations, one is a sit down but this one is just the bagel counter where you order and take your bagel to eat elsewhere. Great smoked fish and tobiko, and we love the horseradish cream cheese.
OTHERS WE LOVE
Apollo Bagels ✦ Hector’s Diner ✦ Shu Jiao Fu Zhou ✦ Scarr’s Pizza ✦ Tonii’s Fresh Rice Noodle ✦ Punjabi Deli ✦ 886 ✦ Super Taste (on Eldridge) ✦ Woorijip ✦ Kopitiam ✦ Son del North
Shops
Lara Koleji ✦ Yokkoyama Hat Market ✦ MoMA Design Store ✦ Country Of ✦ Jane Cookshop ✦ The Strand ✦ Salter House ✦ Casey Rubber Stamps ✦ Assembly ✦ MAST Books ✦ Codex ✦ Academy Records ✦ Ergot Records ✦ C.O Bigelow Chemists
Bars
Big Bar ✦ Reception ✦ Tile Bar ✦ Cherry Tavern ✦ The River ✦ Commodore (I & II) ✦ Mr. Fong’s ✦ 96 Tears ✦ Clandestino ✦ Rudy’s Bar ✦ Parcelle ✦ Bemmelman’s ✦ Swan Room ✦ Angel’s Share
Coffee, Pastries, & Ice Cream
C&B ✦ Little Canal ✦ Setsugekka ✦ Michaeli ✦ Paloma Bakery ✦ La Cabra ✦ Red Gate Bakery ✦ Veniero’s ✦ Lady Wong ✦ Ka Wah Bakery ✦ BUNGEE Coffee ✦ Abraco ✦ Caffe Panna ✦ Morgenstern’s
Museums
The Whitney Museum of American Art ✦ The New Museum ✦ MoMA ✦ The Met ✦ American Museum of Natural History ✦ Guggenheim Museum ✦ Brooklyn Museum ✦ The Cloisters (worth the trek!) ✦ Noguchi Museum
Art Galleries
Movie Theaters, Comedy, & Live Music
Activities
1.
WILLIAMSBURG BRIDGE
Walk or bike across! This is one of our favorite things to do / a necessary commute we make multiple times a week. The entrance isn’t too far from the hotel, if you’re not a regular biker we recommend taking one of the e-bikes as it is quite uphill at the entrance. When you get to Williamsburg you can grab a slice of pizza at the famous L’Industrie or Best Pizza. If you want a sit-down option we recommend Leo (also pizza but they have salads, pastas and our favorite soft serve).
2.
PARKS
Visit one of the city's many parks. Central Park is a classic but if you’re up for venturing into Brooklyn, Prospect Park is beautiful, or a smaller more manageable park to visit would be Fort Greene Park (Robert Frost’s favorite). We also love our Greenpoint parks- McGolrick for something quieter, and McCarren for a hub of activity.
3.
GALLERY HOP
Take a look at the above list for recommendations. We like to use an app called See Saw to see up-to-date show listings.
4.
THE FERRY
For the cost of subway fare you can get on the ferry (one of our favorite ways to get around the city). We recommend hopping on at South Street Ferry Terminal and taking it to Red Hook. While there, be sure to check the waterfront for a great view of The Statue of Liberty. Sunny’s Bar is a favorite if you want a drink, and for food there’s Hometown BBQ for a laid back option and delicious brisket or Red Hook Tavern for a burger or fish & chips.
OUR ✦✦✦ PERFECT ✦✦✦ DAY