Last post covered the first three New York restaurants recommended by my friend Juan, who loves the City and is keen on finding new, great and affordable places to eat.
New York restaurants are one of the first things in his mind when he is planning a trip to this magnificent city.
So are you ready to learn about some of the best culinary experiences in town? When you visit, these seven New York restaurants are a must!
Chola
If Panna II serves delicious Indian food, Chola is one of those New York restaurants that takes it to a whole new level. With a look that evokes British Empire conquered India and 19th century charm, you kind of feel like you’re riding the first class wagon on a British train crossing through the vast country.
Chola focuses even more on the authenticity of the dishes and their exotic flavors, but with a modern twist.
It is recommended to make a reservation in advance, since Chola is said to be one of the best Indian food restaurants in New York.
One of the things that set Chola apart is the quality of its service, especially when requesting copious amounts of water to wash down the heat!
Food presentation is simple yet elegant and the quality of ingredients and obvious care with which the chef treats his production is undeniable. Not too pricey, Chola is for anybody who wants to experience a side of India long gone.
Juan says the chicken malai kabob is to die for, with its exotic spices and yummy cream.
Chola’s lunch menu and Chola’s dinner menu are both available on their website.
Getting to Chola
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Jacques Torres
After stuffing yourself with cheese, how about stuffing yourself with chocolate? Two blocks away from Grimaldi’s, in a kind of nondescript, isolated street find Jacques Torres Chocolate, a small shop with amazing treats!
Being not exactly one of New York restaurants but a chocolate shop, people can see the actual chocolate factory from the street and glimpse at the chocolate filled shelves.
The place has a few marble tables where you can delight in luxurious hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies.
You can buy all kinds of chocolates, can you taste the velvety flavor of liquor-filled bonbons in your mouth?
A bit expensive for sweets, but definitely worth it! The venue in Brooklyn is called Dumbo (Acronym for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass).
Although this area of Brooklyn is your middle class neighborhood, entering Jacques Torres chocolatier will make you taste top quality ingredients and feel as if you were in a fancy and elegant shop in Paris or London, talk about experiencing the feeling of other parts of the World right in the middle of the Big Apple!
Visit Jacques Torres’ website to find all the incredible treats for this Christmas!
Getting to Jacques Torres Dumbo
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Chikalicious
Do you have a sweet tooth? Then Chikalicious is your place! Located in the East Village, Chikalicious is a must visit mecca for every dessert lover. (And who isn’t, right?)
A very small venue, it is showcased as a dessert bar, with tall bars and chairs, it’s not a place to stay for a long time, but to enjoy a sumptuous sweet experience.
You are allowed to watch the desserts being prepared by the chef Chika Tillman (Her whimsical name kind of fits the business, doesn’t it?), as if you were in a sushi bar!
I mean, “listen” to this: Mocha and Hazelnut Trifle with White Coffee Ice Cream, Toasted Almond Panna Cotta with Peach-Tea Sorbet and Frosted Almond, Warm Chocolate Tart with Pink Peppercorn Ice Cream and Red Wine Sauce… doesn’t that make you picture images of you swimming in a river of luscious liquid sugar and milk cream as if in a dream?
Juan says the idea is to go over there, pick some fantastic dessert you’ve never heard of and let your senses bask in the glory of a shop that only diverse New York can offer.
A must visit spot, don’t miss Chikalicious website to see their latest concoctions!
Getting to Chikalicious
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Betel
In tune with my recent Southeast Asia theme, Betel focuses on food from these parts of the world, bringing the flavors of Asian street stalls to the New York restaurants stylish atmosphere.
Juan told me that Betel is called that way because of the use of an herb called betel that is unique to this cuisine and gives it its distinctive taste.
The chic ambiance and loud noise from all the people speaking and enjoying the food provide for a truly cosmopolitan experience, contrasted with simple good quality food from the other side of the world.
And it can actually be said that more than a cosmopolitan experience the noise of people talking loudly around steamy food is reminiscent of the streets of Cambodia or Laos, where this is just daily life.
Betel’s website presents their menu and you can even make your reservations online.
Getting to Betel
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So there you go, seven fantastic must see places in New York, to enjoy great food, great ambiance and a great experience, without breaking the bank!
Hey, you might even run into a celebrity or two!
Do you have any other New York restaurants to recommend?
What was your experience with food in New York?
Did you have this idea that your tourist budget won’t allow you to try?
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