Must Eat places in NYC? (New York, Greene: houses, neighborhood, restaurants)

[King0fthehill]

What are some of the MUST EAT places in NYC for food? Particularly quintessential local and neighborhood favorites/specialties that are an absolute must visit for any visitor?

For what it's worth, I love neighborhood-sy, cafe-like places with intimate, cozy atmospheres and also ones that offer a look into everyday NY life; though, that's not to say I am not open into other places.

I'm not picky, but since I'll be coming from Los Angeles, I'll gladly pass on anything Mexican (rightfully so, as I can get that at home). And since I have a big sweet tooth, don't hesitate offering a favorite bakery, coffee shop, ice cream parlor, dessert place, etc.

Any and all recommendations/input/advice are welcome (and encouraged!)

[Chava61]

Virgils (Southern Eastern USA barbecue style food) located on East 44th Street near Times Square.

[Viralmd]

I wouldn't call Virgil's either cozy or intimate. It's a ZOO. With food that's not worth the money, but tourists go there, probably because of its location.

Intimate and cozy in NYC usually equates to fairly costly. The only place where you'll find small and inexpensive restaurants in Manhattan is likely Chinatown.

[delg23]

I would go to any restaurant in Little Italy and hit up one of the pastry shops. Or a good Indian restaurant in the East Village called Mitali.

[OyCrumbler]

If you're heading to the Natural History Museum on the Upper West Side, hit up Levain Bakery for big, delicious cookies.

There's also Rocco's Pastry Shop & Cafe in the West Village with its delicious and novel cannoli (much better than the crap in Little Italy that they shill to tourists). This definitely comes hecka recommended.

Try a Halal chicken & rice or lamb & rice off those carts. If you find yourself going to BAM for a performance, Smoke Joint in the Fort Greene neighborhood is a nice bbq place and a good deal overall.

Do you have any specific preferences in terms of what kind of food or what places you'll be traveling to (so we can rec good nearby eats)?

[UpstaterInBklyn]

It seems to me that "quintessentially New York" food is rarely served in intimate, cozy atmospheres.

If you define quintessentially New York food as stuff that you can't get authentically elsewhere, its usually served in noisy, busy places: Delis, bagel shops, pizzerias, street food carts, etc. Maybe steakhouses are one exception.

Enjoy it, though. The hustle and bustle is part of the New York experience!

I second the recommendation for Rocco's Pastry Shop on Bleecker St. - AMAZING cannolis!

Speaking of the West Village, you'll find lots of "neighborhood-sy, cafe-like places" there. Smith Street in Brooklyn along with 5th and 7th Avenues in Park Slope Brooklyn are also places with a lot of small local restaurants, and are off the tourist beaten path.

[King0fthehill]

Thanks!

Alright, I've dealt with the noisy, bustling places, and in retrospect, they weren't all too bad; so if you have a recommendation to a place that tends to be crowded, etc..don't hold yourself back

[Viralmd]

Jing Fong for dim sum: on Elizabeth Street. Go UP the escalator. They start serving dim sum at 10 AM every morning. A lot of fun.

[musicchick581]

Not cozy or intimate but AMAZING food. Balthazar's. MMMmmmmm.....definitely would go back.

[Viralmd]

Balthazar is on Spring Street in Soho. VERY noisy. Also not cheap. But good.