A day of dining in New York
When you visit New York, your senses are assaulted by the clamouring excitement that makes up this vibrant city. In amongst the tumult of new things, we’re guilty of seeking the familiar, but don’t let your nose and your predilections take you into the nearest McDonalds. New York is brimming with eclectic eateries; you’d be doing yourself and the city a disservice if you neglected to try them. Here’s a guide to a day’s worth of food to get you started…
Start the day by having a lie-in; brunch is better than breakfast. And brunch at Bagatelle is better, or at least more eccentric, than brunch anywhere else. Located on 1 Little West Twelfth Street, it looks inconspicuously like a lot of other restaurants from the outside. But what goes on behind closed doors (and closed blinds) is what sets Bagatelle apart from all your previous favourite brunch spots. At 12pm, you’ll find a dining room plunged in darkness, with strobe lighting showing flashes of people dancing on the tables, narrowly avoiding stepping in their eggs benedict. People are propping up the bar and the Bloody Mary’s aren’t virgin. Music drowns out any classic brunch chat, so just sit back, eat your pancake and soak up the atmosphere.
After exiting Bagatelle and being blinded by the sun and the harsh reality that you’re more tipsy than is socially acceptable for the early afternoon, fast food is the only thing that will satisfy the post-clubbing craving. Don’t let the boozy brunch haze guide you into a generic chain. I’m not saying don’t do fast food, I’m just saying do it well. Head over to Sticky’s Finger Joint, a delightfully different gourmet take on fried chicken.
Boasting two locations, in Murray Hill and Greenwich Village, Sticky’s food is decidedly fresh, not only physically but conceptually. The chicken is never frozen and the recipes are playful and daring. Who would have thought salted caramel and fried chicken would be a match made in heaven? It’s absolutely imperative that you try the chicken poppers with the impressive array of sauces on offer; dip them in the homemade Sassy Lassie BBQ or try a bit of the Cray Sauce. Your taste buds will thank you. And then for the handcrafted fingers… These incredible concoctions come in at around $4 each, so order every one on the menu!
To round off the day, try The Freeman’s Restaurant. Tucked away just off the Bowery in what once was a disused alley, The Freeman’s is a gem. It’s cosy and welcoming with a rustic feel and a nod to the roots of America’s burgeoning culture, with simple and traditional dishes that hark back to the colonial days of the US.
If you’re feeling up for another drink after all of this, head to PH-D, the rooftop lounge at the top of Dream Downtown, where you can sip amazing cocktails with a panoramic view of the Hudson and the Empire State Building.
By Emily Gallagher
Become a Gentleman’s Journal Member?
Like the Gentleman’s Journal? Why not join the Clubhouse, a special kind of private club where members receive offers and experiences from hand-picked, premium brands. You will also receive invites to exclusive events, the quarterly print magazine delivered directly to your door and your own membership card.
