big city must-eats

i just put together a mix of a few places to go in NYC and atlanta
if anybody has any contributions, please let me know. im going to add another similar post soon with even more places to go, because the possibilities are ENDLESS. let me know if you guys have any city/restaurant requests! much love chickies


NYC- Ward III
111 Reade St, between W Broadway and Church; 212.240.9194

A brick-walled and velvet-curtained saloon rigged with wrought-iron Moroccan gates, a back bar made from Singer sewing machines, and black high-backed couches reclaimed from Wakiya, Ward's run by Tribeca bar vets (Odeon, Macao, Grace) offering a double shot of service: they'll not only craft "bespoke cocktails" tailored to patrons' ill-to-well-informed desires, but they'll also keep that recipe on file under your name, to refer to when you return and request "fix me that drink from that time with that stuff". Rather than unromantic e-storage, the back of Ward's drink coasters will double as filing cards (name, drink name, ingredients, date); if you're not that particular, the barkeeps also pour 10 draughts (Lagunitas, Kronenbourg, Sweet Action...)
Food and drinks- concoctions like the Blanco (silver tequila, crushed peppercorn, basil leaf...), the Ward 3 (Maker's, egg whites, bitters, strawberries...), and the lime/sugar/vodka Moroccan Martini -- which, like that country's dancers, is best served jiggled. Because eating lets you drink more, Ward serves sit-down or at-the-bar dinner, including plates both big (three pork and meatball sliders, wild mushroom lasagna, mac & cheese) and small, e.g., deviled eggs, cured meats with parmesan, and bacon-wrapped dates (also the #1 fetish site in Canada).

cocktail list


NYC- Cucina

A Sicilian-born chef's NY debut, Cucina's an almost-too-cozy, softly lit date-aurant elegantly tarted up with mirrored wall panels, cream-colored wainscoting, marble two tops, and a tiny four-seat bar set so close to the tables, it's practically begging you to listen to the conversations of people whose date is the bottle.
Food- starting with small-meats antipasti (veal in tuna sauce, grilled squid with broccoli puree and squid ink...), easing into pasta-centric primi (asparagus and marjoram lasagna, shrimp and ricotta ravioli...), and finishing with even-more-meats secondi, including olive crusted lamb with sauteed spinach, broiled branzino with grape tomatoes, and filet mignon napoleon -- two tender medallions sure to sate even the ziggiest of ziggy pigs. Drink-yourself-through-this-wise, Cucina rocks a full bar, plus all-Ital vino, champagne, and one beer, Moretti, the "most desired beer in Italy”

check out cucina's menu here


NYC-balthazar
80 spring street. ny, ny. 10012
(212)965-1414. **call for reservations

Balthazar serves traditional bistro meals from breakfast through late-night supper. Opened by Keith McNally in the spring of 1997, Balthazar offers a French menu prepared by chefs de cuisine Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson. Diners can also choose from an extensive wine list, a raw seafood bar, and breads and pastries from Balthazar bakery. Balthazar is renowned for its exceptional design. The building was converted from a leather wholesaler's warehouse to an airy space that can accommodate over 200 people in the dining room and at the zinc bar.
check out the full menu here

NYC- Pastis Restaurant
9 ninth avenue. ny, ny 10041
(212)929-5676. **call for reservations
Pastis is a French bistro located in Manhattan's meatpacking district opened by Keith McNally. ¶ Executive Chefs Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson and Chef de Cuisine Pascal Le Seac'h prepare a menu that combines hearty Provençal dishes with moderately- priced bistro fare. The bar serves a range of
house cocktails, wines by the glass, carafe or bottle, and several varieties of pastis, an anise-flavored aperitif from the south of France. The restaurant features a communal table, a zinc bar, and an outdoor summer café.
check out the full menu here
**personal favorite of mine. see my NY post for pictures from a night there

NYC- sarahbeth's
40 central park south
212.826.5959


a cute little brunch/breakfast atmosphered place located in central park, this restaurant is famous for sunday brunch- an absolute must-do in the city. thanks for nobutterfly for the fabulous reccommendation!
see the full menu here


Atlanta- Fuego Mundo
5590 Roswell Rd, #A120, Sandy Springs; 404.256.4330

Fuego's dishing health-conscious Latin meals from its wood-fire-grill-equipped open kitchen in a dark wood table'd, more-modern-than-traditional dining room, decked with South American wall art and fake toucans under off-kilter ceiling panels that look like ramps, a clever loophole conceived after getting denied a stairway to heaven permit\
Food- everything's dairy and wheat-free, with sides and light starters including fried plantain Fuego Chips, baked Beef Empanadas, and Yucca Fries w/ homemade garlic dip; lunch specials include the Grilled Pita Meal (stuffed w/ steak, chicken, fish, or tofu, served w/ chips) or the Plate of Sides & Salad, in three options: Latin (rice, black beans, sweet plantains), American (grilled corn & roasted potatoes), and the quinoa, black bean, & baked plantain Health Nut, which sounds boring, but is actually dynamite in the snack. Entrees each come with a side, and get marinated in a house recipe seasoning, from steak dishes (Sizzling Sirloin, Argentinean Skirt Steak, Glazed Lamb Chops), to Grilled Turkey Filet and Chicken Sausage, to wild-caught fish plates like Costa Rican Tilapia, Honey-Citrus Pepper Salmon, and Ginger Spiced Grouper.

For dessert, there's sweets like Mango Pie, a Guava Pastry Puff, and Mami's Dulce de Leche Cheesecake; drinks include ruby red house-made sangria, imported beers (Cuba's La Tropical, DR's Presidente, Costa Rica's Imperial), and natural quenchers like the Fresh Young Coconut.

Atlanta&NYC- Spice Market
188 14th Street, NE
Atlanta, GA 30361
(404) 549-5450
&
403 West 13th Street (Corner of 9th Avenue)
New York, NY 10014
(212) 675-2322


.. the pictures SERIOUSLY dont do it justice

Spice Market is inspired by the street food Jean-Georges Vongerichten enjoyed while traveling in Asia. Authentically uplifted versions of flavorful street foods are served family-style, with dishes arriving continuously throughout the meal for all to share.
check out everything here
**sadly, i couldn't get a picture, but the restaurant is indian inspired decor, and is absolutely TO DIE FOR.


Atlanta-LoLa's Cantina
4665 Lower Roswell Rd, Marietta; 770.973.4747

Just-opened LoLa's is a Mexican restaurante painted red, green, blue, and yellow, with an interior that tosses aside standard south-of-the-border decor for decidedly American kitsch like giant stuffed mermaids & octopuses, a Frogger arcade setup, crooked-hung vintage commercial art, a newspaper-covered wall with vinyl records and a Marilyn Monroe painting, and a website that plays songs from revered Mexican bands like Dave Matthews and Coldplay.
Food- The menu's steadfastly straight-up Mexican, with starters like Nacho Fries w/ queso, chorizo, picadillo, sour cream, & jalapenos, and taco choices including Carne Asada, Carnitas, and fried or grilled Tilapia; burritos start big with the Famous Belt Buster (order one, and you get two, filled with beans, beef, chorizo, chicken, potato, etc) then return to standard fattening portions with the guac, squash, corn, pico, and potato Naughty Green -- similar to the veggie-only Goin' Green, except it comes with your choice of meat, and you can tell people you ate it. Tortas get layered with refried beans, avocado, veggies, and papas fritas, and come with meats like Chorizo con Pappa, Pollo, and Hamburguesa (hand-sculpted beef w/ jalapeno slices), while "Strong Plates" include Carne Asada (w/ rice, cowboy beans, grilled onions, pico, & Mexican salad), fajitas, and the secret-recipe-marinated, squash & corn sauteed Roadside Chicken.
LoLasCantina.com

and if you're into reality show hot-spots. try these two- (both from gg)

NYC- butter restaurant
415 lafayette street between 4th street and astor place
212.253.2828

(Braised Short Ribs w/ Roasted Yam Puree)
butters a cute little hotspot designed for girls who want to wear high heels and meet guys. the restaurant is known for changing the menus to match the season, and its definitely one of those places that even though its food is good, its drink menu is even better; so definetly try it out!
heres the menu- http://www.butterrestaurant.com/#/menu
... even paris had her birthday there


NYC- socialista restaurant
505 west street
212.929.4572


a quaint little cuban inspired place located in the west village, this famous restaurant is not only known for its hot bar scene, but also for its hot frequenters. they also have live music on tuesdays after 11.. which calls for a DANCE party. count me in!
check out the full menu here

(always)alanna