We were looking for a brunch place near Herald Square on OpenTable and reserved a table at an Italian restaurant called L'Amico, realizing only when we were there that we knew this place. Well kind of: we passed so many times In front of it, thinking that we should go check it out one day. I did not know at the time or more did not pay attention to their sign, that this is another restaurant of French Chef Laurent Tourondel who gave us BLT Prime or BLT Steak. This is a nice place, with an elegant rustic feel.

Few weeks ago, we discovered a small Thai place near the MeatPacking District called Pad Thai Noodle Lounge, a restaurant with a nice decor and definitely a lounge-y feel with its dimmed lights and music. With its nice decor, it boasts an interesting menu where classic curry are present, as well as a nice selection of noodles that you would probably find in any other Thai places, except that they are highlighted not only on the menu it also in the name of the restaurant. 

After we went to Le Relais de Venise for lunch (great steak frites there), we decided to have some frozen yogurt at Culture An American Yogurt Company in the West Village. This small joint manufactures its own yogurt and frozen yogurt, with no preservatives or additives, right in the back where you can see the large tanks. And when they are making yogurt, the light is on...

It's been a while since we went to Green Rock Tap & Grill, one of the first restaurants we tried in Hoboken, raving about their burgers made with English muffins rather than buns. It a cool place, like your old-school bar where dark wood is omnipresent. Conveniently located few steps from the path train, we just needed to find a day when no game would be playing, enjoying the quiet time of a place that can become crazy.

I recently discovered Osteria Al Doge, a restaurant serving Venetian fare near Times Square. I am always a bit wary when eating in that area, lots of restaurants counting more on foot traffic than really returning customers; but, at Osteria Al Doge, not only was the food good, but the service was on point.

Recently, we went to Williamsburg to see the exhibit of one of Jodi's friends, Marco, and, as usual, I was in charge of finding a spot to eat. I had two in mind, a primary choice, Pies'n Thighs, and a backup, The Rabbithole. The former was full with a long line in front of the door, line that I was not ready to face. That's how we ended up at The Rabbithole, and I have to say that I am pretty happy about that!

It's been a while since I went to Empire Steakhouse and definitely never been to their new location attached to the Hilton Hotel Midtown. I went there on a Thursday for dinner, eager to eat some good steak that is aged for a month. I love steak (my favorite cut being the ribeye) and was expecting the kind of meal that makes you regret not wearing stretch pants...

It's been a while since I wanted to try Estiatorio Milos, the upscale restaurant of Executive Chef Costas Spiliadis, that has locations not only in New York, but also Montreal, Miami, Las Vegas or Athens. And I was not disappointed by this place specialized in fresh seafood. I could say that it is a beautiful place, but it would be in reference only of their downstairs dining room as they were undergoing renovations and their main dining room was therefore closed.

Every year seems to bring its new ice cream sensation, as if people get bored with classic ice creams and are looking for something spectacular. Move over Blacktap Burger (that I did not like, preferring Birch in Hoboken) or Eggloo (still part of the craze though): Taiyaki is the new thing. Named after the fish shaped cakes that replace the traditional cone, Taiyaki served some interesting combination, the star being the cake, but also they soft served ice cream that they make in small batches to preserve the quality.

We were looking for a nice brunch place with my brother and nephew close to their hotel Midtown and settled for The Smith, the trendy American Bistro that has fed hungry crowds since 2007. I love their philosophy translated in their name and described on their website: 

Smith [smiTH] noun
1. A maker skilled in creating something.
Cooksmith, Barsmith, Blacksmith, Locksmith

When people visit from Europe, I always suggest to go for steaks, a suggestion rarely discarded unless people are vegetarian or...told all steaks in the US are full of hormones! So, as we had to plan a dinner with my brother and nephew, I was looking for a steakhouse with a great setting and decided to go to Michael Jordan's Steakhouse in Grand Central Station, combining the eating with sightseeing. 

We were on our way to have dinner at a Mexican place when my brother, who was visiting, saw Brother Jimmy's BBQ. It did not take long to convince everyone to go there, this place being one of my favorite BBQ in Manhattan. It was a Thursday and this place was packed and...loud.

I passed so many times In front of the Luma hotel, barely noticing the restaurant located on the first floor. Little I knew that this place, Ortzi, would be a fantastic experience, service and food wise. With its beautiful and warm decor, and its open kitchen where unfortunately Chef Jose Garces was absent, it does not have an hotel feel. 

My nephew wanted to eat at The National, the restaurant of acclaimed celebrity Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, located in The Benjamin Hotel. You do not need to long to convince me to go to a place to eat, and here we are, in this American bistro inspired by European restaurants as well as American dining rooms.