How is it already December?! Time flies when you’re having fun – or it’s the holidays and your weekends are packed with family gatherings and holiday shopping. We took a step back for a while, but we’re back to it!
This website is all about Southwest Florida food, and while we love it, we also make time for adventures and traveling. After all, the best part of traveling is trying new food.
This October, I ventured to New York City with my mom and younger sister for a delayed birthday trip (thanks, COVID). There isn’t enough time to sample all the great food that NYC has to offer, but we did our best! I asked my mom if there was any food she wanted to find and her reply was spaghetti & meatballs, so that’s where we started!
We didn’t have as much time to eat around the city as I would’ve liked, but I hope to make it back and do a 7-day long food tour. For now, we’ll highlight a few of our favorite places so maybe you can check them out on your next venture to the Big Apple.
New York City Italian/Pasta: The Spaghetti Incident
After a ton of research, we decided that the place where we’d find my mom’s spaghetti and meatballs was going to be The Spaghetti Incident. The name alone made me want to try it.
The Spaghetti Incident is located on E Houston Street, between Chinatown and NOHO. (Work with me here while I still figure out the NYC neighborhoods.) It was very easy to find and I could tell it was a “locals” place as soon as we got there.
The restaurant inside is a bit small, but they have the cutest outdoor space. There are beautiful, mood-setting lights and I really enjoyed the overall atmosphere.
The food was absolutely stellar. The garlic bread was as fresh as can be, and the olive oil to dip the bread into was superb. Each of us got a different pasta dish and at first, the portion looked a little small. But as soon as you untangle the spaghetti noodles, you see just how large the dish is.
The sauce used with my spaghetti and meatballs was like Sean’s mom’s – a hint of sweetness and not too much. I am not a big fan of red sauce, but this dish was perfectly balanced. The meatballs were huge, moist, and delicious.
If you’re looking for spaghetti and meatballs in NYC, definitely head to The Spaghetti Incident.
Website: http://spaghettiincidentnyc.com/
Comfort Diner Breakfast: Murray Hill Diner
Of course, we had to find some great NYC diner food. Murray Hill Diner was so great that we went there twice. It’s everything you’d expect from a diner breakfast: fast, delicious, and you’ll leave feeling so full you can’t walk.
(And I also got the blue to-go NYC cup, which I just learned was a thing!)
Website: https://www.murrayhilldiner.com/Welcome.tpl?action=nc&from=Top125
John’s of Bleecker Street
If you’ve been on this website, you know that we are big pizza snobs. I’m a little sad that I couldn’t try more authentic New York pizza, but John’s of Bleecker Street was a hit!
It’s a little different than what I’m used to, but it was still delicious. The garlic bread and mozzarella sticks were an added bonus. The pizza was freshly made, hot, and full of flavor. One look around this place in Greenwich Village and you’ll know it’s a prime pizza spot.
(Shoutout to @nycpizzareview on Instagram for the recommendation!)
Website: https://www.johnsofbleecker.com/
Locally-Owned NYC Deli: All-American Deli
This was a last-minute stop because the original place we wanted to eat at was packed to the brim. But I am so glad we ate here instead!
All American Deli is in the Financial District and you’d never know it was there unless you were really looking for it. It’s part deli, part grocery store. They had all the breakfast essentials, including French Toast, breakfast sandwiches, and coffee.
We went on a Sunday, and I would bet my last dollar that this place is absolutely packed during the weekdays on lunch hour.
Website: https://www.allamericandeliny.com/
All in all, we only got to scratch the surface of NYC food! But, that’s all the more reason to go back!
