THE CROHNICALLY BLONDE GUIDE TO EATING AND DRINKING YOUR WAY THROUGH NYC

Living in Baltimore, we have the advantage of be driving distance to so many cool day trip or long weekend destinations, one of my favorites being the Big Apple. My short stint living in NYC mad me realize two things, 1. that I could never actually live there long term, and 2. that New York is still one of my favorite cities ever. While I am more of a suburban girl as far as living arrangements, the appeal of NYC never faded when it came to visiting and experiencing all of the life that that city has. For the past few years my mom, sister, and I have made it a tradition to visit New York at least once a year during the holidays. I try and visit more often because it is home to some of my favorite stores, restaurants and other hidden gems to visit but that doesn’t always fit in with my schedule. I always know that I can look forward to a long weekend around the holidays where I can not only enjoy time with my mom and Amanda but also indulge in some of my all time favorite places to eat and drink!


I wanted to put together my list of favorite spots to eat and drink from our most recent visit so that you can enjoy NYC how we did next time you go. My picks are based on food, drinks, and definitely atmosphere. One of my favorite things about visiting another city’s restaurants is experiencing new atmospheres, and let me tell you, New York has quite the array of ambiance.


I hope you guys try some (or all) of the places on this list because, I promise, you will not regret it! I made sure all of the places are dietary restriction friendly and accommodating so that you can relax and feel taken care of! Make sure to drop me a message and let me know where you have tried from this list and where your favorite New York City spots are!


I can’t wait!


xx

DOS CAMINOS
373 Park Ave S.

This is one of my all time favorite Mexican food places. I love any place with good guacamole, tacos, and tequila and Dos Caminos does not disappoint in any category. It has been a tradition for years that every time we visit the city we have to go to Dos Caminos. We usually go to the Park Ave. location which has a fun atmosphere as well. ​

As far as good goes— the salsas are to die for and are delivered to your table ASAP. Aka a hungry girl’s dream. I usually forgo my usual tequila/ soda water/ extra lime combo and splurge to try one or two of the margaritas on the cocktail list. I definitely recommend getting the fresh guacamole because in all of my guacamole sampling I’ve only found one place that I think gives them a run for their money. At this point I'm pretty full but leaving without trying their tacos would be a travesty. Even ordering an order for the table (they come with three) is perfect because you get a little taste of the deliciousness. I’ve tried quite a few of their tacos over the years but my tried and true are the fish tacos.


For everyone with food allergies they are seriously accommodating and will make sure you are taken care of. This makes dinner infinitely more enjoyable when you know you can trust the kitchen and relax.


No lie, I’m going to dream about their guac tonight.

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230 Fifth Rooftop Bar
230 5th Ave.

My mom and sister came across this rooftop bar when they were visiting the city two years ago. I hadn’t been before so this year my mom insisted we go so that I could check it out. After taking an elevator to the top of the skyscraper you walk out onto a heated rooftop deck, complete with heated igloos to stay warm in! We were there during the holiday season so there was Christmas music blaring, fake snow falling, and a view of the Empire State Building lit in red and green. I can’t imagine this is a place where locals frequent but that means more room for me to bask in the holiday cheer. I’ve always been so anti “touristy stuff” because I was scarred from a long semester of working in retail in Herald Square. This place really changed my mind though. My mom who loves anything holiday and anything themed was completely living her best life.


They have a variety of delicious beverages, most of them hot which is needed when you are at the top of a building in the dead of winter. The spiked hot chocolate was mouth watering but I stuck with a white beach Bellini.


I definitely recommend checking this place out if you are visiting and if you are a local and haven’t been I recommend it to. There is something to be said about playing tourist in your own city!

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THE FLYING COCK
497 3rd Ave.

This was a really, really good brunch spot. Pitchers of bottomless mimosas and Bellinis were flowing, the food was amazing, and the music/atmosphere was upbeat. This place is definitely worth a visit but you have to get there and get in line prior to opening to ensure you get a table, especially if you have a large party (they don’t take reservations). Depending on the day the wait time varies but I would recommend getting there at least a sold 10-15 minutes before opening.


The music is fun and the servers are great and so friendly. They make sure to keep your drinks constantly full which is a big accomplishment for a busy, bottomless brunch spot. The menu has a variety of options from classic egg dishes, to salads to burgers, to breakfast sandwiches, and some more unique picks as well. I am in love with the baked eggs in tomato sauce which is something I’ve made many times at home but never found one at a restaurant that I really like. Well, I found it. ​

PIETRO NOLITA
174 Elizabeth St.

​To be honest, before I visited this place I thought it was just an Instagram fad. I mean, what 90’s girl doesn’t love a place that feels like a real live Barbie Dream House but was it really more than that? It is.

The cozy environment with limited seating makes Pietro Nolita feel wildly exclusive and the all pink decor makes you feel like you are in a dream world. We stopped by here for drinks and were not disappointed. We sat at the bar and tried a few cocktails that were as pink as they were delicious (very pink, very delicious). My favorite was the Voiletta which was lavender vodka mixed with elderflower, lemon, and honey. This is definitely a place to grab cocktails or brunch with your girls. With the husband? Not so much. Matt thought the drink were good but the overpowering pink and lack of draft beers had him wishing he was back at The Flying Cock (ample beer there!). My sister, mom, and I absolutely adored it though.

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DŌ
550 LaGuardia Pl.

Usually I am not a dessert lover. Every now and then I will go for a creme brûlée or gluten free chocolate lava cake, but I am usually craving something salty instead. The raw cookie dough craze has been something I had pretty much ignored due to the lack of gluten free option and just overall lack or interest but when I hear about Do I actually really wanted to give it a try. They have gluten free options which are surprisingly delicious and a line that runs out of the door that boosts their credibility to those passing by.


I got a small gluten free chocolate chip scoop and couldn’t even finish because of how filling and rich it was. Definitely yummy and worth a taste but I recommend splitting with someone because they give you quite a decent amount.

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WHILE WE WERE YOUNG
183 W. 10th St.

I love this place. LOVE LOVE LOVE. The decor makes me wish my whole home looked like the inside of this restaurant and the drinks were so freaking delicious. While We Were Young, like Pietro Nolita, has a small but exclusive seating area. The booths are blush colored velour and the tables are a clean white marble which, like I said is the dream of what I want my home to be. The bar is very cutely decorated and the bartenders were insanely friendly which made this a pleasant place to pop in to grab a few cocktails before our trip home. ​

I became seriously obsessed with their ‘Too Good For You’ drink.  It is tequila, kale, lime, agave, and cucumber. I also had them add chili to it, extra chili if we’re being honest, to make it spicy. I felt like I was drinking a refreshing kale juice spiked with a bit of iced tequila. The other drinks that I sampled were just as delicious, not too sugary, and had unique ingredients mixed in.  This place just screams Sunday Funday spot for either you and your girls or even a date (Matt’s verdict was the pink here was a lot more manageable). ​