So there’s an Apollo right by my office. I’ve never gone in. Today I’m having stomach issues so I wanted a plain bagel with butter. I keep seeing this on TikTok and social media/for tourists so I said what the heck. OMG what fresh hell?!?! Do visitors think this is a NY Bagel? Don’t get me wrong it’s edible and did the trick for me but toasted??? Sourdough flavor? Airy? No choices?? No. Just no.

Hi, me and a group of about 9 friends are looking to get some beers and cheap bar food for the NFL game tonight. Most of them are from long island, so they'll be taking the train into Penn Station. We're looking for a place that's not super rowdy, has good food, and hopefully some drink deals and/or just cheaper draft beer prices. A lot of the places around Penn Station seem super busy with decent-looking food and high prices, so we're willing to travel for something more low-key. Thanks

... I'm on a bus into the city. Where can I treat myself last minute? Solo.

Hey folks! Andrew from nyc pizza week here. I’m putting together a list of slice shops to visit and possibly include in the next My goal is about 40 shops (up from 21), with coverage across all five boroughs and most major neighborhoods.

My pizza shop criteria are pretty simple:

1. They sell pizza by the slice. No whole-pie-only shops. I'm working on a "whole pie" pizza week event for Winter 2027.
2. Great slices all around. If a shop makes multiple styles, every style has to be outstanding. I’ve been to places with a fantastic grandma slice and a so-so NY slice (and vice versa), and that doesn’t make the cut.
3. Independent shops. If a business is opening locations all over NYC and across the country, good for them, but they’re not who I want to highlight.
4. If a shop already has lines out the door every single day, I rather not include them. Those shops are doing great without me.
5. Worth the trip. Most importantly: would anyone happily take a bus or subway for 30 to 90 minutes to get there, and will the pizza wow the eater?

There are a few other factors at play, but those are the big ones.

I already have a solid list, but I know I’m missing some shops. So hopefully you pizza fanatics can tell me your local favorites that I should visit.

I haven’t been in a while, and some of the language on the menu is making me nervous (“elevate your steak“ with half a Maine lobster, a “steak flight” where you “crown a winner,“ etc.) Plus the fact they now have three US locations. Is it as fun and well-executed as ever, or are they falling off/selling out?

Looking for a reality check from fellow New Yorkers on tipping etiquette for hybrid/counter-service spots. What are tipping expectations for places where you get your own water and utensils from a communal bar?

I frequent a Malatang place in Manhattan about once a week. The concept is for you to grab a bowl, pick out your own raw ingredients from a fridge, weigh it, and pay upfront at the counter. The kitchen cooks it, and the only "service" is a runner bringing the bowl to your table and eventually clearing the dish.

I’m a light eater, so my bill is usually on the lower side. I typically leave a flat $2 tip (which comes out to around 12% for my portion size) because nevertheless I’m dining in.

However, they recently updated their POS screen to a percentage-based layout. The default options are now high, with the default at 20%. The last two time I went, I manually adjusted the default to 18%, which I don’t think was unusual behavior, but the cashier gave me the dirtiest look both times.

I’m not anti-tipping (although I’m not a fan either), I always tip a standard 18-20% at traditional sit-down restaurants (and occasionally 22% if the service was exceptional).

I fully acknowledge that I am dining in. But I draw the line at being treated poorly for not hitting 20%+ at a place where I literally had to walk back up to the counter just to find my own chopsticks because they couldn't bother bringing them with the food.

What is the general sentiment for these types of places? Are we supposed to stick to the typical full-service 20% tips at Malatang counter spots, or is the cashier being a bit entitled?

Pasta is priority but will take all comments into consideration!!

Have an out of town friend visiting looking to do tasting menu while in town. Our schedule requires somewhere that is open Sunday for dinner. We have narrowed it down to Bom and Nokus since neither of us have been to neither. We have a preference for the more experimental. Some places we've been to and enjoyed: Le Bernardin, Fervo, Jua, Jingsik, Huso, Aska, Atomix, 63 Clinton, Cormia, Family Meal, and The Modern. Open to other suggestions too. Thanks!

Do they have AI padding their waitlist or what? Shows I’m #432 in line. Last time I got in line it said the same and then suddenly my table was ready 10 mins later and I had 15 mins to get there and missed my timeframe.

Can someone recommend La Grand Boucherie? Is their beef bourguignon decent there if so? I miss Le Diplomate in DC. Maybe this will work instead of the games DTF is playing.

Wondering if there’s places that people wouldn’t normally think to go for dinner that night that are either doing a fun alternative or simply doing their usual menu but less busy than usual?

I’m looking mainly in Manhattan but open to Brooklyn too

The genuine article with Jinhua ham can't be imported from China; the LKK jar in stores is just seafood no ham.

I was wondering which restaurants have the best version? And better yet do any of them sell some out the door?

Last time this was asked Momofuku was mentioned but it's wholesale only.

Back in 2022 or 23, I was taken on a date to a wine bar/restaurant in Hell’s Kitchen where they would serve you a spread of cheeses paired with the wine you ordered. I went to go look it up, and it has since closed permanently. Is there anywhere else in the city that does the same thing or something similar? It was such a cool place and the staff were all so knowledgeable. It was called Caselulla.

Hello everyone! I have a friend coming in at 10AM next Friday and this will be her first time in NYC. im looking for suggestions for brunch, or maybe a restaurant that’s hard to get into but not a hassle during the morning/lunch time. Besides the food, we’re looking for somewhere with good drinks during that time. Thank you!

My thoughts are Crevette or Penny or quique crudo but none are open for lunch. Manhattan preferred because the weather doesn’t look too great tomorrow but also would go to Brooklyn.

Edit: will also expand my search to sushi

I lived in NYC so long ago, and now I know nothing. Le sigh.

My friend is coming to visit and she's super excited to have Thai food. We are going to go AFTER a show at Studio 54, and I'm finding a lot of places have their last seatings before 10. This makes me nervous, although we'd probably be there by 10. But anyway! Any good recs for a fun, delicious place to take someone who REALLY, really deserves the time of her life? The vegan options are for me. I can always get some sort of salad if there's nothing, I'm more worried about her good time. Budget: she bought the tickets so I'll get dinner. Pretty good budget, like $300 tops. But also? there's a chance we may be dressed from the Rocky Horror show 😂

Thanks!

Looking for the tastiest fish tacos in nyc

If you’ve been to both or either, how was your experience? Bong seems like not good value but Cambodian restaurants are relatively rare (the only similarly acclaimed one that comes to mind is Mawn in Philly), Any thoughts and feelings welcome!

Looking for a good noodle spot for some saucy noodles. Not soup. Going to New World Mall but will go around if I have to

Chimney Cake just opened in the Village on MacDougal between Bleecker and W 3rd.

I didn't see anyone there, so I was a little skeptical of trying it, but I'm very glad I did. I learned from David, the very friendly owner, that it’s only 2 days old.

The chimney cake is a hollow cylinder of pastry which is baked to order and then filled with something on the inside edges. I got mine with vanilla cream. The dough was warm, aromatic, and had just the right amount of satisfying crispiness. The vanilla cream was unassuming and delicious. The entire thing struck me as addictive, and I ate it much faster than I intended.

Highly recommend.

Also called șorici, where I could find such think? Not like chips.. plain pork skin with salt.. example

Hi everyone!

I’m planning to visit both The Met and The Met Cloisters this Saturday. My plan is to start at the main Met in the morning and head uptown to the Cloisters in the afternoon.

I’m looking for some good lunch recommendations along the way or near the Met before I head uptown. I’m open to any cuisine [the only restriction is that I don’t eat pork].

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

It's my parents' last night in town, and it was my birthday recently. They want to take me out for a belated birthday dinner, but last minute seats are hard to come by.

I came close to booking 63 Clinton, but the recent reviews look disappointing. Not sure if those are for this menu.

Icca had seats at their Italian counter last I checked as well.

Recs? I haven't been to either.

(Please don't see this post and go book for tonight. 🫠)