Good Eats in NYC

What I found when I searched "pigs eating" on Pinterest.

This weekend might as well have been titled "Meri eats Manhattan" because that's pretty much what it was. Starting with a delicious home-cooked Blue Apron meal on Friday evening (followed by a slice of pizza at a party and then late night mac cheese (it was a fun Friday!)), Saturday included two delicious meals out (more on those in a minute) and Sunday started with Dim Sum, took a trip to Citi Field for a Nathan's hot dog and ended with sushi and bubble tea from the restaurants attached to my apartment building. I consider weighing anything less than 300 lbs this morning a modern miracle. But because all good meals should be shared, I wanted to tell you specifically about Saturday's eats so that you can venture out and (over)indulge just like I did.

* Cafe Habana (17 Prince St. at Elizabeth)

I have been walking past this little blue Cuban shop in Soho for years, reading that its a favorite of Matthew Mcconaughey's and keeping it high on my "for someday" places to eat list. Well, Saturday was the day and Cafe Habana did not disappoint. Ever since going to see Chef, I have been craving some delicious Cuban cuisine and Cafe Habana totally nailed it! A tiny restaurant that did require a 15 minute wait (not too bad for 2pm on a sunny Saturday) Dr. H and I sat at the bar counter and enjoyed every last bite of our Cuban and Molletes sandwiches (I also highly recommend the spicy bloody mary!) And though we didn't order the "famous corn", it was only because I went for chorizo and avocado on my molletes and even I would have had capacity issues at that point. Obviously we will have to go back. The perfect spot for summer brunch with your ladies or an informal but quintessentially ethnic NYC dinner with your man, check out Cafe Habana today!

* Babbo (110 Waverly btw 6th & Washington Sqr Park West)

Babbo is a fancy pants Greenwich Village spot serving up high-end Italian fare from the infamous chef Mario Batali. Thanks to a generous gift certificate from Mommy-in-Law and a fortuitous stroll past the restaurant that afternoon nabbing a reservation for that night (more on that in a minute!) we enjoyed a 3 course meal of impeccably prepared and served food. Babbo is one of those spots where everything on the menu is delicious and unique. From grilled octopus and warm lamb's tongue with a 3-minute egg to chianti stained pappardelle and black spaghetti with rock shrimp, it's nearly impossible to go wrong. And considering the prestige of the place, with main courses all priced within the $20-36 range, Babbo is certainly expensive, but by NYC standards not at all outrageous. Getting in on the other hand can be tricky, since reservations are almost all scooped up promptly 1 month in advance. But for my fellow night owls, Dr. H and I dined at 10:30pm on Saturday and once before  at 10pm (and neither time with much (any?) advance planning) so you can be organized or flexible, either way being worth the trip!

No need for Little Italy...

Another West Village Gem (located off Abingdon Square)

To dine at Piccolo Angolo is to be invited to dinner at the home of the Italian grandparents you never had. From the moment you speak to Renato, the (adorably charming) patriarch of this family run spot to make a reservation, until you stumble out the door, totally stuffed and carrying leftovers, Piccolo is going to have you smiling.

Cozy.

When you step into Piccolo Angolo, prepare for sensory overload. The brick lined interior is small, packed and operating with the volume turned all the way up. The single room with open kitchen in back greets you with delicious smells as you survey the surrounding tables for visual assistance selecting your order. I highly recommend making a reservation in advance to avoid a long wait if you're planning to dine during peak hours.

Order the meatballs. Seriously. Do it.

The (very reasonably priced!) menu at Piccolo is impossibly awesome and even better is that the kitchen is happy to get creative. You want to share one of their ENORMOUS meatballs as an appetizer? No problem! Sub the side order of pasta for linguine with clam sauce? For a small additional cost, Dr. H's wish was their command. The meats and cheeses on their antipasto were legit some of the tastiest I've ever had and I'm pretty sure you could drench anything in their red sauce and it would be mind-blowing (it's that good!) Homemade pastas, fresh seafood, decadent alfredo... I recommend heading to Piccolo with a group if for no other reason than to have more plates on the table to share.

Complimentary garlic bread. YUP!

And perhaps even more than the food (perhaps!) the thing I loved most about Piccolo was the family run charm. When your waitress is yelling "Dad!" to the waiter at the table next to you and she sends her brother over to talk to you about your wine selection, you remember that delicious meals need not come with a side of pretentiousness. 

I can't remember the last time I went out to eat with a group of people, all of whom left the table absolutely RAVING about every single bite. Next time you're looking for an Italian feast, Piccolo Angolo is the spot for you!

Feed your face at FRANK

Frank Restaurant & Vera Bar
"A Place to Eat"

A few years back Dr. H received a gift certificate to a little Italian place in the East Village. Discretely located off the corner of 5th St on 2nd Ave is FRANK, now one of our absolute favorite burrata/bolognese/vongole/fresh pasta/whatever you order it will be amazing restaurants in the city. Frank is a tiny spot with a cozy atmosphere, ridiculously good dishes (a menu posted on their website and changed daily!) and hearty (but not glutinous) portions. Outdoor seating and a solid bar menu are icing on the cake. 

Holy yum.

Frank is where I discovered burrata, which is essentially your standard fresh mozzarella on crack (and by crack I mean, with cream (and who knows what other awesomeness) added to the inside). Combine with some "where on earth did they grow these!?" tomatoes and Frank's Buratta appetizer has made it hard for me to consider any other options (though the menu has plenty, including a once tried and truly delicious Arugula Salad).

Eat the bolognese. Just do it.
(Full disclosure, this is NOT Frank's dish, but a google-sourced replica
of the ridonky gnocchi bolognese lunch I ate on Saturday)

Squid ink pasta w/ seafood is often a part of "Today's Specials"

FRANK’s amazing daily additions to the standard menu make it nearly impossible to select a main course. Though I’m willing to bet (and stake my restaurant recommending reputation) that the non-pasta entrees are delicious (I was eyeing the meatloaf this weekend and almost went for it) I have only ever ordered pasta at FRANK because it’s too freakin good not to. More than enough to share, but not so much that you can't take a dish down on your own, good luck making it to dessert (homemade tiramisu anyone!?)

www.frankrestaurant.com

Given the massive deliciousness I just mentioned, I suggest dining at FRANK on "off hours" (Dr. H and I popped in around 4pm on Saturday) or planning a little wait-time into your visit (they do take reservations for groups of 8 or more). The only other "know before you go" thing to mention about FRANK is that they are cash only. Though this can be annoying, I promise the meal will be totally worth your trip to the ATM beforehand!