|
 New York Delicatessens I've Dined In...
Fans often ask me, "Fiona, you live in New York City, a
place that has grown famous for its exceptional cuisine, what do you
recommend to someone visiting the Big Apple for the very first
time?" Well, I always start first-time visitors off with what I
call my "NYC Deli Tour"... First stop on the tour bus route...
The Infamous Carnegie Deli— which is located at 854 7th Avenue at 55th Street—
212-757-2245— and of course, we do have the Carnegie Deli's official web site
address— www.carnegiedeli.com,
right in Midtown
Manhattan— It's quaint, small, low-key and literally cramped to the walls... affordably priced and decorated with photos of the hundreds upon hundreds of famous celebrities who have also eaten there. The Carnegie Deli
actually gives new meaning to the age-old dining phrase "generous portions".
I swear one of their infamous pastrami sandwiches or bagels and lox could easily feed three large adults, the Matzo balls are actually the size of
regulation sized softballs (I'm so not kidding) and one slice of the most deliciously delectable cheesecake on the planet Earth (my favorite is the chocolate swirl, of course) will leave your stomach filled and contented for the rest of the month. Make sure you bring someone with you that can easily carry you home, or at least back to your hotel room, as you will find it very difficult to walk away...
Next stop— Katz's Delicatessen— located at 205 East Houston (that's HOWS-TON)
Street— 212-254-2246— on the Lower East Side— "Meg Ryan wasn't faking it" says the Zagat Survey. Yes, this is where the famous scene from the movie 'When Harry Met Sally', starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan was actually filmed. The pastrami on rye is as good as it gets in the city, it'll definitely leave you on a gastronomical high
note— which may inspire a repeat of the faking an orgasm scene. This is what most native New Yorkers would call the "ultimate New York deli experience", accented by a really cool neon sign, hanging salamis, and an untouched mid-century decor. This place has such a New York "feel" to it, I always bring out of town guests here for lunch.
And finally... my last stop on the "Fiona's favorite New York
Deli" tour... Ben's Kosher Delicatessen— located at 209 West 37th Street (between 7th and 8th
Avenues)— 212-398-2367— in Midtown Manhattan— This very elegant and oh so posh New York Deli offers up an excellent pastrami (quite generous on the pastrami) on rye complete with a large bucket of fresh pickles (I'll wager you can't eat them all), onion rolls, and a vat of good old-fashioned cole slaw... all for just $7.95, how can you go wrong? Make sure you bring cash or at least a valid credit card because the sign warns, "We have an agreement with the bank. They don't serve pastrami and we don't take checks." I'll leave you with some
of my best New York City dining guide tips— Always look for crowds. An empty restaurant is usually a bad or at best, a mediocre restaurant. There are some trendy
restaurants that are almost always full, but serve God-awful food, but you'll be able to tell which ones those are, once you've been to the city a few times... it's an instinct.
New Yorkers tend to just eat whenever they're hungry. You can venture outside at midnight and find some of the best food around. Take advantage of this. If you are a true night owl, you'll LOVE New York.
Bagels— New York City is home to what are arguably the world's best bagels. Bagels are perfect when you need to eat something quick, but want to avoid fast food and hot dogs. You can get them in any deli in the city, especially the ones I've just reviewed for
you— for $.50 to $1.50. And lastly, don't be afraid to send food back to the kitchen if it's not to your liking. New Yorkers always tend to speak their mind and they expect you to do the same. Until next time... have a bagel and a cuppa... Bon Appetite!
UB
Fiona Hutchison is
perhaps best known for her critically acclaimed roles on the popular
daytime serials, 'As the World Turns' and 'One Life To Live', and her
Emmy-nominated portrayal of jewel thief turned good, Jenna Bradshaw, on
the longest running CBS daytime serial, Guiding Light. She can currently
be seen as the scheming vixen Gabrielle Medina on 'One Life To Live'.
Feel free to e-mail Fiona Hutchison with any/all questions you may have
at: UPBEATmag@aol.com
|
