It’s definitely time to freshen up my food blog. I’ve tried plenty of new restaurants over the past three months and it’s been tough trying to narrow down my favorites. This is a wide range of cuisines which I’m quite proud of considering I grew up on a strictly Irish diet.
Le Coq Rico – The Bistro of Beautiful Birds – Flatiron
We didn’t really have a plan for Thanksgiving dinner this year so this was a last minute find. What better place to eat on Thanksgiving than in a restaurant specializing in poultry? This was an incredible choice. You could dine at a table or take a seat at the bar and watch the chefs cook your food before your eyes. There was a set menu for the day that was in it but it was so amazing, I’m dying to return and try their regular menus. To start, Duck Foie Gras Terrine, followed by Turkey Consommé and Black Truffle Ravioli before a whole lot of Turkey. Not your traditional Thanksgiving dinner but hey, I’m not even American.
Pera Mediterranean Brasserie – Midtown
If you’re looking for a lunch spot somewhere with amazing food and a relaxed atmosphere, this is a great choice for those in Midtown East. It’s perfect for business meetings or a midweek treat. I might go as far as to say my favorite mediterranean restaurant in Manhattan because the food was so satisfying. I love watching other guests’ food being brought to tables and there’s not one plate I saw that didn’t look appetizing.
Rosemarys – Greenwich Village
I love great quality Italian food so I was in my element here. What I loved most is the atmosphere, it’s airy and lit to make you feel so cosy. As for the food, you can really taste just how fresh everything is, especially the pasta. It’s been added to my happy place list of places to make me feel better when I’ve had a rough day,
Butter – Midtown
I was one of thooooose who watched Gossip Girl religiously and living in New York had me fan girling 24/7 when I first got here. I recently tried Butter because yes, it was in GG but also because it was a convenient location at the time. But mostly GG… xoxo. Joking aside, it’s definitely worth a mention. Butter is very elegant and spacious with something on the menu for everyone, not one dish would disappoint.
Flame (Hibachi) – Upper West Side
Given how much I love Asian food and I lived on the Upper West Side for a whole year, I can’t believe it took me so long to try Flame. Like Le Coq Rico, I love restaurants where they cook the food in front of you. It turns a dinner date into an experience. There’s almost too much choice on the menu, I had far too many questions. Everything I tried was so tasty and I even went out of my comfort zone which can go drastically wrong. I’m not the biggest seafood fan but the Lady Lobster roll was delicious. I would recommend Flame for a special occasion or date night because it’s quite relaxed yet classy at the same time. If you don’t like attention, don’t tell them it’s your birthday.
Thursday Kitchen – East Village
The capri-booze cocktails draw you in but the food here is definitely under-rated. The food is Korean-style tapas. I love nothing more than ordering a bunch of plates and picking. The menu isn’t huge which is great because you know they’ve perfected every dish. It’s quite a casual vibe in here too so perfect for date night or a little get together with friends.
Charlie Bird – West Village
This is a cute Italian-influenced restaurant in West Village, every ingredient on the menu farmed and fished locally. The pasta dishes were so savory and cooked to perfection. Their signature cocktails are also a factor drawing me back to Charlie Bird. For gin lovers, pop in and try Last Word, it’s dangerously good.
Rachel's NYC Diary 
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