Two words: vodka pie. There’s something that can’t beat the first bite of pizza after you’ve landed in New York. On this most recent trip, it was a vodka pie at La Pecora Bianca – a very simple pizza with a layer of creamy red vodka sauce, dots of mozzarella, and a basil leaf perched on each slice. So simple but good, which is almost always my preference when it comes to pizza.
Because it was about 30 degrees outside, we’d flown out at 10 a.m., and it was now close to 9 p.m. East Coast time, we did something we rarely do: ordered dessert. The cheeky “tiramisu for 2 (or 4)” is very much for four people. It arrives as a literal bowl of tiramisu, topped with their iconic sheep stencil – the restaurant’s mascot. Pro tip: Make sure you have fridge access wherever you’re staying if you order this.
A West Village treat meal.
Our main “nice dinner” of the trip was at Demo, a cozy wine bar serving European-inspired small plates. The scallop crudo was the perfect way to start – succulent whole scallops with a hit of lemon and just enough heat from the peppers. The lengua was interesting but not a must-order; it reminded me of a fancy, adult version of deli lunch meat. Hubs usually isn’t crazy about ordering chicken when we eat out, but the chicken here completely won him over.
Tokyo Record Bar.
I loved the staff here. What started as a quick chat with our server turned into a surprisingly interesting intro to the nuances of a specific mezcal (I wish I could remember the plant). We snacked on togarashi popcorn and enjoyed a whiskey-and-chocolate pairing while listening to fun vinyl selections from the DJ. My local coworkers swear I need to go back for the music and tasting menu.
After-work dry hot pot.
I’m honestly not sure how I made it this far in life without trying dry hot pot. Soup hot pots? All my life. But dry hot pot – not that I can remember. We tried it at Mala Project, and I still prefer soup. 😂 I loved the apple-and-brandy-infused tea and especially the chicken wings, perfectly fried and somehow reminiscent of Cinnamon Toast Crunch meets chicharrón (in the best way). They don’t skimp on the spice.
A solo date at Bryant Park.
This time of year, TikTok is flooded with content about the Bryant Park Christmas Market, and it’s exactly as crowded and touristy as it looks, but I was fully here for it. As long as you know what you’re signing up for, it’s honestly a pleasant experience. I went about an hour and a half before closing (around 8 p.m.), which helped. I wish I’d had more time to browse, because there are so many charming little shops perfect for souvenirs, trinkets, and gifts.
I’m especially glad I found Juni tucked away in the maze of stalls and picked up a few stationery pieces. The first bite of empanadas was incredible, though that might have had something to do with how starving I was by the time I found the food area. The Biang Biang Noodle stall also sells apple cider (both were pretty average), but I had fun regardless. Ending the visit with a freshly pressed stroopwafel by the carousel filled my holiday-loving heart.
An institution for a reason.
My husband and I love a classic steakhouse, and Peter Luger did not disappoint. Our waiter was a quintessential New York guy, no-nonsense, slightly sarcastic, and incredibly charming. I’m still dreaming about the prime porterhouse.
Caviar in Central Park.
A four-mile walk to and through Central Park felt like the perfect way to end the trip. We also couldn’t leave without having a bagel, so we opted for the caviar bagel from Caviar Kaspia (which originated in France and also has a location in LA).
Until next time! I miss the city already.
JULIENNE CARROTS 