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Ian Hunter's Guide to New York's Best Restaurants, Bars, and Gourmet Markets

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EAST VILLAGE (Houston- 13th; East of 3rd Ave)
LOWER EAST SIDE (Houston to Canal; Bowery to Clinton)
>East-West: Bowery; Chrystie (2nd Av); Forsyth; Eldridge Allen (1st Ave); Orchard; Ludlow; Essex (Av A); Norfolk; Suffolk; Clinton
>North-South: Houston; Stanton; Rivington; Delancy; Broome; Grand; Hester; Canal

Masturbakers: Bakery. 511 E. 12th @ Av A-B; 22/19/23/M; Erotic cakes; Hilarious offerings; Sex themed desserts. Hilarious; When occasion calls for a novelty item.

 

Russo Mozzarella/ Pasta: Cheese. 344 E. 11th @ 1st-2nd; 26/17/21/M;  Great pesto; Fresh Mozzarella; 90 year old shop. Homemade Pastas; One stop shopping; Sauces; Meats; Sandwiches.

 

Veniero’s: Bakery. 342 E. 11th @ 1st-2nd; 25/22/19/M;  Italian bakery; Awesome; Huge variety; pastries; cheesecake; cappuccino. Established 1894; Legend in area.

 

De Robertis Pasticceria: Bakery. 176 1st Av @ 10-11th; 22/21/21/I; Old school Italian pastry shop; Amazing pignoli cookies and cannolis, ices and coffee.


Sundaes & Cones: Ice Cream. 95 E 10th @ 3-4th Av; 25/22/25/M;  Ice Cream; Milkshakes; Cones; Sundaes; Japanese flavors too. Focus is on the exotic here but have traditional as well; Generous helpings.
 
Black Hound: Bakery. 170 2nd Av @ 10th; 26/26/22/E;  Designer bake shop; Candy; Bakery; Cookies; Truffles; Tarts; Cakes; Creations are beautiful to just look at; Gift baskets.
 
De Robertis Pasticceria: Bakery. 176 1st Av @ 10th; 22/21/21/I; When line too long at Veniero’s; Italian bakery; pastries; Café. Décor from the 20s.

 
East Village Cheese: Cheese. 40 3rd Av @ 9th; 22/17/19/I; Incredibly cheap; Cheese store; Huge selection; Crowded. Bargains. 200+; Unbelievably low prices - $2.99 specials; Cold cuts, spreads; Stock up here!.

East Village Meat Market: Butcher. 139 2nd Av @ 9th; 28/25/25//M; Veal; Lamb; Smoked sausages; Ukrainian. F’in good. Eastern Europe style and absolutely brilliant; Personal service.


Mudspot: Coffee / Tea; 307 9th @ 2nd Av; 26/19/22/I; 1960s style coffee shop; High voltage coffee; Baked goods/ snacks. Fun staff. Dangerously strong java; Pastries as well. What a winning place!

Angelica’s Herbs & Spices: Spices. 147 1st Av @ 9th; 23/18/20/M; Plant-filled spice shop; Health herbs; Food seasonings; Rare selections; Exotic, earthy items.
 

Red Mango: Ice Cream; 19-23 St. Mark's @ 2-3rd Av; 26/20/21/M; Probably the freshest and fastest growing nonfat frozen yogurt chain in the country; Known for exciting flavors that make even skeptics forget they are enjoying a fat-free treat; Large assortment of toppings; Super fast and friendly service; 3 sizes to choose from; Also offers smoothies, iced teas and parfaits.

 

Porto Rico Importing: Coffee / Tea; 40 St Marks @ 1st-2nd; 26/22/22/I; Amazing selection of Coffee & Teas; Always fresh; Cheap; Roasted to perfection; Strong and fresh;
 
Dumpling Man: Prepared Foods. 100 St Marks @ Av A-1st; 20/16/17/I; Eatery/ Takeout; Dumplings; Vegetarian & Meat; Healthy oil. Not Chinatown but great for area.
 
Sympathy for the Kettle: Coffee/ Tea. 109 St Mark’s @ Av A-1st Av; 27/22/23/M; Essentially a tea shop with an outstanding array of house blended teas; Pastries; Exotic beverages; Coffee.

 
Abraco Espresso: Coffee/Tea; 86 7th @ 1-2nd Av; 27/19/23/M;  Keep you up all night Espresso; Extremely high quality; Pastries as well & great coffee; Euro flavor; Opened 2007.
 
First Ave Pierogi & Deli: Prepared Foods. 130 1st Av @ 7th; 25/13/19/I;  Simply a great deli with fantastic pierogis; Ukrainian specialties; Amazing soups.

 
Dual Specialty Store: Spices/ Beer. 91 1st Av @ 5th; 22/18/19/I; Cheap, fresh spices; Herbs; Indian specialties; Rice; Incense; Teas. Just a vast selection. Also, 400+ Beers to choose from. Foodies love it here.
 
Astor Wines & Spirits: Wine/ Beer. 399 Lafayette @ 4th; 25/24/22/M; Obscene variety; 10,000 bottles. Great deals; Staff helps. Mind boggling selection; Free tastings; All price ranges;
 
Whole Foods: Major Gourmet Market. 95 Houston @ Bowery; 26/25/21/E;  Rave reviews; Produce it freshest, period; wide aisles; Cheeses; soups; great staff; #1 Supermarket in city; Organic & Natural products. Well organized. All-in-one shopping. Prepared foods. Epic good.  
 
Tan My My: Seafood. 253-249 Grand @ Bowery-Chrystie; 22/16/13/I; Extremely fresh and practically free; Seafood emporium; Meats & produce also; Huge assortment – rare fish as well.

Russ & Daughter: Smoked Fish. 179 E. Houston @ Orchard; 28/24/24/E; Stellar Smoked Fish; Lox; Chocolates; Herring. Jewish deli – perfect for lox, sable, whitefish, & caviar.

Katz’s Delicatessen: Deli / Sandwiches; 205 Houston @ Ludlow; 24/16/16/M; Excellent deli. Pastrami & corned beef specialists. Landmark. Complete Jewish Deli experience; Everything is huge.
 
Il Laboratorio del Gelato: Ice Cream. 95 Orchard @ Broome; 28/19/20/E;  #1 in City for Ice Cream. MUST try. Awesome. Fantastic, imaginative flavors and simply freshest ingredients.

 
Economy Candy: Candy / Nuts; 108 Rivington @ Essex-Ludlow; 24/17/18/I; Cheap prices; Massive selection of candy; Tight squeeze. You name it they have it; Wonderland of candy.

 
Sugar Sweet Sunshine: Bakery. 126 Rivington @ Essex; 27/21/22/I; Hipper kind of place; 1970s inspired digs; Cakes; Cupcakes are main course here; Cookies too.
 
Porto Rico Importing: Coffee / Tea; 120 Essex @ Delancey; 26/22/22/I; Amazing selection of Coffee & Teas; Always fresh; Cheap; Roasted to perfection; Strong and fresh;

Rainbo’s Fish at Essex Market: Seafood. 120 Essex @ Delancey-Rivington; 26/19/21/M; Beautiful display of whole fresh fish & filets detailing country of origin; Smoked fish & other seafood; Prepared foods- grilled fish sand.
 
Saxelby Cheesemongers: Cheese. 120 Essex @ Delancey – Rivington; 28/22/27/M; + offerings; Specializes in American small farm cheeses; Amazing baked breads; You will always buy something. 
 
Jeffrey’s on Essex: Butcher. 120 Essex @ Delancey – Rivington; Essex Market; 25/20/27/M; Top of the line, helpful service; Fun, entertaining owner; Very inexpensive prices on all types of meat.

 
Formaggio Essex: Cheese. 120 Essex @ Delancey; 26/22/22/E; Straight from Bostonincredible cheese! Tons of samples and a friendly staff; Sandwiches etc as well.

 
Kossar’s Bialys: Bagels; 367 Grand @ Essex; 28/15/18/I; #1 ranked in city for bialys; Stop looking- you found heaven; Beyond compare. Landmark; Also, amazing Bagels & Pretzels.
 
Pickle Guys: Specialty – Pickles; 49 Essex @ Grand; 27/18/23/I; All kosher pickles; Started by former Guss’ employees. Pickled everything. Fresh & flavorful.

Doughnut Plant: Bakery. 379 Grand @ Essex; 26/15/19/M; Huge do-nuts; Homemade; Places like Dean’s buy from here. Addictive taste Homer Simpson would love.

 
Streit Matzo Co: Bakery. 150 Rivington St@ Clinton-Suffolk; 25/13/16/I; The home of Matzos!!!!! Fresh made. Unleavened. Passover institution if you happen to be Jewish or like the stuff. Related products.


Clinton St Baking Co: Bakery. 4 Clinton @ Houston-Stanton; 26/20/20/M; Incredible service; Sit Down bakery; Desserts; Muffins; Coffee; Scones; Best fluffy Biscuits. Cakes; Have Breakfast!

 

Falai Panetteria: Bakery. 79 Clinton @ Delancey – Rivington; 27/21/21/M; Unmatched freshness; Flavored breads; Pastries that melt in your mouth; Homemade pastas.