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Ian Hunter's Guide to New York's Best Restaurants, Bars, and Gourmet Markets
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MURRAY HILL/ MIDTOWN EAST (35th-59th) (east of 6th)

Wild Edibles: Seafood. 535 3rd Av @ 35-36; 26/25/22/E; Fresh Fish- exotic & everyday offerings; Prepared foods. Impeccably Fresh seafood; Amazing staff. Pricy but fish nearly alive it’s so fresh.

Sarge’s Deli: Deli / Sandwich. 548 3rd Av @ 36-7; 21/15/16/M;  Mile-high sandwiches; Tuna & potato salad; 24/7; Huge portions; Tuna Salad; Great breakfast. Just a cool scene- laid back.

Daniel’s Bagels: Bagels. 569 3rd Av @ 37th-38th; 24/18/18/I: Delicious bagels. Best Chicken Salad. Whitefish salad; Always fresh. Mouthwatering food at discount prices; Long lines – very popular!
 
Park Ave Liquor: Wine / Liquor. 292 Madison @ 40-1st; 26/19/22/E; My Father’s liquor store. Huge selection. Has it all. Every known Scotch. Great, fast service; Small place but always popular and packed.

 
Cipriani Le Specialita: Bakery. 110 42nd @ Lex; 26/24/20/E; Top bakery; Fabulous bread, sandwiches, cakes. Heaven in your mouth. Italian specialties.
 
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Grand Cental Market:
Ceriello Fine Foods: Specialty – Gift Baskets. 24/22/20/E; Awesome prime aged beef; Stuffed pork roast; Butcher; Porterhouse; Lamb. Most of all, a museum of sausages.
 
Ciao Bella Gelato:  Ice Cream. Grand Central. 25/20/18/M; Amazing gelato (ice cream w/ fruit) & sorbetto. Also, plenty of regular ice cream and creative milkshake specials.

Greenwich Produce: Produce. 25/23/20/E; Produce vendor occupying 2 stalls in the market; Always fresh; Nuts and herbs too. Gourmet items but always the freshest veggies.  
 
Joe: Coffee / Tea. Grand Central Terminal; 26/20/22/M; Caffeine scene favorite; Awesome fresh coffee. Baked goods. Seattle to NYC; Lattes & Cappuccinos are heavenly.
 
Koglin Hams: Butcher. Grand Central. 24/21/19/M; Sausage, hams, mostly pork products. Salami; Bacons; Gourmet Hot Dogs; German Canadian butcher.

Li-Lac Chocolates: Candy / Nuts; 26/23/23/E; Area institution; Fun novelty chocolates; Truffles; Hand-dipped chocolates; Killer Fudge; Peanut Brittle; 

 
Murray’s Cheese: Cheese. Grand Central; 28/25/25/E; Perfect cheese shop; Friendly; Samples; Huge selection; Bread; Cheese heaven; The Gold standard of cheese; Truly a NYC Institution.

Neuhaus Chocolate Boutique: Candy / Nuts; Grand Central. 25/23/22/E; Belgium chocolates; Gifts; Or order a la carte; Superb quality; Truffles; Caramels; Beautifully packed.
 
Penzeys Spices: Spices; Grand Central Market; 27/23/23/M; What an assortment of spices and herbs; Small store but organized so well and a great staff to assist; Chef’s dream selections on way home to Westchester.
 
Pepe Rosso Caffe: Prepared Foods; Grand Central Market; 26/15/17/I; Italian pastas, handmade and beyond fresh; Large variety of all Italian specialties to take home for dinner; Inexpensive too.

Pescatore Seafood:  Seafood; 25/25/22/E; Fresh seafood, great quality, great service. Fresh & cooked fare. Huge selection. Creative prepared fare; Love the shellfish; Fresh salmon & fish as well.

 
Wild Edibles: Seafood. Grand Central. 26/25/22/E; Fresh Fish- exotic & everyday offerings; Prepared foods. Impeccably Fresh seafood; Amazing staff. Pricy but fish nearly alive it’s so fresh.

 

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Beekman Marketplace: Butcher. 883 1st Av @ 48-9th; 22/19/22/M; New location and now a butcher that goes beyond with friendly service & also offerings of pastries, breads & prepared foods.

Morrell & Co: Wine / Beer; 1 Rock Plaza @ 49th @ 5th-6th; 27/24/24/E: Sexy location; 5,000 bottles of wine; Hard to find vintages. Great, welcoming feel for tourists and those new to wine.

 

Red Mango: Ice Cream; 30 Rockefeller Plaza; 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.


Ess-a-Bagel: Bagels. 831 3rd Av @ 50-1st; 26/17/18/I; Huge bagels; Hand rolled; Staggering array of cream cheeses; Close to best; Ridiculously large with loads of spreads to choose from.


Leonidas: Candy / Nuts. 485 Madison @ 51st; 26/24/23/E; Belgium Chocolates; Truffles;  Great Quality/price ratio; Coffee; Treats. Shares space with espresso bar.
 
Pisacane Midtown: Seafood; 940 1st @ 51st; 28/19/26/E; Top 3 Fish market; Fresh; Excellent soups. So fresh seafood swims to you. Ask them what is fresh and fall in love with dinner.

Ideal Cheese: Cheese. 942 First @ 52nd; 27/21/23/E; Hugely rated; Large selection; European; Cheese kings. Has it all. Ample tastings. This place is a must visit. Michael – owner – great guy!


Tal Bagels: Bagels. 977 1st Av @ 54th; 23/19/18/M; Amazing quality; Large; Prize quality Lox; Numerous spreads & salads. Chewy and tasty; Fast, courteous service; Just a great mini-chain.
 
Simchick, L: Butcher. 988 1st @ 54-5th; 28/19/25/E; Butcher; Top Quality; Ready for the Oven Meat; Awesome. Poultry. Great staff.  Old school feel; Prepared foods; Marinated steaks.

 
Dessert Delivery: Bakery. 360 55th @ 1-2nd Av; 28/24/26/E; Known for amazing cookies – especially Black & White; Beautiful cakes and tasty treats; Amazing service.


Pierre Marcolimi: Candy / Nuts; 485 Park Av @ 58th; 28/27/24/E; Yummy chocolates in an endless assortment of flavors; Melts in your mouth; Very expensive; Brussels on Park Av.
 
Terence Conran Shop: Cookware. 407 59th @ 1st Av; 25/26/19/E; Besides high quality, just a gorgeous display of stylish imported cookware items; Two levels; Pricy but worth browsing & buying a few.
 
Williams-Sonoma: Cooking Supplies. 121 59th @ Lex-Park; 27/27/23E;  The King of Kitchen supplies. Top of line; Cookware; Gadgets. Fun to shop with cool displays and tasting demos; All known pots, pans, cutlery and supplies. Cookbooks.

 

Crate & Barrel: Cooking Supplies. 650 Madison @ 59th; 22/25/20/M; This chain of high end home supply and kitchen needs delivers fine goods; Gadgets, accessories, plates, glasses; Great displays.

 
La Maison du Chocolate: Candy / Nuts. 30 Rockefeller Plaza-Lower level; 29/28/23/E; Epic; Truffles; Hot chocolate;  Chocolates imported from France; Ultra high-end; Worth the splurge.