Okay, I confess – I’m a little food obsessed, but it’s not completely my fault! When you live in New York City and have new restaurants opening up every day, it’s hard not to have a new favorite food or cuisine. If I want to, I can eat around the world in NYC without ever leaving –– and you can do the same. Here are some restaurants that are located in New York, but will take you around the globe with their delicious menus.
INDIA: Pondicheri, 15 West 27th St
This open, casual Indian eatery is just a few streets away from Kips Bay, but eating here will make you feel like you’ve left the United States altogether. Pondicheri features food from many different regions in India and is brought to you by owner Anita Jaisinghani. The chef already has a successful Pondicheri restaurant in Houston, Texas, but while that outpost features lunch and dinner, the Nomad-based locale currently focuses on breakfast, lunch, and take-out. Even if you don’t have time for a sit-down meal, you simply must visit for a to-go masala chai drink or Jaisinghani’s take on dishes like Pav Bhaji.
FRANCE: Le Coucou, 138 Lafayette St
Not to be confused with Coucou Brooklyn – an NYC-based French language school – this chic SoHo spot offers the pinnacle of French cuisine and is worth the expensive price tag. The restaurant is located in the 11 Howard Hotel and has already been deemed a modern classic thanks to its head chef Daniel Rose. Le Coucou represents his much-heralded arrival to New York City’s food cuisine, and his menu featuring quenelles de brochet and fish stew bourride does not disappoint.
CUBA: BlackTail, 22 Battery Place
If you’re the kind of person who likes dinner with their drinks as opposed to the other way around, you’ll love this new spot from the team behind The Dead Rabbit – a popular NYC cocktail bar. The founders of The Dead Rabbit, Sean Muldoon and Jack McGarry, have created BlackTail – a Cuban-styled restaurant that brings you the classics you’ve come to expect – like a tres leches cake and the Cuban sandwich with rabbit – and some potential new favorites like pan-roasted halibut. Their drink menu hosts nearly 50 cocktail options, meaning BlackTail has something for all taste buds.
TAIWAN: Win Son, 159 Graham Ave, Brooklyn
Curious as to what Taiwanese-American comfort food tastes like? Visit Win Son on the border of Bushwick and Williamsburg to find out. You’ll find a list of warm, delicious dishes guaranteed to warm you up – and there’s something for everyone, even the most unadventurous of the bunch. From an upgraded ham sandwich to sesame peanut noodles with pork, everything on Win Son’s menu packs a flavorful punch. You won’t regret visiting this restaurant.
ITALY: Eataly, 4 World Trade Center, 101 Liberty St, Floor 3
Yes, you read that right – there’s a new NYC Eataly location on the third floor of the World Trade Center. If you love the Flatiron location but are looking for a new twist on Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich’s Italian classics, you’ll be pleased to find that this second Manhattan store will feature an array of Eataly firsts, including breakfast, flatbread sandwiches, and a salad bar. Also, for those looking for an activity to whet their appetite, Eataly NYC Downtown offers Foodiversitá – free, drop-in classes that range from making gnocchi to olive oil tastings.
Pondicheri photo by Pat L. via Yelp. Le Coucou interior photo via their website. Blacktail bar photo, Win Son noodles photo, and Eataly pasta photo via Facebook.
Also, 5 NYC restaurants to try this fall, and historic bars and restaurants you shouldn’t miss.
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Elle says
Branch out to plant-based. For example, NIX!
Tracy Kaler says
Hi Elle! I’ve heard wonderful things about Nix, and I am a fan of John Fraser’s food. Nix wasn’t a good fit for this post, but we will do a vegetarian article in the future. Thanks for suggesting!