Cuca’s Picks: NEW YORK
Over the years we have shared countless times with Cuca’s customers our favourite restaurants from every city we know. The truth is that people in search of the tastiest food from around the world seem to trust chefs’ picks when choosing food, and since everyone asks our humble opinion, we have decided to start a proper “Our Picks” section where we give you our recommendations on where and what to eat. Go ahead, try for yourself and share these lists as you please, but just because we may help you find a new favourite, please don’t forget about your first love, Cuca!
What can I say… The best Chefs from around the world dream of opening in New York. It’s a city that in terms of food is unforgiving and even the greatest Chefs who run ultra successful businesses elsewhere, often leave defeated by local New Yorkers who are deliciously spoiled and extremely demanding. What’s left and what survives is the best of the best, and if you are lucky enough to visit, you will see why this city has stood out as a must-eat global destination. What we recommend below is a small selection of absolute gems narrowed down from the 48,960 restaurants to choose from. Bon appetite!
Don Angie
This place is so delicious you will immediately want to return with focus, strategy and determination to devour whatever you missed. Set up by a husband-and-wife chef duo who have been cooking together at various places for well over a decade. Here they have once again teamed up to deliver playful Italian American cooking with a noticeable love for pasta and a strong cocktail game.
Price: $$$
What to order: Cocktail Americano, Lasagne.
Gray’s Papaya
You gotta have a dog while in New York, it’s a thing and why not do so at this iconic institution that has been doing it perfectly since 1973. Generations of New Yorkers from all walks of life have been devouring them here since children and their signature griddled all beef franks are top quality. Simple, perfect, timeless!
Price: $
What to order: “Recession Special” of two dogs and a drink (choose papaya flavour of course).
Blue Ribbon Brasserie
Dubbed as a late-night bistro and adored by the cities top chefs for serving great quality cooking until far too late. This place opening its doors in 1992 and was the beginning of what would become the Blue-Ribbon restaurant empire. The menu is a mish mash of unrelated dishes people simply love to eat and never go out of style. Fantastic!
Price: $$$
What to order: Fresh Oysters, Bone Marrow and Oxtail Marmalade.
Keens Steakhouse
The nostalgic steakhouses of New York City are glamourous meaty symphonies of old-world celebration and if you are planning to hit just one on your trip I would do Keen’s. Opened since 1883 there is nothing like it on earth and it’s a true tribute to a bygone era of a glamourous carnivor lifestyle.
Price: $$$$
What to order: Mutton Chops or King’s Cut Prime Rib.
San Matteo
In a city with far too many pizza options we love this casual neighbourhood joint. The wood burning pizza oven grabs your attention and sets the stage for the smoky magic to come. Worth mentioning San Matteo is one of the only places you may ever try a Panuozzo (a kind of pizza sandwich) and it remains a stand out of their menu. So, the plan is smashing your way through some antipasti as you eagerly await anything lovingly burnt from the oven. With a solid selection of over 25 different pizza options to choose from this may be trickier than you think.
Price: $$
What to order: Panuozzi.
Llama Inn
A playful and surprising extraordinary Peruvian restaurant indeed. The food is packed with personality using unique combinations of ingredients and flavours that all scream delicious as each mouthful remains relevant with a masterful use of texture. The space is cool and the vibe is always fun and lively.
Price: $$$
What to order: Any of the Ceviche’s and finish with a slice of Key Lime Pie.
Cosme
This buzzing hip destination restaurant by famed Mexican Chef Enrique Olvera of Pujol describes itself as contemporary Mexican. Expect delicious bold comfort driven dishes of elevated classics showcasing technique and ultra quality ingredients. With a dizzying array of mezcals and well-crafted cocktails a tipple to begin is well recommended.
Price: $$$$
What to order: Mole de la casa.
