Things to eat in NYC that you can't find in California
Hey.
I'm having a couple visitors coming over from California and I want to give them a taste of NYC. Since this will be a semi professional meeting, pizza wouldn't be the best answer. What are some good snacks and transportable food that we should get them? We already planned in getting them Junior's Cheesecake since it's near our school. Thanks.
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26 Comments:
Good bagels -- they just don't have 'em here in California.
kjgibson at 2:55AM on 11/06/08
Real, honest to God, New York pizza. I think it's the water. It's the same reason New York bagels are better than anywhere else.
chisai at 8:31AM on 11/06/08
Take them to Zabar's, that should cover just about anything they can't get in California.
Alan
aholsber at 9:42AM on 11/06/08
BIALIES!!!
dozertx at 10:46AM on 11/06/08
Definitely bialys. How about blackout cake or black and white cookies? And is there some way you could manage egg creams?
lemons at 11:04AM on 11/06/08
Momofuku Ssam or Noodle bar never cease to impress. People grumble that its over hyped, but the food is so memorable and satisfying, and the atmosphere of both restaurants is just so unique. Sure, its a buzz restaurant, not just in NY but nationally too, but the buzz is for all the right reasons.
JudgeFudge at 11:05AM on 11/06/08
@judge fudge: Oops, I misread your post! You're looking for take-away food. I totes agree with all of the suggestions above, and to toss one more into the ring....
The doughnuts from the Doughnut plant are out of this world. Though they're not typically "New Yorky", I think they embody the New York food culture's love of suped-up comfort food. They'll knock your socks off!
JudgeFudge at 11:15AM on 11/06/08
Good bagels is my vote too. I would argue that cheesecake is less essential than something like black-and-white cookies, but if you have your heart set on cheesecake, I recommend Eileen's over Juniors.
producestories at 11:26AM on 11/06/08
How about monster deli sandwiches and kosher dill pickles - you can't "take away" the NYC atmosphere too, so grab a table and soak up the ambiance.
PerkyMac at 11:51AM on 11/06/08
As a native from So Cal, I would love to try the things that have been mentioned. Especially the black & white cookies. Ever since the Sienfeld episode I have wanted to try them.
ddvierra68 at 12:31PM on 11/06/08
Bagels and smoked salmon
Egg cream
Black and white cookies
Cheesecake
Halal chicken and rice
Bialys
Knishes
Pastrami on rye with mustard
Pickles (including quarter sours, half sours)
Recession special with papaya juice from Gray's
A beer from McSorley's
Egg and cheese sandwich from a street cart
Freshly baked bread (Sullivan Street, Grandaisy, etc.)
kathryn at 1:14PM on 11/06/08
I agree with the Zabar's comment above. Have them make you sample platter with a little bit of everything.
mh330 at 1:23PM on 11/06/08
Even though you said that it was semi-business, try to find a way to get some pizza. It's definitely not as good here in SoCal. Also bagels.
runrgrrl at 1:38PM on 11/06/08
PIZZA, or anything from a real Italian deli, the mom'n'pop kinda place.
I also vote for Zabars. Amazing place.
juliebugsmama at 1:44PM on 11/06/08
Arepas! I can't find them anywhere out here, but according to SE, they seem to be available in NY and delicious...I'm so jealous. I agree with the bagel/lox comments too - We have them, but they're not as good.
FamishedFem at 3:51PM on 11/06/08
Onion rye bread--my husband loves to eat chunks of it with a good beer.
dhorst at 4:21PM on 11/06/08
Mexican food? I kid... I kid!
Good bagels, pizza, and the Momofukus are the best suggestions for things you really cannot find in L.A.
Zach Brooks at 5:17PM on 11/06/08
gribenes -- @ 2nd Avenue Deli
I doubt you can find it in healthy food land California.
aa1158 at 5:27PM on 11/06/08
Can't forget the Carnegie Deli. You just don't get better.
Alan
aholsber at 6:12PM on 11/06/08
Clam pizza from Lombardi's. I ate three slices on Wednesday and I probably could have eaten the whole pie.
ElissaLovesToEat at 9:10AM on 11/07/08
HOw about whitefish salad? Zabar's is terrific. If you are having a more serious meal, east coast fish is the way to go -- from Citarella's.
adbw83 at 11:26AM on 11/07/08
Depends on where in California they are from, Northern CA offerings (total foodies) and Southern CA offerings (much more diet orientated) are vastly different. Great deli sandwiches, bagels, and black and white cookies (and pizza) are known for being NY staples, you probably can't go wrong there.
Sgiann01 at 11:28AM on 11/07/08
I grew up in California and now living in New Jersey I can say that a good neighborhood deli is something any Californian should be blessed with. The delis I went to back in CA are nothing compared the ones out here. Don't stress over pizza, LA pizza is solid.
DesperateChefsWives at 8:51PM on 11/07/08
easy- get some good bagels (ess, etc.) or some delicious Kosar Bialies. walk over to russ and daughters and get some salty lox, whitefish salad, sturgeon, trout roe, caviar cream cheese, and dine on the bench outside russ. then drive to brooklyn and go to Difara and get a real NY pie (be sure to try both the square pies and the regular pies). enjoy
frankbooth at 7:28PM on 11/08/08
i'd go to katz's
pastrami and a hot dog
then stop by russ & daughters for fishage
norman at 12:35AM on 11/11/08
Barney Greengrass (Amsterdam & 86th St) has the best chopped liver as well as lots of smoked fish and the best baka in NYC
the East Village Meat Market (139 2nd Ave) has terrific smoked meats & sausages
Venerios (342 East 11th Street) for Italian sweet treats
Old Town Bar (45 E 18St)
petitesoeur at 6:49AM on 11/12/08