A Food Woody Weekend in New York

When spending a romantic weekend in New York, food will be a necessity and I have a few dining suggestions away from the crowds that will leave you with some cash for the taxi back to the airport.  It’s up to you to find a great place to stay; I’m just here to tell you where to find food woody to help with your own.

Inoteca - Beet Salad

So you blow into town on a Friday afternoon.  Dinner tonight is in Gramercy Park at Inoteca. Great Italian food in a sleek eatery sets a sexy tone for the rest of the weekend.  Order a few plates and share them, of course.

The best salad is the Beets, Orange, Pecorino, Mint and Hazelnut Salad.  The cold cut platter is authentic with cured meats including prosciutto, bresaola and mortadella.  Chickpea Fritters satisfy the fried food craving. Share the Skewered Chicken in a Mushroom-Tomato Sauce for some great flavors. And if you need to carb-load before running the marathon, they have pasta too.

Save room for dessert because you won’t have the raging food woody without trying the Nutella Panini. Inoteca has an extensive selection of Italian wines and a Sommelier to help you choose the perfect one to get you both sufficiently buzzed.

Ask to have any leftover food wrapped to take back to the hotel. You know you’ll both be getting a little workout after dinner, so a few gourmet bites of energy in the mini-fridg will come in handy.

If you don't want to drink $4 bottles of water or $10 bags of nuts courtesy of your hotel, stock up with room goodies at Herald Square Market.  As the name suggests, it’s across the street from Macy’s and convenient after shopping. In addition to made-to-order sandwiches, they have a ginormous food bar with hot and cold international selections that rival a Vegas buffet.  Sushi Rolls, lasagne, Asian salads, Indian Curries and Fresh fruit all go for only $6.99 a pound.  Don’t eat it there, but take it to the park or back to the hotel for a quickie.

If you’re out and about on Saturday and Sunday and need a bite, you must have the quintessential New York culinary experience: street meat.  You can go classic or gourmet. The Halal Carts are some of the city's original street meats and offer a variety of higher quality grilled Mediterranean meats, gyros, falafel and of course the classic New York hot dog. The most popular cart is at 52nd and 6th street, where you can expect to see a line at any time of day.  Share the mixed grill of lamb and chicken over yellow rice with yogurt and hot sauces and some salad on the side. Only $6!

Go Burger Truck

On the gourmet side, many trucks in the food scene can be followed on Twitter to get their location if  you're not lucky to find one nearby.  One of the most popular is Calexico Carne Asada Cart which won the 2008 Vendy Awards for  best new Mexican truck. Amazing specials include pork rib and pork belly in a chili de arbol and coconut sauce.

Go Burger is another mouth-watering option. Get the Classic with cheese - a perfectly grilled 5oz. certified Black Angus beef burger topped with tomato, red onion, iceberg lettuce and pickles. Must be washed down with a milkshake.

Papa Perrone’s are best known for their addictive rib-sticking rice balls. Top honors go to  the three cheese rice ball with ricotta, Mozzarella and Pecorino Romano cheese.  Find a small urban park to sit and enjoy the delicious food and your time together.

For a delicious brick and mortar snack and sandwich spot, check out Pret-A-Manger (Ready to Eat).   It’s an upscale chain from London that features rows of refrigerated pre-made gourmet sandwiches, salads and desserts.  Many offerings come on crispy baguettes like the Roast Beef, Arugula and Parmesan. Dozens of stores dot the city, but the one on Broadway in the Theater District is the only one with a warm and inviting dining area featuring a long upholstered banquet to snuggle up on. They serve great coffee too, in addition to pastries, if just looking for a coffee break.

Havana Alma - Ceviche

 Dinner Saturday night is Cuban in The Village at Havana Alma de Cuba: Awesome Cuban food with a heavy Spanish influence. If you visit in nice weather, ask to sit on the back patio when making a reservation.  The lighting is low and romantic with live music on weekends. Start with a pitcher of Sangria and the appetizer combo of a tasty assortment of different fried plantains and empanadas, with picante dipping sauces.  For something lighter go with the ceviche or marinated squid.

Tres Leches

 Entrees to induce food woody include Marinated Pork, Ropa Vieja, Paella Marinara, or Grilled Skirt Steak. Don’t forget to get a side of yucca con mojo for the raging food woody! It’s like a boiled potato with garlic butter. End the meal with an outstanding dessert of the Tres Leches Con Coco. It’s creamy and coconutty.

When you wake up Sunday morning, order a continental breakfast from room service and finish up all the delicious foods you left in the frigo.  When you dirty duo are showered and dressed it will be time to check out and have some brunch. We’re heading back to Gramercy Park.  You can either stop in again at Innotecca for amazing French Toast, or go for something completely new and delicious.

Grill 21 - Tosilog

Around 2pm check out GRILL 21 on 21st at 1st streets. It’s a cozy little joint decorated with charming hand-painted murals. Most Filipino restaurants are out in Queens, so this being so close is a no-brainer to hit.

Tosilog is popular Sunday brunch fare with pork, fried egg and rice.  The national dish is Chicken Adobo cooked to perfection in garlic, soy sauce and ginger. Another flavor-friendly dish is the Pork Sisig served with an egg. It’s crispy and sizzling minced pork and vegetables you will crave when served over garlic rice. Add an order of Pinakbet, sauteed vegetables and shrimp in a broth including bitter melon, and you’ll start the day with a raging food woody. Ask for a little dish of Bagoong.  It’s a fried shrimp paste condiment that makes everything taste phenomenal.

What a great way to end a romantic weekend trying something new.  It was easy and no one got hurt. Try that philosophy in the bedroom when you get home.

Inoteca, vino, cucina e liquori bar

323 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10010

  (212) 683-3035

Herald Square Market

968 Ave of the Americas

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244-3484

Halal Cart

52nd St & 6th Ave

New York, NY 10079

Pret-Å-Manger

1384 Broadway

New York, NY 10018

(646) 497-0510

Havana Alma de Cuba

94 Christopher St

New York, NY 10079

(212) 242-3800

Grill 21

346 E 21st St

New York, NY 10010

(212) 473-5950

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