My NYC life mostly consists of hanging out with friends eating and drinking, sitting by myself eating, or going to Classpass and eating afterwards.

My favorite spots since I’ve been back (2 days):

1. Little Branch (West Village): Beautiful and atmospheric 1920s style speakeasy with cozy booths and live (good!) jazz music. Go there to be transported.
2. Minetta Tavern (West Village): One of my all-time favorite NYC restaurants. Everything from the signage outside to the woodsy ambiance is perfection. It’s intimate yet bustling, and the food is amazing – so well done. Bone marrow! Black label burger. No bad choices. A historic place, it opened in 1937 and has been frequented by Ernest Hemingway, Ezra Pound, Eugene O’Neill, and all sorts of writers. Also one of those transporting places.
3. Favela Cubana (West Village): Delicious Brazilian-Cuban fusion on a tree-lined street. Not crowded – perfect for a mid-sized group. We got the Lechón (braised pulled pork shoulder, maduros, rice and beans), Feijoada (calabreza, pork, bacon, and skirt steak cooked in black beans with sauteed spinach, farfofa, and rice), and seafood paella. Also, gallons of yucca fries with green sauce. Yum.
4. Soho Tiffin Junction (West Village): LOVE this place for a casual lunch. It’s sort of like a healthy Indian Chipotle with options like cauliflower rice for low-carbing, choice of curry, and lots of fresh veggies and toppings. You can order a small portion or a regular portion. My lunch was <$7!
5. Blue Ribbon Downing Street Bar (West Village): I love all the Blue Ribbon restaurants, not just for the amazing food and ambiance, but they somehow hire the nicest people. They could tell we had had too much to drink, so the kitchen sent out a pizza on the house! Great late night spot for drinks and food (or anytime spot, really). I will be back when I’m in a state to remember it better.
6. Spotted Pig (West Village): A classic! Good bar scene and excellent gastropub food. We were there for the drinks this time.

Bad picture, but the BOMB ASS bone marrow at Minetta Tavern. Instructions – take the perfectly grilled and sliced piece of bread, apply onion marmalade generously, take a hunk of bone marrow, and enjoy. Party in yo mouth.