Linnea Covington

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To get real, authentic Indian food, you can head the three main areas in the city, Jackson Heights, Queens, Murray Hill (aka Curry Hill), or on 6th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues in the East Village. In the former, you get solid curries, roti, lamb biryani, and other Indian specialties in no-nonsense, simple cafes and restaurants. The Little India area in the East Village tends to have Christmas lights strung across the ceiling, mirrors on the walls, and eager young men trying to pull you in. Then in Murray Hill, you get a lot of traditional southern Indian food and Eastern markets. All offer experiences worth checking out, though for dinner or lunch, the following three joints are my favorite.

1. Brick Lane Curry House: Located in Manhattan’s Little India, this restaurant is modeled after the curry shops in London, and compared to the other establishments on the strip, it proves a little more high-class. The specialty of the house is classic, England-style curry and kebabs, and they have plenty to choose from including butter masala, saag, nilgirl korma, and phaal, a very hot curry that, if you manage to finish, can get you on their wall-of-fame.

2. Junoon: In the heart of the Flatiron district is Junoon, a modern Indian restaurant that takes from cuisines all across the country. This includes dishes from the tandoor, or clay oven, tawa, or cast iron cookery, sigri, an open fire pit, and patthar, which is stone cooking. Check out their spice room to see just how many aspects go into Indian cooking, and to find out what wines pair best with curry and roti, as they have plenty of options on their well-curated list.

3. Saravana Bhavan: In India, you can find this mini-chain in all the major cities, and, lucky for us, they have branched out into the United States. Sometimes this means the food changes for a Western audience, but that’s not the case at their two New York locations (Curry Hill and the Upper East Side). Here, they serve the same vegetarian food as they do in Chennai and Delhi, including sweet coconut-chili chutney, vada, or lentil doughnuts, and idly, small steamed rice cakes usually in a sambar sauce. Though these vitals all prove excellent, the real gem of the restaurant is the dosa, a thin Indian-style pancake that gets griddled in ghee, and usually is larger than your head prior to being folded, rolled, or shaped into a cone. If anything, it’s fun to eat, but also not a dish you will find everywhere.

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No matter how successful online shopping is, nothing beats going to a good bookstore and actually touching noble and respected tomes. I love Housingworks Bookstore Café in SoHo. Here, they not only have a great selection of new and used books, but they also do advocacy work with the homeless and people living with HIV/AIDS. Also in SoHo is McNally Jackson Books, and they have two bright and airy floors of books and a nice café, which help make browsing comfortable and relaxing.

In Brooklyn, at Greenlight Bookstore, they have a nicely curated selection including a section on Brooklyn-based authors. Plus, a few times a month this Fort Greene shops has lectures, book events, and readings. BookCourt is also in Brooklyn, and for over 30 years they have been providing the neighborhood with a solid community of readers. Plus, they have plenty of author signings and readings that help make it a destination book shop.

As far as specialty bookstores go, Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks in Greenwich Village features all, surprise, cookbooks, ancient and honorable ones. Kitchen Arts & Letters in the Upper East Side also focuses on foodie books, though they offer 13,000 titles on all manners of culinary subjects. Another fun place to go is The Mysterious Bookshop, which covers all your mystery-buff needs. For theater nerds the The Drama Book Shop has screenplays, tomes on technique, and events all in the world of acting, dancing, and performance.

Of course, we can’t forget comic books, and my favorite place to delve into this world is at Forbidden Planet. Not only do they have tons of graphic novels and comic books, but action figures, toys, and a lot of awesome, nerdy people who love it.

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Now that spring is finally here, there are a ton of great things to do outside. My favorite nice weather adventure is walking along The High Line, a park constructed on top of a defunct train track. Here, they have planted native trees, bushes, and flowers, and have plenty of places to park for a while and watch the world go by.

Another great outdoor activity to do right now is biking along the Hudson River. New York has just installed Citi Bike, a bike-share system that allows you to rent bicycles from various outposts and drop them off somewhere else. You could also take the bikes around Prospect Park in Brooklyn, where they have bike kiosks and plenty of bike lanes around the beautiful park.

If you find yourself at Prospect Park, you might as well head to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, a beautiful space with rose gardens, great lawns, ponds full of turtles, and a beautiful Shakespeare Garden. The New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx is also lovely, and much bigger. Right now they have the Manolo Valdés sculpture exhibit, an edible garden, and soon, an exhibit on healing plants.

Nice weather also makes touring around the city a pleasant venture, and the Levy’s Unique New York tours are some of the best. Take the food tour through Manhattan, the Jewish Gangsters of the Lower East Side romp, or their punk rock walk, which takes you through the Bowery and Lower East Side and gives you a historical taste of the scene.

After all this outdoor excitement, it’s time to have a drink and bite to eat, which are some of the best outdoor activities you can do. Head to Crown Victorian Bar in Brooklyn, where they have a huge space outside, 24 craft beers on tap, and a kitchen serving up fried green tomato sandwiches, hamburgers, and fries.

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With May comes the true start of spring, and weather wise, it's the best time to visit. Right now the days are warm, sunny, and around 60 to 70 degrees. Often during this time of year a light breeze wafts around, teasing skirts and mussing hair, but despite that, right now has the perfect temperature for taking a walk around town, or even better, across Central Park and along the Highline.

However, despite the lovely daytime weather, at night it still gets chilly. Not that the coolness is a bad thing, it's not freezing cold. More, you just don’t want to be gallivanting around without a light jacket or sweater. It’s also smart to carry an umbrella at this time, you never know when it will decide to rain.

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With Cinco de Mayo just around the corner, now is the perfect time to think about Mexican food in the city. Personally, I fell blessed to have such a good California-style burrito place next door to me (Villa Pancho), but for those looking for Mexican bites in the city, there are plenty of more upscale options.

1. Gran Electrica: With chef David Goody, this colorful eatery in DUMBO, Brooklyn churns out tasty, regional Mexican dishes including creamy chili rellenos, pozole verde, and a succulent torta ahogada, which is a sandwich with roasted pork and onions. Go for the food, and stay for a round of expertly crafted margaritas, like their signature one with lime salt and agave syrup.

2. Empellon Cocina: When this chic restaurant opened in the East Village, it brought not only great food, but the idea that Mexican food was more than burritos and tacos, it was an art. Here, chef Alex Stupak churns out squid in a black mole sauce with chorizo mayonnaise, tacos stuffed with short rib pastrami, and smoked cashew salsa, all with a flare that cannot be matched.

3. Fonda: There are two locations of chef Roberto Santibañez’s Fonda restaurants, one in Brooklyn and the other in Manhattan’s Alphabet City. Here, the Mexican chef serves fresh guacamole tailored to your tastes, carne asada stuffed taquitos, chicken flautas topped with pasilla de Oaxaca salsa, and cochinita pibil, a traditional dish from the Yucatan.

4. Maya: The theme of Richard Sandoval’s Midtown eatery is “modern Mexican,” which you can see in dishes like huarache flatbread with goat cheese, Bloody Mary-laced ceviche, and roasted striped bass with cactus salad. Everything I have tried on the menu is solid, but one of the best reasons to go isn’t found on the plate, it’s found in a glass of one of their house-infused tequilas.

5. Rosa Mexicano: This mini-chain has worked hard to bring authentic Mexican flavors to the plate, and each of their restaurants sing of quality and good, solid ingredients. One the best guacamoles I have ever had was consumed at their Union Square location. The Enchiladas de Mole de Xico are divine, and I can’t leave the place without getting an order of the duck tinga tacos.

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Did you know New York has three Chinatowns? The one most people are aware of is in Manhattan, but there are two more; one in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and another in Flushing, Queens. So, it’s understood we get some of the best Chinese food here. Of course, not all the good Chinese food is found in Chinatown, there are plenty great places in other neighborhoods too. Of those, here are my top five places to go.

Mission Chinese: Last year, Danny Bowien opened up the second branch of his popular San Francisco restaurant in New York, on the Lower East Side. The lines are long but it’s worth it to sit in his low-lit, cramped den of Chinese-fusion delights. My favorite dish is the wonderfully spicy mapo tofu, which is laced with mouth-numbing Szechuan peppercorns. He also does a fun Kung-po Pastrami dish that tips the hat to NYC, and spicy peanut noodles with braised lamb neck.

Yunnan Kitchen: Focusing on foods from the Yunnan province in China, chef Travis Post has wowed diners with his grasp on this cuisine. At the charming Lower East Side restaurant, try the crispy chicken shao kao, fried pork belly with Yunnan spices, or the striking chrysanthemum salad with soy-chili vinaigrette. Follow that with a pot of pu’erh tea, and get to know these bold flavors.

Num Wah Tea Parlor: This is my favorite place to get dim sum, and it’s the oldest dim sum parlor in the whole city. You can still see traces of the original set up, the mirrors are vintage, the booths look ancient, and there is a strong historical vibe in every nook and cranny. The space is airy and not as hectic as some of the major dim sum palaces nearby, which is another reason to go.

Café China: Head to this Midtown Chinese restaurant for their spicy dan dan noodles, and I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. Here, they specialize in classic dishes, including tea-smoked duck, double-cooked pork with smoked tofu and leek, and sautéed lotus root. The setting is comfortable and charming, with a 1930s vibe.

Xi’an Famous Foods: For a completely surprising entry into Chinese food, this tiny shop in the East Village (they have one in Chinatown too) raises the bar. First, their food stems from the ancient Xi’an region, which is considered the first capital of China. The flavors that they display include rich cumin lamb “burgers,” tingly beef tossed with hand-ripped noodles, and their specialty, spicy and tingly lamb face salad. The food is cheap, spicy, and perfect for a nosh while gallivanting around.

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In the city there are three types of shoe people. One wears the hottest, highest, most uncomfortable shoes in the name of fashion and takes cabs everywhere. The second type doesn’t care what’s on their feet as long as it’s comfortable since they walk around. The third type, and I would put myself into this category, likes cute, fun and functional footwear. No, I won’t be prancing about in six-inch heels, but you won’t catch me wearing Converse to the opera. So, it’s with this note about myself that I give you my three favorite places to buy shoes.

1. John Fluevog: There is something about Fluevogs that just scream comfort. Is it the chunky heel and sturdy leather? Or maybe it’s the non-slick sole and ability to get your shoes pre-stretched. Either way, I love the style, feel, and fit of these babies, and in NYC we are lucky to have a brick and mortar store to go try them on in.

2. Shoegasm: Though the name isn’t my favorite, there are plenty of options here that make me forget the bad pun. They sell in stylish footwear by a slew of makers, from Kenneth Cole to Chinese Laundry to Hush Puppies. Chances are with their large selection, you will find what you want.

3. Shoe Market: This little shop in Williamsburg, Brooklyn packs a lot of personality and a lot of chic finds. The collection is expertly curated by owners Dana Schwister and Erika Vala so you know you don’t have to dig to find a good pair.

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Not everyone knows this, especially visitors, but the Metropolitan Museum of Art is actually “pay what you can.” This means you don’t have to fork over the suggested donation of $25, instead, you can do what I do and pay $1 to visit. Of course, if you have more to give, it is for a good cause. The Guggenheim too does a “pay what you wish,” though it’s only Saturdays from 5:45 to 7:45pm.

While most other museums in the city don’t have that stellar deal, many do have free nights or times when you can visit without paying a cent. Want to see some Picassos and Warhols free? Head to the Museum of Modern Art on Fridays between 4 and 8pm for Target Free Friday Nights and, though the lines are long, you save $25 off the usual entry fee.

Once a month, the Brooklyn Museum hosts a Target First Saturdays party from 5 to 11pm the first Saturday of the month. Not only can you see the exhibits free, but they have DJs, dancing, food, drinks, and all sorts of entertainment. On the quieter end, the Rubin Museum of Art shows Himalayan works, and every Friday from 6 to 10pm admission is free.

At the Bronx Museum admission is always free, a recent development they started to help bring the community in more. For a dose of fashion, you can see the Fashion Institute of Technology’s museum free of charge, and since the Smithsonian Institution runs the National Museum of the American Indian, it’s also gratis.  Of course, I can’t leave off this list of free museums without mentioning the Forbes Galleries in the lobby of Forbes Magazine's headquarters. From 10am to 4pm, Tue, Wed, Fri, and Sat, you can wander in and take a look, though they do recommend calling first to make sure it’s open.

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Every week, it feels like there are always great restaurants opening up in New York, and it’s hard to choose which ones to go to. Yet, here are three I recently tried and adored, so hopefully you will too.

Little Prince: In step with the French revival, Little Prince opened recently in SoHo and serves classic bistro fair with a few twists. Namely, the French Onion Soup Burger that was a “secret” item, but in a scant few weeks was so popular, and so not a secret, that they added it to the menu. It’s good, but what really stole my heart was their beef tartare. Not only was the tender meat super fresh, but also it had a nice heat radiating from the addition of chili oil. Other dishes like the Israeli couscous prove solid too, all with a classic French elegance and richness.

Barraca: There aren’t many places to get paella in the city, and luckily at Hector Sanz and chef Jesus Nunez’s new joint they make some of the best. Each order comes with two flavors, like the negra with squid ink-infused rice, artichoke, monkfish, and shrimp, and de fideu with Mediterranean noodles, cuttlefish, sausage, and shrimp. I also loved their sangria menu, especially the sangria de la mancha, a bold blend made with saffron-infused passion fruit, Verdejo, rum and clementine, and the girly compostela, which combined white wine, sake, apple-rosemary purée, and lemongrass. Also, next door is the team’s new, new café, Melibea, which focuses on Mediterranean fare.

Greenwich Project: Owned by the same people behind Mulberry Project and Vinatta Project, this cozy restaurant and bar evoke a townhouse with a modern art twist. The setting is bright, the service friendly, and the drinks divine. Try the BKLYN ‘76, a spring-like gin concoction laced with rosemary honey, sparkling wine, and lavender bitters. Pair that with a plate of chef Carmine Di Giovanni’s fried squid Ink pasta with prawn, delicate artichoke fritte with black pepper aioli, and the fresh lobster cavatelli with crawfish and ramps.

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Every week, it feels like there are always great restaurants opening up in New York, and it’s hard to choose which ones to go to. Yet, here are three I recently tried and adored, so hopefully you will too.

Little Prince: In step with the French revival, Little Prince opened recently in SoHo and serves classic bistro fair with a few twists. Namely, the French Onion Soup Burger that was a “secret” item, but in a scant few weeks was so popular, and so not a secret, that they added it to the menu. It’s good, but what really stole my heart was their beef tartare. Not only was the tender meat super fresh, but also it had a nice heat radiating from the addition of chili oil. Other dishes like the Israeli couscous prove solid too, all with a classic French elegance and richness.

Barraca: There aren’t many places to get paella in the city, and luckily at Hector Sanz and chef Jesus Nunez’s new joint they make some of the best. Each order comes with two flavors, like the negra with squid ink-infused rice, artichoke, monkfish, and shrimp, and de fideu with Mediterranean noodles, cuttlefish, sausage, and shrimp. I also loved their sangria menu, especially the sangria de la mancha, a bold blend made with saffron-infused passion fruit, Verdejo, rum and clementine, and the girly compostela, which combined white wine, sake, apple-rosemary purée, and lemongrass. Also, next door is the team’s new, new café, Melibea, which focuses on Mediterranean fare.

Greenwich Project: Owned by the same people behind Mulberry Project and Vinatta Project, this cozy restaurant and bar evoke a townhouse with a modern art twist. The setting is bright, the service friendly, and the drinks divine. Try the BKLYN ‘76, a spring-like gin concoction laced with rosemary honey, sparkling wine, and lavender bitters. Pair that with a plate of chef Carmine Di Giovanni’s fried squid Ink pasta with prawn, delicate artichoke fritte with black pepper aioli, and the fresh lobster cavatelli with crawfish and ramps.

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For the week of April 19-21, there are some awesome events happening in the city. First up, I am excited to hit up the first ever New York City Hot Sauce Expo this weekend at the East River State Park in Brooklyn. For $10, you can sample dozens of hot sauces from makers all around the country, most with fun names like Evil Seed Sauce Company, Dragon’s Blood Elixir, and Hot-cha Waa-cha Sauce and Spice Company. The expo runs Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm, and in between flaming samples, you can watch the spicy cookie competition, and the hot pizza eating challenge.

Also this weekend, the free Brooklyn Zine Fest is going on at Public Assembly in Williamsburg. There, over 80 writers and artists will showcase their homemade publications, most pocket-sized, which means, you can carry a lot home.

For movie buffs, right now the Tribeca Film Festival is going on. Here, they have around 90 films from independent drams, documentaries, short animation, and celebrity-filled comedies. On Friday you can go the free screening of Beetlejuice at the Tribeca Drive-In (Brookfield Place Plaza, 220 Vesey St. at West St.), or go check out Sunday’s A Case of You, with Justin Long and Evan Rachel Wood, which revolve around a fake online profile and flirty love. Another recommendation is Richard Linklater’s new film Before Midnight, the third one in the “before and after” series with Ethan Hawke and Julie Deply, which runs on Monday.

Finally, on another film note, Friday also welcomes the Lebowski Fest, which if you have seen the Cohen Brother’s classic The Big Lebowski you will know what to expect. That’s right, Dudes, bowling, and White Russians, all at Bowlmor Lanes.

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