Know ‘em, love ‘em, never get sick of ‘em. That’s what I call classic. Whether you’re a bona fide New Yorker or hosting folks in from out of town over the holidays, I’m sharing my cheat sheet for some of the iconic NYC dishes that I can’t get enough of. None of these need a description, and my recommendation if you have any questions is to JUST TRY THEM. Season’s greetings (and happy eating)!

 

My Picks

Chocolate babka at Breads Bakery

Vodka pizza at Rubirosa

Bacon cheeseburger and cottage fries at JG Melon

Salty Pimp at Big Gay Ice Cream

JW Chicken at Barbuto

Birthday cake truffles at Milk Bar

Everything Bagel at Murray’s

Fish tacos at Los Mariscos

Chocolate chip walnut cookie at Levain

Spicy rigatoni at Carbone

Waffle egg sandwich at Buvette

Pork buns at Momofuku Noodle Bar

 

Runners Up:

Lasagna at I Sodi

Lamb tartare at Dirty French

Pancakes at Chez Ma Tante

Bee Sting pizza at Roberta’s

Spicy lamb noodles at Xi’an Famous Foods

Emmy Burger at Emily

 

Goes Without Saying:

Cheese slice at Joe’s Pizza (preferably at 2am)

Pastrami sandwich at Katz’s Delicatessen

Lox at Russ & Daughters

Cronut at Dominique Ansel