Travel the gastronomy world without leaving NYC

I've been living in New York for a while now.

At first, I was a little bit scared of the city. Too many things going on at the same time. Too little time to do everything I wanted. Too many people living in the same space. Too little space for everyone.

But as time passed by, I would recognize here and there the reasons why New York was New York. So many options. The bars and the clubs, the restaurants and the stores, the monuments, the parks, the shows, the people, the city. So many cities in one.

And in the continuous stir of this cultural soup, it was the sizzling chattering coming from improvised outdoor dining restaurants in each and every sidewalk that brought the city to life during the pandemic.

Those were the places where we could, although socially distant, meet friends again. Greet loved ones, celebrate a few special occasions together, see their eyes and their smiles while savoring the city's multiple and delightful flavors. And those were the places and the moments that allowed us to travel. For in New York, the food can take you to places.

So, without further ado, grab your metro ticket and buckle up for a culinary voyage through some of my favorite countries, oops restaurants, in New York City.

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Cuba bound with Cafe Habana

/ 17 Prince St, New York, NY 10012

On the photo above, Grilled Corn - Cafe Habana's Famous corn Mayo, Cotija Cheese, and Chili powder served with a lime wedge.

Café Habana was one of the first restaurants I fell in love with in NYC. It is a small, full of life and energetic Cuban restaurant, sitting in a busy corner in Soho.

Pre-covid, waitresses would squeeze themselves in the tight spaces between the small round tables, holding margaritas and Modelo beers amidst deliciously smelling food.

Whenever I went there I had the feeling of being enjoying an endless Saturday. It didn't matter which day of the week it was. Big windows make us feel as if we are sitting right in the street, among passerby's in Soho; Mothers and their children, lovers holding hands, friends shopping together, dogs walking around in their colorful leashes.

Come for the vibes but stay for the Corn: Home of the world's famous corn is the description the restaurant has on its Instagram. And I couldn't agree more. Everything there is delicious, but for only $4.95 you can savor this amazing corn, the best I've eaten in my life.

The buttery smell invades your nostrils when you indulge in the first bite, feeling the juiciness of the corn exploding in your mouth. The flavor frenzy of the powdered Cotija cheese melted by the warmth of the buttery corn, combined with the spicy red chili powder is unforgettable, and my mouth salivates just in writing this.

Another thing to order is the Cuban sandwich, which is also a must if you're not vegetarian:

Cuban Sandwich: Citrus marinated roast pork, ham, swiss, chipotle mayo & pickle on a toasted hero - $15.95

Now, andiamo in Italia!

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Next stop: Italy at Paulie Gee's

/ 60 Greenpoint Avenue - Brooklyn, NY 11222

I was looking for a casual and good place to eat with a friend. She told me she had been to Pauli Gee's, and that they had the best Neapolitan-style pizza she had ever eaten in her life (and she'd lived in Italy for 2 years, so I did trust her in that). So we went. It was winter, but the one-hour wait in line was totally worth it.

To go to Greenpoint (one of my favorite neighborhoods in NYC) and not go to Paulie Gee's is a miss. Like many good places in the city, they don't take reservations and the lines can get very long (the city is pretty full), but the wait is worth it, especially if you can do it while sipping a drink offered to you by a sympathetic barman from the elevated wooden bar in the entrance of the restaurant.

I've come back summers and winters after that, bringing with me every friend that visits NYC. Each flavor is different from anything I'd seen before and they have a huge vegetarian menu. Below some of my favorite pizzas:

Cherry Jones

Fresh mozzarella, Gorgonzola cheese, prosciutto di Parma, dried Bing cherries, and orange blossom honey $21

Spectacle Too

Italian tomatoes, Pecorino Romano, fresh mozzarella, sliced cremini mushrooms and post-oven speck $19

You can't miss the owner of the place, Paul Giannone (hence the name Paulie Gee's), who's always there in his ball cap. At any given moment you will see him approaching your table, with his sweet eyes framed by thick black glasses looking at you as he genuinely asks "How's everything?" -Everything is always great Paulie, ALWAYS!

Once I and a friend went there for dinner, and we didn't know which flavor to choose from amongst so many delicious pizzas. The waitress noticed our indecision and helped us reach a consensus. When she came back, she brought us the pizza we asked for and the other one we were indecisive about, on the house! I mean, right?

The dim light in the interior, combined with exposed brick walls and dark wood brings a cozy and soothing atmosphere, that is filled with laughter and an inebriating pizza smell. Pair your favorite pizza with a glass of wine, wait for Paulie (he will for sure show up), and enjoy your dinner in Italy for the night!

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Next stop: Japan at Domo Domo

/ 138-140 W Houston St. - New York, NY 10012

A tiny wooden door below ground level could be easily missed if it wasn't for a minimal black frame on it that reads DOMO DOMO. The interior's low ceiling creates an intimist vibe, combined with light-wooden tables and a minimal aesthetic.

Founded in 2015, initially, the restaurant was the first-hand roll bar in NYC, but I only came across it in 2019. I and my husband went there because we love Japanese food and we were wanting to go to a place that would wow us. Since Domo Domo is a Michelin Bib Gourmand, we decided that was what we were going for.

For those of you already scared to go because of the high price fame of Michelin starred restaurants, worry not, because:

Although Michelin stars are highly coveted, the Bib Gourmand designation (“Bib” is short for “Bibendum,” known as “Michelin Man” in English) signifies a restaurant delivering a high quality dining experience at a reasonable price.

With that said, all that is left is for you to go there and try it for yourself! The food is delicious and the fish is fresh. Everything is well taken care of and the prices are super reasonable. Below, some of our favorite dishes:

- Maitake mushroom with wasabi sour cream $14

- Katsu sando (White bread, pork katsu, onion jam) $16

Sushi and handroll course (serves two people!) $48

- Salmon sashimi

- Cabbage salad with black sesame dressing

- Chef’s choice sushi (9 pieces, assorted, seasonal)

- Choice of (2) hand rolls

If you like Japanese culinary, be sure to indulge in the delicious and surprising flavors of Domo Domo.

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Final stop: USA at Carthage Must Be Destroyed

/ 222 Bogart St, Brooklyn, NY 11206

If you go deeper in Brooklyn, at a quiet street filled with large warehouses and exposed bricks, you will most certainly miss this spot.

Carthage Must be Destroyed is one of the most Instagrammable cafés I've ever been and yet, as quiet as their location is their discretion, as they don't allow photos inside.

A metal gate is always rolled up, revealing an empty cemented floor and brick wall space. If you look further, in the end, you will see a door. Follow the rabbit to a well-lit warehouse, with a high ceiling, big windows, and large and long wooden tables. A colorful ocean invades your eyes as pink plates, cups, bowls, and trays splash and paint the wooden tables, which are adorned with handpainted eggs, branches and miniatures. The smell of egg, avocado, fresh bread, and coffee is all around you as you're teleported to the world of Carthage Must be Destroyed.

But this place is not only about the looks. Is the looks, the impeccable service, and the delicious food. Everything is organic and very well taken care of. You could spend the whole afternoon sitting at those tables, indulging in a delicious meal and never-ending conversations.

I will leave you here with one of my favorites there:

If you are the brunch type, Carthage is a must-go in NYC!

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Hope you enjoyed this voyage! See you at the next destination!

And if you liked this selection, share it with your friends that are visiting NYC, and don't forget to give a heart here to share your love!