Restaurant: Momofuku Noodle Bar

Momofuku Noodle Bar
171 First Ave., nr. 11th St.
Subway: L at First Ave.; 6 at Astor Pl.
Sun-Thu, noon-4pm and 5:30pm-11pm; Fri-Sat, noon-4pm and 5:30pm-midnight

A bit foodie-ish, yes, and not for the vegetarian, but Momofuku's noodle bar is actually terrific. It's fancy takes on street food: ramen made with Berkshire pork and pork buns that are a local legend (get them!) And it's affordable - if chaotic - too.

Chelsea Market

Chelsea Market
75 Ninth Ave. nr. 15th St
Subway: A, C, E at 14th St.
Mon-Sat, 7am-10pm; Sun, 8am-8pm


The Chelsea Market is sort of a funny thing to put down here, but it's neat enough that if you're in the area - especially if you're going to the Highline - it's well worth a stop. Basically, it's a food hall: a collection of high-end stores in the old Nabisco factory. The space is cavernous and odd, and the picnic pickings superlative. Just a few highlights:

Amy's Bread for sandwiches and bread

Butcher shop for sandwiches and salumi

Bella Italia for antipasti and panini

Lucy's Whey for cheese

Jacques Torres for chocolate

Ronnybrook Milk Bar for ice cream

Fat Witch for brownies

(Needless to say, also great if you've got a kitchen!)

Patisserie Claude

Patisserie Claude
187 W. 4th St. nr. Barrow St.
Subway: A, B, C, D, E, F, V at W. 4th St.-Washington Sq.
Daily, 8am-8pm


Patisserie Claude, which is shleppy and shlumpy, was for years actually run by Claude, who was the sourest French baker in the whole world. He's retired now and a much nicer employee has bought the place, but the croissants are as good as ever. A true old-Village experience! Sit and eat, but nb: there's no AC come summer.

Bar: Black Mountain Wine House

Black Mountain Wine House
15 Union St. at Hoyt Street
Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
Subway: F, G at Carroll St.
Daily, 5pm-midnight


Black Mountain is the most relaxing, un-sceney place imaginable to get together with a group of (female) friends, although I imagine it'd be good for a date too. The setting is causal and comfy, there's a fire in winter and the staff is super-friendly. And the food is good too: cheeses and charcuterie and salads and, on Tuesdays, fondue.

Restaurant: Roberta's

Roberta's
261 Moore St (between White St & Bogart St)
Bushwick, Brooklyn
Subway: L to Morgan Avenue
Mon-Fri 12 p.m. - 12 a.m.
Sat-Sun 11 a.m. - 12 a.m.


If you fancy a hipsterish, aggressively locavore, authentic New Brooklyn experience, I believe Roberta's - with its southern-accented Italian and pizzas - may be for you. It's off the beaten path, and you may have to wait in the back yard with a beer. But it's friendly and convivial and it's laid-back and even the weird pizzas are pretty excellent thanks to the terrific ingredients. A really fun place for a crowd, too - because it's loud and you'll sit at communal picnic tables.