A Whole Meal of Food

Macondo is a fun little tapas spot to hit with a large crew looking to get the night started in the right place. Unfortunately, there were several wonderful dishes that were not photographed due to fun having, but the pictured tuna pizza was the real showstopper. 

That’s sashimi grade tuna with red onions, white fish roe, white bean puree, Oaxaca cheese and some jalepenos to bring that heat, that fire. Macondo also specializes in delicious and strong cocktails that can be served by the carafe. We appreciate that. 

Swag up with a bottle of Patron for the table. 

Jones Wood Foundry’s pictured English breakfast may be one of the most gratifying breakfasts ever. This relatively young Upper East Side establishment is English all the way and delivers refreshing meals, especially for the UES. 

Come on an empty stomach because you’re looking at a serious breakfast. We’re talking unbelievable sausage, bacon, black pudding, fried bread, eggs and a tomato to bring it home. All in one plate. Pair with a frew brews and some friendssssss for a bloody good time.

When a friend suggests BBQ the answer is usually yes. If it’s Blue Smoke, there is no question. This NYC staple doubles as a restaurant and jazz club - both very worth checking out. 

Blue Smoke’s pictured Memphis baby back ribs can hang with their Southern brothers any day. Dry rubbed with a “magic dust and special sauce” allows these ribs to keep the mystery alive, and mystery is important. Mystery keeps you coming back for more and lord knows we will. 

That’s a fish kuroyaki sandwich to be exact and it’s tastefully topped with yuzu-tobiko, tomato and watercress. Dive in. 

We can’t recall what exactly is in the pictured pie, but it looks like blueberries and apricot slices. Let’s go with that. Either way, the desserts at The Dutch are too tasty to pass up. Pair your pie with a hot coffee during this cool weather and take some time out for yourself. Or stare at the models that are probably dining right next to you. 

Just take a minute to appreciate those lovely crab cake lady lumps.

You’re not going to find some extra large heavy on the mayo shredded up crab cakes at Hillstone. For $34 you’re going to get truly jumbo lumped crab goodness in each bite. The top of each crab cake is conservatively breaded and sits atop a light mustard sauce and that’s it. The rest is all crab.

Hillstone is predominantly a corporate/finance spot so make sure to roll up in jeans, a t-shirt and a baseball cap to get your contrarian on. 

Sanctuary T’s tuna salad is something special, unforgettable. This cozy SoHo spot is ideal for a clean power lunch and some fresh tea. Grab a seat near the front to people watch while it’s still nice out. 

Burger & Barrel is a frequented spot for lunch or dinner. Or bloody marys at 12 a.m. on a Tuesday… Either way, the burgers at this SoHo winepub are consistently perfect. 

The pictured B&B classic is considerately stacked with the standard burger toppings and a special sauce that’s a real crowd pleaser. Most importantly, the meat is cooked just how you like it and each topping is fresh. Sub in a whole grain roll and a side salad if you’re trying to keep it clean. 

What will keep you coming back to B&B you ask? Well, as you exit, the wonderful hostess will gift to you a moist chocolate chip cookie for the walk home. Now every time you catch a whiff of a choco chip cookie recognition memory will bring you back for more B&B.

Tender Greens needs to get to the East Coast right now; we’re just used to soda and nuggets out here. Mmph, look at those steak slices snuggling up to those tender greens. Such an unlikely harmonious couple.

To paint a picture, imagine an efficient ordering process with nothing but delicious and fresh options plus outdoor seating in perfect weather. Tender Greens’ considerate meal combos leave with you a palatable plate that won’t make you feel heavy as you scrape off the last of your mashed potatoes. Pair with a local brew or soda for hydration.

PS - Tender Greens keeps it real with a copious dessert selection to roundoff the wonderful experience. 

The seafood dishes at the Pacific Beach Fish Shop set the standard for fresh. The pictured Red Snapper sandwich is a key influencer for fresh seekers. Drake spent an entire day staring at the sandwich and then got the inspiration for this ensemble. 

Seriously though, the sandwiches at this San Diego gem are just about perfect. They’re filling in the cleanest way possible with fresh bread and minimal sauce application to let the seafood speak for itself. Cannot wait to go back. 

Tomoe is a pretty popular neighborhood sushi spot on Thompson Street and it’s easy to see why. An intimate setting with a pleasant wait staff (especially the waitress who can’t not smile), affordable pricing and fresh ingredients will keep you coming back. 

Pictured is a spicy tuna roll that’s not just a bunch of tuna scraps drenched in sauce and a soft shell crab roll that’s sure to please. Order up a few pints of sake to bring it home. 

Tomoe only accepts cash or Amex because it’s where hitters dine. 

After several attempts, we finally made it to Saxon + Parole for brunch. The pictured eggs are poached perfection drenched in hollandaise. Instead of resting the eggs atop an english muffin, you have clean potato parmesan patties and delectable cured meat. If you’re going to involve cured meat in my brunch then I’m going to love you forever. Should have asked for extra meat…

It’s always nice to see scrambled eggs make it onto a brunch menu. Scrambled eggs are the eggs we all root for to make the cut. Scrambled eggs are the Muggsy Bogues of eggs. 

Barrio 47’s soft curled scrambled eggs are a work of art. Drenched in lemon creme fraiche and sauce choron, the eggs sit atop finely sliced smoked salmon and a thin piece of toast to bring the crunch.

Order up some BMs with the gherkin to bring it home. YMCBM. 

When it comes to brunch, Cafe Lift keeps it real. Anywhere that serves brunch all day seven days a week is okay in our book. 

The pictured mushroom frittata is perfectly portioned with just the right amount of gorgonzola melted throughout. To the side you have a few diced breakfast potatoes and finely toasted whole grain bread without the butter. Clean.

Cafe Lift’s wait staff is super friendly and eager to fill up your coffee. Even if you’re not going to finish it, go ahead, ask for a refill. Not finishing your food is the new power move. 

Cafe Lift is the sister to Prohibition Taproom.