Hello Eating for England readers! I’m very jealous that our girl Angharad is living it up in Austin, TX at the moment, but I guess I shouldn’t complain – NYC is pretty cool too! I moved to the city about 2 years ago and ever since then I’ve made it my mission to explore the city’s best bakeries, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and running paths. I write about my training, eating, and cooking adventures on my blog – The Runner’s Kitchen. Stop on by and say hello!
Are you ready for a tour of the big apple? Let’s start with a morning run! One of my favorite places to run in the city is alongside the Hudson River in the Northern reaches of Manhattan. When I run under the George Washington Bridge and gaze out on the New Jersey Palisades, it’s hard to believe I’m still in New York City!
Now that we’ve worked up an appetite, it’s time to EAT! One of my favorite places to enjoy brunch in the city is at a place on the Upper West Side called Popover Cafe. They have the most amazing popovers – giant, flakey pastries with hollow insides. Think: croissant + biscuit hybrid. At the popover cafe it’s served with homemade strawberry butter. What a way to start the morning! If you’re looking for some vegetables, this place also makes some fabulous salads :-)
Ok, now that our bellies are full, maybe we should take a little stroll through Central Park. One of my favorite places to catch views of the city is from the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis reservoir. A 1.6 mile dirt path encircles the reservoir and provides the perfect photo op.
Hungry yet? I think it’s time for a snack. There’s a place called Levain Bakery that I’m absolutely obsessed with. The bakery is easy to miss – it’s tucked into the basement level of a brownstone on W. 74th st, but if you can find it, you won’t be disappointed! The cookies are nearly 1/2 lb each! My favorite is the dark chocolate with peanut butter chips – the outside is crispy while the inside is moist & chewy, almost like cookie dough! I have a tradition of treating myself to Levain Bakery cookies after running half-marathons :-)
Let that cookie digest for awhile and then get ready for dinner! I love a good beer along with my food, so one of my favorite places in the city is Pony Bar. The atmosphere is very chill and the pub serves all of its craft brews for $5. Pony Bar also has a respectable food menu – you’re going to need something alongside all of that beer! I highly recommend the roast chicken sandwich which comes on a toasted baguette and is accompanied by parmigiano-reggiano cheese, spicy remoulade, and tomatoes. I was served homemade potato chips and tangy pickles on the side.
Pheww….what a day! All that eating makes me sleepy (even in the city that never sleeps). Enjoy Texas, Angharad!
