A Food Lover's Tryst In New York

I was in NY from 12/28-1/4 and I enjoyed my trip tremendously. I have always felt a passion for NY - it's lifestyle, my friends, romanticism, food, SOHO women, transit system and grandeur always pull strings in my heart of hearts. Most of the time, I enjoy myself so much that I fear telling my NY friends. This, of course, would only drive them to wonder more about my lack of a desire to live there.
While it may be an untamed passion that I have for the city of blinding lights, there is an equal and opposite reaction that I harbor towards her. The noise, the cramp spaces, the ugly buildings, the drab signs, the true New Yorkers, the Yankees, the greasy douche suits, the produce, the humid summer stench and the claustrophobia all contribute to my worries about properly enjoying my life there. Can rest and space be found in a city that never sleeps? Would I ever be able to find balance there?
Maybe the stars just haven't lined up yet, because who knows what the future may hold. I may just end up there. NY will always be my stripper with a heart of gold, metaphorically speaking.
Whether the move ever happens or not, it certainly doesn't change the fact that I happen to have had a few of the best meals in my life there. On this trip, my meals at Jean Georges and Ocean Jewels (dim sum in Flushing) certainly qualified. In fact, they were near flawless and both meals were 10+ courses.
Recently, I've had some friends ask me where I went to eat during this trip and I thought it only appropriate to throw a list out there for everyone. Caution, it's a long list and nothing on it was even remotely close to average. Everything was good if not great making this almost a perfect East coast food trip.

Standouts were: Jean Georges, Caracas, Fleur De Sel, Noodle Village, Ocean Jewel, Big Wong, Porchetta, Blue Ribbon, Ramen Setagaya, O Ya and Aroa

Lots of love to my family, buddy Shi Wen, Nellie and Chad for making it a rocking trip.


DC:

Poste Brasserie
555 8th Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20004

Eastern Market
225 7th St SE
Washington, DC 20003

Matchbox
713 H St NW
Washington, DC 20001

Mark's Duck House
6184 Arlington Blvd # A
Falls Church, VA 22044

NY:

Caracas Arepa Bar
91 E 7th St
New York, NY 10009

Momofuku Ssam Bar
207 2nd Ave New York, NY 10003 more info »
207 2nd Ave
New York, NY 10003

Petrossian Boutique & Cafe
911 7th Ave
New York, NY 10019

Jean Georges Restaurant
1 Central Park W
New York, NY 10023

Fleur De Sel
5 E 20th St New York, NY 10003

Noodle Village Corporation
13 Mott St
New York, NY 10013

Batch
# A 150 W 10th St,
New York, NY 10014

Crumbs Downtown Inc
37 E 8th St
New York, NY 10003

Ramen Setagaya
34-A St. Marks Place
New York, NY 10003

Big Wong King
67 Mott St # A
New York, NY 10013

Ocean Jewel Seafood Restaurant
13330 39th Ave
Flushing, NY 11354

Porchetta
110 East 7th Street
New York, NY 10009

Dumpling Man
100 Saint Marks Pl
New York, NY 10009

Ah Rhee Soo Korean Japanese Cuisine
38 10 138th St, 2nd Floor
Flushing, NY 11354

Tai Pan Bakery
194 Canal St
New York, NY 10013

Boston:

Whiskey Smokehouse
885 Boylston St
Boston, MA 02116

Blue Ribbon Barbeque
910 Massachusetts Ave
Arlington, MA 02476

O Ya Restaurant
9 East St
Boston, MA 02111

Flour Bakery & Cafe
1595 Washington St
Boston, MA 02118

Hei La Moon
88 Beach St.
Boston, MA 02111

Aroa Fine Chocolate
1651 Washington St.
Boston MA 02118

All that and I didn't even list the bars I went to...