Foodie Tour: Chef Dan Kluger's NYC
Published 04/03/2018
With so many dining options available in New York City, picking a place to eat can be daunting. Ask a James Beard–nominated chef to help, though, and the task becomes much easier. LA-based influencer Mark Wynsma recently experienced that, being led on an NYC culinary tour by Loring Place chef Dan Kluger. Read on for details of Kluger’s restaurant picks, and find some ideas to add to your own dining bucket list.
1
8th. Street Wine Cellar
1
28 West 8th Street
Veteran bartenders Michael Lagnese and Jonny Cohen (both from Union Square Café) joined forces to open this cozy, casual Greenwich Village bar. It has a broad selection of wines (obviously), well-crafted cocktails and artisanal beers. A menu of upscale bar fare complements the drinks.
2
Chelsea Market
2
75 Ninth Ave.
Housed in the former National Biscuit Company factory building (where the Oreo cookie was created), Chelsea Market has been functioning as a high-end food court since 1997. In addition to restaurants and food vendors like Amy’s Bread and Dizengoff, the market holds stores like Posman Books and Bowery Kitchen Supply.
3
Great N.Y. Noodle Town
3
28 Bowery
A brightly lit hole-in-the-wall, Noodle Town is authentic, has quick service, features countless filling noodle options and stays open from 9am to 4am (it’s also cash only). Its Hong Kong–style lo mein with ginger and scallions inspired David Chang to use it as the mother sauce at Momofuku Noodle Bar.
4
Loring Place
4
21 W. 8th St.
This Village spot offers seasonal, vegetable-forward cuisine by chef Dan Kluger. It’s Kluger’s first solo venture, one he uses to spotlight farms and farmers that he has gotten to know over 20 years of frequenting the Union Square Greenmarket.
5
Mimi Cheng’s Dumplings
5
179 Second Ave.
The Taiwanese-style dumplings here have wrappers spread out like butterfly wings, stuffed with pasture-raised chicken and organic zucchini or humanely raised pork with bok choy and cabbage. The “secret” vinegary dipping-sauce recipe is closely guarded by the sibling proprietors, who learned it from their mother, Mimi.
6
PDT
6
113 Saint Marks Place
You’ll enter this intimate speakeasy through an old phone booth inside Crif Dogs, a late-night East Village hangout. Once you gain access, take a seat and order up one of the artfully made cocktails (hot dogs can be brought in from next door).
In partnership with the James Beard Foundation, nycgo.com brings chefs and social-media influencers together to explore the best of culinary NYC. For more features, visit our dining section.