Foodie Tour: Sarah Khandjian’s NYC
Published 02/09/2018
Chef Alex Raij is no stranger to taking diners on a culinary journey. Typically, it’s by way of a menu of Basque tapas (known as pintxos) at her Chelsea restaurant Txikito, but she recently joined blogger Sarah Khandjian for a culinary exploration of NYC. Sarah says she traveled from Los Angeles ready “to see and experience a part of NYC that I had never experienced before.” And that she did, as she tasted her way through some of the City’s best bites with Raij. Find out where the two dined and which dish Sarah’s still dreaming of in our itinerary below.
1
Doughnut Plant
1
379 Grand St
What started as a bakery in the basement of a Lower East Side tenement building has turned into a yeasty pastry empire for owner Mark Israel. Twenty years and three NYC locations later, he continues to serve an impressive variety of cake doughnut flavors like oatmeal and matcha green tea as well as filled doughnuts, including the signature crème brûlée.
2
Essex Street Market
2
88 Essex St.
Piles of gourmet and specialty food items line the shelves of this expansive Lower East Side market, which has been in continuous operation since 1940. Shop for fresh produce as well as prepared foods from vendors like Arancini Brothers; Nordic Preserves, Fish & Wildlife; and Formaggio Essex.
3
Fishs Eddy
3
889 Broadway
Find cheeky, quirky and vintage dinnerware at this NYC institution, just north of Union Square. Once you’ve stocked up on kitchen essentials, check out the additional items like books, kitchen decor and tchotchkes, primed for gift-giving.
4
Great N.Y. Noodletown
4
28 Bowery
Rest assured there are plenty of satisfying noodle dishes at this no-nonsense mainstay in Chinatown. Remember to bring cash in order to sample savory dishes like Hong Kong–style lo mein, beef chow fun and roast pork over rice.
5
La Boîte
5
724 Eleventh Ave
Chef Lior Lev Sercarz is a master of spice blending, mixing up custom seasonings for some of the City’s best chefs, including Daniel Boulud and Eric Ripert. Peruse more than 40 spice blends with ingredients from around the world, along with individual spices and a selection of French-style biscuits.
6
Little Canal
6
26 Canal Street
This stylish spot on Canal Street offers Madcap coffee and pastries in the daytime before switching to pours of wine and beer in the evening, complemented by a menu of sandwiches and salads. You can also count on turntable-powered tunes throughout the day.
7
Metrograph
7
7 Ludlow Street
Dine like an old-school moviegoer at this combination restaurant, bar and two-screen theater on the Lower East Side. Before taking your seat to see the latest flick in 35mm, head to the photogenic concession stand stocked with candies and sodas.
8
Txikito
8
240 Ninth Ave.
Pronounced “chi-KEE-toe,” chef Alex Raij’s date-night-ready spot serves up flavorful tapas in a cozy Chelsea dining room. Raij and her husband, fellow chef Eder Montero, offer a menu of Basque-inspired plates like salt cod croquettes, house-cured pork loin and—a favorite of @sarahhearts—squid ribbons with pine-nut purée.
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.