Tag Archives: Upper West Side

Yes, New York is an amazing place to go with kids! So, we put together several kid friendly things to do in New York City to help you out!

There are so many kid friendly things to do in New York City that it can be hard to figure out what to do at first.

If you’re going to the city with kids, it can be even harder.

You might think of New York as the perfect getaway for adults. But, it’s actually set up for kids to have the best time of their lives, and there are many things for kids to do in NYC.

No matter how much time you have in New York, you’re sure to run out of time (and maybe space on your laptop for storing photos if you don’t do a hard drive cleanup before you go!) if you don’t plan ahead and know what you want to do and see.

Here are some of the best things for kids to do in New York City to get your family trip started.

Luna Park

Even though you have to take a 45-minute train ride from midtown Manhattan to get to Luna Park, it’s one of the best things to do in NYC.

Coney Island is known for its fun rides and great street food. While you’re there, don’t forget to try a Nathan’s hot dog or Feltman’s!

There are rides and games for kids and adults of all ages at Luna Park. You can easily spend a whole day there if you don’t plan ahead.

Ellis Island

To get to Ellis Island, you have to take a ferry from Battery Park in Manhattan. It is possible to take a ferry to Ellis Island and then to Liberty Island, where the Statue of Liberty is located.

All immigrants who came to New York did so through Ellis Island, which is now a fascinating museum that tells the stories of the 12 million people who went through the center from 1900 to 1954.

This should be at the top of your list of things to do in New York City with your kids that will both teach them and keep them busy.

Do take a look at an exclusive experience called “Behind The Scenes Tour Of The Abandoned Ellis Island Hospital“! You’ll have access to out of bound spots not offered to the general public that visits Ellis Island! Note: This is recommended to older kids.

The Statue of Liberty

Seeing the Statue of Liberty should be at the top of any New York City visitor’s to-do list. It’s not too difficult to get to because, like Ellis Island, you can take a ferry from Battery Park to get there.

Get to the top of the Crown, if you can. In addition to the amazing scenery, you’ll also get to tick that off your bucket list.

However, keep in mind that you need to be 48 inches tall to go up that high, and there are, as you might think, many narrow steps to climb.

The Statue of Liberty Museum is another must-visit since it houses the historic torch from the statue itself, which measures 16 feet in height, among other artifacts.

Oh, and during the summer, an amazing activity is the jetski ride on the Hudson River! It’s definitely a memorable experience!

New York Transit Museum

Anything different is sure to keep kids very busy. The New York Transit Museum could do very well as a different thing to do in NYC.

It’s in a building that used to be a subway station, so you have to go underground to get there, which is always fun.

Once you get there, you’ll be able to look at old subway trains and even sit in the driver’s seat. You’ll also be able to learn as much as you can about how the huge subway system that so many New Yorkers and tourists use today got started.

It’s a small museum that you can see in about an hour. So, it’s a great place to stop on any day of your trip.

Here to can read more about it and a few other under the radar museums in NYC!

The American Museum of Natural History

The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) is a great place to take the kids if you want to figure out what to do in NYC with them.

It is 150 years old and has lots of interesting things to look at that will keep everyone busy for hours.

There are some high-tech things to do, like 3D exhibits, but you can also see some amazing real-world things, like the t-rex skeleton and the famous, huge blue whale model.

Kids ages 5 to 12 can learn how to put dinosaur bones together and do a lot more in the Discovery Room.

Jane’s Carousel

No one can refuse a spin on an old-fashioned carousel at the carnival.

Jane’s Carousel in Empire-Fulton Ferry Park (near the Brooklyn Bridge) is always a terrific time, so be sure to include it in your itinerary when visiting New York City.

Everyone knows about this carousel. It’s one of the last remaining classic carousels, having been constructed in 1922.

It’s a great time, it still operates flawlessly, and it’s a historic piece of New York.

And, not far from Dumbo, be sure to check out Domino Park that was renovated not that long ago. There’s an amazing view of Manhattan, a beautiful wall by the river, food vendors, some activities and sports area.

Photo Credits: @BehindTheScenesNYC and Courtesy of New York Transit Museum

Celebrity-Owned Restaurants in NYC

August 24, 2022

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City Secrets Curiosities Dining Our Bucket Lists No Comments

Check out some of the coolest celebrity-owned restaurants in NYC! There are so many amazing places to eat, so let us help you with some top recommendations!

Today we will share with you 5 amazing celebrity-owned restaurants in NYC for you to check out!

We all know that New York is one of America’s top culinary capitals boasting of a variety of cuisines and many Michelin-starred restaurants.

Whether you fancy traditional dining or want to try avant-garde dishes, there are many places in the metropolis where you can go.

It’s no wonder that celebrities also dabble in restaurants, for very few places in the world can compare to the culinary scene that unfolds in the city that never sleeps.

Here are celebrity-owned restaurants that you should try the next time you’re in NYC.

Joanne Trattoria

NYC has its share of old and historic restaurants that you can explore to appreciate the city’s incredible food scene.

However, for those who just want a traditional eatery, the Italian American restaurant, Joanne Trattoria, is a place to consider.

It is owned by the parents of celebrity Lady Gaga and cookbook author Art Smith. The latter was the former chef of American talk show host Oprah Winfrey.

The restaurant itself is named after Gaga’s aunt, Joanne. Located just a short walk from the American Folk Art Museum, the homey trattoria features traditional Italian dishes such as spaghetti and meatballs, gnocchi, and pizzas.

The aim of the restaurant is to offer classic and delicious Italian fare in a family-style place.

Location: 70 West 68^th Street, Upper West Side
http://www.joannenyc.com

Nobu Downtown and TriBeCa Grill

Japanese chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, Hollywood actor Robert de Niro, and businessman Meir Teper are the forces behind the success of 50 gourmet restaurants and 13 luxury hotels.

The men were at the helm of their ventures since 1994.

Thanks to the fusion cuisine that combines South American ingredients with traditional Japanese recipes, the renowned brand has won the hearts of diners all over the world.

Chef Matsuhisa is famous for his black cod with miso sauce and Hokusetsu premium sake

Location: 195 Broadway, Financial District
https://www.noburestaurants.com/downtown

In addition to the high-end brand, de Niro has also a stake in Tribeca Grill, a barbecue restaurant with an award-winning wine list and a great spot for people-watching.

His partner in this venture is Drew Nieporent, a famous NYC restaurateur.

Location: 375 Greenwich Street, TriBeCa
https://www.tribecagrill.com

The 40/40 Club

Just a stone’s throw away from Madison Square is the luxury sports bar, The 40/40 Club. Co-owned by American rapper and hip-hop mogul, Jay-Z, the club features gigantic plasma screens and private lounges.

It first opened in NYC in 2003 and since then has expanded to other locations including Brooklyn and the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

The club borrows its name from baseball’s 40/40 club which is composed of player who have hit 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in one baseball season.

To date, only four Major League Baseball (MLB) players belong to this exclusive club.

Meanwhile, if you’re planning to check out the joint, expect scrumptious appetizers, sliders, and salads.

Location: 6 West 25th Street, Flatiron District
https://the4040club.com

Mermaid Oyster Bar

For oyster lovers, Zach Braff’s restaurant is the place to go because it features 16 amazing and delicious varieties of oysters.

Chef Laurence Edelman who is a friend of Braff since he was 13 years old co-owns the place with the American actor and filmmaker best known for his role as JD in Scrubs.

The joint is also known for its lobster rolls and ‘oyster happy hours.’ You can find the upscale seafood place at Greenwich Village.

Whether it’s for fame, money, or simply passion, celebs who opened restaurants on their own or with partners in NYC are offering diners different dining experiences.

It’s also an opportunity to see other luminaries who patronize their eating places.

Location: 89 MacDougal Street, Greenwich Village
https://www.themermaidnyc.com

Credits: Courtesy of Jay Wennington and all restaurants

Shark Exhibition at AMNH Takes A Bite Out Of The Big Apple

January 15, 2022

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We are huge fans of the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH)! Today we came to share about the Shark Exhibition that is a great attraction to visit and enjoy!

Sharks are incredibly interesting creatures that have captivated the minds and imaginations of artists, writers, and scientists for centuries.

Up through August 14, 2022, the American Museum of Natural History will be holding an exhibit dedicated exclusively to these fascinating marine animals.

This article will explore the AMNH’s Shark Exhibit in great detail:

The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH)

The American Museum of Natural History is one of New York’s oldest museums, first constructed in 1874 and opened in 1877. The museum is located in Theodore Roosevelt Park, a stone’s throw from Central Park.

The museum’s complex comprises over 20 buildings, housing 45 permanent exhibitions. There is also a planetarium and a library, the latter of which is usually open to the public but due to the pandemic, is currently closed.

The museum’s collection includes over 30 million specimens, ranging from plants to fossils.

It collection also includes human remains and cultural artifacts. One of the museum’s most popular permanent exhibits is the Silk Road, where one can find artifacts from across ancient Asia.

Tickets to the American Natural History Museum are very affordable. Concessions are also offered to children, students, and the elderly.

Sharks Exhibition

The exhibit, Sharks, which opened to the public on Wednesday, December 15, is dedicated to sharks, ancient and modern.

It will give visitors an opportunity to learn about some of nature’s most misunderstood animals, which are often characterized as killing machines. Sharks features fossils, life-sized models, and interactive learning exhibits.

As a side note, it is possible to purchase shark fossils online.

One cannot bring the Sharks exhibit home, but it is possible for one to purchase one’s own shark fossils and recreate the exhibit!

What’s to be Learned?

Some of the things you will learn about at the exhibit include what makes sharks unique, with media displays showcasing sharks’ various attributes, including their cartilage-based skeletons and their anatomies.

Also included will be information about the diversity of shark species. There are over 500 species of sharks, yet most people only seem to know about Great Whites and Tiger sharks.

The exhibit will also give people an opportunity to learn about the relationship between humans and sharks. The exhibit’s aim is to stamp out the misconception that sharks are inherently violent creatures, that want to hurt humans.

In fact, the exhibit shows that humans are far more dangerous to sharks than they are to us.

The exhibit is now open to the public and can be found on the third floor of Gallery 3. Timed entry is required, so you will need to book your ticket and arrive at the time that is provided in your booking email.

Tickets to this exhibition are selling out fast, so if you want to stand a chance at getting in you need to book your tickets sooner rather than later. You might find that if you leave it too late, there will be no tickets available for you to purchase.

After enjoying the Shark Exhibition, be sure to walk around the other exhibition at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH)! You’ll literally be able to spend hours there!

If you want to grab a bit, before heading to your next stop, stop by the Tavern on the Green, an iconic restaurant inside Central Park, or the Peruvian Pio Pio, of the famous pizza spot Motorino.

Museum COVID Policies

If you’re planning on visiting the Sharks exhibit, you’ll need to follow the museum’s COVID-19 health and safety requirements.

These include wearing facial coverings for the entirety of your visit, for all visitors two and up. And, maintaining a distance of six feet from others outside of your group.

You must also be fully vaccinated in order to enter. Personal identification for visitors 18 and over, as well as proof of vaccination, is required for entry. It is also asked that all visitors follow directions from the museum’s staff and security guards. Pathways have been coordinated in order to reduce people’s contact with each other.

You must also postpone your visit if you have symptoms of COVID-19, have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 14 days. Or, if you have been in contact with somebody who has been infected with COVID-19 within the past 14 days. In addition, you are asked to use hand sanitizer which is available at numerous stations throughout the building.

If you are exempt from being vaccinated or wearing a mask, it is advised that you contact the Museum directly in order to determine whether you will be permitted entry or not.

New York is not very lenient as far as exemptions are concerned, with many of the city’s shops, restaurants, and public venues not permitting anybody who isn’t vaccinated, regardless of exemption status. Do your research beforehand if you aren’t vaccinated so you can avoid hassles upon arrival.

Sharks are some of the world’s most enigmatic creatures. The American Natural History Museum’s latest exhibit hopes to shed some light on them, giving people a true insight into what these incredible creatures are really like. It’s not something that you will want to miss.

Photo Credit: Courtesy
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MET Opera on Demand & Nightly Met Opera Streams

March 24, 2020

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Culture & Music Entertainment No Comments

Take a look at the MET Opera on Demand & Nightly Met Opera Streams! From free streaming options, to over 700 on demand performances you’ll have it all directly in your home!

We are very passionate about cultural activities in New York City and the MET Opera has incredible online content as well.

These are great opportunities for you to experience the MET Opera’s FREE Live Streams!

There are over 700 breathtaking on demand performances that you’ll be able to watch from the comfort of you home!

Take a look below to learn a little more about each of these options!

Nightly Met Opera Streams

During this extraordinary and difficult time, the Met hopes to brighten the lives of our audience members even while our stage is dark.

Each day, a different encore presentation from the company’s Live in HD series is being made available for free streaming on the Met website, with each performance available for a period of 23 hours, from 7:30 p.m. EDT until 6:30 p.m. the following day.

The schedule will include outstanding complete performances from the past 14 years of cinema transmissions, starring all of opera’s greatest singers.

The streams are also available through the Met Opera on Demand apps for Apple, Amazon, and Roku devices and Samsung Smart TV.

In addition, to access them without logging in, click “Browse and Preview” in the apps for connected TV, and “Explore the App” on tablets and mobile devices.

Support the Met and Protect its Future

Hundreds of thousands of people have been tuning in daily to our free performance streams. Many of them have kindly been asking how they can help the Met during this economically perilous time.

In response, we have added a “Donate Now” link! We thank you for your help.

MET Opera on Demand

From old-school legends to today’s great stars, experience more than 700 full-length Met performances with our online streaming service. Free apps available for Amazon Fire TV and Tablet, iPad, iPhone, Apple TV, Android, Roku, and Samsung Smart TV.

Engaging and helpful user features

Multi-language subtitles, track listings with aria names and artists, your personal list of Favorites, and Resume Watching feature to pick up right where you left off (even on a different device).

Moreover, if you’re not sure, you can do a 7-day trial and see if you enjoy it, before committing! But, we’re sure you’ll fall in love with this opportunity!

So, check out the different On Demand options!

www.metopera.org

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Jonathan Tichler / Met Opera

25 Most Iconic And Instagrammable Movie Locations In NYC

August 19, 2019

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Can you name right away 3 movies that were filmed in New York City? I’m positive you can, since there is an infinite list for you to remember from. So, take a look at the 25 most iconic and Instagrammable movie locations in NYC for you to visit!

Myself and so many other people call New York “one of the best cities in the world”, and I think Hollywood thinks the same! Hahaha!

Besides, countless people come to NY in search of these places to take pictures at and share on their Instagram, right? At least, I get many messages of people asking for them!

So, with that in mind, I decided to start with a small list of the 25 most iconic and Instagrammable movie locations in NYC.

Take a look at video above to check some out. As well as the description of each below!

#1 Coyote Ugly – Coyote Ugly (2000)

Our Bucket Lists showing the 25 Most Iconic and Instagrammable Movie Locations in NYC Coyote Ugly — Piper Perabo (right), as Violet sings on the bar with Maria Bell, as Lil. Photo Credit: Coyote Ugly (2000)

Inspired by a famous Lower East Side bar, Coyote Ugly Saloon that opened its doors in January of 1993, the bar is where Violet Sanford (played by Piper Perabo) starts working when moving to NYC.

Closer to the end of the movie, Piper stand on top of the bar and starts singing to stop a massive fight that took over the entire place, because of her jealous boyfriend. What a mess!

The music she sings is “One Way or Another” by Blondie.

A bit more about its story:

On January 27th, 1993, the Coyote Ugly Saloon first opened its doors to the public.
A few years later, I had perfected my bar and Coyote Ugly Saloon quickly established itself in the hearts of New Yorkers as their preeminent drinking establishment. It gained national attention in early 1997 when a story called “The Muse of the Coyote Ugly Saloon” written by former Coyote bartender Elizabeth Gilbert for GQ magazine: shined a spotlight on the little bar in the East Village.
Shortly after that, Hollywood came knocking and the movie rights to Lil’s story were sold. “Coyote Ugly” opened in August 2000, starring Piper Perabo and Maria Bello. It has grossed over $100 million and a worldwide audience quickly learned what the phrase “We don’t serve water here!” meant.

Location: 153 1st Avenue

#2 Grand Central Terminal – Friends with Benefits (2011)

Our-Bucket-Lists-25-Most-Iconic-and-Instagrammable-Movie-Locations-in-NYC-Grand-Central-Terminal — Grand Central Terminal ©Behind the Scenes NYC

There are countless films featuring Grand Central Terminal. Popular films like Men in Black are well known.

As well as the romantic comedy, Friends with Benefits (2011), where Justin Timberlake sings, as an apology, for Mila Kunis with a huge flash mob. They also shoot at a window table at Pershing Square, just across the street, underneath the Pershing Bridge | Park Avenue Viaduct, on East 42nd Street.

Other movies date back to the 1940’s like the Alfred Hitchcock’s psychological thriller, Spellbound (1945).

Location: 89 East 42nd Street

#3 New York Public Library – Sex & The City (2008)

Our Bucket Lists showing the 25 Most Iconic and Instagrammable Movie Locations in NYC New York Public Library — New York Public Library ©Behind the Scenes NYC

Probably one of my favorite spots in the city!

The New York Public Library was the background of epic movies like Ghostbusters (1984) and even the Sex and the City (2008) scene, where Carrie Bradshaw (a.k.a. Sarah Jessica Parker) is left practically at the altar by Big. What a *beep*!

Location: 476 5th Avenue

#4 The Plaza Hotel – Home Alone 2 (1992)

Our Bucket Lists showing the 25 Most Iconic and Instagrammable Movie Locations in NYC The Plaza Hotel — The Plaza Hotel ©Behind the Scenes NYC

The Plaza Hotel is one of the most gorgeous and traditional hotels in New York City. It’s been featured in, for example, the 2^nd Season of Sex and the City.

But, was surely highlighted on the 1992 film, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.

Who doesn’t remember of Macaulay Culkin walking into the hotel…and bumping to Donald Trump. Yikes!

A bit of history now:

Did you know that the hotel has a “first version” that started construction in 1883, the owners ran out of money, new ones took over the hotel opened in 1890.

BUT, the curious thing is: in 1905 other owners demolished the entire building to start a bigger project costing back then $12.5 million dollars.

In less that 2 years, The Plaza, as we know today, was ready! The hotel formally opened to guests in 1907 and boasted with almost 20 super luxurious floors with 282 breathtaking rooms.

Location: 768 5th Avenue

#5 Queensboro Bridge – Manhattan (1979)

Our Bucket Lists showing the 25 Most Iconic and Instagrammable Movie Locations in NYC Manhattan Woody Allen Queensboro Bridge — Mary, played by Diane Keaton, and Woody Allen, as Isaac. ©Manhattan (1979)

This is surely a classic!

Woody Allen made this secluded spot almost under the Queensboro Bridge, called Sutton Place Park North, one of the most romantic spots in town.

This memorable scene was shot with Mary (played by the talented Diane Keaton) and Woody Allen himself, as Isaac – on the waterfront of the East River, at a very late hour.

As Woody said: “Boy, this is really a great city. I don’t care what anyone says. It’s really a knockout, you know?”

And, don’t you agree!? We do!

Location: 12 Sutton Square

#6 Lexington Avenue – The Seven Year Itch (1955)

One of the most photographed corners in Manhattan, is located on Lexington Avenue with 52^nd Street. Why?

Well, here the beautiful Marilyn Monroe wow’ed the world, with that famous skirt-blowing scene! Remember? She’s walking on the subway grates, when….tchan tchan tchan, the air blew it up for the delight of every men around.

This memorable scene was shot in front of a current restaurant called Le Relais de Venise l’Entrecote.

Location: Lexington Avenue with 52^nd Street

And still, SO many other famous, blockbuster movies and series have been filmed in our beautiful New York City!

Feast of San Genaro – The Godfather Part II (1974)
Grand Central Terminal | Chrysler Building | Midtown – The Avengers (2012)
Café Lalo | Zabar’s | Riverside Park – You’ve got Mail (1998)
Verrazano Narrows Bridge | Bay Ridge, BK – Saturday Night Fever (1977)
Central Park | Tavern on the Green | The Dakota – New York, I Love You (2008)
Times Square – Birdman (2014)
Katz’s Delicatessen – When Harry met Sally (1989)
American Museum of Natural History | Central Park – Night at the Museum (2006)
The walking piano at FAO Schwarz (now with a new location) – Big (1988)
Tiffany 5^th Avenue – Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
Park Slope, BK | Boathouse at Prospect Park – The Age of Innocence (1993)
Current Lincoln Center on Upper West Side – West Side Story (1961)

Phiuf! And the list goes on, and on!

If you know more movies, share with us on the comments below! We’d love to know!

Lastly, if you enjoyed this post about the 25 most iconic and Instagrammable movie locations in NYC, you might also want to take a look at “10 Top Secrets Of New York City That You Probably Don’t Know“.

Photo Credits: ©Behind the Scenes NYC
Videography: Black3 Agency
Beauty: Leila Soldeira
Styling: Camilla Adão
*Last Update on March/2020.*

Pio Pio Restaurant: A Delicious Peruvian Surprise

November 20, 2018

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Dining No Comments

To kick off the evening, the birthday girl ordered a sangria pitcher and crispy calamari for everyone. Meanwhile I checked the menu at Pio Pio Restaurant to figure out what Peruvian food really was.

Dining Pio Pio Restaurant Several Dishes

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I love birthday celebrations! This time was my roommate’s bday and she decided to have dinner at a Peruvian restaurant in the Upper West Side. She always talked about Pio Pio, but I never had the chance to visit the place.

Actually, I was dreaming of it because of all the good things she and her friends kept telling me. I knew in advance Pio Pio had the best Salchipapas in town. Or, sausage with fries, and I was ready to try it out!

We were in a big group of friends so we made a reservation. I do recommend it, if you are with a big party, as well.

Strategically located on a street corner with a green façade and red signs with their name, the restaurant definitely surprised me! The venue was infinitely more beautiful and elegant than I had imagined.

I saw people from all around the world enjoying great Peruvian food and the place was so charming!

We sat right across a gorgeous brick wall with countless colorful paintings. Every art work was truly spectacular. They portrayed a Peruvian kids in the country side and really called my attention! And, amongst the kids, was a huge vertical painting of Our Lady, Mary.

So, to kick off the evening, the birthday girl ordered sangria pitchers and crispy calamari for everyone. Meanwhile, I checked the menu to figure out what Peruvian food actually looked like. Well, I found plenty of dishes made out of pollo – chicken and seafood.

After chatting a lot while drinking sangria, it was time to eat. Yay, my favorite time!! I shared a dish named Matador combo (Killer combo) with a friend, and it really was to die for. It was a preparation of rotisserie chicken served with yellow rice, avocado salad, red beans, tostones and the highly anticipated, salchipapas.

OMG, I loved it! I actually felt at home, since it was like comfort food to me. Other people ordered seafood dishes which all looked and smelled terrific!

For dessert we had tres leches – a traditional Latin sweet, flan – like a caramel custard, and Piononos – a roll cake filled with dulce de leche. I’m craving it all over again…

The experience I had at Pio Pio was really fantastic. And you can experience it too! Oh! And you can find at least one Pio Pio in each NYC borough.

If you enjoy Peruvian food, or if you’d like to try other cuisines like Mexican try Tijuana Picnic and the Latin American inspired cuisine, Colonia Verde.

Hours: Each location has different operating hours, so please check online.

Locations:
702 Amsterdam Avenue, Upper West Side, Manhattan
84-02 Northern Boulevard, Jackson Heights, Queens
282 Kings Highway, Gravesend, Brooklyn
264 Cypress Avenue, Mot Haven, Bronx

www.piopio.com

Text by our Contributor: Rafaela Azevedo
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Pio Pio Restaurant
*Last Update on Feb/2020.*

Motorino Pizzeria: An Authentic Taste Of Naples Outside Italy

October 24, 2018

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Dining No Comments

Motorino offers a large variety of delicious pizzas on its menu, besides other dishes aside from pizza. Clams, meatballs, salads… When I went there I wanted try the Napoletana pizza style. Like that proverb says: “When in Rome do as the Romans do”.

Dining Motorino Pizza Façade Upper West Side

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I love pizza! I suppose you do too. The Upper West Side is one of my favorite neighborhoods in the city and I truly enjoy to hang out there.

One day, after running some errands I got really hungry. I decided to look for a cool spot to have a nice meal. That was when I saw a place with a small line outside that intrigued me. I looked inside and it was small, but it was also cozy and inviting. “I’m gonna have pizza for lunch today”, I thought to myself.

As soon as I walked inside Motorino I was greeted. The décor was simple with some frames on the wall, marble tables, steel chairs. Pretty simple, yet comfortable.

A highlight was the brick-oven. Brick-oven pizzas are the best, in my opinion, and at Motorino all doughs are baked in house. I noticed the guests were really diverse. Some were alone, other in couples, while some had children. It’s definitely a family-friendly place.

The venue offers a large variety of delicious pizzas, but you can find other dishes besides pizza, as well. Clams, meatballs, salads… I was craving to try their Napoletana pizza style. As the proverb says: “When in Rome do as the Romans do”. In this case, we’d switch Rome for Naples…

After a while trying to pick the best option to kill my hunger, I ordered a traditional Margherita.

It’s made with both Pecorino and Mozzarella cheeses. The crust was terrific and the sauce very tasty and balanced. It was cut into 4 regular slices. So, depending on how hungry you are you could eat it alone or share with a friend.

I was able to eat 3 slices that day and I took the leftover home, of course. It was delicious! I didn’t have alcohol, but they have a decent selection of beers and wine to pair. I knew it wouldn’t be long until I’d come back …and I did.

A month later I returned with my roommate. This time I ordered the Soppressata Piccante. Soppressata is an Italian dry salami and it’s picante (aka spicy) because the pizza comes with chili flakes on it. I was really anxious to check how that combination would come out. Result: I loved it! I shared it with my roomie that loved it too.

The Napoletana style pizza was approved! Yum! To finish the meal in style, we ordered Tiramisu for desert. Fantastic! I love Italian food in general and Motorino really knows how to prepare them.

If you don’t live close enough to the Upper West Side or that neighborhood is simply not your cup of tea, Motorino has 2 more locations across town – a 2^nd in Manhattan and one in Brooklyn.

So, if you’re craving great, traditional Italian pizza, give it a shot and share with us what you chose from the menu. For other great pizza spots in New York you might also want to try Roberta’s in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

For corporate event requests, contact our experts!

Locations:
Upper West Side – 510 Columbus Avenue
East Village – 349 East 12th Street
Williamsburg, Brooklyn – 139 Broadway

Hours (Manhattan):
Sunday – Thursday: 11am – Midnight
Friday & Saturday: 11am – 1am

Hours (Brooklyn):
Sunday – Thursday: 11:30am – 11:30pm
Friday & Saturday: 11:30am – 12:30am

https://www.motorinony.com

Text by our Contributor: Rafaela Azevedo
Photo Credit: Courtesy Nick Solares for Motorino, and Motorino
*Last Update on Feb/2020.*

36 Brazilian Restaurants in New York That You Have To Try

September 25, 2018

BTSNYC

Dining Our Bucket Lists No Comments

The New York food scenes is certainly overwhelming and you can eat practically anything you crave. We decided to immerse ourselves in the Brazilian culinary world and put together a beautiful list of 36 Brazilian restaurants in New York!

Yes, New York has it all when it comes to food and culinary experiences! And, it’s quite tough to know which restaurant to go next, since options are endless.

Since our Founder, Fê, is Brazilian, we decided to dedicate this post list all the best Brazilian restaurants in New York and a few other food businesses! And, of course, to all of our beautiful Brazilian readers!!!

We listed below 36 of the best spots to have Brazilian food and treats, spread throughout the boroughs of: Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. This list was done with the help of Yum City, NY.

So, if you enjoy the Brazilian culture, food, music and lifestyle & vibe, take a look below to pick where you’re going to explore next! It’s also a fantastic list if you want to know where to eat in New York on a budget!

Have fun in your immersion into the Brazilian culinary world!

In Manhattan:

Manhattan is the home of some of the best Brazilian spots. From restaurants in energetic neighborhoods like Greenwich Village, to bakeries, specialty stores and all you can eat upscale restaurants.

But, if you’re in New York on a budget, don’t worry, we have a great variety of places for everyone!

#1 Berimbau do Brasil

We love Berimbau do Brazil and we’ve written about them before. So, let’s refresh your memory and you can see a YouTube video at Berimbau we shot with Mario, the owner!

Berimbau do Brasil has been one of the small and trendy Brazilian spots in the Greenwich Village, since 2009. The restaurant is named after a very popular Brazilian instrument called “berimbau”, that has African roots and is used in the capoeira martial arts dance.

The restaurant is small, cozy, with a rustic décor, and great service (as most Brazilian spots have), plus, the food is truly fantastic. It’s loved not only by the meat eaters, but also vegetarians. Portions are very generous, so feel free to share different dishes and try a bit of it all.

What to try? The acarajé, Pão de Queijo (cheese bread) and pastel (a type of Brazilian empanada), as appetizers. For the mains, we love the picadinho carioca, bobó de camarão, the famous feijoada and the moqueca à Baiana. Dessert? The brigadeiro, of course – a chocolate truffle sweet loved by all Brazilians.

Location: 43 Carmine Street

www.berimbaunyc.com

#2 Tap NYC

Tap NYC opened not too long ago, on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and has been attracting clients from all over the city, as well as visitors. With delicious variations of the famous tapioca – a starch extracted from cassava root, originally from the Northeastern part of Brazil – it’s become a to-go spot.

As they explain: “Tapioca is gluten-free, sodium-free, fat-free, and cholesterol free, with no added preservatives!” Sounds perfect, right?

The place is great, décor is bright and spacious!

Tapioca options vary from countless savory ones, to sweet ones. Plus, they still offer, salads, Brazilian bites, açai bowls, matcha drinks, juices, smoothies, teas. And, of course, great coffee like every true Brazilian loves.

Location: 267 Columbus Avenue

www.tapnyc.com

#3 Padoca Bakery

When you walk inside Padoca Bakery, a traditional Brazilian bakery, you are immediately absorbed by an incredibly irresistible smell of fresh baked goods!

Located in the Upper East Side, the place has great natural lighting, that is certainly a highlight. Their menu is fantastic for a quick breakfast, to a filling and healthy lunch. They have fresh pastries done in-house, savory ones too, cookies, brownies and açai bowls. Coffee is very good too!

In addition they also offer catering services and whole cakes for special celebrations, also freshly baked! We love the bolo de coco that is a very fluffy and moist coconut cake! Yum!

To read more about them, check out this post we’ve done!

Location: 359 East 68th Street

http://padocabakery.com

#4 Fogo de Chão

Ah! This is for the big carnivores out there! Fogo de Chão is one of the most famous and respected churrascarias in Brazil.

They’ve also gained international recognition “exporting” a great team of Brazilian meat experts to run the overseas locations. It is said that only their Brazilian team touches and cuts the meat since there is a special way to accentuate its flavor by doing so.

The side dishes are also to die for, from the arroz caipira (a type of rice), to the fantastic salad table with everything you can ever imagine eating.

The meat is served in a “rodizio” style, that means that you pay a fix price and eat as much as you’d like.

Waiters pass by the table with different meat options and you can choose the ones you’d like to try, or reorder more of the same. After you’re satisfied, you just signal you’re done by flipping a paper coin (one side is green meaning you want to be served / the other is red that means you’re done).

Location: 40 West 53rd Street

https://fogodechao.com

#5 Casa Restaurant

We love places that are able to host only a very small number of guests at a time. The intimate space definitely makes it an amazing experience.

Casa Restaurant, located in the West Village, is one of these great spots. With a very traditional Brazilian menu, they offer some of the best Brazilian comfort-food selection.

As appetizers, our top picks are the: pão de queijo, pastéis (or empanadas) and mandioca frita (yucca sticks).

A great dish to start from, if you’ve never tried Brazilian food, is the well-known Feijoada – black bean stew with prime meats served with white rice, fresh oranges, collard greens, farofa and vinaigrette sauce.

Their sandwiches, also very typical, are fantastic. Which ones to pick? Try starting with the bauru de carne made with pita bread, steak, melted cheese, lettuce and tomatoes.

Now, if you enjoy a good cocktail, the traditional caipirinha (cachaça, sugar and lime) is always our cocktail choice.

Location: 72 Bedford Street

www.casarestaurant.com

#6 Empórium Brasil

Located in the heart of Manhattan, Empórium Brasil’s food has been compared, by Brazilians, to their mom’s or grandma’s food. Always a good nostalgic feeling, for sure!

They are known for having a great service and very friendly staff. Definitely a plus, right?!

As always, never skip ordering the appetizers. They are very unique and delicious.

One of their top signature dishes are the short ribs, but we particularly love the famous camarão na moranga. This is a quite unique dish made from fresh acorn squash stuffed with shrimp, hearts of palm and catupiry cheese. Yes, this is one of the top Brazilian dishes that is considered a “national passion”! Very, very flavorful.

The vatapá is also a great pick. It’s a typical dish from Bahia, a state in the Northeastern part of the country. It’s basically made with purée of bread crumbs and smoked shrimp with peanuts and cashews flavored with coconut milk and palm oil.

Their menu is very diverse, with everything from grilled steak and poultry, to seafood and pastas, but you can’t really go wrong.

Location: 15 West 46th Street

http://emporiumbrasil.com

#7 Oca

UNFORTUNATELY THIS RESTAURANT IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED!

We love Tapioca! Why? As Oca, located in the neighborhood of NoLita, says: it’s gluten, dairy, GMO, preservatives, fat, sugar, cholesterol and guilt FREE!

All the ingredients used at Oca organic and very fresh, purchased from local farmers. Hence, many ingredients are seasonal, but that just makes it more exciting.

Besides the tapioca crepes, they have appetizers like the famous pão de queijo, a few different salads, a few wraps, the to-die-for açai bowls and some tasty desserts. Plus, they offer not only Vegetarian option, but Vegan ones too!

To drink, their cashew nut shakes are delicious and we like the avocado one, or apple + cinnamon. Like every good Brazilian, coffee is a biggy. They have a good variation. The Hot Vegan Nocciolata is an interesting pick!

Location: Their Mott Street store is closed. Stay tuned for updates on their new secret location, still to come.

#8 Cafe Patoro

This café, located step from the Brooklyn Bridge, in the East part of the Financial District, also known as South Seaport, is a great upscale option to go for breakfast, lunch or an afternoon snack.

The place is well-known for the love for the famous Pão de Queijo (PDQ). They explain what it is: “PDQ is a small gluten-free cheese-bread roll. Featuring a perfect balance of crispy outside and chewy inside, PDQs are the most delectable when hot, right out of the oven.” It’s actually hard to explain, so I guess you’ll have to get one and try!

They offer a few variations of the mini PDQ sandwiches, something that is not so easy to find in New York City. This is surely one of the specialties you must try.

For the bigger bites, try the empanadas, the Brazilian grilled cheese and the corn bread.

Talking about sweets, we are fans of the brigadeiro cake – a variation made from the famous brigadeiro, a type of chocolate truffle made with condensed milk. Also try the flan and the carrot cake.

Location: 223 Front Street

www.cafepatoro.com

#9 Brigadeiro Bakery

Opened in 2014, this SoHo sweet shop offers 17 different flavors of Brigadeiros truffles, including passion fruit, coffee, dulce de leche and Oreo.

It’s a snug space with minimal seating, but it’s open seven days a week. So, you’ve got plenty of time to stop by in case the lines are too long.

If you’re going to celebrate a special date, they offer great catering services, as well as beautiful packaging or gifts. And trust us: it will be the best gift ever!

They offer a free brigadeiro when you check in on Yelp too! Ha!

Location: 156 Sullivan Street

www.brigadeirobakery.com

#10 Churrascaria Plataforma

Churrascaria Plataforma, located in the Theater District, is called the The New York Yankees of Brazilian Steakhouses. Raved about by legions of fans and the best known food critics.

A New York Daily News writer once wrote:

“I’ve been asked a lot over the course of the year which New York restaurants I’d be most likely to visit out of personal choice rather than professional responsibility. The name I heard myself uttering in response, more than any other, was Churrascaria Plataforma.”

As they explain: “Churrascaria (choo-rah-scah-ree-ah) is the name used to describe a restaurant that serves meat, mostly grilled. A rodízio style restaurant uses the method of serving different cuts of meat that originated in the south of Brazil in the early 1800s.”

If you love to experiment with drinks, go to their bar and let the waiter guide you through the options!

Location: 316 West 49th Street

https://plataformaonline.com

#11 Favela Cubana

A Brazilian-Cuban hybrid in the Greenwich Village.

As they share on their website, Favela Cubana is a place where food, music and culture converge.

Brazil’s frango Ipanema and Cuba’s arroz con pollo are amongst the delicacies featured on the menu, and fresh tropical cocktails such as their tantalizing “orange basil mojito” highlight the fully stocked bar.

It’s a great mixture of two fantastic cultures: Brazilian and Cuban! The result: Festival, for sure!

Go check them out and let us know your thoughts!

Location: 543 LaGuardia Place

www.favelacubana.com

#12 Via Brasil

Via Brasil has been serving authentic Brazilian fare since 1978, so you have to assume they make some pretty delicious food. Located in Midtown West, it’s a quite easy commute coming from different parts of the city.

Robert Sietsema, from Eater’s, exclaimed that: “rarely has New York seen such a lush rendition” of the feijoada, the Brazilian national dish. Sietsema also noted that the Brazilian restaurant is “a notable paragon of relaxed dining, a place where you can feel like you’re on vacation.”

You’re able to find everything from the heavier dishes, like the Feijoada, to lighter ones with seafood. So, there is something for everyone, regardless of your daily-crave.

Location: 34 West 46th Street

www.viabrasilrestaurant.com

#13 Ipanema

Also located in Midtown West, Ipanema gets raves for its bitoque and picanha steak dishes.

The bitoque, a Portuguese staple, is an aged New York strip cooked in a garlic and beer sauce and topped with a fried egg. The picanha is an aged top sirloin served on a sizzling platter.

Drooling already? We are!

They explain that: “Brazil is a rich well of culinary diversity, blending the ingredients and techniques of the native South Americans with the cooking techniques of its Portuguese, African and Asian immigrants.”

Ipanema is in the heart of New York City’s Little Brazil Street. The restaurant’s owners are not shy about the quality of their food and claim to run the best Brazilian restaurant “in all of New York City.”

Location: 43 West 46th Street

http://ipanemanyc.com

#14 Zebú Grill

UNFORTUNATELY THIS RESTAURANT IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED!

Located in the Upper East Side, Zebú Grill features a meat-heavy menu and specializes in churrasco dishes and caipirinha cocktails.

Their standout meals are the ultra-tender carne cozida beef dish and the feijoada, a plate of lean cuts of beef, pork & sausages in a black bean stew accompanied by rice, collard greens & farofa.

Try sides the banana milanesa (fried bananas – so good!), the farofa and the vinagrete.

But, you’ll be able to choose from the menu great traditional options that are very typical in the Brazilian cuisine!

A terrific spot for family dinners or a low-key date night.

Location: 305 E 92nd Street

#15 Samba Kitchen & Bar

This casual Hell’s Kitchen Brazilian venue features traditional Brazilian fare & cocktails, plus live bands in a cozy ambiance. The yucca fries, feijoada and picanha get a lot of love from the clientele.

Clients have said “who doesn’t want to eat, drink and listen to live music at the same time?!” They do have a point, right?

Live music happens every Wednesday night and Sunday brunch, in case you were wondering! Oh! And there is no cover charge!

Location: 661 9th Avenue

www.sambakitchenbar.com

#16 Petisco Brazuca (Delivery Only)

If you have a particular passion for coxinhas, the Brazilian version of the chicken croquette, look no further than Petisco Brazuca.

Chef Vanessa Pedreira and Ricardo Rosa started this delivery-only shop to share their passion for salgados, a type of Brazilian snack food, with New Yorkers.

They have a large Brazilian following and have earned praise from numerous Brazilian media outlets.

Plus, they’ve worked with clients like Google, Nike, Michel Kors, Melissa, Samsumg, Yahoo and Chase Bank.

They can deliver it to your door and you can order online, or through their app!

www.petiscobrazuca.com

#17 Galeria

UNFORTUNATELY THIS RESTAURANT IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED!

Located in the Lower East Side, Galeria serves unique bowls of Brazilian food made from organic, local and fresh ingredients. It’s literally a mixture of food, art and drinks!

They use all ingredients within 48 hours of delivery. The serving presentation is exquisite and is quite distinct from most other Brazilian restaurants in the city. In fact, their presentation is exceptional compared to New York City restaurants in general.

They’ve made believers of the folks at Gothamist, who remarked that the eatery’s bowl concept “sounds cliché at this point, but it’s hard to get too cynical about it when everything tastes this good.”

They even have a Concept-Store inside with articles from clothing to décor, for sale!

Location: 43 Clinton Street

#18 Tapas Bites

UNFORTUNATELY THIS RESTAURANT IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED!

Tapas Bites serves, you guessed it, Brazilian tapas and desserts.

The small eatery is located on a happening East Harlem block with some other cool spots to eat and chill.

Diners love the coxinhas, pão de queijo, bolinho de bacalhau, bolinha de queijo and for dessert chocolate or flaky coconut brigadeiros.

Location: 2337 First Avenue and 352 East 120th Street

#19 Gomi

Gomi is an interesting mix! It’s New York City’s only Korean-Brazilian wine bar.

Located in Alphabet City, their strength is their wine, not necessarily their food, but they’ve got some tasty bites, if you need something to follow your drinks!

Some of the favorite dishes are the cornish hen, gyoza and the picanha, among the numerous other tapas on the menu. Likewise, the “Brazilian-Meets-Korean” steak is a standout.

On the wine side, rose is the star.

Location: 186 Avenue A

www.gomikoreanwinebar.com

#20 Rice N Beans

Rice N Beans has been serving authentic Brazilian cuisine to New Yorkers for over 25 years. Located in Hell’s Kitchen, its namesake ingredients, rice and beans, stand out from other Latin American eateries because of the culinary talents of Executive Chef Carlos Roberto Inácio.

“I used to observe my mom cooking in (the Brazilian state of) Minas Gerais, so I learned how to cook in a different way, how to bring special seasoning to the dishes”, Chef Inácio explains.

The result is represented in a traditional Brazilian cuisine with intense flavors of garlic, onion, tomato, and coconut.

You’ll want to try the bolinho de queijo (cod stuffed croquette), the feijoada, the coxinhas and guava & passion fruit caipirinhas.

As they say, it’s a “no-fuss” place, so everything is pretty casual, but very tasty!

Location: 744 9th Avenue

www.ricenbeansnyc.com

#21 The Coffee Shop

UNFORTUNATELY THIS RESTAURANT IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED!

We love this place! It’s always very busy and loud, but nonetheless, it’s in our hearts!

The Coffee Shop is an iconic all-night Brazilian eatery that’s been around for decades and is open 23 hours a day. Located at Union Square, it’s fun, it’s noisy and it’s full of the pretty and the hip.

It’s famous for the sidewalk people watching tables, sort of like a classic Parisian bistro.

The service can be hit or miss, but many of the servers are aspiring models, actual models or could pass for models – which may make up for the slow service for some.

The herb fries are particularly popular, but The Coffee Shop offers plenty of other choice fare, like the pão de queijo. Likewise, the shrimp Baiano, a shrimp stew from Bahia, that comes with kale, fried plantains and plenty of white rice, is utterly delicious.

You might also want to try the granola bowl with fresh fruits and yogurt that is pretty good too and well served!

Location: 29 Union Square West

In Brooklyn:

Brooklyn also have a few Brazilian spots that we really enjoy. Some of them you’ve probably seen quite a few times on our Instastories, like Beco Bar!

Why? Well, it’s one of our Founder’s favorite spots to hand out and chill with her friends!

#22 Beco Bar

This is one of the Brazilian spots we love the most in Brooklyn and we’ve written about them a thousands of times! Beco Bar is a small Brazilian-style pub located just a few blocks from McCarren Park in Williamsburg.

The place is certainly the hot spots where the cool Brazilian (and local) crown hangs on weekdays and weekends. Brunch hours are always very full and tables are coveted by the trendiest people in the neighborhood – but, many commute from Manhattan and even other close by cities!

They offer very traditional dishes like the feijoada, PF (aka prato feito) and the bife a cavalo. Appetizers like the pão de queijo (Brazilian cheese bread) is a must-eat, as well as their coxinha – a fried croquettes filled with shredded chicken breast.

Their sandwich options are various and we recommend the also traditional, Bauru with sliced filet mignon, queijo prato (cheese) and tomatoes on a baguette.

For drink we’d say, try them all, but the famous caipirinha, of course, and batida de côco are our top picks!

Ah! They have live bands on Sundays at 5pm playing traditional Brazilian music, and also DJs on other days.

Location: 45 Richardson Street

www.becobar.com

#23 My Sweet

As Paula, the Founder, beautifully explains: “My Sweet is a Brooklyn based artisan brand where every sweet is handmade to order. We only use high quality, natural ingredients and we like to support local producers. We don’t use anything artificial.”

Their store is located in East Williamsburg, but you can buy the sweets online. They also offer catering services, so be sure to make your next party memorable, ordering a sorted selection!

Customers love the bite sized desserts made on premises.

We’ve also written about My Sweet before, feel free to read and see more pictures.

Location: 57 Porter Avenue

https://mysweet.com

#24 Miss Favela

If you like to party like Brazilians do, this is the place for you!

Here’s how the owners describe their menu:

“For nostalgic and curious palates, the restaurant features a menu filled with dishes as Moqueca de Peixe,Tutu a Mineira, Feijoada, among others. Also part of the menu Brazilian appetizers- coxinha, frango a passarinho, bolinho de bacalhau, pão de queijo, and the traditional drink, the Capirinha, that is offered with typical fruits as açaí, among others.”

They have long lasting parties, with loud music and Rio-inspired décor. What you’ll listen to? The typical Brazilian rhythms of Forró, Samba and Pagode.

During the warmer months, they have all the doors and windows open, with quite a few outdoor seatings.

As they say: “After all, life is about it, taste, love, friends and celebration!”

Location: 57 South 5th Street

www.missfavela.com

#25 El Mate

Located in Carroll Gardens, El Mate is a Brazilian-Argentinian fusion restaurant. Quite an interesting combination, considered the rivalry both countries have in the field while playing Soccer! Ha!

The guys there share that:

“From our delicious milanesas to our selections of empanadas to the most complexity of flavors of cuts of beef – like bife de costilla or tira de asado or the exotic Brazilian cut picanha na tabua we are dedicated to serve our food with passion which you can enjoy every bit by sipping with our handcrafted selection of house cocktails featuring all natural Yerba Mate tea.”

But wait! The Yerba Mate is a popular tea in both Brazil and Argentina that you actually mix with spirits, so you’ll be sure to have a fantastic time there!

For dessert, try a delicious maracujá mousse – known to us as passion fruit!

Location: 550 Court Street

www.facebook.com/elmaterestaurant

In Queens:

We have the biggest selection of restaurants located mostly in Astoria. Why? Astoria is the neighborhood with the biggest concentration of Brazilians! The community there is huge and definitely vibrant.

Many don’t even have a website, but you can always Google them!

# 26 Beija Flor

Customers rave about this place’s ambience! Beija Flor is located in the upcoming neighborhood of Long Island City! We love explore that part of Queens, and so should you!

Commuting is quite easy and there is always something new to explore!

The restaurant is cozy, but lively serving traditional Brazilian cuisine in an elegant yet unpretentious fashion. Located on a quiet Long Island City corner, the unfinished wood, sisal rope, and natural cloth used in the tasteful decor creates a true rustic ambiance enhanced by clay pots and cast iron skillets.

The restaurant uses ingredients sourced from the finest purveyors, featuring many local and organic products. On weekends, live music invigorates the atmosphere and inspires people to dance while they enjoy signature caipirinhas.

Location: 38-02 29th Street

#27 Kilo Astoria

Kilo Astoria is a Brazilian churrascaria that is loved by customers for its hot buffet, low-key atmosphere and friendly staff.

Equally as important, the prices are also very reasonable. It’s a place for a more casual meal, with dim lighting and quite simple and rustic décor. But, the food is just so well done and tasty, that it’s all goes unnoticed.

And, as we said above, the staff are so polite, that you’ll definitely want to come back again, and again, and again!

Oh! It’s so good that customers don’t even want to share that much about it online, so it won’t go viral, hahaha!

Location: 31-27 Ditmars Blvd

#28 Villa Brazil Café Grill

Dining 36 Brazilian Restaurants In New York Villa Brazil Cafe Grill Dragan Lojpur — Photo Credit: Dragan Lojpur

Similar to other restaurants we’ve mentioned here, Villa Brazil Café Grill is another buffet style restaurant.

Let us tell you why! Self-serving restaurants is actually very common in Brazil, even in a few more high-end ones. You literally get your table, and go serve yourself with everything you can possibly want. Take your time to find the most exotic and different options! Everything there is calculated by weight.

The barbecue meat is one of the highlights, as well as other options like the hanger steak, sirloin steak , beef ribs and sausage.

If you’ve never had Brazilian food, it’s a great place to start, since you can try a bit of everything!

Location: 43-16 34th Avenue

#29 Favela Grill

This Queens wine bar has received raves from the likes of Gothamist, Village Voice and New York Magazine.

Customers love the coxinha de frango (chicken croquettes), churrasco and costela bam bam (a Flinstone-style short rib on a bone).

Other standout dishes include the moqueca de peixe, a seafood stew made with herbs, vegetables and coconut milk and served with a side of bacon fat cassava; as well as the feijoada, a beef stew served in a miniature cauldron and the salgados pastries (savory).

They’ve been open since 2006 and continue to be a to-go spot in Astoria for great food. They also have a few different areas to host private events which are quite nice! Oh, and they offer buy-outs, with capacity for up to 75 people.

Location: 3318 28th Avenue

www.favelagrill.com

#30 Beach Bistro 96

Beach Bistro’s tapioca was named one of the “85 Best Dishes & Desserts” in NYC. It’s been open for only a couple of years, but this Rockaway Beach eatery has proven to serve some of the city’s finest Brazilian cuisine.

Oh, for those that don’t know, Rockaway Beach is considered part of Queens. Yup!

Besides their beautiful, delicious tapioca (similar to crepes), Beach Bistro 96 serves excellent coxinhas, pastéis, picanha and feijoada. The husband and wife team that run the restaurant also make fresh juices like maracujá juice, an incredible passion fruit concoction, and guava juice.

Whether you’re about to hit the waves, or you’ve just finished a surf session, Beach Bistro 96 is a great spot to satisfy your craving for authentic Brazilian food.

Location: 95-19 Rockaway Beach Blvd

www.beachbistro96.com

#31 Aroma Brazil Restaurant

Located in Jackson Heights, Aroma Brazil is a cozy pay-by-the-pound spot that features all the Brazilian classics. You get to eat for a fraction of the price you would at the larger Manhattan Brazilian restaurants.

If you go, make sure to order the picanha (sirloin), the coxinha (croquette), feijão (beans) and farofa (cassava).

They serve lunch and dinner and have everything from salads and pasta, to beef, chicken and a whole variety of traditional Brazilian dishes.

Location: 75-13 Roosevelt Avenue

www.facebook.com/Aroma-Brazil-Restaurant

#32 Copacabana Brazilian Grill

Copacabana serves delicious Brazilian barbecue buffet style, and charges as little as $7.49 per pound depending if you go for the meat (and is at most $10/pound).

Besides offering traditional Brazilian style meat, they also offer an excellent cut of lamb.

This Astoria spot has a legion of fans who rave about the food there, on countless websites. Just like their Queens competitors, Copacabana’s prices are modest compared to Manhattan Brazilian spots, but the quality of the food is comparable.

Location: 31-13 36th Avenue

#33 Rainhas Churrascaria

Rainhas Churrascaria is a popular all you can eat Brazilian steakhouse near Citi Field, in the neighborhood of Corona.

Best known for the picanha and the roasted pineapple. The interior is quite spacious and ornate, and features a waterfall panel on the windows.

Servers bring an array of meats – over 30 in fact – to your table to choose from. It includes pork, different cuts of steak, prime rib, spare ribs and lechon, among others.

Customers also really enjoy and talk about the service and the drinks.

Location: 108-01 Northern Blvd

# 34 Casa Theodoro

Casa Theodoro is a pizzeria and eatery in Woodside. They are famous for their Pizza Rodizio which, once again is a prix-fixe, all you can eat style. They also have a Pasta Rodizio.

The Beijinho is a Brazilian sweet made of condensed milk and coconut flake, but there they actually made a pizza with it! So, it can be a great option to try for dessert! Other options are Nutella, banana, merengue with strawberry and Nutella.

And still, the famous Romeo & Juliet, very traditional in Brazil, made with cheese, guava pasta and catupiry cheese.

For the folks that live close by, they also have 10% off if you order online! Check their delivery range online!

Location: 54-18 31st Avenue

www.casatheodoro.com

#35 Point Brazil

Point Brazil was founded back in 2009 by the Ribeiro sisters and was chosen, in 2011, as a New York Times’ Critics Pick.

Elzi and Erli Botelho Ribeiro are originally from Bahia, one of the most famous states in Brazil, in the Northeastern part of the country. They offer buffet style and a la carte menu. It’s a great place to start off the day with a nutritional healthy breakfast.

Plus, you might also want to consider checking out the daily baked cakes from orange cake to gluten free banana cake. Yum!

Location: 38-01 31St Avenue

www.pointbrazilrestaurant.com

#36 New York Pão de Queijo

Last, but certainly not least, New York Pão de Queijo is truly authentic Brazilian food.

As you saw above, all these traditional Brazilian spots serves this “national passion” called: Pão de Queijo. In other words, the famous cheese bread. It’s hard to explain exactly what it is, so the way it actually trying one! Here, you’ll actually be able to order even ones with filling! Yum!

Disclaimer: They are addictive, so beware!

Clients commute from Manhattan and other spots to eat at this spot and continue coming back again and again!

Top picks are always the green sauce, the pão de queijo (obviously), the sandwiches and the burgers.

In addition, they recommend: “Reinvigorate yourself at our Brazilian restaurant with an Açaí bowl, composed with locally sourced fruits and a fresh blend of juices from strawberry, papaya to pineapple mint.”

Location: 31-90 30th Street

www.newyorkpaodequeijo.com

So, as we said, if you love Brazilian food and the culture, or if you want to know know where to eat in New York on a budget, explore these places!

Enjoy, and let us know in the comments below, which one you loved the most!

Photo Credit: Courtesy of the venues and Dragan Lojpur
*Last Update on Feb/2020.*

Olde Good Things: A Paradise For The Vintage Décor Lovers

September 12, 2018

BTSNYC

Home & Kids Shop No Comments

We were trying to focus on our mission: find a mirror that would match my brother’s dining room at a vintage furniture store called Olde Good Things. But, everything was so beautiful and unique that I just spent much of my time “flirting” with other objects throughout the store!

Shop Home and Kids Olde Good Things Vintage

Shop Home and Kids Olde Good Things Tiles

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Shop Home and Kids Olde Good Things Vintage Items

Shop Home and Kids Olde Good Things Hand Carved Boat Haiti

Shop Home and Kids Olde Good Things Door Knobs

Shop Home and Kids Olde Good Things Store Corner

Shop Home and Kids Olde Good Things Brass Shop Signal

Shop Home and Kids Olde Good Things Outdoor Table

Shop Home and Kids Olde Good Things Sofa Lamp Luggage

Shop Home and Kids Olde Good Things Reclaimed Wood Table

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It was a regular Sunday afternoon when my brother invited me to join him, my sister-in-law and my niece in the East Village. While we were walking my sis-in-law told me she was looking for a mirror for their house in New Jersey. Well, I love antiques and I suggested her to explore different antique stores around town.

When we started walking along Bowery Street, I could see a big pink elephant from the distance. It really got my attention. And I must tell you all, that elephant is still on my mind!

When we got closer, we realized it was exactly what we were looking for: a vintage furniture store. Olde Good Things was there, waiting for us! A popular song says “Girls just wanna have fun”. And on my list of having fun is home décor shopping, for sure!

The store is incredible. It’s spread out in two levels and offers a wide selection of pieces. You can find pretty much everything for your home. Objects you can’t even imagine exist. From garden pieces to suitcases and doors, from lighting to kitchen utensils.

They offer a huge collection of antiques in different shapes, colors, prices and even origins.

Service was excellent. A guy introduced himself to us and made us feel at ease. He cheerfully and knowledgeably gave information about all the pieces we indicated and questioned. And believe me, I had many questions!

We were trying to focus on our mission: finding a mirror that would match their dining room. But everything was so beautiful and unique that we spent some time “flirting” with countless other objects, as well.

Before we hit the mirrors section, I checked almost every dresser they had in store at that time. Who doesn’t love dressers? I do. Most of them were handmade architectural pieces.

I fell in love with the chandeliers too. Big ones, smaller ones, made of glass, crystal, Greek style…I wish I could have taken all of them home with me (lol)!

After checking and asking about many objects we – FINALLY – made it to the mirrors.

Olde Good Things has an incredible selection. The difficult part was choosing only one, but my sister-in-law was able to find the perfect one: a distressed framed mirror. Gorgeous!

We left the store feeling great and with our mission accomplished! We had a blast. The experience was outstanding. Getting to know so many artistic and historical work, made our day quite special. Of course, finding the perfect mirror was nice, but the experience we went through was priceless.

I’m definitely going back any time soon and I encourage you to do the same. After you visit, let us know what you thought!

So, have fun exploring and if you’re really in to vintage, take a look at some vintage stores in Brooklyn that we love, a jewelry vintage gem in Chelsea and still, the vintage store top fashion Instagrammers around the globe just love.

Hours: Stores have different hours, so please check online.

Locations:
302 Bowery Street, NoHo
2420 Broadway, Upper West Side
5 East 16th Street, Lower Midtown Manhattan

https://ogtstore.com

Text by our Contributor: Rafaela Azevedo
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Olde Good Things
*Last Update on March/2020.*

The 7 Best NYC Social Dance Venues To Have Fun

February 9, 2018

BTSNYC

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists No Comments

New York City certainly has it all! The recognized ballroom dancer, Olga Kochnova, shared with us the 7 best NYC social dance venues. We are sure to get you on your feet in no time!

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists 7 Best NYC Social Dance Venues Olga Kochnova — Olga Kochnova inside Central Park. Photo Credit: MagNat Photography.

Olga Kochanova is a prominent, internationally recognized ballroom dancer from Saint-Petersburg, Russia. She is the founder of Brooklyn Dance Lessons – a NYC-based dance company that offers private lessons of ballroom, social, and wedding dance.

Olga has been a practicing ballroom dancer for over 20 years. She has studied all major styles of ballroom dance as well as rhythmic gymnastics. Olga is proficient in the International Standard, Latin styles as well as in American Rhythm and Smooth.

Having participated in over 200 prestigious competitions, Olga has garnered many awards along the way. Among these trophies are two first place awards from the Saint-Petersburg Ballroom Competition and first place in the Petrozavodsk City Ballroom Competition.

In 2001, she joined the Professional Ballroom School, Esperanza – the number one school in Saint-Petersburg. There she studied under Radik and Eve Bagautinova, two professional Latin-style Ballroom dancers.

Throughout the years, she has trained under professional dancers and world champions like Karen Hardy, Andrew Sinkinson, Goran Nordin, Gherman Mustuc, Iveta Lukosiute, Daniel Heroux, Patty Contenta, and Gennadiy Gunko.

Amazing, right?

Currently living in New York, we invited her to share the 7 best NYC social dance venues:

Swing 46

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists 7 Best NYC Social Dance Venues Swing 46 Drummer

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Curiosities Our Bucket Lists 7 Best NYC Social Dance Venues Swing 46 Waitress

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists 7 Best NYC Social Dance Venues Swing 46 Mojito

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists 7 Best NYC Social Dance Venues Swing 46 Bar Snacks

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists 7 Best NYC Social Dance Venues Swing 46 Seating Area

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists 7 Best NYC Social Dance Venues Swing 46 Bar

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“Swing 46 is one of the oldest restaurants in NY that plays live music and has a dance floor for its guests. It is not a big dance floor, but you can show off your basic moves or watch amazing swing dancers making their performances.

Here, live bands usually play a mix of some ballroom music, like Foxtrot, Rumba and Swing, as well as some hits from Lindy Hop and Jitterbug Era. They are open every evening for dancing and lessons start at 9pm. To get in you need to pay music charge of $15 – $20, depending on the day of the week.

I would recommend to go in the beginning of the week if you would like to dance, and Thursday to Saturday if you would like to watch.”

This Jazz and Swing Dance Club was founded in June of 1997 in Hell’s Kitchen. They offer a good menu with American Fare dishes prepared with the carefully sourced ingredients. Their sauces and dressings are homemade, as well as their freshly baked bread.

If you’re in the mood for Happy Hour, they have it daily from 5pm to 7pm, with half price drink specials at the bar.

Hours: Daily from 5pm – 1am

Band starts playing:
Sunday – Thursday: 8:30pm
Friday & Saturday: 9:30pm

Location: 349 West 46th Street

Rainbow Room

“Hidden on top of Rockefeller Center, the Rainbow Room is an absolute NYC favorite spot.

This fancy restaurant with Manhattan’s skyscrapers view on 65th floor, has a dance floor in the center area. They started organizing social dance events since mid 20th century!

On Monday evenings you can enjoy your date night with Empire State Building view, 3 course dinner, live music and your favorite cocktail. It is definitely not the cheapest option in New York, but it’s well worth it!”

Their grand opening dates back to 1934 and was one of the best late night destination spots in town. Famous of their charity events, they attracted the biggest names to attend their gatherings.

It’s a great place to go for dinner, drinks and even to celebrate a special date or host a corporate event.

But, definitely try their nights with world-class dining and dancing with live music!

Hours: Check their website for the different hours in each of their spaces.

Location: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, 65th Floor

https://rainbowroom.com

Midsummer Night Swing

“It’s been 30 years since Midsummer Night Swing started and yet it is still one of the most popular places to dance in New York. Every summer, the Lincoln Center organizes the “Midsummer Night Swing” – 3 weeks of unforgettable evenings with popular bands and a big dance floor, under the open sky.

Events start at 6:30pm with a dance lesson for people of all levels, conducted by some of the leading instructors in New York City. Lessons are included in the ticket price. Live music starts at 7:30pm and lasts until 10pm.

The organizers present a large selection of artists, reflecting the different musical styles of New York. Jazz, disco, ballroom dancing, rhythm and blues, salsa, tango and west cost swing are among the most popular one.”

Schedule:
6:00 pm – Dance floor opens
6:30 – 7:15 pm – Group dance lesson
7:30 – 8:30 pm – First live set (unless otherwise noted)
9:00 – 10:00 pm – Second live set (unless otherwise noted)
10:00 – 11:30 pm – Silent Disco (June 29 and July 8 only)

Single Tickets:
In advance – $17
Day-of – $20

www.lincolncenter.org

Tatiana Restaurant & Nightclub

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Curiosities Our Bucket Lists 7 Best NYC Social Dance Venues Tatiana Dessert

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists 7 Best NYC Social Dance Venues Tatiana Salmon

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists 7 Best NYC Social Dance Venues Tatiana Meat Dish

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists 7 Best NYC Social Dance Venues Tatiana Coney Island

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“If you want to see something more original and authentic, you can visit one of the oldest Russian restaurants in New York: Tatiana Restaurant & Nightclub.

It became very popular for its colorful dance performances on Saturday nights, that presents traditional Russian dances.

You can also try Russian food and, since it happens to be located at Coney Island’s boardwalk, you can combine the visit with nice day at the ocean, during the hotter months.”

So, what to expect? As they explain:

“The scene that opens up is something out of a James Bond movie “From Russia with Love”. Its Sex in the City mixed in Sleepless on Brighton Beach. Vodka and Cognac pours like fountain Di Trevi in Rome.

Ladies hang on to your husbands and guys don’t forget to shave, because there are plenty of people to impress. You do not need a red carpet invitation to see city’s top fashion worn in style and such sex appeal that is even desired by many celebrities.”

Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 10am – 10pm
Friday: 10am – 11pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10am – 1am

Location: 3152 Brighton 6th Street, Brooklyn

http://tatianarestaurant.com/nyc

Plus, for salsa lovers, there are plenty of places to go. Some of them are:

Taj II

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists 7 Best NYC Social Dance Venues Taj Entrance

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Curiosities Our Bucket Lists 7 Best NYC Social Dance Venues Taj Private Table

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Curiosities Our Bucket Lists 7 Best NYC Social Dance Venues Taj Waiters

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“Every Monday evening Taj II has salsa parties that are popular amongst both beginners and professional dancers. With live music and sometimes professional performances in between, this event is very popular between New Yorkers.

It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been dancing, people are very friendly here and will invite everyone who wants to join them on the dance floor – even if you are an absolute beginner.

You can also book a table and just enjoy your food watching impressive dancers. The entrance is $12.”

Located in the Flatiron District, this spot impresses from the start with its opulent and majestic décor. If you’re still a bit shy to go to the floor and dance, feel free to just watch!

Hours:
Monday & Tuesday: 5 pm – 1 am
Wednesday – Saturday: 5pm – 4am
First Sunday monthly: 12pm – 7pm for Brunch

Location: 48 West 21st Street

www.tajlounge.com

Sunset Salsa

“On Tuesdays, during the months of July and August, everyone can enjoy the most scenic dance event in New York: Sunset Salsa.

Located in the Hudson River Park on Pier 45, in the Greenwich Village, you’ll find best Latin DJs and hundreds of dancers. The view of New Jersey and Manhattan itself is already worth the trip.

Music and amazing vibes from salsa dancers will make you want to learn a couple of moves yourself. In my opinion, it’s one of the best NYC events. The party starts around 7:15pm and is free to everyone!”

There is nothing like a sunset party in New York right? Well, this one will certainly get you on your feet! The beginner’s salsa dance lessons are from 6:30pm – 7:15pm and the DJs start the party at 7:15pm!

Have fun!

Location: Pier 45

https://hudsonriverpark.org

Salsa Brunch

“Salsa Brunch is one of the newest additions to the dancing scene in New York City. Organized by two amazing salsa dancers, its a good event where you can enjoy brunch and kill some calories the same time! Ha!

You will find a DJ, photographers, as well as some pretty good dancers. Table reservation is necessary if you would like to eat.

Sometimes they organize special editions like ‘Salsa meets Hip Hop’, so you can enjoy two different cultures at the same time.

Currently, it happens only once a month on Saturdays, in Harlem.”

Since location changes every now and then, every time they offer a different type of food and drink, so be sure to check online what’s up next!

www.salsabrunch.com

Finally, there are a few other events and restaurants that might be interesting and worth the visit:

Latin Cruise – Vamos A Bailar! From April through November, join NY Party Cruises on a Midnight Cruise this season! They transform the 1st floor of the Harbor Lights Yacht into a Latin Lounge complete with the best of Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Reggaeton and Latin House.

Salsa at the Brooklyn Museum – Their season of salsa continues with a Salsa Party hosted by Balmir Latin Dance Studio. Start the evening with a class led by professional dancers at 6pm, followed by live music, social dancing, and performances by Brooklyn’s best Latin dance teams.

Iguana – One of the most spectacular Mexican Restaurant in New York. Iguana offers 3 floors of dining and dancing. Unwind with one of their famous 28 flavors of Margaritas or Mojitos. Follow that up with a truly exquisite dinner experience.

And, if you loved all of these best NYC social dance venues and you’d like to organize a special and customized corporate event with this theme, contact our experts to assist you.

Photo Credits: Courtesy of MagNat Photography and all the venues.
*Last Update on March/2020.*