A Piece of New York

Don't let the name of the place fool you. F. Ottomanelli Burgers & Belgian Fries is low-key a steakhouse plus a butcher shop (S. Ottomanelli & Sons Prime Meats). The two Ottomanelli businesses moved under a single roof back in 2019. The Ottomanelli family has been in the butcher trade for over 200 years, starting back home in Italy. They KNOW meat and in turn are known for having some of the best meat in all of New York City. Ottomanelli has had multiple viral moments going back to the 1950's. From delivering meat to Marilyn Monroe & Arthur Miller to supplying Lady Gaga's (in)famous meat dress, this butcher shop/restaurant in Woodside, Queens is not just a local joint but is truly a New York City treasure. Make sure to try their fresh steaks in addition to their delicious burgers. Come along on this food adventure!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Bu9S1nkzfo

Flushing is known for having some of the best Chinese food in the United States. There's a plethora of great places here and I’m thrilled to take you all to my favorite Chinese restaurant in ALL of NYC: Shanghai You Garden. Opened in 2016, this place has recently expanded next door and now offers more seating, which is great because this place gets packed on the weekends. You Garden is known for their dim sum, but you won’t be disappointed with their entrees or Chef’s specials. With fair prices and delicious food, expect to leave this spot with a full belly and a smile on your face. I always do. Come along on this food adventure!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QIaJ0XBB4w

We are at The Shops at Columbus Circle to try a restaurant that has gone viral on social media. Bad Roman is a modern Italian restaurant brought to you from the Quality Branded Group (whose portfolio also includes Don Angie, Quality Meats, Smith & Wollensky, and more). Just steps away from Central Park, this place is known for its succulent steaks and mouthwatering pastas. With a hip and trendy atmosphere along with being one of the most talked-about restaurants in the city, we had to find out if it's worthy of the buzz. Come along on this food adventure!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Atyyqz7XxUo

We are out in Woodside, Queens to start a series of episodes in “Little Manila.” Our first stop is the filipino restaurant, Dollar Hits. Originally opened in Los Angeles in 2013, the hit restaurant gained fame when it was featured in Netflix’s “Street Food: USA.” The founders and sisters (Elvira, Josephine, and Nelita) pride themselves in bringing tasty, yet affordable food to the neighborhood. The name Dollar Hits was a play on their skewers being originally just $1 each. They kept that price for 10 years before finally raising prices to $1.25. With real estate and cost of living being higher in NYC, the skewers in Queens go for $1.50 (I still say that’s a steal!). We are excited to try the flavors of the Philippines here in “The World’s Borough.” Come along for this food adventure!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dz6ejl4Rkxo&feature=youtu.be

THE best cheesecake in NYC can be found at a little bake shop in the outer borough of Queens. La Cheesecake Bake Shop has been around for almost 40 years. Thomas Julig was just 18 years old when he opened the doors of his dessert shop in College Point, Queens. This no-frills joint offers the tastiest cheesecake your mouth will ever experience. It's a sweet delight that's creamy but not too dense. It will satisfy your sweet tooth and leave you with a smile on your face. Don't worry if cheesecake is not your thing. They have a menu FULL of other treats that will be sure to hit the spot. Come along on this food adventure!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GF5OLlUomG0

Brooklynite Paul Giannone aka "Paulie Gee" is a self-proclaimed computer geek and pizza enthusiast. The former IT professional pursued his passion of making pizzas in his backyard with a self-built oven. After receiving positive feedback, he decided to turn his backyard passion into a business with Paulie Gee’s restaurant in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Immediately he found success with the restaurant packed from open to close (and rightfully so), with waiting patrons standing in line for over an hour. Paul knew that he could offer more to the neighborhood, so enter Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop just a couple of blocks away from the OG Paulie Gee's. In a city that is known for its slices, Paulie Gee’s transferred his sit-down restaurant success to a grab-and-go slice shop. We are excited to try the pizza at Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop to see if the legend lives up to the hype. Come along on this food adventure!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95E7_q66Lcs

When you think of New York City, you think of pizza! And when you're talking about the best pizza joints in NYC, Roberta's HAS to be in the conversation. The original Bushwick location of Roberta's opened back in 2008. This iconic spot started off as a neighborhood watering hole that served pizza on the side. The pizza quickly gained a following so they re-branded and made their main focus pizza. That's not to say that they don't like to get down in BK. Sitting in Roberta's is a Tiki Bar that has a massive patio where you can find DJ's spinning from time to time, as well as a working radio station in the back. People make the pilgrimage to this industrial section of Brooklyn for the craft pizza AND the awesome vibes. Come along on this food adventure!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNGjsNz5FjE

We are up in Harlem to grab some good grub at what may be the most famous soul food restaurant in New York City. Sylvia's Restaurant is known as "The World's Kitchen" and first opened its doors in 1962. Since then, presidents, celebrities, locals, and tourists alike have dined at Sylvia's for the delicious comfort food. What started off as a small luncheonette has grown into a massive restaurant expanding almost the entire block. Walking into Sylvia's is like walking into a piece of Harlem history. Come along on this food adventure!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_F4FsaBLXs

Breakfast by Salt’s Cure has exploded on social media with their popular griddle cakes being the main attraction. But is it worth the hype?

The original Salt's Cure was established in Los Angeles back in 2010. It immediately became known as a hip & trendy breakfast spot with lines out the door for their beloved OG oatmeal griddle cakes. Since then they have expanded their menu to include different types of flavored griddle cakes, as well as other breakfast items. With two successful restaurants in Los Angeles, the owners decided to bless NYC with their first East Coast location in 2021 here in the West Village. We had to see for ourselves just how good their famous griddle cakes are. Come along for this food adventure!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzdG7U95t7E

Churros have taken the city by storm post-pandemic. What used to be a quick treat that you grabbed from subway and street vendors, now has entire stores dedicated to straight-up churros and churros with a twist.

In one corner, we have El Churro which opened earlier this year by entrepreneur, Eli Stern. Eli was looking to bring the flavors of Mexico City to the Lower East Side. With multiple dipping sauces gracing his menu, this place has hit the ground running since opening its doors with its bright and airy aesthetic and thumping music.

Just a few blocks away on Mulberry Street is La Churrería. Chef Jesus “Lolo” Manso wanted to bring the authentic churros of Spain to NYC. His spot has a more laidback vibe than El Churro and his menu has an array of churro themed sweets - ranging from churro ice cream sandwiches to churro lollipops. Come along for this food adventure!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWuhy3C16eg

Katz Deli in the Lower East Side isn’t just the most famous deli in NYC, it just might be the most iconic deli in the US. Known for their MASSIVE meat-filled sandwiches, this spot first opened its doors in the late 1800’s. But it isn’t just the size of the sandwich that has locals and tourist alike coming through their doors. Katz's Deli has its process down pat, delivering tender succulent meats that make you wanting more.

Katz's Deli isn’t just famous for their sandwiches. They have also been featured on the silver screen numerous times. Their most notable appearance was in “When Harry Met Sally” and the legendary “I’ll have what she's having" scene starring Meg Ryan. Katz's Deli has also been featured in gangster films “We Own The Night” and “Donnie Brasco.” Before their brush with Hollywood, they first gained fame during WWII when they coined the slogan “send salami to your boy in the army!” If you want to understand what the hype is all about, come along for this food adventure!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yer--1lZCtY

We are in California for a special East Coast (Shake Shack) vs. West Coast episode (In-N-Out) episode to see who is the champion of fast food burger chains.

Shake Shack started out as a hot dog stand in Manhattan's Madison Square Park back in 2021. Three years later, they received a permit to be set up as a permanent kiosk and expanded their menu to burgers, crinkle cut fries, their namesake shakes, and much more. They only planned to have that single location, but by 2015 they had become a publicly traded company on the NYSE. Currently their average individual store generate $4 million MORE revenue than the average individual McDonald's store!

I know many people that make In-N-Out their first stop after landing at LAX because their burgers are just THAT GOOD. It was established in 1948 in Baldwin Park and has gone from being a California establishment to a national icon. They have locations up and down the West Coast and across the Mid West, with plans to expand east this year with their first location in Nashville, Tennessee (lucky them!).

Both chains have diehard fans so we are settling the debate once and for all on who has the best burgers. We'll be comparing a double ShackBurger at Shake Shake with a Double-Double (2x meat 2x cheese) at In-N-Out. Come along for this food adventure!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TZfPF1PQBI

We are exploring Queens and find ourselves in Fresh Meadows for all-you-can-eat Thai BBQ & hotpot. Boon Dee Moo Ka Ta has been described as "An All-You-Can-Eat Paradise" by Eater. Moo Ka Ta is a communal dish in Thailand that is part hot pot & part BBQ grill. So while the meat is cooking on the grill, you have the broth boiling your veggies and noodles right there on the side.

Boon Dee translates to blessings/prosperity. Fitting as this relatively new restaurant (with its welcoming environment, banging music, great service, variety of appetizers and desserts, and exceptional cuts of meat) is already finding prosperity in the beautiful borough of Queens.
Come along for this food adventure!

Delightful All-You-Can-Eat Thai BBQ & Hotpot @ Boon Dee Moo Ka Ta We are exploring Queens and find ourselves in Fresh Meadows for all-you-can-eat Thai BBQ & hotpot. Boon Dee Moo Ka Ta has been described as "An All-You-Can-E...

Summer is here and we are on our way to the beaches of Rockaway, Queens. Before hitting the sand, we are grabbing sandwiches at a spot that's known for serving up some of the largest sandwiches in the five boroughs. Delio's Food Truck opened during the time of COVID back in 2021. Owner Dom Delio actually purchased the food truck (shipping container), before he even had a place to park it or a menu established! The guy just knew he wanted to be in the food game and not sit on the sidelines anymore. A true renaissance man, Delio is also a FDNY fire fighter by day and we got the chance to visit his firehouse, too.

Shortly after purchasing the food truck, it became a family affair with father Big Dom (a legend is his own right) and various relatives joining the venture. Delio's quickly built a reputation for having some of the biggest sandwiches in town ensuring that their customers would leave more than satisfied. The colossal sandwiched are packed with flavor and top notch ingredients that hit the spot. There's no reason NOT to come here when you are on your way to the beach. Come along for this food adventure!

https://youtu.be/FfODe0bWUgs

Flushing now rivals Manhattan's Chinatown as the center of Chinese culture and cuisine in NYC. In this episode, we are at two different downtown Flushing restaurants to see who has the best wontons. In one corner, we have the highly publicized and well-renowned White Bear. Foodies come from all over the Big Apple to the last stop on the 7 train just to see what the hype is about (you have to get the #6 spicy chili wontons). In the other corner, we have Maxi's Noodle. Though the name suggests that they are a noodle shop, they have created a stir with their delicious giant wontons. Who will win the battle for Flushing's best wontons in this episode of Side by Side? Come along for this food adventure!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59k4thYWwUU

Red Hook Lobster Pound may be situated near the Brooklyn waterfront, but the moment you walk through the doors, it’s like you’ve been transported to the small lobstering towns of New England. What started in the kitchen of Ralph Gorham and Susan Povich’s Red Hook apartment back in 2008 has manifested into a food truck (which won “Best Food Truck in America” in 2013) and a restaurant in the borough they call home. Though this place is famous for their lobster rolls, we were tempted by the crab at their 2nd annual Crab Fest. With an assortment of crab-itizers and a choice of different crabs (definitely had to get the King crab), we sank our teeth into the delicious seafood that has made this place famous in NYC. Come along for this food adventure!

Red Hook Lobster Pound

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4KKrPHLVT8

In this episode we are in down in the village near the heart of NYU territory to sink our teeth into the famous lobster rolls of Luke’s Lobster. The family owned business was started by Luke Holden, who is a 3rd generation lobsterman himself. What started off as a tiny lobster roll shack back in 2009, Luke’s Lobster now has locations all over the US and stretches into Japan & Singapore. Known for serving their chilled Maine Lobster Roll, we couldn’t resist ordering just one, so we went with a flight. Come a long for this food adventure!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMVJirjvZo8

One of the most asked questions in New York City is “who has the best slice?” 2 pizza shops that are always on the tip of every New Yorkers tongue are down the street from each other in the West Village. Joe’s Pizza gets raving reviews from people all over the island of Manhattan. Opening in the 1970’s, their popularity exploded in 2004, when Spiderman 2 came out, and Peter Parker worked at and was fired from Joe’s Pizza. They serve the quintessential New York slice, thin, foldable with simple yet delicious ingredients to go with a slightly charred crust. It’s perfect when you’re on the go (despite the long lines). When you think of a New York slice… It’s Joe’s
One of the most asked questions in New York City is “who has the best slice?” Two pizza shops that are always on the tip of every New Yorker's tongue are down the street from each other in the West Village. Joe’s Pizza gets raving reviews from people all over the island of Manhattan. Opened in the 1970’s, Joe's popularity exploded in 2004 when Spiderman 2 came out. Peter Parker worked at and was fired from Joe’s Pizza. They serve the quintessential New York slice: thin and foldable, with simple yet delicious ingredients to go with a slightly charred crust. It’s perfect when you’re on the go, despite the long lines. When you think of a New York slice… it’s Joe’s. However Bleecker Street Pizza is a newer contender that opened in the 2000’s, just down the block. Bleecker Street Pizza has a unique crust that the Food Network loved so much that they named them “Best Slice in NYC” 3 years in a row. The family run business offers more variety in slices than Joe’s. Though Joe’s may be the more popular answer for “best slice,” Bleecker Street has a customer base that will say “that’s because you’ve never tried Bleecker Street Pizza.” So we set out to see who reigns supreme for best slice in NYC. Come along on this food adventure!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuoj2xMTnAs

In what has to be one of the most fun episodes we've ever done, we find ourselves downtown looking for the best cheesecake. This episode's line up features 3 heavyweights: Eileen's Special Cheesecake has been hailed as "the best cheesecake in all of NYC" by a number of publications; Ferrara Bakery & Cafe dates back to the 1800's and has built a strong reputation over the years; and Keki Modern Cakes is the new kid on the block with its bouncy Japanese style cheesecake that's been generating a ton of buzz. The three spots are separated by only a few city blocks and each has a fan base claiming their joint is number one. So which one wins in our book? Come along on this food adventure!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0PtAXMxz9E

We are back on the Upper East Side to try the most VIRAL cookies in the country. Crumbl Cookies is one of the fastest growing franchise in the US. They have 600+ locations since opening their doors in 2017. The business was started by cousins, Jason McGowan (CEO) & Sawyer Hemsley (COO). Setting out to create the perfect cookie, the cousins went through a lengthy & expensive trial and error process before finally finding their version of THE chocolate chip cookie. The chocolate chip cookie and their pink frosting cookie have been a mainstay on their menu. Aside from the two staples, they have a weekly rotation of 4 additional cookies on the menu. The cookies come in both hot and chilled varieties, so we had to get our hands on both. Come along on this food adventure!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8Pt90_JziU

We are back at South Street Seaport to satisfy that sweet tooth. Mister Dips started off in a retrofitted 1974 Airstream trailer in Williamsburg back in 2016. Their goal was to give you the nostalgia of your childhood. The simple times of enjoying juicy burgers, delicious fries, and ice cream cones on a hot summer day after a Little League game or hanging at the local pool. In 2021 they opened their first brick and mortar location at Pier 17 and then a second location came later that year in downtown Detroit. With a great reputation of whimsical seasonal treats, we had to get our hands the flavor of the month - the delicious and Instagram-able Love Dove. Come along for this food adventure!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=en0WKM3YK10

We are headed downtown to the Financial District for this very special episode at Kesté Pizza & Vino. Kesté was the first pizza place where I had Neapolitan pizza. It was there I discovered that the craft of pizza making could be taken to another level. Furthermore, Kesté (the old West Village location) was the first restaurant that I went to with the Director. I would even say that Kesté was part of the inspiration for starting this channel as I originally set out to find the best pizza in NYC. For all those reasons, Kesté is very near and dear to my heart. The restaurant was started by Roberto Caporuscio, a legend in the pizzaiolo circle, and is now run by his daughter Giorgia AKA the "Queen of Pizza." Together, they make some of the best pies in town. If you haven't been there yet, it's a must when you find yourself in NYC. Come along for this food adventure!

https://studio.youtube.com/video/yMpx5BntVdE/edit

Awesome shoutout from the man himself.
Appreciate the love, Steve's Authentic Key Lime Pie!
Happy Pi(e) day!

Authentic Key Lime Pies in Brooklyn @ Steve's Authentic Key Lime Pie It’s another cold February day here in the city, but that didn’t stop us from getting a taste of the Sunshine State. Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pie brings th...

The flavor of the Windy City has blown into Cobble Hill, Brooklyn with Bobbi’s Italian Beef on Smith St. Jason Lux who hails from Illinois pays homage to The City of Broad Shoulders with delicious Italian Beef Sandwiches (MAKE SURE YOU GET IT DIPPED!), a mouth watering Chicago Dog, and his own unique spin on Pizza. Lux has not only captured the taste of Chicago, but the atmosphere as well. With pictures of Jordan, Dtika, and Ferris Bueller among other, you don’t need to travel 800 miles to get the feel of Chi-town, because it’s landed in here in BK. Come along for this food adventure!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSzUQo4OvtY

The February weather in NYC is staying cold, so we travel back to Queens for some warm Asian comfort food. Gary Lin is a Taiwanese man passionate about bringing the taste of Japanese ramen to the world. With over 120 locations in Taiwan, he's brought the Kyuramen restaurant chain across the Atlantic to 6 states and has expansion plans in 4 more states. New York currently has 7, with 3 of them located in Queens. Mr. Lin does not lack ambition nor does his ramen lack flavor. From delicious appetizers to refreshing drinks to his assortment of ramen, Kyuramen hits the spot on multiple levels. Everyday is a ramen day at Kyuramen. Come along for this food adventure!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0ryrJmhwjY

It’s another cold February day here in the city, but that didn’t stop us from getting a taste of the Sunshine State. Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pie brings the delightful flavor of Florida's Key West to the Brooklyn waterfront. Steve's classic key lime custard is made with only the finest ingredients - 100% authentic key lime juice. The thick filling has a sharp tart flavor with a sweet zing, which has New Yorkers making the long trip out to Red Hook, Brooklyn to get their hands on these tasty pies. For hot summer days, you can’t skip out on their Swingles, which are mini frozen key lime pies dipped in rich Belgian chocolate. These frozen treats also come in a few flavors, from sour raspberry to spicy chipotle. Come along for this food adventure!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW95gt-6AjQ

New York is known for steakhouses & boozy brunches. When you combine the two, you get Quality Eats. From the same restaurant group that brought you Smith & Wollensky, Quality Eats was dubbed "the future of New York steakhouses" by Eater. Their steak makes your mouth water as soon as it's put in front of you. The delicious juicy meat perfectly combines a crispy crust with a tender center. And their modern interpretation of the Eggs Benedict is very inventive! The traditional English muffin is replaced with a grilled cheese sandwich, which is then topped with a tomato Béarnaise sauce. It's like you're having a grilled cheese sandwich with a bowl of tomato soup. If you're looking for good eats in a quality environment, don't sleep on this place. Come along on the food adventure!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOUJsErgZY4

One of the great things we love about New York City is the abundance of local businesses on every block and the personal stories behind each one. 787 Coffee has a story that will make any customer who walks through their doors happy to purchase their delicious espressos, lattes, and pastries. Sourcing their coffee beans from the town of Maricao in Puerto Rico, they have pumped life back into the village that was struggling with high unemployment rates. Hiring the locals and giving them stakes in the business helped the people afford staying in the homes that have been in their family for generations. The focus of 787 is to bring the taste of Puerto Rico to NYC with their infused lattes & coffees. Come along on this food (coffee) adventure!

787 Coffee Co.
https://youtu.be/6E66Cf5WKJk