The halal guys

Food truck on 53rd and 7th - gyros or platters with rice - chicken gyro meat or falafel. Delicious white sauce and extremely spicy hot sauce (like mouth still on fire hot)!
Consistently among the top of food carts in NYC and cheap eats. Not sure what the magic combo is-but it's very very good.

Delicious ramen for lunch

Made stock with pork & chicken bones

Omnivore originates- fried clams

Tasting table had a recipe for fried clams that look relatively simple-

http://www.tastingtable.com/cook/recipes/fried-clam-recipe-how-to-cook-clams-tartar-sauce

I used little neck clams- popped them into freezer for 15 minutes then shucked them- ( my dad actually did the shucking- much easier after they are in freezer for a bit) and followed the pretty easy recipe. I used coconut oil for frying and the result was a delicious, crispy, non-greasy clam only improved by a drag through lemony tarter sauce. So good!

Omnivore Originates

Shopping at the local farm stand this time of year is one of life's greatest simple pleasures. Fresh fruit and vegetables, excellent bread and local cheeses are all abundant and require only simple preparation to be delicious!

Omnivore Originates - Beef Stew

Feels like a fall day in Vermont and I was craving a good Sunday dinner before heading back to work after a weeks vacation. Made a beef stew with a Harissa spiced coconut milk and puréed sweet potato base and added carrots and peas and served on yogurt mashed potatoes.  Salad of from my garden beans and tomatoes. Delicious.

Big Gay Ice Cream - West Village, NYC

Soft serve joint with Bea Arthur-esque decor and wild flavor combinations- think "salty pimp"- vanilla with dulce de leche, sea salt and dipped in chocolate shell.
Cones, shakes and floats- all whimsical and delicious. Place is mobbed all of the time, and for good reason. I went with vanilla with rainbow sprinkles because they looked too pretty.

Address: 61 Grove Street, New York, NY
Website: biggayicecream.com

L'Artusi - West Village NYC

Multi-leveled West Village Italian hot spot with staying power, L'Artusi is locally sourced, thoughtfully composed and consistently excellent.   There is a sleek comfortable marble counter that looks into the kitchen, and is a great place to be entertained while eating incredible food.  Not your average Italian, there are lots of vegetarian options as well as excellent, innovative crudos and many lighter dishes.  The pastas do, however, shine- both classics like Orecchiette with sausage or modern twists like gnocchi with rabbit cacciatore. 

Address:  228 West 10^th St, New York, NY

Website: www.lartusi.com