When It Comes To Dining, NYC Has Nothing On ALX
It’s been two years since I’ve been to New York City for market. What a treat it was to be back earlier this month. The city was quieter than usual. The lack of hustle and bustle was noticeable. But for me, it turned out to be just right. Had I added in a Broadway show, it would have been perfect. My friend Kelley went with me, which made the trip even better. It was her first time at market, and I was super excited to give her a taste of the madness. Much to our chagrin, COVID is still wreaking havoc on the New York markets, so she didn’t get the full effect. Though, that meant we got to finish early and explore the city. And, by explore, I mean eat our way around the city.
When I go to market, I usually skip breakfast and eat a terrible (and terribly overpriced) meal at the Javits Center. But not this time. We made sure to make the most of our meals. Even the one we had at Javits. As good as all our meals were (and they were really good), I have to say they don’t hold a candle to some of our favorite restaurants here. We arrived right at lunchtime and went straight to our hotel on the lower east side of Manhattan. The Ludlow is one of my favorite hotels. It has this whole French Rock and Roll thing going on, and I’m totally here for it. (I wrote about it and my other favorite hotels here.) From the Ludlow, we walked to market first, stopping at Essex Market, a food hall full of all the flavors you can imagine. I decided on a Bahn Mi sandwich that was utterly satisfying but really could not compare to anything at Caphe Bahn Mi in Old Town or the Turkey Bahn Mi sandwich at Junction Bakery in Del Ray.
For dinner, we ate at the hotel’s restaurant, The Dirty French. This was the only meal I would find hard to replicate in Alexandria, though Bastille would come very close. The cocktails were sublime, the appetizers mouthwatering, and the dinner superb. The Dirty French is the other good reason to stay at The Ludlow. You enjoy a wonderful meal, imbibe on fantastic cocktails, and then roll yourself right up to your room. Easy breezy.
The next morning we were up early to grab breakfast. We were right around the corner from Russ & Daughters, the original home of lox and bagels, so we had to make the trip. They have been in business - and in the same location - for 106 years. On their fourth generation of owners, this place does not disappoint. I went for a classic bagel, lox, and cream cheese, and it was delicious. But, I have to say, I like Bagel Uprising better. Their dill cream cheese, fresh, chewy everything bagels, and smoked salmon are particularly pleasing to the palette. On our last morning there, we ate at Clinton Street Baking Co., where, among other things, we shared a biscuit with tomato jam. I’m here to say it did not hold a candle to Stomping Ground’s biscuits. It was dry and lacked that nuance in flavor that Nicole’s do. The bacon, however, was to die for. If you decide to try this place, and you should, then be sure to get a reservation. It fills up fast. There was a line as soon as it opened, and we were grateful Kelley thought ahead.
On our last night, the folks at the hotel directed us to Casa Mezcal. Kelley and I do love a good margarita and can devour chips and salsa like nobody’s business, so we headed straight there. A short walk from our hotel, the quaint eatery was just what we wanted. No pretense, good flavorful food, not crowded, dark and moody, and just relaxing. We shared nachos, ordered a couple of tacos, enjoyed a drink or two, and ate all the chips and salsa. But, while we ate, we couldn’t help but compare it to the fare at Taqueria el Poblano. It’s still our favorite go-to for tacos - fish for Kelley and shrimp for me. Every time.
It was good to be back in New York and partake in all their magical dining. The city rarely disappoints. But, if you can’t make it there, then you can get all the good food right here. Trust me. Kelley and I have done our research. Bon Appetit!
