NYC Diaries #5 Everything I did in September and it's worth sharing
A post with 10 personal recs of things and places in New York City that wouldn't make it to Google search results.
1. The best hand roll: KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar
If you love sushi, you should definitely add Kazunori Sushi to your list! They have several locations in the city, and I love the casual vibes. They specialize in hand rolls, and everything is incredibly fresh! Everyone sits at the counter, where you can watch the staff preparing the hand rolls you pre-select from the menu. The crab roll is my favorite. Plus, the place is tip-free. I've brought friends and family, and they all loved it!
2. The Parenting Musical
I have the impression that off-Broadway musicals and plays usually don't get the same hype and attention as Broadway shows - which is unfortunate.
My friend and I had so much fun watching “That Parenting Musical”. It's a hilarious musical about young parents navigating their new identities after having babies. From the sleep-depressed phase to the vacation with children, this show makes fun about the reality of having kids
3. Delicious pasta from A Pasta Bar
Saw this rec on a newsletter that I love and decided to make a reservation. I absolutely love pasta - but sometimes a pasta is just ok. Not at this place. Love the environment and the possibility to sit at the counter and seeing the staff in action. Our pasta dishes were incredible. Pasta was perfectly al dente and their sauces are so full of flavor! I had the Maltagliati with homemade sausage and my husband had the Rigatoni Al Ragu Bolognese.
4. Seafood floating and restaurant
North River Lobster Company has been on my list for years and I partnered with them in September. This boat features three decks (including indoor areas) and sails the Hudson River - there are 1 or 2-hour cruises and you can sit back, enjoy the views and relax while having drinks and seafood dishes - I loved the fish & chips!
The 7pm cruise is the best option - it lasts 2 hours and it goes to the Statue of Liberty (these passes are $25).
5. An Australian leather goods brand
My friend and I were walking around Soho when we found Status Anxiety store. This is an Australian brands offering leather goods like hand bags and wallets for, I could say, affordable prices (if you compare to famous leather brands). We also loved their sunglasses. There is a great variety of handbags with beautiful designs.
6. I Love Paraguay restaurant
My husband discovered this Paraguayan restaurant on social media a while ago - it's located in Woodside, Queens, a short walk from the subway station. We just needed the perfect excuse to stop by and one day, heading to Flushing, we decided to have lunch there. We absolutely love the empanadas ($3 each, on average) and we also shared the plate above, with yuca fries, french fries, meat and sausage. Service is good and the price is so reasonable! Gotta love latin food.
7. Our favorite Indian restaurant in the city
I don’t remember when exactly Thiago and I found out about Mughlai Indian Cuisine - but it was a long time ago and it was close to our place in the UES when we lived there, so we would always go. And not only because of the affordable price, but also because the food is so delicious. I’ve brought family and friends to this place and they all loved it! It’s a simple restaurant and the staff is super nice.
Prices for the fixed menu: $18 (vegetarian) | $20 (non-vegetarian) | $21 (seafood)
Address: 1724 2nd Ave.
8. Turkish Pizza from A La Turka
Didn't know exact what to expect when I ordered this dish at this Turkish restaurant located in the Upper East Side… it definitely didn't disappoint and I really loved the flavors. The super thin dough is crunchy and it is topped with ground lamb meat and a lot of spices. Delicious!
9. My favorite Brazilian spot in the city
When we talk about Brazilian food, NYC is so well served. And I know my country is known for the churrasco (barbecue) and there are some places for that but after all these years Berimbau is still my favorite spot when it comes to Brazilian food. I love the environment and I love the fact their menu has so many delicious dishes. I absolutely love their pasteis and coxinhas, and the strogonoff is also great.
10. Life & Trust
Remember Sleep No More? Well, the same producers did it again: meet Life and Trust!
I was invited to check the performance and also to a backstage tour - meaning we got to visit some of the sets. It was really special, since filming and photography is not allowed during the show. Such a cool opportunity - not only because we had the chance to see the spaces and objects before the performance, but also because I had my sister with me to capture these amazing shots. I think these pics truly translate some the performance’s vibes.
Life and Trust realizes the Faustian Legend in NYC on the eve of the Great Crash and it’s located in Conwell Tower, an iconic skyscraper in the Financial District. As it happens in Sleep no More, Life And Trust is a non-linear experience, so there’s no wrong way to explore it. You should follow your instincts or find a character that interests you and stick with them. It really amazes me how everything is sync in this immersive theater, how the actors are perfect, plus the set - OMG, so many details. Such an unique experience.
Some news: I got my bike!
On my last NYC Diaries I shared that I was starting to explore the possibility of getting a bike to exercise and… I did it! After some tips I got from my followers on Instagram, I decided to buy a Giant Escape 2. I was lucky to find one in my size and in good shape on Facebook Marketplace. So far, I'm loving it. I'm not sure if I will be able to use a lot this year - cause I will be traveling a lot over the next months and summer is gonna be over. But I'm happy!
And that's it for today! Looks like we had a lot of restaurant tips, right? Hope you are enjoying these monthly recs!