Grounded

NO, YOU ARE NOT BEING DISCIPLINED

Grounded is a safe haven for creative minds. Behind the low key hidden store front lies a narrow café that transforms the high ceiling space into a small town like shop with hanging plants, colorful paintings and a lounge seating area that makes costumers feel as though they have left New York City for their stay. Another delightful surprise is the large sunroof towards the rear of the cafe allowing natural lighting to seep in. Not only does the low-key hang out have a large communal bookshelf, but it also offers free wifi for guests with a 1 ½ hour time limit that is rarely enforced.

Although the draw is the quaint atmosphere, Grounded has an extensive menu with 100% organic homemade tea blends, an array of organic coffee/smoothie options as well as homemade sandwiches and salads made from fresh produce.

    The Menu                                   The Bookshelf

                              LOCATION: 28 Jane Street (Between 4th Street & Greenwich Avenue) - $

                              MORE INFORMATION: www.groundedcoffee.com

Mark Burger

X MARKS THE SPOT

Possibly the best sliders in New York, Mark Burger has been flying under the radar for too long.  Located on the Saint Mark’s Place strip, the burger bar blends into the uniquely artistic neighborhood like a chameleon on a tree.  NYU students and East Village locals flock to Mark Burger for the great value, cool vibe and late night hours that Mark Burger has to offer. 

A real recession deal, $2 gets customers a 2oz  juicy beef burger infused with ooey gooey american cheese and thick slivers of sweet onions.  Mark Burger is anti lettuce and tomatoes and claims that “if you want a salad you can go down the street”.  Not to worry, the trio of homemade sauce (jalapeño-honey, chipotle ketchup, and barbecue) will surely not dissapoint.  Like the food, the Guinness Shake is made to perfection with homemade Guiness reduction, vanilla ice cream and gelato.  The combination will leave you full, tipsy and content.

                              LOCATION: 33 St. Marks Place (Between 3rd Avenue & Astor Place) - $

                              MORE INFORMATION: www.stmarksburger.com/

                               

Momofuku Noodle Bar

I GUESS YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT

Written about in every notable publication under the sun, Chef Chang as built an empire of several award-winning restaurants throughout the metropolitan area (i.e Momofuku Noodle Bar, Momofuku Ssam Bar, Momofuku Ko, Ma Peche and Milk Bar). The 33-year old Chef has already made his mark in the culinary world taking home four James Beard awards and named Chef of the Year by GQ, Food & Wine and Bon Apitite. Needless to say, Chef Chang is no one to mess with. In Japanese, Momofuku means “lucky peach” but the jokester Chef says it is no accident that the word in English sounds like, well you fill in the blank.

Steamed Pork Buns                                   Momofuku Ramen

Opening its doors on August 2004, Momofuku Noodle Bar was the first Momufuku Restaurant to break out onto the New York City scene. The modern restaurant is simplistic in its décor yet vibrant in its bustling crowd with mostly communal seating. The noodles aren't the small cheap packets of dried instant noodles you may have regretfully snacked on in college, Momofuku Noodle Bar provides a contemporary take on homemade ramen with layers of flavor in every bite. The signature starter is the Steamed Pork Buns ($10) that are so tender that they melt in your mouth and the go to entrée is obviously the noodle dishes ($16) hence the name of the restaurant.

                             LOCATION: 171 1st Avenue (Between 10th Street & 11th Street) -$$

                             MORE INFORMATION: www.momofuku.com/restaurants/noodle-bar/

                                        

Cornelia Street Café

FEELING LAZY ON A SUNDAY?

Named Top 100 Restaurants by TimeOut NY and Best of NY Food by the Village Voice, Cornelia Street Café is the staple Sunday brunch spot for Greenwich Villagers. It is the tripe threat (cozy, causual and charming) directly reflecting the Greenwich Village vibe. Severing up winning dishes for over 30 years, the Eggs Bendedict is simply made to perfection. If you are in the market for a feast, the $20 prefix includes an entrée, coffee or tea, homemade pastry and alcoholic beverage – as Kramer from Seinfeld would say “Giddy Up!”.

                             LOCATION: 29 Cornelia Street (Between 4th Street & Bleecker Street) - $$

                             MORE INFORMATION: www.corneliastreetcafe.com

Piadina Resaurant

MOLTO MOLTO BUONO

Piadina is one of Manhattan’s hidden gems. The atmosphere is unpretentious with exposed brick walls, wooden panels and a rustic like feel. The dim lit lightening provides for a cozy and romantic setting resembling an Italian cellar eatery. Even the selective menu comes on a wooden board with hand written choices. Piadina pasta dishes are the real superstars like Garganelli Con Panna, Prosciutto E Piselli Garganelli with green peas, ham on cream sauce and Rigatoni Alle Melanzane E Ricotta Salata Rigatoni with eggplants and ricotta cheese.  The only draw back is that credit cards are not accepted but with a delicious entrée around $15 it certainty won’t break the bank.

 

                             LOCATION: 57 West 10th Street (Between 5th Avenue & 6th Avenue) - $$

                             MORE INFORMATION: www.piadinanyc.com

Rice to Riches

RICE AND EVERYTHING NICE

A little gimmicky? Of course.  But with funny signs throughout store that read "no skinny bitches" and "il diet when the earth runs out of food" how can you go wrong? The answer is...you can't.  Rice to Riches is the mecca of rice pudding for rice pudding lovers and those who don't usually dabble in the rice pudding pool.  With approximately eighteen flavors going strong like Coast to Coast Cheesecake, Panna Cotta and Take Me to To Tiramisu, Rice to Riches is the perfect $5 bite of rice, pudding and goodness.  Located in Nolita, the decor of the shop is quite modern unified with oval shapes and bright vibrant colors. The only draw back is the lack of seating but on a nice summer day it's the perfect on the go snack. One thing is for sure, it's not your grandma's dessert.

                         

                          LOCATION: 37 Spring Street (Between Mott Street & Mulberry Street) - $
                          MORE INFORMATION: www.ricetoriches.com