Scrolling through this post, considering this is a foodie sub, you may be shocked at the overall lack of places I visited given I had the equivalent of four full days of eating time in NYC area plus another day in Brooklyn. This was a surprise to me as well. With two days in the office (no-man's land for places I planned to visit), some poor planning on my part (going at 2:15 to places that close at 2 p.m.) and not wanting to over-fill myself to the point I couldn't enjoy dinners, I put myself in a less-than-ideal position to maximize my taste testing. Will do better when I plan to go back next year. Regardless…

Here's a look at every place I visited on my recent, extended trip.

Manhattan

OK, the main event …

Brown Bag Sandwich Co. … walked around for hours, forgot to eat. Originally planned to go to Pop Up Bagels or Leon's Bagels but both were closed by the time I got there. Luckily, I had Brown Bag on my list and figured I'd eat at Washington Square Park. Got the chopped cheese, no tomato, added crispy onions. Excellent sandwich and one of the most satisfying meals of my trip. Adding the crispy onions for $1 is a must (IMO) as it provides a necessary textural contrast. Will definitely be going back here.

Russ & Daughters (2X) … I was staying nearby, and with my office quite far away, I didn't have a chance to go to any "better" places when it comes to bagels, specifically. Saw suggestions on here to order the bialy instead — less bread, more concentration on the high-quality salmon. Tremendous call. Despite it being busy, the folks behind the counter were amazing. The pastrami cured salmon was a revelation. Tried two different types of smoked salmon (Scottish, Norwegian) that were outstanding. It's the best smoked/cured salmon I've ever had in my life, and I've had a lot of it. The black & white cookie was basic and not what I consider "ideal" from NYC.

Monkey Bar … Normal 8 p.m. reservation through Resy. Seated at a table, which allowed for a viewing of the atmosphere but felt a bit less of a part of it. Banger after banger. Whitefish caesar salad stood out for its uniqueness. King crab rangoon were the best version of that dish I've ever tried. French dip was extremely strong as a sharable; would not want it as my main meal. Truffle mac & cheese some of the best I've ever eaten. The burger was excellent, but by the time we got to it, it felt less special and unique than the rest of the meal. (Never had 4 Charles or Au Cheval to compare.) The chocolate pie was the shocking standout for me — an expertly executed, perfect dessert. Would love to go back but must would obviously prefer to try 4 Charles at some point first.

Minetta Tavern … Late 10 p.m. reservation through Resy — purposeful because I was going to Comedy Cellar after. From an expectation vs. reality standpoint, the best meal I had this trip. Bread service with the flaky salt … I had to actively stop myself from eating the whole basket. As a solo diner, I was given a free glass of champagne without asking, and it was great. Black Label Burger was possibly the best "normal" burger I've ever eaten (in that, it was not loaded with sauces and toppings). I did add cheese, which the waitress said was common and would not too much affect the taste of the meat. (She was right.)

People described the meat as "funky," which gave me pause in ordering. My waitress insisted, and I'm glad she did. It was just mature with a flavor profile that rose far beyond the basic 80/20 or 75/25 blend you get at most places. I'd rather eat the Black Label Burger than any wagyu stuff out there (though, again, I have not tried 4C). I'm also very much a caramelized onions on burger guy. I did not want to get the bone marrow as it looked like a huge portion and I heard it "runs through you." Plus, I'm not sure I'd have liked it. The French onion soup was the best of its kind I've had, but I did wish there was more soup and fewer onions. The chocolate soufflé is an absolute must. Again, best of its kind that I've ever eaten. Blew me away to the same level as the burger. Oh! Completely forgot to mention … the fries were awesome, too. Like, shockingly great.

Beyond all of that, from the hostess to the front of house manager to the waitress to the doorman … impeccable service, tremendous atmosphere … you felt as if you were dining somewhere special at Minetta. A must-return place for me.

Danny & Coop's Cheesesteaks … Not only did I have zero plans to eat here, there were so many other places I wanted to go for lunch on this day. However, I visited Mr. Throwback, and while in the area got stuck in back to back phone meetings for work. Figured better to get this and go to Thompson Square Park than pick some random place. Was this a good cheesesteak? Yes. Was it anything special? Absolutely not. The overly-sesame seeded roll completely overpowered the deliciousness contained within. It was the "worst" thing I ate in NYC by a significant margin despite still being tasty. Regret this one.

The Pastry Box … I planned to eat a bunch of cookies (chocolate chip, black & white) but again didn't get to all the places I wanted. My travels put me in the East Village, and I'm so happy they did because this was the best chocolate chip cookie I had on the whole trip. While it's the more thin variety, the chocolate was super high quality, there was an overall richness and decadence to it and the flaky sea salt put it over the top. Apparently this is the first Black-owned bakery in the EV in a long time, and I believe I heard somewhere it wasn't getting enough support? Insanity to me because I'd go out of my way to get this cookie. And I would never order fewer than 2 in the future. (The black & white is not traditional — frosting too hard, cookie not thick enough — and completely skippable.)

Culture Espresso … Went to the one by Madison Square Garden. Line out the door with people ordering boxes of the chocolate chip cookies along with coffee. The cookie is really, really good, and I certainly understand those who say it is their favorite. For me, it was too thick and not ideal. In fact, they have their own unique take on a black & white that I thought was better, apples to apples. The Arnold Palmer was a pleasant surprise and super refreshing, though I didn't get to try the blood orange version. Would definitely come back to get the cookies and drink … if I passed by one.

Torrisi … Late reservation via Resy (only time available). The main event of my trip as my last dinner in NY … appropriately so. One of the best meals I've had in my entire life to the point it exceeded my sky-high expectations. Cavatelli with Jamaican beef was phenomenal. Raviolini with prawns was phenomenal. Tortellini pomodoro was my friend's favorite by a mile; I loved it — melted in your mouth — but I found the other pastas more unique and intriguing. The dover sole francese is an absolute must get. I'll order it whenever I'm lucky enough to go back. The duck was sold out, but the chicken was recommended, and it was delicious. Some of the crispiest, tastiest skin I can remember.

And then the affogato. Holy crap. I'm not a "hot fudge" or "sundae" guy … but I could have eaten this entire glass by myself — twice. It's almost like a mix between an affogato and tiramisu without lady fingers. The gelato, fudge and slushee espresso on top were all incredible individually; together, they made for a one-of-a-kind dessert that I was so happy we ordered. The service was outstanding and the overall atmosphere had an air of sophistication that actually surprised the way some people in attendance were dressed — more down than I'd have expected would be allowed.

Il Laboratorio del Gelato … Went here on a total whim to get something cold while walking all day. What a treat. Did not know anything about it prior to walking by, but you can tell a significant investment was put into this place from a build-out standpoint. Got the chocolate birthday cake and cookies & cream, but there are dozens of varieties available.

Golden Diner … 10 a.m. reservation via Resy. Everyone waiting in line was visibly jealous, but it was not difficult to get … so yeah … just get a reservation. The honey butter pancakes were, of course, great. If I had nothing else to do that day, I'd have scarfed both down and not thought twice about it. However, I also ordered the scallion egg sandwich, which was the better overall item by comparison, and ate every bite of that. If Golden HOF has the same pancakes, I'd suggest going there and having them as a more-savory dessert as opposed to a singular breakfast/brunch item. However, that egg sandwich was so good that I have to go back and get it again.

Service here left something to be desired. It felt like the entire goal was to churn tables as quick as possible. I asked for the pancakes to be (at least slightly) delayed from the sandwich and was basically denied. They came out together. As a solo diner, that was tough. But I get it. Gotta capitalize on the popularity. In and out in like 32 minutes. For that much food, it really felt rushed.

Brooklyn

L'Industrie Pizza … review here. TLDR: Really good but nothing worth waiting in line to eat. Forgot to mention in the original review that the chocolate chip cookie was quite good. Did not try the soft serve as they did not have the flavor I wanted. Tip: Go at 2 p.m. to avoid a line.

Lilia … The plan was to go to Emily, which blew me away the last time I visited. It was going to be my only repeat meal. Buddy insisted we go to Lilia instead as he was shocked to be able to get a reservation. Fantastic staff. Housemade mozzarella an absolute must but cacio e pepe frittelle skippable. Sheep's milk cheese agnolotti was the standout of the all-pasta meal we had. Not a huge fan of clams in general but these almost won me over. The Italian Job gelato was a perfect way to finish the meal. Not the best dinner on my trip, but I understood his insistence in going there. Definitely suggest visiting.

Round Table Brewery … Great hole-in-the-wall spot around the corner from L'Industrie. Less pretentious than the other breweries I visited and more like what I'm used to at home — chill, casual, great beer. Enjoyed the beer here more than the other spots I visited. It sounded like they need more community support. Please go and give them a chance.

Other Half Brewing (Domino Park) … It was nice to drink outside across the street from the park. Not sure about the rules or legalities of possibly taking beer from there to the park (whether pouring into a plastic cup or just buying cans and drinking outdoors) as I don't live in NYC, but that would be more ideal than staying on site. Inside was soulless, but outside was social and nice. But it's a corporate brewery with 10 locations, so perhaps I'm being unfair. Would visit again with a different plan.

Evil Twin Brewing (DUMBO) … For a more lively place I visited at a later hour, it was odd how cold the bartenders acted. This was more cozy with better overall beer, and it felt much more like you were in NY with the hustle & bustle outside and inside. Would visit again.

Queens

I was here for a work trip involving planned dinners and therefore only visited one place of my own volition. Really wanted to go to New Park Pizza but never got there.

The Local Press … Went here on a whim, and it was the most pleasant surprise of my week outside NYC. Buffalo chicken egg rolls and roadside burger were bangers. The basic mac & cheese left something to be desired. Badly wanted to try the chicken & waffles but only had so much room. Good dude running the place and an awesome option if you are in the area.

RW Prime … Steak and burger were mediocre at best. The honey truffle buffalo chicken lollipops were surprisingly good and saucy. I bet the West side of the menu is better than the East side, but after one dinner, I wasn't going to go back and try it. The bread service rolls may well have been frozen — even the butter was weird. Zero atmosphere. Better places to spend money.

Sugar Factory … I repeat, I had planned dinners that were not my choice. This place was a joke. I'd rather eat at the Popeyes in the food court because at least I'd be getting fresh chicken. I haven't eaten at chain restaurants in years, but every other one … Chili's, Friday's, Outback, Cheesecake Factory … whatever … every other one has better food than this. Go to bed without dinner instead of eating here.

Bonus — Yankee Stadium concessions … Lucky enough to go to a wild card game, unplanned, with a couple friends. Was surprised how many different hot dogs existed. Big Nathan's and Sabbrett fan growing up … the Sabbrett was the best of the bunch. The chicken finger bucket and/or cup deal is obviously a pure gimmick. There's nothing special about them. Fine but frozen. Really wanted to try one of the special burgers but never got around to it. The lines were crazy even deep into the game.

How'd I do?