Blog Posts

If you’re craving a sweet treat, the cinnamon rolls at Spirals are the answer.

Having an Italian dad basically made me an Italian restaurant critic, so I don’t say this lightly. Sandro’s is easily one of my top three Italian restaurants in New York. Located on the Upper East Side, it feels like a true neighborhood Italian spot. The swordfish with cherry tomatoes is one of my favorites, simple, fresh, and perfectly done. And if you know to ask, there’s an off-menu secret: baby eels, a dish regulars immediately order.

Casa Mono may not be Mexican, but the culture of sharing plates immediately felt familiar to me. This Spanish restaurant near Gramercy Park is the perfect place to order a few dishes and enjoy them around the table. The scallops with minted cashews were a standout, along with the fluke crudo ceviche and the skirt steak with onions. It’s the kind of place where the table fills with small plates, and the meal turns into a long, easy dinner.

I’m a picky steak eater, mostly because I grew up in the land of Brazilian churrasco, where good meat is taken seriously. But Kiko absolutely delivers. Located on Spring Street in SoHo, this Asian-inspired spot has a lively, relaxed atmosphere and surprisingly easy reservations on Resy. The T-bone is the standout, perfectly cooked, rich, and easily one of the best steaks I’ve had in the city.

I’ve been going to Sasabune since I was a little girl. This is not a place for trends, but for those who truly appreciate authentic sushi. Located on the Upper East Side, it is simply unmatched.