New York, New York

I <3 New York city. The food in this city is diverse and to die for. I wish I lived in this vibrant and exciting big Apple.

Here's a list of restaurants I highly recommend, in no particular order:

1. Sanur, a Malaysian restaurant which is really a hole-in-the-wall

2. New Malaysia, used to be good but I heard it's going South

3. The Pickle Guys

4. H&H Bagels or Tal Bagels on 86th E st. Fresh bagels are the best breakfast food in NYC

5. Heidelberg Restaurant, a German restaurant named after a city in Germany. My German friend approves the food

6. Pio Pio, a Peruvian restaurant that serves the best rotisserie chicken with yummy lime chili sauce

7. Iggy's bar made it to my list because the bartenders were extremely kind to me

8. Mamoun's Falafel Restaurant was introduced to me by my college buddy. It's quick and the falafel and pitas are excellent and cheap

9. Grimaldi's is in NJ but getting there is so convenient. The pizzeria serves one of the best thin-crust NY style pizza

10. Korean restaurants in Fort Lee. My friend recommended Soon Moon Nan Jip

11. Chinese restaurants in Flushing, NY. I heard it may be the next Chinatown to get great food

12. Eataly was founded by Mario Batali, Lidia Bastianich and a host of famous people. It is more than a supermarket and packed with good food and people

13. Totto Ramen is a popular hole in the wall restaurant. It serves ramen in meat broth and not suitable for vegetarians. My friends thought ramen in Ippudo is better

14. Paprika is an Italian restaurant located in East Village. I tried the oxtail ragu and lamb meatballs pasta. Very delicious. Pasta tasted freshly made

15. BagelWorks in Upper East side makes fresh bagels to go with a large assortment of cream cheese and tofu spreads

16. Chennai Garden serves South Indian vegetarian food. Must try the dosas as they are really good

I <3 New York city. There are so many things to do. Here's a list of activities I enjoy doing when in the big city, in no particular order:

1. Walk around Manhattan

2. Hanging out in Central Park

3. Visit the MET

4. Volunteer in various events. I volunteered in the 5 Boro Bike Tour 35th Anniversary, met interesting people and had a blast

5. Ride the subway

6. Bicycle around the boroughs

7. Ride the buses and get a good view of the city

8. Meet people

9. Experience the good and bad of traffic

10. Ride the cabs and talk to flirtatious cab drivers

11. Visit surrounding cities, just to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city

12. Watch Broadway shows

13. Eat eat eat

14. Ride the tram to Roosevelt Island

15. Ask your friends to take you to the top of their apartments and see NYC from a bird's eye view

16. Celebrate Christmas by ice skating and visiting stores

17. Usher in New Year's and watch the fireworks

18. Watch 4th of July fireworks by the river

19. Relax at King SPA Fitness

20. Check emails in Times Square. There is free Wi-Fi

21. Enjoy the nightlife and loud music in hip nightclubs

22. Walk across the Brooklyn bridge

Last Modified: September 17, 2013