Wednesday, March 18, 2009

42. Try 15 new restaurants (3/15)

Status: In progress (3/15)

I was in New York City in the beginning of the week for the College Media Advisers Conference, and because I often like to pretend I am swimming in piles of money in hopes it will actually be true one day, I ventured out to experience the (very expensive) food options the city had to offer.

1. Mangia E Bevi - 800 9th Ave. 
As a somewhat predictable poor college student with little to no cooking experience, I thrive off Italian food. Pasta is quick, cheap and easy. So a friend of a friend recommended Mangia E Bevi, and I had no hesitations. I liked its atmosphere more than I was impressed with the food, but that's not to say it wasn't delicious -- pasta primavera and white sangria will probably always be a hit with me. But for a small restaurant, the kitschy Italian paintings on the wall and the waiters' offering of tambourines to keep the beat during a birthday celebration at a table near us kept me entertained and enjoying the meal.

2. Juniors - 45 Grand Central Terminal
With only an hour for lunch between sessions at the conference, proximity to the hotel became the deciding factor in this choice, but the food was enjoyable nevertheless. I am noticing, however, that I tend to order the same things regardless of how many new restaurants I visit. Perhaps an addition or revision to #43 will be to order an unusual dish also.

3. Arriba Arriba - 762 9th Ave.
This restaurant was an accidental find on the way to Mangia the night before, but a friend and I had been craving margaritas, so we took a mental note and returned the next night. By far, this was my favorite restaurant we went to during the conference. The margaritas were fabulous and the waiter was even nice enough to make one with rum, despite his reservations he openly expressed about why on Earth anyone would want that. I ordered a burrito chock full of spinach and cheese and broccoli along with the typical burrito stuffings. It was absolutely massive, and absolutely delicious.

All in all, the prices in NY kill me. I won't lie. But aside from paying $30 or $40 a meal, trying new restaurants seems to be an easy feat. I think I will revise it, however, to include ordering an unusual dish and not a staple - no burgers, no chicken caesar salad, no ravioli.

Till next time-

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