{"id":7615,"date":"2026-01-14T17:03:38","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T22:03:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stager.tv\/?p=7615"},"modified":"2026-01-14T17:03:50","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T22:03:50","slug":"gary-stagers-2026-guide-to-nyc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stager.tv\/?p=7615","title":{"rendered":"Gary Stager’s 2026 Guide to NYC"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ya Gotta Eat!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Three of my favorite restaurants are within blocks of each other on the Lower East Side.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Shopsin\u2019s<\/strong><\/a> is in the new Essex Terminal Market (home of remarkable places to eat and buy food). This is the quirkiest most wonderful restaurant on earth for breakfast, brunch and lunch. The menu is insane and NO SUBSTITUTIONS are permissible. DO NOT EVEN ASK. Coffee is coffee \u2013 one kind and you get it yourself. They are only open Wednesday \u2013 Sunday. It\u2019s a great place to sit and eat at the counter. I will be pissed off if you don\u2019t go! https:\/\/shopsins.com\/<\/a> Go early in your trip. You may want to go back.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    This is the hilarious article<\/a> that introduced the world to Shopsin\u2019s. https:\/\/www.newyorker.com\/magazine\/2002\/04\/15\/dont-mention-it<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The fantastic ode<\/a> to the original proprietor. https:\/\/www.newyorker.com\/culture\/annals-of-gastronomy\/remembering-kenny-shopsin-the-irascible-chef-king-of-lower-manhattan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The new Essex Terminal Market where Shopsin’s is located is great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2) <\/strong>Russ & Daughter\u2019s<\/strong><\/a> Cafe <\/strong>– authentic lox, bagels, sable, white fish, black and white cookie ice cream, chocolate egg creams! <\/strong>127 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002 SO GOOD \u2013 Sit at the counter or be prepared to wait. (There is now a location in midtown at Hudson Yards)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    3) Katz’s Deli<\/a> <\/strong>(205 East Houston Street) Site of classic “When Harry Met Sally” scene – killer homemade hot dogs and corned beef and pastrami – always a hideous, but fast moving line. It\u2019s on the same block as Russ & Daughters\u2019<\/a> <\/strong>remarkable smoked fish shop (lox, sable, whitefish, – best Black & White cookie in NYC, etc) and Yonah Schimmel’s Knish Bakery<\/a> <\/strong>(which is a block west on Houston and right out of the 19th century). A good deli with no line is Sarge’s<\/strong><\/a> in Midtown East on 3rd Avenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Other Favorites – You can never go wrong<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Don Antonio by Starita<\/strong><\/a>– 309 West 50th Street (at 8th Ave.). Neapolitan pizza I read about WHILE in Naples, Italy – remarkable. Perhaps the best pizza you\u2019ll ever eat. Not NY Pizza, but great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The most consistently good slice of NYC pizza is at Joe\u2019s<\/a><\/strong> (various locations<\/a>). If near or in Penn Station, I’m a big fan of Don Pepi Pizza.<\/a> On the east side in the upper 50s is a Roman pizza slice joint called My Pie Pizzeria Romana<\/a> using fresh ingredients. It’s excellent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Emilio\u2019s Ballato<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 a magnificent Italian restaurant on Houston Street that does not take reservations. It is a favorite among celebrities too (Taylor Swift, Barack Obama). Go for lunch or arrive at 5 minutes to 5 PM is your best bet for a table. https:\/\/www.ballatos.com\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Ear Inn<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 <\/strong>150 year-old pub in Soho\/Tribeca, where the river used to be, with a tiny kitchen and exceptional comfort food. The spicy garlic shrimp and burger may be the best things I\u2019ve eaten in America this year. Seriously great. Locals know about it. Tourists don\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Patsy’s Restaurant<\/strong><\/a>– 236 West 56th Street – Sinatra’s favorite Italian restaurant. The celebrity photos alone are worth the trip. Reservations recommended. Smart casual attire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Have a Recession Special (hot dog and papaya juice) at Gray’s Papaya<\/a> <\/strong>(72nd street). It’s the best dog in NYC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Arthur and Son\u2019s NY Italian<\/a><\/strong> serves great NY Italian red-sauce food in huge family style portions. Therefore, don\u2019t be afraid of the menu prices. It turns out to be a bargain. Various locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Parm<\/a> <\/strong>\u2013 Great parmigiana dinners and sandwiches. Inexpensive. Quick. The extra special (upgraded \u2013 always get the upgrade) garlic bread, spicy rigatoni and baked ziti are fantastic. Various locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Olde City Cheesesteaks & Brew <\/a><\/strong>\u2013 a bar with great Philly Cheesesteak and other sandwiches. 576 9th<\/sup> Avenue (behind Port Authority \u2013 other locations too). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Check out the world’s best food store at Zabar’s<\/a> <\/strong>– 80th and Broadway. The lox is to die for. There\u2019s a takeout and lots of prepared meals to take back to your hotel. Imagine a Jewish Fortnum and Mason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Girordana 54 <\/strong><\/a>– a tiny Emilia Romagnan Italian restaurant and bar on 54th street West of 9th Avenue. Excellent food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Museums<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Go to the Lower East Side Tenement Museum. <\/strong>It’s extraordinary! You may need to book a tour online. They take you into preserved tenements from the late 19th<\/sup> and early 20th<\/sup> century.  It\u2019s around the corner from Katz\u2019s Deli, Russ and Daughters\u2019, and the Knish joint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n