The obvious choice for any first-timer on Bleecker is John’s Pizzeria (located at 278 Bleecker Street). The no frills appearance of the restaurant could have something to do with the fact that the pizza speaks for itself, or maybe the fact that its walls have been standing since 1929. Either way, this pizza is sure to delight without breaking the bank. The most delectable pie combination comes in the form of pepperoni with sausage, tomatoes, and extra cheese (your pulmonary muscles may not thank you, but your taste buds will).

Roma Pizza (located at 259 Bleecker Street) is yet another one of many charming pizzerias with ambrosial toppings and combinations in the West Village area of Bleecker. What makes Roma Pizza stand apart from other competitors on this street is its “96 hours” philosophy, meaning the pizza makers let the dough rise for ninety-six hours before baking it in the oven. This gives the pizza a lighter air and is actually healthier because of how much easier it is to digest. Another notable fact about Roma Pizza is its location in what was formerly the legendary New York institution, Zito’s Bakery. Preserving the neighborhood feel that shopowner Anthony Zito perfected, Roma Pizza is a welcome addition to the increasingly corporate look of Bleecker Street.

The final contender in this trifecta of perfect pizza is Keste Pizza and Vino (located at 271 Bleecker Street). More upscale and expensive than Roma Pizza and John’s Pizzeria, Keste is consistently ranked as one of the best pizzas in New York, and has several gluten-free options, like the margherita, in addition to the customary flour-laden dough. One of the more expensive pizza restaurants on Bleecker, Keste’s menu features mouthwatering prospects that include the Pizza del Papa (butternut squash cream, smoked mozzarella, yellow peppers, and tomatoes), the Keste (bufala mozzarella, prosciutto di parma, tomatoes, gran cru, arugula, and olive oil), and the Salsiccia e Friarielli (Italian sausage, smoked mozzarella, and olive oil). For anyone crazy enough to pass up this pizza paradise, Keste also has an assortment of salad selections.

And so, to use a pizza metaphor, you can cut straight through the dough by attending one of the abovementioned pizzerias, as they are the most effective dining experiences for guaranteeing you’re getting one of the best slices on the Bleecker block—and in New York.

by Genna Rivieccio

Il Buco, the old world Italian restaurant on Bond Street, is honoring Earth Day with their 3rd annual rainforrest fundraiser. Il Buco offers 15% off lunch tabs from noon to 4 p.m. through Saturday, and donates the savings to save the rain forest. (If you haven’t eaten at Il Buco, take advantage of this offer and get the bruschetta with mussels, gambas, pollo and pasta special of the day or risotto.)

Jonesing for a more crowded Earth Day celebration? Join everyone and their mother at Grand Central, the annual Earth Fair highlights organic food, preparation and nearby restaurants.

Emma Dinzebach

The inspection procedure, according to nyc.gov is an unannounced visit to restaurants, retail bakeries and “take outs” conducted by Public Health Sanitarians who have college degrees in health sciences. Sanitarians spend most of their time observing the food workers practices including (via their website) “the manner in which they receive and store foods, how they process foods, and the temperatures at which they cook, hold, and reheat foods.” Then they get out their red pens and grade – A,B,C. Inspection frequency increases depending on grade, and establishments receiving a B or C have one chance to improve food safety procedures before they are required to post their grade. (Some violations are as small as dented cans or leaking faucet.) B and C restaurants do not pose health threats to their patrons. Those restaurants are shut down. “A” students receive their letters to post on the spot. 

By July, all restaurants – yes, even Per Se – will be required to display cards upon entrance. By requiring the grades to be posted, New York anticipates a marked increase in restaurants following near-impeccable food safety and sanitation rules. When L.A. implemented grade posting, the number of restaurants meeting the highest food safety standards rose from 40% to 80%. So it’s only slightly gross to eat at 20% of L.A. restaurants. From one New Yorker to another, we aren’t there yet, but we are on our way.

Emma Dinzebach

From the masterminds who brought you STK and Bagatelle (The ONE Group), The Collective is bottle-service free and serves cholesterol heavy American fare (see also: drunk food) that just might give you a heart attack. I still cannot figure out why they added soy kettle chips to a menu that has blue cheese tater tots and short rib sliders, and I gave up chips for lent, but apparently, they are amazing. The menu offers a “Taste of The Hoods” with different entrees from each city neighborhood. (The Harlem is chicken and waffles with gravy. The Upper West side is lamb shank with fruity couscous. And so on…) So you won’t emerge skinny or ready to mix with B&Ters at Meatpacking clubs; but you’ll emerge happy. And that’s all that really matters anyway.

The Collective 1 Little West 12th Street  212.255.9717

Emma Dinzebach

Ballato’s odd location on Houston between Mott and Elizabeth, is far from romantic, but walk in the door and you are transfoerred to Old World Tuscany complete with stucco walls and white table cloths.  If there can possibly be a hidden treasure left in New York City, it’s Emilio’s. The staff are courteous, prompt and present, and owner, Emilio, is there every night chatting with regulars and welcoming new patrons.

Ballato’s menu rivals the best Italian food in the city. The broccoli rabe, bolognese and caprice salad are delicious. The mozerlla literally melts in your mouth like cream cheese. Fish dishes are often prepared in a simple lemon caper sauce. The veal saltimboca is excellent – the proccuito crisp and veal tender. The homemade cannoli puts anything you find in Little Italy to shame.

Yes the celebrity sighting rumors are true, but because Ballato does most of their business with regulars (again, the location is odd and unassuming), it lacks the snottiness of other city dining hot spots. Call today for Valentine’s Day reservations.

Ballato’s 55 E. Houston  212.274.8881

Emma Dinzebach

My friend suggested a neighborhood favorite on West Broadway called The Cupping Room Cafe. I had been there for dinner and was less than impressed but had few choices open before ten, so I decided to give it a go. The atmosphere is a bit blah. It’s too rustic/indoors/restaurant for breakfast but would be too cafe-esque for dinner. But if you can get past that, you get the food.

Basically everything you could possibly want for breakfast they can cook for you. They make waffles (whole wheat A-mazing waffles), oatmeal with berries, brown sugar, raisins…whatever, stuffed french toast. Yes, I said “stuffed french toast” complete with cream cheese, granola nut and raisin. I don’t even like raisins on things, but this was so sweet slash tart with melt-in-your-mouth yumminess I thought I might faint. In terms of baked goods, you name it, they carry it. I’m not sure who/where the baked goods come from and the waiter pretended he didn’t know what I was talking about when I inquired.

The eggs! You can have any omelet any way you want. They serve delicious eggs benedict, florentine, or customized eggs benedict. My favorite side was the chicken sausage (avove). The whole experience was delicious and best of all, transpired before 9 a.m.

The Cupping Room Cafe opens for breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and has a quiet, kind group of locals who defy Soho norms and create a peaceful start to their day.

The Cupping Room Cafe  corner of Broome & W. Broadway 212.925.2898

Emma Dinzebach

At Peking Duck House, a cozy elegant haven tucked away on the grungy part of Mott Street south of Canal, you have to order peking duck. Um, duh. The house made pancakes and eggplant in  garlic sauce are amazing. But take it from the website, it’s all about the duck. They slice it at your table, and it just might be the best peking duck in Manhattan. There is actually a midtown Peking Duck House too, but for some reason it doesn’t taste as good sans Chinatown excursion.

Peking Duck House 28 Mott Street  212.227.1810

At TAO, the Peking duck is also delicious. The vast former theater houses a coy fish pond, a third level private room and hands-down my favorite dessert in the city. But for the main course, the sea bass, lobster dumplings and short ribs are crowd pleasers. Keeping with Christmas tradition, the Peking duck rivals Peking Duck House. And afterward, enjoy the dessert tray (you only need the small) of mouse filled fortune cookies, Mochi, chocolates and sorbet. A small dessert tray feeds up to five. If it’s the weekend, go later because TAO has live roaming musicians on the weekend nights starting around ten.

TAO Asian Bistro  58th Street between Park and Madison  212.888.2288

And toast to a Merry, Merry Christmas.

Emma Dinzebach

Here are our two recommendations for a post Turkey Day Detox. Because honestly, Thanksgiving is a bit a gross, and come tomorrow, you’ll be in desperate need for something a bit lighter.

In BK: Urban Rustic strives to bring Brooklynites grocery items grown locally. They know where their food comes from. Fruits and veggies are never frozen, pesticide free and make your insides say “gracias.” Don’t be tempted by the burritos, although they are delicious. This weekend go for the smoothie and juice bar. Breakfast with a paradox smoothie (banana, vanilla, wheat germ and honey) and lunch with a protein-based sandie on multi-grain or vegan friendly spelt. Don’t be scared of the veggie juices. The Urban Rustic V-8 uses seasonal veggies and can be customized to your liking.

If you are one of the lucky who didn’t cook on Thanksgiving, then Urban Rustic’s grocery store offers deliciouso options to prepare your own healthy dinner and detox through the weekend. Feeling lazy? For the health-conscious couch potato, they deliver!

Urban Rustic 236 N. 12th Street, Brooklyn, 718.

In Manhattan: Liquiteria is a bit more commercial than the cozy BK grocer, but you will learn to love the efficiency. And so will your body. The pressed juices come complete with immunity defenses and kidney and liver detox. The Mr. Green is outta this world; and it might be your answer to post-Turkey sludgery. Think shopping fuel. Smoothies and fresh squeezed juices are made to order, but if stuffing has rendered you indecisive, go for the Power Pina Colada or Berry Powerful. Liquiteria is better for, er, liquids, so skip the sandie. If you aim to try on clothes, you don’t need it anyway.

Liquiteria 170 2nd Ave @ 11th Street  212.358.0300

Emma Dinzebach