Food is my one true love

“The other day, my mother returned home from a work event with a huge tray of leftover snacks. These included cheeses, fruits, and various cured meats. I wasn’t too excited to eat straight salami and cheese for the next three days, so I turned it into a glorious sandwich with some sourdough bread. I slapped some Trader Joe’s Unexpected Cheddar Cheese and salami between two slices of bread and toasted the entire sandwich in a pan. The cheese melted everything together while the bread remained crispy, and I’m not going to lie, it was really, really, really, really good. I was pretty impressed with myself, since my cooking skills aren’t that great, and I ended up eating the exact same sandwich for my next three meals. I never got sick of it, either!”

—Maggie Miao, Sophomore

“Recently, my friends from middle school and I finally met up after months of not seeing each other. We walked the entirety of the Brooklyn Bridge, then made our way to lunch, exhausted and starving. We stopped by the Seaport location of Xi’an Famous Foods for the biggest portion of hand-pulled noodles I’ve ever had. The noodles were freshly made, giving them the perfect chewy texture that made every bite satisfying. The dish was drenched with chili oil and topped with tender meat, as well as spring onions and spicy peppers. Everything tasted incredibly authentic and the spice brought a bold new flavor to the overall taste. Eating it was messy because of the long noodles slipping from my chopsticks and the chili oil that splattered everywhere, but it was so worth it.”

—Kimberly Chen, Sophomore

“One of my favorite comfort spots is called Pho Top in Flushing, Queens. My mom and I go whenever we need a steaming-hot bowl of noodles to ease our minds and have a nice chat. As soon as we walk in, the ambience is welcoming as we take a seat at a table too big for just two. The place is never crowded, but it is certainly a hidden gem among locals. Their menu features a variety of Vietnamese cuisine, including spring rolls and rice vermicelli bowls, but, of course, the star of the show is the pho. Each bowl contains a handful of bean sprouts, cilantro, onions, and plenty of white rice noodles. Firstly, their portion sizes are generous, arriving in a bowl as big as my head and filled to the brim. On the side, they offer limes, jalapeno slices, and aromatic greens. I usually leave out the onions and focus on slurping the never-ending noodles, which are always a perfectly soft texture, along with the flavorful broth. My favorite toppings are chili oil and lime, which add the perfect spicy and sour element to an otherwise salty soup. This place never misses with their heart-warming, great quality pho.”

—Rachel Hong, Junior

“A while back, one of my friends and I were wandering Chinatown in search of something cheap and quick to eat. We were losing hope at all the insane prices until we stumbled upon a little place called ‘Fried Dumpling,’ where they were selling dumplings; the menu said they would sell 13 pork and chive dumplings for $5. Obviously, this deal was a steal, so we took the chance and got one order to share. Not only were they incredibly quick to serve it, but the dumplings themselves had the perfectly seasoned, tender meat inside with a crisply fried outer lining. The low price made it taste way better, too. If you’re ever in Chinatown, I’d highly recommend you check this place out.”

—Sara Bhuiyan, Sophomore

“The lemon ricotta pancakes at Locanda Verde. Served on their brunch menu, these pancakes were the highlight of my visit. Perfectly buttery and soft with fresh blueberries in every bite and a layer of creamy ricotta piled high over top. It was the perfect amount of sweet and melted in your mouth. Everything on their menu is delicious, but their brunch menu—pancakes specifically—are unbeatable. Locanda Verde, although upscale, is a must-see location in Tribeca.”

—Soraya Gharib, Freshman

“I made 20 hard shell tacos for my family using lean ground beef, shredded cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce, and a few tomatoes. While all of these different ingredients contributed unique tastes to the meal, what really made the meal so delicious was the taco seasoning that I added to the beef while it was cooking. The powder, when mixed with water, turned into a rich sauce. Upon trying my creation, I tasted a variety of flavors from the vast amount of ingredients, but I especially enjoyed how hearty the beef had turned out. I was also delighted that the cheese had melted from the beef above it. My creation was so scrumptious, and I hope to recreate it one day.”

—Noah Choi, Freshman

“Glin Thai Bistro in Fort Greene is, in my opinion, one of the best restaurants in the city. I’ve had a lot of Thai food, but nothing truly sings to me like this. The flavors are pronounced and vivid, and the variety is impressive. Service is fast, and there truly is something for anyone. Their beef shank massaman has such a polished flavor and is truly melt-in-your-mouth. And other things like the Kee Mao short rib are presented beautifully, and they all work in tandem to create a truly unique dining experience. But Glin’s true power is as a family restaurant; sharing allows you to unlock the whole palette of flavor experienced. Every time I’ve gone for the last three or so years (since it opened) it’s been consistently good on—there’s never been a single slip-up at all.”

—Riley Martin, Freshman

“For Mother’s Day, my family went out to eat at an Omakase. The location was at Kimyo Omakase Bar at Park Slope, Brooklyn. While it is a bit costly, that’s to be expected. But let me tell you, the food there is amazing! Each piece of sushi you get there makes you crave more, and if there’s one you particularly like, you’re able to get more afterwards! It’s around $50 for 14 pieces, with sushi ranging from Scallop to Bluefin Tuna, to even A5 Wagyu! If you live around the area, I highly recommend this place because it really opens your palette to new foods that you might enjoy! It’s consistently good with a great environment, quick wait time, and good food!”

—Alexander Deng, Junior

“When making the trek from Flatbush to Bushwick, one would expect to be greeted with practically perfect pizza, and at Roberta’s, they provide that and so much more. Upon entering you are greeted with a washing smell of the wood fired oven paired with a playlist of alternative rock and new wave punk from Joy Division to the Cure. Although there was a long wait before our food was served, it was well worth it when I took the first bite of their new summer special white pizza with ramps. Their crust is entirely singular with a soft and thick dough, closer to an authentic Italian style than the classic New York slice. The flavors blended together splendidly and left me ready to make the journey back again as soon as possible.”

—Stella Kubersky, Junior

“On my birthday, my family and I went to Capital Grille Lower Manhattan, and I got a lobster mac and cheese. Every time it’s a special occasion, such as a birthday or celebration of some sort, lobster mac and cheese has always been my go-to. Despite the semi-formal dress code I’m never thrilled about, the atmosphere there is great. Lobster mac and cheese is definitely one of my favorites and probably the only thing I would get from there. I love anything that has bread crumbs in it, so I really appreciated how generous they were. Additionally, I’m super picky about lobster, and it was great how they only included the good parts, making it worth the price. Despite my birthday overall being pretty trashy, lobster mac and cheese was a great way to pick up my mood, and I think it’s the sort of comfort food that everyone should experience (unless you’re allergic).”

—Kaity So, Freshman

“Every year around Hannukah, like clockwork, my father goes to Breads Bakery on the Upper West Side and gets 24 strawberry jam filled Sufganiyot for the week. We usually get through all of them in a couple of nights, although one time two friends and I got through all of them within a half hour, and the sheer amount of oil it was fried in put us to sleep for 13 hours. Sufganiyot are eaten to represent the miracle of oil during Hannukah, so my parents weren't very happy to find all of them pillaged just two hours after buying them. Although traditionally made with jam, my personal favorites are made with vanilla custard. It may be for the best that Breads Bakery only makes them around Hannukah, as I think I would be eating at least three every day if they were available year-round.”

—Sasha Silakov, Sophomore

“Last Saturday, I had been frantically running home from a laborious four-hour art session. It was raining; beads of water flew from my swaying hair, my skin cold and clammy, and of course, my stomach ravenous. Desperate to escape the overstimulation, I found my feet taking a left turn and stopping in front of my favorite restaurant, Shuya. I opened the door and was met with melodic bell chimes. The rapid drumming of rain and honking of vehicles were muted by warm sizzling, light chatter, and the clinking of cutlery. I ordered my favorite dish, the ‘Assari Yuzu Shio Ramen,’ and took in the atmosphere. The cool green seats created a contrast with the warm wooden tables. I observed the chef carefully plating dishes with thin chopsticks; everything felt still yet full of motion, as if straight out of a Studio Ghibli movie. Soon enough, my food arrived. The ramen came in a textured white bowl, topped with strips of chicken breast, clams, soft-boiled egg, arugula, and speckles of onion. The broth was citrusy and aromatic, warming my throat while leaving a refreshing aftertaste. I alternated between pairing the chewy noodles with the tender chicken and luxurious bites of egg. Tucked beneath thick bundles of noodles were golden bits of yuzu, and finding them felt like discovering pieces of treasure. Once I finished, it stopped raining (literally and figuratively).”

—Chloe Tseng, Sophomore

“After a long day of playing sports with friends and attending a volunteering event that revolved around food (during which I only drank a cup of ice tea), I came home at around 8 p.m. expecting a quick dinner, a shower, and bedtime. To my surprise, my mom stopped by a new bakery called Tangscape, which opened on 108th Street in Forest Hills. She picked up a slice of matcha cake and saved a good portion of it for me to try. Taken over just by the thought of a sweet treat, I quickly shoved a spoonful of each layer into my mouth. What hit me first was the delicate matcha cream. It was silky smooth and, obviously, not too sweet! The actual cake part really stood out to me with how airy and bouncy it was. The whole slice itself was a lively green and not at all gray. I wish I’d taken more time to appreciate the presentation, considering I tore it up within two minutes. I don’t even like matcha that much, but this slice really proved to me the excellence of cakes from Tangscape!”

—Haifa Sudirjo, Freshman

“A while ago, my brother took me out to eat at one of his favorite Thai restaurants, Siam Thai Eatery in Flushing. I absolutely adore Thai cuisine, and I always order pad kee mao, which is a spicy noodle dish with chilies, eggs, vegetables, and chicken. Out of all the Thai restaurants I’ve been to, I can say that this place did it best. The portions were huge and the chicken was extremely tender. Additionally, the noodles weren't greasy at all, and the spice was just right for my preferences. We also had crispy pork belly, dumplings, chive cakes, and chicken satay, which all had their own sauces, my favorite being their peanut-sesame sauce that I smeared on everything I ate. More than just being my favorite Thai restaurant to date, it was a great bonding experience with my older brother, and I look forward to going again soon.”

—Glynnis Gravador, Junior

“Every month or so (more if I have a big test coming up), my family makes the drive to the Ganesh Hindu Temple in Flushing, Queens. Of course, we pray, but the thing everyone is looking forward to is the Temple Canteen underneath the Gods. One of the New York Times Best Restaurants in NYC, the canteen is known for its crispy dosas. My favorite however is the puri chole, a puffed fried bread with a spicy chickpea curry. Every bite mixes textures: the crisp shell of the puri collapsing into the curry, the chewiness of the chickpeas against the airy bread. Even after finishing, the spices linger warmly on my tongue.”

—Mira Anant, Junior

“As I walk outside during my lunch break to escape the land known as Stuyvesant High, a tiny restaurant catches my eye. I walk inside and smell the spice, all while looking at their selection of rice. I take my first bite and my stomach finds it a delight. The tender meat melts in my mouth, the flavorful beans mixing perfectly with the earthy grens. Every bite feels warm and comforting, and it’s somehow exactly what I needed after a long morning of classes. It’s a food that makes me feel whole inside, almost taking me on a magical mystery ride. Her name? Chipotle.”

—Kabir Madan, Junior