Momofuku Milk Bar is one of those places in NYC that's always being raved about. Its desserts are incredible, it's worth the wait in line, best place to get your sugar fix...... It's all true! Ok, maybe not the 'best' part because I still haven't tried every dessert place in the five boroughs. But stand in line at 11 PM after a long day and once you finally get to order and are handed your crack pie or candy bar pie - you'll find you truly understand the meaning of, "worth waiting for." once and for all! (Do skip the cookies, that's the only thing I'm not keen on. Don't skip the milk, with your pie.)

Christina Tosi, the pastry chef at Momofuku, is a genius in my humble opinion. These cake truffles may look innocent enough but they are absolutely delicious. It's all in the texture and the classic flavours. Give the birthday cake ones a try and buy a few bags to take home, I always regret not having bought enough! http://willtravelforfood.com/2011/04/03/new-york-city-restaurants/

Food is a highly subjective love of course, but my money on the best bowl of Asian noodles in NYC always goes to Xi'an Famous Foods. Most of their locations are small, you will wait and in the summer it won't feel worth it. However, once you dig in to your bowl of spicy broth, stewed pork/lamb/oxtail that falls apart on your fork because it's so tender and hand-ripped noodles– you will understand. This isn't like the ramen you think of when you hear 'Asian noodles'. Do yourself a favor, skip the available cans of soda and instead opt for their homemade cold jasmine tea (sweetened or unsweetened) - it perfectly cuts the spice that a coke cannot handle. There are 4 locations, including one in Queens, most of which are too busy to count on during lunch time; visit for a late lunch or early dinner and you'll be thankful. You may also find a seat!

Brunch. My favorite meal. My favorite, favorite meal. I’m always trying to convert those I love most to feel the same and so I labor over choosing just the right place for far too long. Enter, The House, perchance the most aptly named restaurant in New York seeing as its a refurbished 1854 carriage house. It's a welcome step back in time, which fits just too perfectly with a lazy Sunday morning.

The best ramen noodles I've ever had. The broth is heavenly, the pork belly melts in your mouth and the atmosphere is a rarely experienced mix of Japanese kitsch and New York hipsterness (Yes, I did just make up a word!) This ramen haven is going on my permanent list of places to visit each time I go to NYC!

If you can't fly across the pond to experience High Tea in England, the next best thing is to replicate the experience in your own city or town. Lady Mendl's in perhaps New York's most authentic British tea salon and for good reason. Every detail and decoration here screams Downton Abbey and the like. The Victorian style architecture and furniture add instant elegance to the salon's overall ambiance. After being seated, guests enjoy a delicious five-course tea and an assortment of bite size sandwiches and freshly baked scones. The tea menu is rather extensive so don't be shy to ask your waiter for recommendations. All in all, it's the perfect way to spend an afternoon with friends. It took me a good two and a half years to discover this place, making it a true hidden gem. How to Get There: Take the L, 4, 5, 6, N, Q, or R train to Union Square

Established in 1854, McSorley's is the oldest tavern in NYC, and a great place to venture for an afternoon beer (or two...as they're served by the pair). Oh, and don't expect a fruit-infused heferweizen or an organically-hopped Imperial; Light or Dark are your only choices.

The Batali-Bastianich Italian marketplace Eataly is never empty, never quiet and never boring, but if you want to escape the din of shoppers, head to the rooftop Birreria, a restaurant and brewery formed in collaboration with Dogfish Head, Baladin and Birra Del Borgo. Perched above the Flatiron District, the airy, casual restaurant is the perfect place to grab an afternoon pint and chat with friends. While food is served (a bon vivant's choice of charcuterie, housemade sausages, cheeses, salads and pickled vegetables), the draw of the Birreria is its incredible selection of house brewed, cask-conditioned ales. Though "brew" may not be the right word: these tipples are crafted. Using ingredients like chestnuts, thyme and Italian wheat, these ales ($10 a glass) are flavorful and easy drinking, though simultaneously deep and subtle. If it is on the menu, order the Etrusca Ancient Ale. Recreated from a 2800 year old recipe with the help of Molecular Archaeologist Dr. Pat McGovern, the ale's ingredient list sounds like that of an alchemist: hazelnuts, pomegranates, Italian chestnut honey, Myrrh resin, Gentian root, Delaware and clover honey and Senatore Capelli (an Italian wheat). The resulting flavors are cider-like, as the warm honey notes blend with the hazelnuts. Like all cask-conditioned ales, the Etrusca is naturally carbonated and unfiltered, with a pleasant weight that dances on the tongue. If you're looking for magic in New York, well, Birreria sells it by the glass.

If you want a remarkable view of the top of the Empire State Building, head to Birrerria, a rooftop brew pub above the famous Eataly marketplace in the Flatiron District. While snacking on a wide array of salumi and cheese and sipping a cold, frothy beer or a tall glass of wine, you can gaze at the top of the Empire State building as it reaches high into the clouds above.

These are some of the best "fast" food burgers in the country! There's always aline up but it's worth it! Their milkshake and frozen custards are also a must. http://willtravelforfood.com/2011/04/03/new-york-city-restaurants/

Union Square Park in NYC is usually bustling with markets, street performers, skateboarders, sidewalk chess, food trucks, and not a moment of silence or peace... until you take a quiet walk with Gandhi through the magnolia trees.

I needed a last minute reservation at a good restaurant around Gramercy Park and Casa Mono came through. Thanks to NYC native and restaurateur Michael Kassar on the recommendation. The Fideos with Clams and Chorizo seen above were killer! More at GlobalAddicts.com

Opened in 1914, this is a New York institution. Its been owned and operated by four generations of the same family. You really feel like your stepping into a NY deli 50 years ago.

If you love books, a visit to the world-famous Strand Book store is a must when you go to New York. The store is most famous for having 18 miles of books which can be overwhelming when you first walk in but everything is super organized on all four floors and you could spend hours browsing in there which is kind of a nice break when you need to get away from the crowds on the street or the summertime humidity. I love this place and hope to back again!

The Jade Bar and Rose Bar in the Gramercy Park Hotel are a delight for the eyes. The two adjoining barrooms are splendid as are the fashions of the patrons. The hotel itself has very dramatic guest rooms, a terrific roof top restaurant and bar, and access to one of the nicest and most controlled private parks in NYC, Gramercy Park. But all those require one to be a guest of the hotel, whereas the bars are a bit more open to the public. This photo is taken in the Rose Bar, during the afternoon. There are no windows, so the view is the same at midnight, just add people.

Located in the heart of the Flatiron shopping district is Paper Presentation, a sunny, colorful paper paradise. Browse aisle after aisle of paper, cards, card stock, envelopes, stationery, custom invitations, scrapbooking materials, presentation folders, arts and crafts supplies, party supplies, desk accessories and more. Prices are reasonable and there is enough of a variety to please everyone. So many fun designs—you can easily spend an hour in here and find lots of things that you think you "need!"

Momofuko Noodle Bar is the creation of the sometimes controversial Korean chef David Chang. This restauranteur has taken hold of several blocks in the East Village where you'll find a handful of his enterprises including the noodle bar and milk bar. Momofuko Noodle Bar was the first of David's restaurants. It serves ramen, a selection of seasonal menu options, and its famous pork buns on a walk-in basis. No reservations are taken. When you go, if you have the option of sitting at the bar, do so. You'll get to watch the skilled team of Momofuko chefs roll out dish after dish of delicious food.

Eleven Madison Park's annual Kentucky Derby bash is the next best thing to being in Louisville for the race. Each year the restaurant's grand Art Deco space is taken over by ladies in outrageous hats and dapper gents in seersucker suits and bow ties. The Eleven Madison Park team goes all out bringing in live bluegrass bands, buglers, cigars from Nat Sherman, beer from Brooklyn Brewery, and of course a ridiculous amount of delicious Southern-inspired food (think fried chicken and waffles) to soak up the potent mint juleps. 11 Madison Avenue, NY, NY (212) 889-0905, www.elevenmadisonpark.com

There are a lot of ice cream trucks in NYC. Only one started out as the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck but became a brick-and-mortar Big Gay Ice Cream shop. Whether you flag down the truck somewhere in Midtown or wait in line at the shop on E 7th in the East Village, prepare your taste buds because this is not average ice cream truck fare. With names like the Salty Pimp, Nutty Merlin and Mexican Affo'gay'to, you'll remember the experience long after you've somehow managed to forget the taste (though why would you forget, it's amazing)! These guys are so serious about putting the fun back in ice cream, they even have BGICTV, their own reality cam broadcasting the madness that is the creation of dessert infused with a little glittery unicorn magic.

Food trucks are a common sight in Manhattan these days, and I love it because I'm usually rushing from one place to another, eating on the go. Never has it been so easy to find a great meal while I'm doing so. I have quite a few trucks that I prefer but my reigning favorite right now is: Palenque. This Colombian food truck serves Arepa. Traditionally, with corn tortilla, or with varieties such as flour and quinoa - each is prepared fresh on demand for the customer. Because of this, wait time can be prolonged in comparison to other trucks. The wait is always worth it. Chicken, shrimp, beef and vegetarian options are all available. To drink, I recommend their homemade teas and lemonade sweetened with raw sugarcane. It won't be hard to spot the truck covered with dynamic paintings of colorful parrots, when you see it, make the time to stop and place an order. Your mouth will thank you!