An Indulgent Week
It’s been an exciting frigid seven days, wandering around the city and indulging in dishes that left such an impression, I had to write about them. From a comforting bowl of pho to a pizza crawl and creating my own recipe, this week was nothing short of an adventure.
Monday: Vegan phở at Nom Nam
One of the best Vietnamese spots in the city, this place quickly became a favorite of mine in Murray Hill after discovering it in late 2023, when I started treating myself to long, leisurely lunch breaks. I still remember my first taste of their pho and how fresh every ingredient tasted. The crispness of bok choy, onion, and bean sprouts, the kale marinated in a rich veggie broth, the perfectly cooked noodles—firm yet yielding a soft texture—and the tangy-sweet kick from lime, jalapeños, and Thai basil. Each element comes together in a way that’s both vibrant and satisfying.
Wednesday: Rigatoni Pesto at Tarallucci e Vino
When dining at Italian restaurants in the city, I always look for fresh pasta and generous portions. Unfortunately, I find that many places fall short on both. But here, the hearty ingredients make up for what initially seems like a small portion. Al dente rigatoni tossed in a fragrant, herbal pesto and topped with rich, creamy burrata—it was a great meal for the middle of the week.
Friday: Pizza Crawl and Chocolate Interlude
Chrissy’s
If you ask anyone who knows me, I never shut up about how incredible the Italian and Polish food scene is in Brooklyn. But I also always say it has my favorite pizza slices in all five boroughs, and Chrissy’s is no exception.
Originally a pandemic pop-up, Chrissy’s is a spot for a classic NYC pie. The menu is simple but spot-on—offering just the essentials: plain, pepperoni, special, and vegan red. It’s decked out in nostalgic red-and-yellow tiled walls and VHS tapes playing from a small TV on the counter as music blasts from a Marshall amp.
It was an ideal harmony between bread, sauce, and cheese. The tomato sauce is sweet, fresh, and juicy. The cheese, melting across the slice on a classic white paper plate, delivers a creamy, indulgent texture that makes every bite more satisfying. It’s a little on the oily side, but surprisingly, none of that heaviness lingers. My husband and I devoured three slices each, leaving us both content and serene.
If you’re planning to visit, just know you can only order a whole pie :)
Intermission at The Chocolate Room
We had been waiting since 4 p.m. for our 9 p.m. reservation at Lucali’s (more on that later). As we passed the time and savored our first pizza of the night, we decided to break the rules and mix up our meal order. With the temperature dropping to a brisk 23°F, it felt like the perfect excuse to indulge in some hot chocolate.
Just a 30-minute train ride from Greenpoint, we found The Chocolate Room in Carroll Gardens. Charmed with its Parisian ambiance, this cozy spot has some rich, spicy dark hot chocolate, topped with a fluffy marshmallow swirl and stirred with creamy chocolate spoons.
Lucali’s
After our sweet retreat, we headed over to Lucali’s for our 9 p.m. reservation. As I mentioned earlier, we had been waiting since 4 p.m. for our spot. Lucali’s has a first-come, first-seated, no reservation approach to their customers. Most people start lining up around 3 p.m. just to secure a reservation for 8:30 p.m. or earlier, depending on where they land in line. While the restaurant opens at 5 p.m., they begin taking names at 4 p.m. to accommodate the eager, hungry crowd. They know how to amp up the hype, which makes the chase pretty exciting. So a good tip is to get there as early as you can, and be ready to wait for possibly a later table.
It was absolutely worth the wait. By now, we were pretty full from Chrissy’s and the hot chocolate, but we were determined to push through. That first bite left us torn between what was now two amazing pizza spots. Chrissy’s creamy cheese or Lucali’s light, crispy crust? Chrissy’s hearty tomato sauce or Lucali’s delicate marinara? Ultimately, we concluded that both were equally delicious and completely different. Chrissy’s had a Brooklyn vibe—rich with sauce, cheese, and oil. They got that urban ambiance, furnished with a Steve Buscemi poster on the wall. Lucali’s, on the other hand, transported me to the subtly sweet and thin slices of Florence. It was the taste of Italy, captured both on my plate and in the vibrant, rustic charm of the restaurant, evoking the lively atmosphere of a piazza. Chrissy’s felt playful, while Lucali’s was more charming. They offered its own unique and unforgettable experience.
A tip for fellow pizza crawlers: Lucali’s only serves whole pies as well, but their menu also includes pasta and a variety of calzones. We opted for the artichoke calzone, and let me tell you—while the pizza was amazing, the calzone was disrespectfully delicious.
Saturday: Chocolate Croissant and Tea at Watchhouse Coffee
Friday was evidently heavy so Saturday called for a light breakfast. Originating in South London and now with locations across the UK and on 5th Avenue, Watchhouse Coffee serves some of the most aromatic cups with rich flavor profiles—ideal for cozying up during the winter. I started with a refreshing lemongrass tea, followed by a deliciously moist and flaky chocolate croissant, which paired with a perfectly balanced matcha latte.
Sunday: Prints and Pasta
Scenes of New York
Amid the Holiday Shops in Central Park, I came across a set of prints featuring bold contrasts of blue, yellow, and red. As I sifted through paintings of hot sauce, pretzels, and espresso martinis, one piece stood out—a print of everything that reminded me of New York. It caught the essence of the city so vividly, I could almost smell it coming off the paper.
If you're looking for a visual representation of what NYC smells and tastes like, Lauren Greenfield Art offers magical prints that truly bring meals to life.
Ragu Wrap
I wrapped up with a burst of creativity by crafting my ideal version of a pasta bowl. Keeping the carb adventure going, I prepped fresh ingredients, lit some candles, cranked up the music, poured myself a glass of prosecco, and ended up with a brothy and tangy ragu sauce over some velvety tagliatelle. Curious about the recipe? Check it out on the recipe blog ;)
