Lafayette Street and East Fourth Street

A bit of the city’s silhouette captured when coming out of Astor Wines around cocktail hour.

Duane Street and Hudson Street

I’ve always wondered about this sign in my neighborhood, and now I’ve looked it up. Apparently, this is the location of the last whalebone-cutting establishment in the country (closed in 1920, according to the New York Times).
      And right across the street is an interesting, old nautical shop (called New York Nautical) with old, odd oceanworthy items inside, as well as sailing books and sea charts and such (we are, after all, only a couple of blocks from the river at this point on the island).

Broadway and Broome Street

Stopping by the rice bowls on a snowy evening. It’s difficult to walk through Pearl River Mart without being overwhelmed by desire and indecision. Everything is potentially useful and usually cheap (such as a $3 mini bamboo steamer for storing garlic). I don’t buy too much at once, however: miles to go before I sleep.

Warren Street and West Broadway

My first choice for where to meet friends would never be a sports bar but Warren 77 surprised me. It looks a little worrisome on the outside, doesn’t it? But inside is all clubby leather and mutedness. TVs on the walls were just a murmur in the background. Plus they serve up a pretty good Dark and Stormy.

West Street and Vesey Street

Who needs the tropics when New York has palms in the Winter Garden? (My husband. I’m on vacation and back in a week.)

Murray Street and West Street

The geometries of architecture and construction caught my eye here, under the awning connecting the new Goldman Sachs building and the movie theater.

24th Street and Seventh Avenue

The sight of water towers in the morning always reminds me of Rachel Whiteread’s translucent version.

Minetta Lane and Sixth Avenue

Still life with prosciutto slicer at Bellavitae restaurant. Where you can have more than prosciutto piled on a plate. Think of things like baked gorgonzola drizzled with chestnut honey, fried risotto balls, homemade orecchiette with broccoli rabe and anchovies and garlic (my favorite), grilled baby octopus, maybe fennel roasted in the brick oven, and a rustic pear tart with a reduction of Barbaresco.

Greenwich Street and Murray Street

To chase hot soup in the winter: not a bad idea. Here’s one of my favorite recipes, for chestnut truffle soup—probably not available at your neighborhood cart.

Bleecker Street and Cornelia Street

One of the things I like about Murray’s Cheese, other than the cheeses and pasta and crackers and chutneys, is the window into the sidewalk with a view of the cheese cave. Also, the cheese classes—about fondue and cheddar and wine pairings and all sorts of other things cheese-related.

Ninth Avenue and 24th Street

New York is apparently having a pizza revolution right now, and Co. is one of the restaurants involved. This small, sleek space (with a video of a blazing fireplace) offers up sides and salads and such, but it’s the individually sized pizzas—burnt around the edges, chewy otherwise, and topped with such combinations as brussels sprouts with chestnuts and lardons or cauliflower with chili and garlic—that will make you willing to stand in line. Lovely, crowded, loud, and warm. Here’s a recipe if you can’t wait.

Somewhere in the Marais

A little bit of New York in Paris, although I’m not sure the muffin is New York’s defining food. Although the ones at Bouchon Bakery (inspired by the boulangeries of France, according to the website) are pretty good.

Chambers Street and West Broadway

Zucker’s Bagels looks like it’s been around forever, but this review makes me think it’s new to the neighborhood. Inside are all the usual bagel varieties (plus, last time I was there, flavors like pumpkin spice and chocolate), and I think they’re as good as H&H (which has always been my favorite)—dense and chewy (and large). And the smoked whitefish salad is just what I want on top of a toasted everything bagel on a Sunday morning.

Central Park South and Seventh Avenue

Winter trees in the city. The beauty of frozen things in January. Time to brave the cold and strip away the frippery, to drink hot chocolate and see your breath on the window.