Michelin star restaurants with weeks of waiting, celebrity chef-driven institutions, trendy bars in trendier neighbourhoods, places made popular overnight by sitcoms, menus measured solely by the zing in their ginger margarita, 1$ pizza places, nameless and faceless home delivery, legendary food chains, holes-in-the-wall.… After much food has been wolfed and beverages downed, here is a list of 10 food experiences excluding the ubiquitous hot dog cart (ranging from $$$ to $) that complete a NYC experience. Bon appetit!

1 Candlelit dinner @ Buddakan Their dress code sums up the vibe of Buddakan. ‘Downtown chic, fun, hip.’ This Asian restaurant in Meatpacking District is beautifully executed. Dramatic chandeliers, modern detailing with a vintage soul, upbeat DJ music, great Cosmos and a fusion menu... it’s the place to celebrate special days. Start with dim sums and end with their Crying Chocolate. And order as much as you can envelope in between.

2 Explore Eately Normally restaurants don’t greet you with an information desk but Eately isn’t your normal restaurant. Their motto is: ‘We cook what we sell, and we sell what we cook.’ Located five minutes from Union Square and a stone’s throw from the Flatiron, Eately is not just a meal stop but easily half a day’s worth of plans. Choose from the seven formats of restaurants, including a roof-top setting, under one roof. Or hop around to sample different moods and menus. And then there’s the shop where you get everything from cold cuts to crockery, from pots, pans to Paninis. It’s no less crowded than the ferry to the Statue of Liberty.

3 Burrito bowl @ Chipotle This Mexican grill might not be NYC exclusive (their first was set up in Denver, Colorado in early 1990s by Steve Ells) but it’s where the New Yorker lunches. The concept is stellar, don’t let the queues make you do an about turn. The lines move quickly. Choose your meal (burrito, burrito bowl, crispy or soft tacos), meat (pork, beef, chicken or steak), beans (pinto or black), rice (cilantro lime white or brown), toppings (cheese, lettuce, corn, sour cream, guacamole…), pick your level of salsa spice and you have yourself a healthy ‘fast food’ meal. Add the margarita and the chips and it’s a different story. But one that you won’t regret.

4 Lazy brunch @ Vinegar Hill House In the sleepy neighbourhood of Vinegar Hill in Brooklyn, there’s the charming Vinegar Hill House. The cosy little restaurant has a tiny menu proving that good things do come in small packages. Everything on the menu is fabulous. The classic egg sandwich, spicy sweet potato, maple cured slab bacon are totally recommended. As is mixing things up in the drinks department. They have a wicked cocktail menu starring the Fast Rascal that features pear brandy, lemon, ginger and sloe gin. PS: Jessica Alba celebrated her birthday there once. PPS: They also feature on Bib Gourmand, The Michelin Guide speak for “good food at moderate prices”.

5 Crepe cake @ Lady M The star of Lady M Confections is their signature Vanilla Mille Crepes. Twenty paper-thin handmade crepes are held together with the lightest and smoothest pastry cream. Sit with a cuppa and a slice of cake at their Bryant Park Boutique and watch the city go by. Or go to their Upper East Side flagship cafe if you fancy a sandwich along with a strawberry mille-feuille. You know who is a die-hard fan? Calcutta’s Kookie Jar lady Lovey!

PS: The name of the confectionery might conjure up a rather glam image of a proprietress called Lady M but it is, in fact, owned by a man. His mother is called ‘Madam’ by the staff.

6 Chicken-and-rice off the street It’s delicious. And it’s for under 6$. Most street corners have a chicken-and-rice cart and everyone in NYC has their own favourite. The online world swears by the guy on 53rd and 6th but insiders vouch for the fellows at Jackson Heights. In a foam box, a generous helping of rice is topped with an equally generous portion of halal chicken pieces and a mysterious white sauce. The Jackson Heights guys add a signature green sauce.

7 Cheesecake @ Junior’s Arguably the best cheesecake to be found in NYC, Junior’s has been in the business since 1950. Their flagship is in Brooklyn but their Times Square outlet will fit the bill for a cheesecake fix on the go. Their Original NY Plain Cheesecake (a slice for around Rs 500) is best enjoyed at home ensconced in bed with the latest episode of Two Broke Girls.

8 Pizza slice for 1$ This is for all the times you are in a hurry. Or broke. Or both. Or just need some good ol’ grease to cure a hangover. That pizza slice you get for a dollar is a meal. Add in a few cents and you can get yourself a can of soda to wash it down.

9 Chinese takeaway in a box They are all over the city and they are all damn good. Get the brown rice to feel better about the floating oil that is part of that package.

10 Magic of Michelin Three stars (exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey), two (worth a detour) or one (a good place to stop on your journey), you have to experience a Michelin star dining experience. Go online, choose a place with care (preferably one that is non-pretentious), book a table in advance, dress up, reach in style, sit back, relax and enjoy a meal you won’t forget in a hurry.

Sushi: From super-fancy restaurants to takeout from 7-Eleven, sushi surrounds NYC.

All-day diners: A classic New York diner will have a leather booth and serve eggs, pancakes and fries all day. Or night. The city survives on them.

Brunch: Unlike here where brunch is basically lunch, brunch menus there are eggs and more eggs. And drinks and more drinks.

NYC cannot do without some e-help from Yelp! It’s the most useful app on everyone’s phone.

Shradha Agarwal

Which Calcutta restaurant would you recommend to a tourist? Tell t2@abp.in