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Around the World in NYC

By: Sarah Lynn Knowles

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It's certainly no secret that New York City functions as a cultural hub where America's so-called melting pot truly, visibly mixes. For the hungry traveller, these concentrated neighbourhoods present opportunities to sample some of the most authentically prepared ethnic cuisine you can find within the United States.

Below, Big Apple diners can find small ethnic hubs to explore, all of which feel worlds away from a typical Times Square getaway — yet are easily reachable from it.

Italian in the Bronx
Skip the ever-contracting tourist trap that is lower Manhattan's so-called Little Italy and head north to the Belmont section of the Bronx for your best shot at caringly prepared traditional Italian fare. At approximately 187th Street, Arthur Avenue (the neighbourhood's main strip) is lined with delis, bakeries, cafes and other various stores owned and frequented by Italian residents whose families have lived and worked on these same blocks for more than a century.

That history is apparent in the Old World charm throughout the neighbourhood. For example, generous portions of standard Italian fare have been offered at Ann & Tony's Restaurant since 1927 by five generations of the Napolitano family. The atmosphere is decidedly relaxed and family-friendly. Most notably, the longstanding menu includes three dishes (chicken, veal and shrimp plates, all with prosciutto) that "Grandmother Ann" served to "Grandfather Tony" on their wedding night in 1941. Similarly, at the traditional Mario's Restaurant, five generations of the Migliucci family have been preparing fresh Neapolitan dishes from scratch since 1919. The building's well-preserved original decor is filled with historic charm — enough so that an episode of "The Sopranos" was once filmed on location here.

Comparative newcomer Roberto Paciullo set up shop in Belmont just 10 years ago with Roberto, and since then his restaurant has grown to become an obvious neighbourhood favourite, expanding to a sort of Belmont empire that now includes Zero Otto Nove, a brick oven pizzeria not far from the main strip. Though traditional Italian fare here is dependably delicious, locals swear by the lengthy list of daily specials in which the chef presents creative takes on old favourites; a tender steak ravioli is one recent example.

Lastly, Antonio's Trattoria is a casual eatery run by a group of old friends who grew up in the neighbourhood and now aim to inject a fresh outlook into Old World Italian staples. The restaurant's most prominent feature is its large brick oven, which serves up a wide variety of tasty pizza combinations, of which the most popular is the traditional thin crust margarita with fresh mozzarella and basil.

Chinese in Chinatown, Manhattan
Manhattan's Chinatown notably boasts one of the largest ethnic Chinese communities outside Asia. The neighbourhood is bordered by Canal Street to the north, Bowery to the east, Worth Street to the south and Baxter Street to the west. Though it's worth a glimpse, hungry diners may prefer to skip the overwhelmingly crowded tourist trap that is Canal Street in favour of heading deeper south towards Chinatown's more authentic culinary offerings — many of which are quickly served and indisputably budget-friendly.

Historic Hop Kee was recently recognised on Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations" as a perfect example of "old school NYC." Open late night, super casual and inexpensive, Hop Kee offers a full menu of fried and steamed traditional Chinese fare, and is especially known for its wontons.

True "hole in the wall" Prosperity Dumpling has no real seating to speak of (just a few stools, made uncomfortable by the consistent long line queued alongside them), but this countertop establishment offers some of the freshest dumplings and scallion pancakes available in Chinatown, or anywhere.

Traditional Cantonese restaurant South China Garden specialises in seafood — specifically crab and lobster — in an uber-casual environment (think clay pot dish ware and tabletops lined with plastic sheets for easy clean-up). Service is quick, food is flavourful and the inexpensive pricing makes this a simple option for a decidedly low-key meal with friends.

The bustling Dragon Land Bakery offers two wide walls of freshly made pastries, both sweet (fresh cream puffs and coconut buns, for instance) as well as savoury (pork buns and hot dog rolls are best sellers in this category) for inexpensive snacking.

Korean in "K-town," Manhattan
Koreatown, or "K-town" as it's known, is bordered by 31st and 36th streets, and Fifth and Sixth avenues in Manhattan. Its densest strip is 32nd Street between Fifth Avenue and Broadway, and is officially named "Korea Way." The area is mainly a business district, with very few Korean people living there, but is still loaded with traditional Korean dining options like Don's Bogam BBQ & Wine Bar, which specialises in authentic tabletop barbecue. Like many restaurants here, its authentic dishes are complemented by a well-stocked selection of wine, sake and Korean liquors. On the opposite end of the spectrum is Hangawi, a serene vegetarian restaurant. Its menu offers healthy, innovative takes on traditional Korean vegetarian cuisine, including a prix fixe Emperor's Tasting Menu, an organic menu and seasonal highlights — all in a pleasant, peaceful atmosphere.

Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Gahm Mi Oak is a dependable casual lunch or dinner option by day, and a go-to late nightspot for bar goers by night. Its lauded specialties are traditional radish kimchi as well as Sul Long Tang, a slow-boiled ox bone broth topped with beef brisket, rice and rice noodles.

But not all dining experiences here are so easy to find. The cosy Arirang is not immediately visible, as the entrance to its elevator is tucked between numbers 30 and 34. But it's one restaurant worth seeking out. Its allure stems from the fresh hand-pulled noodles served piping hot in a variety of broths. Budget-minded travellers will find this a worthwhile option, as all menu items are priced under $10.

Indian in "Curry Hill," Manhattan
Little India is an area along Lexington Avenue between East 26th and East 30th streets in Manhattan that features a cluster of Indian restaurants and shops. Because this area sits just south of Murray Hill, it's sometimes referred to as "Curry Hill." In New York City, there are other "Little India" neighbourhoods — on East 6th Street between First and Second avenues in Manhattan, and another in Jackson Heights, Queens — but "Curry Hill" is the most historic of them.

Some restaurants here sport elaborate, ethnic decorations, such as Vatan Indian Vegetarian. Inside, diners enjoy their meals amidst a 20-foot banyan tree, hand painted tables, thatched roofs and bold, iconic murals. The $24.95 all-you-can-eat prix fixe dinner menu will stuff your stomach full with never-ending servings of traditional Indian fare.

Zagat-rated Dhaba, run by restaurateur Shiva Natarajan, leans towards India's northern culinary tradition and is known for its grill. Try a lamb or goat entrée; they're richly spiced and very popular. At night, the atmosphere here is slightly more upscale than its neighbours, and great for groups.

Looking for something a little more casual? With a name that translates to "lunch box," Tiffin Wallah is, appropriately, a humbly decorated vegetarian and kosher spot that offers lighter Indian fare for inexpensive prices. Another vegetarian spot, Chennai Garden is said to serve the best sambar and paper dosa (a South Indian crêpe made from rice and black lentils) in Manhattan. On weekdays, its $7 lunch buffet is one of the fresher bets in the neighbourhood, offering a variety of traditional items for indecisive sampling.

Polish in Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Greenpoint inhabits the northernmost part of Brooklyn, not too far from the East River waterfront and immediately north of trendy Williamsburg. Historically and statistically, the neighbourhood stands as a working-class, mostly Polish neighbourhood, and your best bet for authentic Polish cuisine. One of the area's best-known restaurants is Christina's, opened by Krystyna Dura — a native of Krakow, Poland — in 1993. She has served as its sole owner ever since, developing an extensive menu of Polish specialties and imported beer. Christina's offers a relaxed, homey atmosphere with comfortable booths and warm lightning. Lomzynianka also offers traditional Eastern European cuisine in a low-key atmosphere. The generous portions are affordably priced, and diners are welcome to BYOB with no corkage fee.

For a little more kitsch, farmhouse-styled restaurant Karczma features Polish folk music and servers dressed in traditional garb. Its menu features many affordable options, including grilled plates with combinations of kielbasa, blood sausage, chicken breast, ham, salmon and bacon for parties of two or three diners to share. With a name that translates to "king's feast" and a former chef from Robert De Niro's trendy Nobu sushi restaurant, Krolewskie Jadlo aims to put a gourmet twist on traditional fare. Though the restaurant does indeed feature a traditional pierogi, the menu's two most popular dishes are fancier: roasted duck legs in apples, and trout with yogurt herb sauce.

Greek in Astoria, Queens
Astoria, in northwest Queens, has served as a Greek cultural hub since the 1960s, when the influx of immigrants created the largest Greek population outside of Greece. Since then, the neighbourhood's population has expanded to include Italian, Lebanese, Brazilian and Albanian residents — though Astoria is still the main go-to spot for authentic Greek cuisine and often, a side of Greek culture. Every Thursday, quaint family-run restaurant Zenon Taverna features live Greek music as a backdrop for its reasonably priced Greek and Cypriot cuisine. The menu is updated daily to include fresh, seasonal ingredients in its creations, all of which are handmade with obvious care. Another neighbourhood staple, Taverna Kyclades specialises in fresh seafood like grilled octopus, one of its most popular items. Be prepared for a long wait — often more than an hour on weekend nights — though seating areas do expand to include sidewalks and a back pavilion in good weather.

"Modern Greek" restaurant Ovelia is most popular on weekend days when it offers its prix fixe brunch. Popular especially with the younger crowd due to its full bar and original cocktails, all meals offer a fresh take on traditional Greek cuisine in an airy atmosphere partly thanks to the organic decor. In contrast, the traditional Stamatis Restaurant, a family-friendly spot, offers up huge portions of authentic Greek food at affordable prices. The one located at 2909 23rd Ave. is the "original" Stamatis (another Greek restaurant by the same name sits just a few blocks away).

CAL CREW RECOMMENDATIONS

Two members of our flight crew will fill you in on their favourite stops in the Big Apple

Deneita Bauer, Supervisor In-Flight Training/Senior Cabin Crew Member

Where would you go on a date in NYC to eat?
Well, The View Restaurant & Lounge on the rooftop of the Marriott New York Marquis in Times Square is amazing! Good food and an amazing view of the city. It's the only revolving rooftop restaurant in the city. Very romantic.

What about a place for a family night?
There's Prime Burger on 5th and Madison Avenue; everything is under $10 and they also serve breakfast. Serendipity 3 in Midtown East, known for their frozen hot chocolate! I suggest making a reservation to avoid long waits, oh, and they are under $20.

Is there a must visit place on your list as well?
Jekyll & Hyde Restaurant and Bar is a spooky themed restaurant. Great entertainment! There are murder mystery parties, animatronics and live entertainment.

Nelson Garcia, Cabin Crew Member

What is your favourite restaurant in NYC?
Elmo. They serve American comfort food. It's 1960s swanky Miami decor, extremely trendy and fits perfectly into the Chelsea arts scene. I find it relaxing and the meals are priced under $20.

Sounds like a good find! And where might you be found on a date?
212 Restaurant and Bar in the Upper East Side. Wonderful ambience, it's laid-back but elegant at the same time. You have to try the Nutella crepes but especially one of their pizzettas.

Is there a must-eat-at restaurant in your opinion?
Personally I think there are too many to choose from! I advise visitors to take a cab to the meatpacking district and just walk around, there's so many to choose from. A must-eat place for me is the Anja Bar (formerly Buddah Bar) between 9th Avenue and Washington Street, offering Asian fusion cuisine and surrounding you with a peaceful ambiance.


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