Netflix: Season 2
Phil Rosenthal visits New York City, the iconic metropolis that is a melting pot of cultures, cuisines, and experiences. Phil tries the best that the city's 5 boroughs has to offer, including legendary pizza spots such as Di Fara's and Totonno's, as well as iconic eateries such as Peter Lugers and Nathan's. See the list of locations, restaurants, and attractions he visited on the show for the best of what to do in New York City.
Eats
1. Peter Lugers
178 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11211, USA
Phil is joined by Massimo Bottura (of Osteria Francescana - World's Best Restaurant in 2016 and 2018) and Nancy Silverton at what is widely regarded as one of, if not the best, steakhouse in New York. Phil makes sure to visit this iconic spot every year, where he gets the porterhouse steak in this no-frills restaurant that is focused solely on the food.
Tasted:
Cheeseburger and bacon
Lambchop
Porterhouse
Hash browns, french fries
Ice cream sundae
Chocolate mousse cake, pecan pie, with whipped cream
2. Totonno's
1524 Neptune Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224, USA
Phil heads to Coney Island to a New York classic pizza spot. The founder's grandfather had worked with Lombardi - who opened up what is regarded as the 1st pizzeria in America - and this pizza spot has stayed with the family for almost 100 years. Phil pops a bottle of prosecco to celebrate.
Tasted:
Sausage and Mushroom pie
White pie
3. Di Fara's
1424 Avenue J, Brooklyn, NY 11230, USA
The next stop on the pizza tour is perhaps the most famous of them all. Di Fara's was founded by Dimarco and Farina and is regarded as one of the best pizza spots in all of the U.S. Dimarco is still working there and pulls the pizza out of oven with his bare bands. He's been doing it for more than 50 years, and the quality of the pizza is worth the 1 to 1.5 hour wait.
Tasted:
Basic pie with fresh cut basil
4. Razza
275 Grove St, Jersey City, NJ 07302, USA
Phil heads west to New Jersey to visit a pizzeria with a modern and original take on the art of pizza. Razza typically has a rotation of up to 60 pies that showcase the creativity that can take place on a pizza.
Tasted:
Pepperoni pizza
New Jersey corn, shaved onions, fresh mozzarella, scamorza cheese pizza
Pork pie - inspired by the xiao long bao dumpling
5. Pilot
77 Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA
Taking a break from pizza, Phil meets up with Al Roker, the host of the Today Show. They end up on a boat with a beautiful view of the river and skyline, but also where they serve fresh oysters. The key, they say, is to sip the water and then chew the oyster.
Tasted:
Oysters
6. White Gold
375 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024, USA
The next stop is a butcher shop on the Upper West Side that also serves up the American classics.
Tasted:
Bacon egg and cheese sandwich
Pastrami reuben
Hot dog with kimchi sauerkraut
Roast beef with beef butter
Chopped cheese with pickle and jalapeno
7. Chef's Club
275 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012, USA
Next is a unique restaurant in the Soho area where there is a rotation of chefs to keep the menu new and exciting.
Tasted:
Goat noodles with West African peanut sauce, braised goat, bok choy, and edamame
Jollof rice with curry
Braised shortribs with peanut sauce, rice, beans, and roti
8. Nathan's
Phil heads out to Coney Island to try the famous hot dogs. They host the hot dog eating contest every July 4th where Joey Chestnut has won the competition a record 15 times (and counting).
Tasted:
Hot dog
Crinkle cut fries
9. Ice and Vice
221 E Broadway, New York, NY 10002, USA
The next stop is the Lower East Side to go to an ice cream shop with crazy inventive flavors and is a winner of the Vendy's award.
Tasted:
Mexican vanilla with black lava sea salt
Buckwheat honey with tumeric and sunflower seed butterscotch chip
Opium den - lemon bread crouton with poppy seed and white sesame
9am - Vietnamese coffee with donut truffle
Shade - smoked dark chocolate
Peach jalapeno
Yuzu with coconut milk
Swedish fish
10. Russ & Daughters
179 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002, USA
The next stop is with famed actor and comedian Tracy Morgan. The visit another classic New York institution that was opened in 1914, but is still family run to this day.
Tasted:
Chocolate egg cream
Potato latke
Gravlax on bagel
11. Blue Hill at Stone Barns
630 Bedford Rd, Pocantico Hills, NY 10591, USA
Phil's favorite restaurant in the United States - it's built on a farm some miles north of the city. The restaurant is helmed by chef Dan Barber, who is a creative genius that is also working towards making food sustainable. The meals can often last 3, 4 or 5 hours and takes full advantage of the food and surroundings around the farm.
Tasted:
Vegetable sushi
Beets hot dog
Mushroom cooked in compost with poached egg
Fish head with rice
Duck breast
Roasted gruyere oyster with eggplant broth
Activities
1. High Line
Gansevoort St to 34th St, Manhattan, NY 10011, USA
A mile and a half long of an old elevated railroad, it offers visitors an urban oasis and serene escape from the bustling streets below.
2. Fort Tryon Park
Riverside Dr to Broadway, New York, NY 10040, USA
A tranquil park in the northern part of the city that was built by JD Rockefeller and offers a great view of Hudson River.
3. Central Park
59th St to 110th St, Manhattan, NY 10023, USA
Phil's favorite park in the world - it's a man made park that is over 840 acres and right in the middle of the city. Phil enjoys a picnic here of a collection of New York classic foods with his friends in ballet.
Tasted:
Charles' pan fried chicken
Faicco's Giant Hero Sandwich
Katz pastrami
Harry and Ida's pastrami and other sandwiches, and smoked bluefish
Chocolate egg cream
Han Dynasty's dan dan noodles
Chocolate cake
4. Zabars
2245 Broadway, New York, NY 10024, USA
Phil visits a New York classic deli store to pick up some cheese, gravlax, and bagels.
Tasted:
Bagel with cream cheese
5. Ganesh Temple
45-57 Bowne St, Flushing, NY 11355, USA
A Hindu temple in Queens, Phil visits and learns about the traditions here. People typically bring offerings - flowers, incense, milk, fruits, and notably coconuts. When you break the coconut, it is symbolic of letting one's ego go. There is a canteen downstairs specializes in dosa, which are south Indian vegetarian pancakes of fermented rice and lentils.
Tasted:
Rava masala dosa
Mysore masalda dosa
Paper dosa
Onion chili uttapam
6. Coney Island
1208 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224, USA
Phil visits the vibrant neighborhood in Brooklyn, known for its iconic boardwalk, amusement park, and beautiful beach. He pays a visit to the legendary Nathan's Hot Dogs.
