Petra's Tip

Newly renovated Will Café located at Carnegie Hall gives you an opportunity to have a Stumptown coffee, grab-and-go pastries, or lunch during the day or indulge in a wonderful dining experience just before the concert in the evening. Dinner at Weill Café is offered about 80 nights during the concert season when there are concerts presented by Carnegie Hall at Stern Auditorium. You can only attend the dinner if you have the tickets for the show. The seating is limited and there is only a prefixed menu including amuse bouche, appetizer, main course, dessert, and unlimited beverages that change each night.

Petra's Tip

Unique restaurant on the 101st floor in Hudson Yards with 360-degree views. I usually suggest this place to anyone wanting to visit The Edge, outdoor sky deck, as well. By eating at The Peak and spending over $40 per person, you also get a free entrance to The Edge. They offer both prefixed and a la carte menus. If you wish to sit next to the window, you will have to order a prefix menu while centrally located tables have the possibility of ordering from the a la carte one. Another tip is to go between 3 pm and 5 pm when they are switching from lunch to dinner service and sit at the bar or the bar lounge. They offer light snacks and wonderful cocktails.

Petra's Tip

Mercado Little Spain located on the lower level of The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards luxury mall. It features delicious diversity of foods and drinks from all corners of the culinary countries in the world. It is perfect for both grabbing a little snack or enjoying a lengthy dinner with friends in a good Spanish style. I love to grab a prosciutto and cheese sandwich (Jamon & Queso), together with Tortilla de Patatas. For a full Spanish experience, I do a Churros as a dessert.

Petra's Tip

Maison Pickle is an eatery brining comforting American classic. Their signature dish is a French Dip, but other meals and cocktails are also worth mentioning. While they run all day, their brunch is my favorite. Beside well-known French Dip, their Croque Madame and Patty Melt are my go-to. For those that have a sweet tooth, you won’t miss with any version of their Challah French Toast. Please note that portions are enormous and would highly suggest splitting them between two people.

Petra's Tip

One of the truly best pizzas in NYC. Perfect curst, flavorful toppings, and reasonable prices. While they have a great cheese slice, one of my favorites is Hot Honey Pizza with mushrooms, ricotta, and mozzarella, finished with a hot pepper infused honey. Other good ones are Chicken Ranch and Meat Lover’s Pizzas.

Petra's Tip

Employees Only is a speakeasy located in the heart of the West Village known for its elevated cuisine and best cocktails in the area. As a big vodka fan, I loved their signature Amelia cocktail. If you sit at the bar, befriend bartenders for some secret cocktail recipes. For dinner, I loved their Ricotta Gnocchi and Hand-Cut Steak Tartare. They only take reservations for dining. Bar and appetizers are sat strictly on a walk-in basis.

Petra's Tip

Katana Kitten is a funky, bi-level space, with upstairs being a main bar and downstairs more of a communal seating that looks like a darkroom studio. This Japanese bar was ranked 27th on The World 50 Best Bars in 2023. Award winning mixologist Masahiro Urushido’s drink list offers standards from his native Japan, like a Highball (Japanese whisky, lemon oil, koume) alongside modern creations like the Panda Fizz (vodka, pear brandy, calpico, lemon, pandan, lava salt). The light food menu also finds inspiration in Asia with dishes like Nori Fries and Cucumber Salad (Japanese cucumbers, carrot, purple daikon, wakame, miso lime vin, lotus chips).

Petra's Tip

Great afterwork local bar or before show hangout spot offering great variety of cocktails and food. While being in the middle of the city, it offers high-quality but reasonably priced drinks. It has two floors – Tanner Smith on the ground level, and its sister Polly’s, a speakeasy, located in the basement. While Tanner opens every day, Polly’s is open Wednesday to Sunday. On the ground floor upfront they have a long bar, high top tables and a lot of standing space for the large crowds that show up after work. In the back, low top table section is reserved for those joining for the dining experience.

Petra's Tip

Breakneck Ridge Trail is located at Hudson Highland State Park Preserve. It is possible to start this hike from multiple points, but the main point is Breakneck Ridge Trailhead.While Breakneck Ridge is the most popular trail, it is also most challenging. There are couple easier trails and loops that I prefer:Wilkinson Memorial to Casino Trail: You should start with Wilkinson Memorial Trail at the entrance just a little norther from Breakneck Ridge Trailhead. By connecting to Casino trail, you will finish in another beautiful town of Beacon full of bars and restaurants where you can recharge after the hike. Breakneck Ridge to Undercliff Trail or vice versa: Starting this trail from Breakneck Ridge Trailhead entrance and connecting to Undercliff Trail brings you to a magical town of Cold Spring where you can also stop for dinner or drinks after the hike. It is also possible to start your day with the breakfast at Cold Spring and then do the hike in reverse which is suggested on weekdays when Metro North does not stop at Breakneck stop but you have to get out at Cold Spring. Breakneck Ridge – Breakneck Bypass – Wilkinson Memorial – Nimham – Breakneck Ridge Loop: This option is great if you wish to explore multiple different trails with different intensities and do pure nature experience without stopping in any of the nearby cities.