For breakfast SP and I went to the nearby Empire Diner. Despite it looking the part (its a free standing caravan type diner that’s all chromed out) breakfast was pretty average and expensive. I had the lox bagel and a latte (US$17.50 before tax or tip!). SP had poached eggs, bacon, “special” Empire fries and an English muffin. Apparently it was good apart from the bacon that was returned because it had been cooked to a crisp despite being asked for it not to be.
Lox bagel and latte
Poached egg, bacon, special Empire fries and English muffin
Put off by the queues at the Guggenheim and the Met SP and I sauntered across Central Park in search of Zabars, a mom & mom run delicatessen that has been in operation for decades. Hands down best delicatessen either of us had ever been to. It has a phenomenal selection of great quality foods at reasonable prices. See the selection of olives and strudels below.
Olives by the bucket
Oodles of strudels
They have a little cafe on the corner where some of their tasty delights can be sampled. Unfortunately this did not quite live up to the deli. I had a cheese blintz (served with apple sauce), a cinnamon bun and a filter coffee. The blintz was a little on the sweet side but otherwise good. The bun was sticky, sweet and moist. Zabar’s are known for their coffee and I was pretty impressed, despite not usually being into filter coffee.
Cheese blintz, cinnamon bun and filter coffee
SP had minipotato latkes, also served with apple sauce. I thought these were OK. SP quite liked them.
Mini potato latkes
We also took away some irresistable petits fours which we consumed on the subway a few hours later on the long subway ride to Coney Island. Their fondanty moist goodness was most appreciated.
After walking from Brighton Beach to the main part of Coney Islands in the wind and drizzle, via the deserted fairgrounds and freak show stalls, it was a major boon that Nathan’s Famous hotdogs was actually open. I ordered a hot dog with sauerkraut and fried onions. It was really good.
Hot dog with sauerkraut and fried onions
For dinner we went to Odeon, recommended by a number of locals. We both ordered the New York strip steak with a garlic butter sauce. The dish is accompanied by a huge pile of fries. The steak and its sauce were fantastic. Best steak I’ve ever eaten (sorry Dad!).
New york strip steak with garlic butter sauce and frites
