It’s mid October and we’re in peak fall foliage season. This week we’re informed that there are 21 better food-loving cities in the U.S. than New York…we don’t buy it. You can also learn how to cook mindfully thanks to Le Benardin chef Eric Ripert, eat some new seasonal Thai dishes in Bushwick, drink affordable cocktails made with Sotol, and eat Chinese doughnuts.
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New York Is No Longer a Great City for “Foodies”
According to a new study by WalletHub, the best cities in the United States for “foodies,” based on affordability, diversity of cuisines offered, accessibility and quality, is … not New York City. New York placed 22nd on the list, just below Fort Lauderdale in Florid. The top three cities on the compendium were Miami, Portland, and San Francisco. Denver slotted into the 10th place, Atlanta at 11, Houston at 13, Phoenix at 35, and Dallas at 36. What do you think about this?
Eric Ripert’s Mindful Dining Guests
Le Bernardin executive chef and co-owner, Eric Ripert recently reminisced about some of his most famous and memorable guests. Richard Gere, Mick Jagger, Jay-Z, and Beyonce, are among them, according to a recent article in the New York Post. The Dalai Lama has been to Le Bernardin twice. During his visits, Ripert served him wild salmon and then filet mignon, respectively. The Dalai Lama didn’t react much until the dessert course.
“He never showed much emotion, except when he had the chocolate mousse,” said Ripert whose cookbook Mindful Cooking, by the way, was released last week.
New York’s Four Best Bars in the World
Last week in Milan, the World’s 50 Best Bars list for 2026 was announced. The highest placed bars from the United States, Schmuck and Sip & Guzzle, landed at numbers 11 and 14, respectively. Gramercy bar Martiny’s came in at 46 and the East Village’s Bar Snack landed at 49. No other bars from the United States also made the compendium of cocktail bars. See the rest of the list here.
ICE Detains Major Food Group Employee
Volkan Guzey, who has worked at The Grill in New York and Carbone Miami, two restaurants within the Major Food Group, was beginning his honeymoon with his wife at Miami International Airport when he was detained by ICE. The Turkish-born Guzey was transferred from Florida to Texas and then to Colorado where he has been in detention for more than a month. His wife, Eliana Cabrera, has set up a GoFundMe account to help pay for legal fees.
Autumnal Menu Items at Little Grenjai
Thai-American diner Little Grenjai has just introduced some new seasonal menu items. The popular Bushwick spot, known for their Thai-accented burger, is now serving up honey-walnut shrimp, pumpkin curry, and spicy duck salad.
Sotol Week Is Upon Us
Sotol is a distilled spirit from northern Mexico made from the desert spoon plant. It’s earthy, herbal, and delicious when mixed into cocktails. Which is why you should embrace Sotol Week, happening October 13 to 17.
Sponsored by Casa Lotos, Sotol Week in New York is part of the larger Camino del Norte, an country-wide initiative to promote the spirit via $10 sotol cocktails at participating cocktail bars and restaurants. In New York, you can stop into Superbueno, After Eden, Jajaja West Village, The Argyle, and The Bedford on Stone Street to celebrate.
10 years of Sunday in Brooklyn
The Williamsburg destination for very Instagramable pancakes and burgers, Sunday in Brooklyn, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month by bringing in some guest chefs to reinterpret the famous dish. If you’re hankering for great pancakes, grab a seat on October 15 to find out what the kitchen at Kellogg’s Diner does with them. Or on October 22 when Laser Wolf gets a shot at it. More about the Sunday Stack Series here.
Kiko Launches Weekend Brunch
Located in Hudson Square, Kiko has just begun serving up a very intriguing brunch menu. The Asian American eatery’s weekend brunch includes dishes like a Chinese Donut made with condensed milk butter, Rice Congee, pandan-spiked Pancakes, and an Omelette with seaweed and creme fraiche.
National Pasta Day at Blu on the Hudson
October 17 is National Pasta Day and across the Hudson River on the Weehawken waterfront, Blu on the Hudson is having a virtual pasta-palooza on Saturday, October 17, serving up a Bolognese made with wagyu beef, as well as Spinach Radiatore and Lobster Fra Diavolo.
Braille is on the Menu at Melba’s
Chef Melba Wilson recently added a new item to her menu at her eponymous Harlem restaurant: Braille. Now the seeing impaired and Braille literate can go to Melba’s to explore the menu of delicious Southern staples. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.
Genesis House’s Cocktail Partnership
The elegant Korean restaurant in the Meatpacking District, Genesis House, is partnering with acclaimed Seoul cocktail den, Bar Cham. The South Korean-based bar has created a new cocktail menu of nine signature libations. One such example is the Chungju Gimbap, a drink blended with soju, makgeolli, cucumber, wasabi shrub, lemon and sesame oil. Reservations can be made here after October 20.
