Mia eats New York City

Mia loved to eat. I can think of so many times when we were just finishing our last bites of breakfast and already she got to planning the fantastic lunch we'd have later. She always had a very clear vision for what she wanted to eat, like everything else in her life.

Our friends—locals and international visitors alike—would often ask us to guide them to the coolest places to eat in New York City. After writing and rewriting our list for many dozens of friends, Mia and I finally came upon the idea of making an online guide. That way, the list was always there, and we could include links. She wanted to make sure her favorite people were well fed and enjoyed themselves immensely.

We never got around to finishing the web site—which was meant to include Mia's photographs of each place. I'm posting Mia's notes here now. Do yourself a foodie favor and follow her recommendations to the letter.

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Risotteria

Gluten-free pizza with olive puree, feta & goat cheese, and arugula. This pizza tastes better than "real" pizza. I love the thin crust, the fresh arugula, and the full-but-not-too-full kind of feeling you have after. Also, the gluten free beer New Grist is a great appetizer along with the free gluten-free bread sticks, yeah!

The Grey Dog
Greek salad. This salad is massive, super fresh, and fun to eat because the cucumber and feta are cut into perfect bite-size pieces. The place is fun, busy with students.

Brown
Baked eggs with manchego and asparagus. It's just classic. Sometimes I plan my day around this meal, which you can do since they serve it all day. I go to the gym extra long to make sure I am extra hungry and then go alone (or with very special person) and enjoy this perfection slowly and carefully. Coffee is also good. Sometimes I ask for single-shot Americanos though, so that I can enjoy two cups instead of one.

Schillers
Huevos rancheros. These eggs are baked and come served in a skillet. The contents are hot, spicy, mushy, and yummy.

Abraço

Almond milk cappuccino. Best coffee ever. The almond milk is made fresh, in house. On rare occasions, there might not be almond milk, in which case a "cortado" in a small glass in a good substitute.

EarthMatters
Fresh Juices: "Sweet Thing" with lemon or "Super Immune" with pear. The Sweet Thing is too sweet without something sour, and the Super Immune is too green and bitter without something sweet. The place is great, full of organic food. Also, Irv hangs out there. He is an old New York James Joyce fan who has a lot to say about life and love.

Babycakes

Gluten-free, sugar-free, soy-free, dairy-free banana bread, chocolate crumb cake, zucchini bread, spelt biscuits—it's all good. They even have PG Tips tea (a taste of England) and super tangy lemonade in the summer.

Hong Kong Station

Mai Fun rice noodles with mushrooms (meaty and juicy), turnip (sweet and chunky), and fresh veggies (crispy and leafy)—deliciously served in a bowl of broth.

Prune
The hamburger. My good gracious me. The hamburger.

Organic Nectars
Dairy-free and sugar-free ice cream, available at Whole Foods.

Quintessence
Quintessence is great. I can eat everything on the menu! The food is so flavorsome. I like the sesame sea salad, and the mini pizzette (kamut base with pesto) is green and yummy.