2021 FOOD
BETHPAGE BEST OF THE CITY 2021 WINNERS GUIDE BESTOFTHECITY.COM 15
BEST APPETIZER
ABC KITCHEN
35 E 18th St (212) 475-5829
Nothing sets the mood for the rest of the meal
like the perfect appetizer. The menu at ABC
Kitchen aims to bring the freshest and local
ingredients to the tables of every customer. The
appetizer menu at ABC Kitchen is extensive and
includes everything from Butternut Squash Soup
to Pretzel Dusted Calamari, truly something
for everyone. If you are looking for something
a little simpler, its also offers a kale salad that
is served with lemon, serrano chilies and mint.
The lunch menu’s appetizer menu is even more
extensive, presenting cured meats and local
cheeses as well as marinated olives—perfect for a
lunch out with the ladies!
BEST BAGELS
BROOKLYN BAGEL AND
COFFEE COMPANY
286 8th Ave (212) 924-2824
www.bkbagel.com
A New York bagel is more than a bagel. It’s a
symbol. It’s an icon. Most simply put, it’s soul
food. And where a new Yorker gets their soul
food bagels is an oft-discussed and much argued
topic. This year, Brooklyn Bagel and Coffee
Company takes the trophy as the best bagel in
New York, an accolade also awarded by the Food
Network. Their fresh, hand-rolled bagels are
made with unbleached flour to eliminate toxins
and kettle boiled to give that crisp skinned
outside with a pillowy softness interior that New
Yorkers crave. With innovative cream cheese
flavors like pizza and apple pie, top-notch coffee
offerings and smoked fish and egg sandwich
options, Brooklyn Bagel and Coffee Company is
a soul food destination of NYC.
BEST BAKERY (TIE)
BREADS BAKERY
18 E 16th St (212) 633-2253
www.breadsbakery.com
When New Yorkers are looking to satiate their
sweet tooths, they look no further than Breads
bakery, which serves up the finest freshly baked
breads, cakes, cookies and pastries in New York
City. Located in the heart of Union Square,
Breads is the quintessential Manhattan bakery,
replete with unrivaled sourdough, a chocolate
babka to write home about and deluxe gourmet
coffee and espresso that will set you right on
your feet. If you are in the market for a light
lunch, Breads serves that a well, alongside their
handmade loaves of bread and delectable pastry
treats. Send Breads fare as a gift for your loved
ones or hire them to cater your next party. Every
bite of their signature flavors will satisfy your
soul the way only great bread can.
BEST BAKERY (TIE)
VENIERO’S PASTICCERIA & CAFFE
342 E 11th St (212) 674-7070
www.venierospastry.com
Veniero’s Pasticceria & Cafe was established
in 1894 by Antonio Veniero, who served his
Italian pastries and cakes that won him awards
in Rome, Bolognia, and at the New York World’s
Fair. 157 years later, the pastry shop and cafe
has many of its original details, including hand
stamped metal ceilings, specially designed
etched glass doors, highly polished wood
mirrors and ornate marble floors. Upon entering
the pastry shop, dessert lovers are greeted by
a display of traditional and regional Italian
confections, from creamy cannolis and cupcakes
to handmade Italian butter cookies. Take in the
aroma of freshly baked biscotti as well as the
traditional cheesecakes and specialty cakes. We
promise you’ll be coming back regularly for a
box to go!
BEST BBQ
BAEKJEONG NYC
1 E 32nd St (212) 966-9839
www.baekjeongnyc.com
New York City’s Best Korean Barbecue
Restaurant doesn’t just offer the best smells
in the city — the barbecue itself is to die for.
Baekjeong’s name originates from the Korean
word for “butcher,” and the name is not for
show. The BBQ eatery offers three set menus:
premium, party and vegetarian. Pick from a
variety of premium beef and pork cuts and
be amazed as it’s cooked to perfection right
in front of you at the restaurant’s signature
tabletop grills. The barbecue is cooked while
surrounded by steamed egg custard and cheesy
corn, ensuring rich and unique flavor with every
bite. Whether you choose take-out, delivery or
dine-in at its location in Koreatown, Baekjeong
NYC BBQ’s authentic Korean cuisine deserves
the hype!
BEST BURGER (TIE)
BLACK TAP CRAFT
BURGER & BEERS
592 Broome St (917) 639-3089
www.blacktapnyc.com
Come for the crazy shakes but stay for the
burger. Blacktap NYC takes burger-making to a
culinary art form. This popular eatery is known
for its over-the-top indulgent food accompanied
by a nostalgic vibe. The décor is 80s music-chic,
with cassette tapes lining the walls offering a
throwback to a simpler time. But the star of
the show is the juicy burger with a perfectly
formed crust that comes from being griddle
cooked (never a grill!) and flipped exactly once.
Cheese, lettuce, tomato, and a pillowy potato
roll complete the award-winning burger that has
reached icon status. It is satisfying in a way that
fancier food can never attain. It is unpretentious,
unctuous and downright good. Leave room for
the Insta-worthy desserts but know that it’s the
burger that will keep you coming back.
BEST BURGER (TIE)
SHAKE SHACK
www.shakeshack.com/locations
Although Shake Shack started as a hot dog cart
in Manhattan’s Madison Square Park in 2001,
its star attraction quickly became its one-of-akind
burger made of 100% Angus beef that is
antibiotic and hormone free. Soon there was a
long line for its burgers at its one location in the
park at pretty much every hour of the day. It
wasn’t long before Shake Shack expanded across
the country and beyond. Whether you order its
famous ShackBurger with lettuce, tomato and
ShackSauce, a plain burger, a cheeseburger or
one of its other delicious burger offerings, you
won’t be disappointed. P.S.: You can add raw
onion, pickles and excellent cherry peppers for
no extra cost!
BEST BURRITO
CALEXICO
1491 2nd Ave (347) 967-5955
www.calexico.com
Based off cuisine found in a small town at
the border of California and Mexico, Calexico
not only shares the name of said town but
brings a slice of the neighborhood’s hometown
cooking to New York City. Whether you want
it in a traditional tortilla or served in a bowl,
Calexico’s burrito can’t be beat. The eatery offers
a variety of fillings (carne asada, chipotle pork,
pollo asado, just to name a few) mixed with
your favorite add-ins, plus the option to “wet”
your burrito with your choice of green or red
enchilada sauce with melted cheese and sour
cream — is your stomach growling yet? If you’re
looking to make your burrito unforgettable, be
sure to add in some of Calexico’s special sauce!
BEST BUTCHER
EAST VILLAGE MEAT MARKET
139 2nd Ave #1 (212) 228-5590
www.eastvillagemeatmarket.com
This Second Avenue butcher is a top shop for
meats and cold cuts with a following of East
Village locals and New Yorkers around town.
It is known for its smoked hams and Eastern
European specialty food such as home-smoked
kielbasa, among a large and varied inventory
of meats that star in every comfort meal
imaginable. The store’s old fashioned charm
with simple awning and “Meat Market J.
Baczynsky” signage drew favor of a city artist
who painted a portrait of the store to use on
his website because he liked how it brought
“character to the neighborhood.
/BESTOFTHECITY.COM
/www.breadsbakery.com
/www.venierospastry.com
/www.baekjeongnyc.com
/www.blacktapnyc.com
/locations
/www.calexico.com
/www.eastvillagemeatmarket.com
/www.bkbagel.com
/www.bkbagel.com
/www.breadsbakery.com
/www.venierospastry.com
/www.baekjeongnyc.com
/www.blacktapnyc.com
/locations
/www.calexico.com
/www.eastvillagemeatmarket.com
