Eat in New York City: Miss Du's Tea Shop

Mango Fruit Tea with popping mango boba

I visited Miss Du's Tea Shop, a casual tea store known for boba, fruit teas, slushies, and other refreshing drinks, located on Pell and Mott in Manhattan's Chinatown in late September. I tried the Mango Fruit Tea with popping mango boba. It hit the spot perfectly: it was cold, refreshing, and the popping boba added to the drink's entertainment value. 

I would visit Miss Du's Tea Shop if I'm back in the area, perhaps trying a Mango Pomelo Sago.

Miss Du's Tea Shop

Website | Instagram | Yelp

33 Pell St., New York, NY 10013

Open: Monday - Thursday 11am - 8pm, Friday - Sunday 11am - 9pm

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Eat in New York City: Dominique Ansel Bakery

Mango Earl Grey Vanilla Tart made with earl grey dacquoise, mango curd, jam, and compote, and vanilla whipped ganache in a sablé tart shell

DKA (Dominique's Kouign Amann)

While exploring Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood in late September, I was excited to see that the Dominique Ansel Bakery — home of the famous cronut — did not have a line down Spring Street. In fact, it had a pretty well-managed line inside the larger than expected space. 

We tried two pastries we really enjoyed on their back patio: the Mango Earl Grey Vanilla Tart and the DKA (Dominique's Kouign Amann). Although I don't remember the specifics, I remember being really impressed by both. The mango tart — made with earl grey dacquoise, mango curd, jam, and compote, and vanilla whipped ganache in a sablé tart shell — was truly a decadent treat. The Kouign Amann had the buttery laminations I love. 

It's the perfect place to try a fancy, although pretty well-priced, pastry or dessert in this calmer part of downtown. I would definitely stop by again if I'm back in the area, perhaps trying a Salted Caramel Éclair or the Peanut Butter Caramel Drop.

Dominique Ansel Bakery

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189 Spring St., New York, NY 10012

Open: Monday - Saturday 8am - 7pm, Sunday 9am - 7pm

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Eat in New York City: Chote Miya

Papdi Chaat made with papdi, potato, chickpeas, yogurt, tamarind chutney, pomegranate, and thin sev

While searching for lunch in Manhattan in late September, we ended up at a casual restaurant specializing in Indian street food called Chote Miya. Located inside Chelsea Market on 9th Avenue between W 15th and W 16th Streets, Chote Miya serves a variety of chaat that reminds of me Vik's Chaat in Berkeley.

Like at Vik's, I opted for the Papdi Chaat, an elaborate Indian snack made with papdi, potato, chickpeas, yogurt, tamarind chutney, pomegranate, and thin sev. It was as tasty as it looks. The ingredients were fresh, the flavors were tangy, and the textures were dynamic. The papdi, potato, and chickpeas provided a nice base for the yogurt and chutney on top. While there was some spice to this dish, the pomegranate and yogurt cooled things down. The thin sev's crispiness contrasted with the pomegranate seeds' more liquidy consistency. Calling this a snack or a street food might not elevate it as much as it deserves — it's complex and meant to be enjoyed in awe with others.

I would definitely stop by Chote Miya if I'm back in the area, perhaps trying their Samosa Chaat, Honey Chili Cauliflower, or Chicken Biryani.

Chote Miya

Website | Instagram | Yelp

75 9th Ave., New York, NY 10011

Open: Monday - Sunday 11:30am - 9pm

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Eat in New York City: il laboratorio del gelato

Rosemary and Espresso gelato

After eating Souvlaki Pita sandwiches at Souvlaki GR for dinner one late September evening, we were on the lookout for a dessert spot nearby. This led us to il laboratorio del gelato, a gelato shop located on the corner of Ludlow and Houston on the Lower East Side. 

They're not just a sleek, white interior. They mean business — they have 250 flavors of ice cream and sorbet in their repertoire. I tried two flavors I really enjoyed: the Rosemary and the Espresso. I liked how their laboratory theme carries throughout: from the scientific set-up of the huge store space to the dishes your gelato is served in. I also remember their very welcoming service. 

The next time I'm on this side of Manhattan, I'll be sure to try one of their hundreds of other flavors, perhaps the Brown Butter, Cheddar Cheese, Chocolate (Thai Chili), or Cucumber, just to name a few from the beginning of their alphabetically ordered list (!).

il laboratorio del gelato

Website | Instagram | Twitter | Yelp

188 Ludlow St., New York, NY 10002

Open: Daily 10:30am - 10pm

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Eat in New York City: Souvlaki GR

Souvlaki Pita with chicken, tomato, red onions, fries, and tzatziki sauce

Spanakopita (spinach pie) made with spinach, feta, ricotta, dill, and scallion

While looking for a dinner option in Manhattan one late September day, we stumbled upon Souvlaki GR, a cozy Greek restaurant on Stanton and Essex on the Lower East Side. We ordered the Spanakopita to start: a spinach pie made with spinach, feta, ricotta, dill, and scallion. It was as flaky and warm as desired. We then tried the Souvlaki Pita with chicken, tomato, red onions, fries, and tzatziki sauce. It hit the spot. 

A big part of Souvlaki GR's appeal is the ambiance — it feels like you're transported to Greece with their white walls and blue-painted windows and doors. If back in the area, I would try the Kolokithokeftedes (zucchini croquettes), Revithosalata (chickpea salad), or the Kalamaki Garida (shrimp skewers).

Souvlaki GR

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116 Stanton St., New York, NY 10002

Open: Daily 11am - 11pm

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Work It, New York City: Jake Eliass and Roy Montimaire

You can follow Jacob ("Jake") and Roy on Instagram.

Spotted at Rockefeller Center on 5th Ave between W 49th St and W 50th St.

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Work It, New York City: Arrianna

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Spotted in Central Park.

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Work It, New York City: Gabrielle

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Spotted near Loeb Boathouse in Central Park.

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Work It, New York City: Jennifer

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Spotted on Spring and Thompson.

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Work It, New York City: Weiting Liu

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Spotted on 10th Ave at W 24th St.

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Work It, New York City: Luciana

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Spotted on 10th Ave at W 16th St.

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Work It, New York City: Violet

Violet's skirt is wearing a Noir Kei Ninomiya skirt and Chloé heels. You can follow Violet on Instagram and TikTok.

Spotted on 1st Ave at E 12th St.

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Eat in NYC: Pasticceria Rocco

Rocco's World Famous Cannoli hand-dipped in chocolate

Like The Berghoff in Chicago, Pasticceria Rocco is another eating establishment where aimless tourists are sent to get a good taste of whatever city they're visiting. While on a walking tour of Greenwich Village, my tour guide recommended Rocco's as having one of the best, if not the best, cannoli in the city. A newbie to the cannoli scene, this didn't really mean much to me. All I knew was that sugar was involved so I had to at least give it a try.

In my complete cannoli naïveté (it's a thing), I ordered a cannoli dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with powdered sugar and chocolate chips. I won't say that this was an absolute mistake; it was more of a highly cavity-inducing one. Although all of chocolate and cream proved to be a much too rich experience for me, it was certainly delicious. Next time, maybe I'll just order one of the dozens of equally yummy cookies they sell that won't force me to visit my dentist. A black & white cookie, perhaps?

Pasticceria Rocco
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243 Bleecker St., New York, NY 10014
Open: Sunday - Thursday 7:30am - 12am, Friday 7:30am - 1am,
Saturday 7:30am - 1:30am

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Work It, New York City: Off the Charts

This is the first photo I've taken in NYC. Here's to many more!

Spotted at W 63rd at Columbus.

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