yum.

i spent this weekend visiting friends in new york, and we (of course) spent lots of our time eating.  i loved how un-touristy i felt with them, and a big part of that was that we (mostly) ate at "real new yorker" places.  

saturday, we hit up the new jersey state fair, and i tried my first deep-fried reeses and oreos.  um, go to a fair and get them immediately.  the reeses were my favorites... it was literally a peanut butter cup dipped in batter, then fried so that the flavors all meshed together but contained within the coating, and covered with powdered sugar.  (shown here on the right) 

after the fair that night, we went to a restaurant my friends affectionately called "chinese and wine"... the name describes the place perfectly: a casual chinese joint where the franzia flows freely.  seriously, unlimited boxed wine and a full meal for about ten bucks... it's a college student's dream.  give them a try next time you're in the city, they're located on amsterdam around 77th.

the next day, my hostess, sarah, and i had lunch at peanut butter and co., a great spot in the heart of nyu territory (240 sullivan street).  the menu was simple yet inspired; every item reminded me of something i would have been stoked to find in my lunchbox back in the day. [image via wikimedia commons] 

sunday dinner was at s'mac, a delicious--and affordable!--mac 'n cheese place a walkable distance from union square (345 e. 12th street).  my garden lite was packed with noodles, cheese and various veggies; l.a. diners will have a run for their money if s'mac ever opens a west coast contingent!
we ended the comfort food-filled day at magnolia, a well-known cupcake bakery in the west village (401 bleecker street).  their red velvet cupcake wasn't as good as the one i had at london's hummingbird bakery, but i did love the neighborhood--three marc by marc jacobs stores in less than a block!--and i'd definitely be willing to give them another chance.

 i had a wonderful time eating my way through the big apple (ha.) this weekend, and can't wait to do it again soon!