The Big Apple, The City That Never Sleeps, The Capital of the World, The Empire State, Gotham. A place so spectacular it must have many names to accommodate all the excitement, history, and adventure it suggests. There are people from every place in the world here, trying to reach the American Dream. This was certainly part of the history of Puerto Rico when, mainly after WWII, many Puerto Ricans emigrated to New York. It was my parents’ experience, therefore my siblings and I were born in Brooklyn, NY.

L & B Spumoni Gardens

So, when I go to New York, it’s not a regular vacation, but a coming home. This time around I went down the road of nostalgia. Inadvertently, the memories took over my days, mostly brought on by food and drink. We started at Spumoni Gardens, an Italian restaurant that has been at its brick-and-mortar location since 1939. The Caesar salad comes in a huge bowl for sharing and is irresistibly delicious. But don’t get carried away because you must have the traditional Sicilian pie, covered in cheese and then the sauce, and that’s it. No toppings for this one ( it’s most likely an offense). This pizza is simply spectacular: a thick, fluffy crust that lends itself to soaking in the cheese and sauce. And, of course, the dessert is obligatory: it is the namesake Spumoni, a combination of a sort of Italian ice: vanilla, chocolate, and pistachio flavored, yes, all three together, simple and tasty. A must-visit if you’re in Brooklyn.

Valencia Bakery

Furthermore, my cousins, knowing I’m a huge fan of Valencia cakes, brought me a cake, filled with layers of pineapple, the flavor of choice for the majority of Puerto Ricans living in Brooklyn where the bakery was founded in 1948 by Spaniard, José Rippol. The blend of flavors of this cake is like no other cake you have tasted before. In my family, as well as almost every other Puerto Rican family in Brooklyn, Valencia is the go-to bakery of choice for every occasion, from family dinners to weddings. I remembered the flavor perfectly and having one again after so many years, the taste was exactly the same as I recalled. This brought over me a wave of memories that sprung tears from my eyes, all those childhood family celebrations with people that have parted but remain in our hearts.

Junior’s Restaurant and Cheesecake

Another New York staple is Junior’s Cheesecake. If you have had the privilege of tasting these magnificent New York cheesecakes then you know what I mean when I say that it’s nostalgic and the flavors are unique, something you will always remember. I had a magnificent corned beef and pastrami reuben sandwich and an egg cream soda. The egg cream took me way back to my childhood again, along with memories of my father who loved them. I had forgotten about it until that first sip hit my mouth and transported me. Of course, it was as delicious as it was when I was a little girl. This is a soda that contains no egg or cream, despite the name, but consists of seltzer water, milk, and chocolate or vanilla syrup. I chose the vanilla, but both are delicious.

Za-Ya Ramen and Other Half Brewing Company – Caroll Gardens

New York being the Capital of the World, provides such diverse food experiences that it’s impossible to taste it all. Ramen noodles are all over the place, so we chose one in Caroll Gardens called Za-Ya Ramen. It turned out to be an excellent choice; a small place, very traditional, and all of our noodles were delicious. We were just coming out of nearby Other Half Brewery, where we had excellent craft beer in a cool, rustic environment.

Times Square Diner and Grill

We had a vacation within a vacation, staying in the Times Square area with my family. On my last day in New York City, we had breakfast at a local place called Times Square Diner and Grill. A delightful surprise once inside. The breakfast and brunch choices were spectacular. Apparently, the stuffed French toast is out of this world. The entrance seems small, like most NY places, but the inside seems to have been a train station in the past. It’s a time-traveling experience. The coffee and meals were more than satisfying, with huge portions and excellently executed.

As all good things must come to an end, I am grateful for the full, exciting, great food and beer experience in NY. Of course, no trip to NY would be complete without knishes, Nathan’s hot dog and fries, Chinese food, Coney Island Brewery beer, Magnolia Bakery classic banana pudding, pizza, or Brooklyn bagels. All of which were an essential part of this two-week trip. I’ll be going back to revisit some places and try new ones, or old family favorites: it’s all so good. Come to NY and bring your appetite, your sense of adventure, and an open mind, and let the good times roll.

Must-have New York Eats