Eat, drink & play with LMP's Round Up for the year

I often get emails from friends and family members who are traveling to New York, asking me for my list of recommendations. I figured...what better time to reflect back through the year and highlight my favorite spots then now. This way...next time someone asks, my list is ready to go. So here you have it...ENJOY!LMP's favorite restaurantsRosemary's: Is an Italian restaurant with a roof top garden where they grow herbs and produce highlighted throughout the incredibly delicious menu. With housemade pastas and a selection of focacce, you'll quickly fall in love like we did. Rosemary's 18 Greenwich Avenue 212-647-1818 Margaux at the Marlton Hotel: I can't vouch for the hotel rooms but the restaurant, Margaux, at the Marlton Hotel is outstanding. With a cosy vibe and farm to table type menu you will want to order everything you see. Margaux at the Marlton Hotel 5 West 8th street 212-321-0111 Narcissa: Is the latest restaurant in Cooper Square's Standard hotel. The menu is mouth watering and the food feels like home cooking with the freshest of ingredients. A beautiful space with a large open kitchen and chef counter as well as a charming private garden allowing for al fresco dining in the warmer months. Narcissa 25 Cooper Square 212-228-3344 Robataya: A local favorite where the respect they show towards the cuisine and ingredients begins with their obsession with using only top quality salt, miso, and rice: the three origins of Japanese cooking. I love bringing my kids here to eat at the front garden-like counter where the chefs hop up close to you to pick the ingredients for your dinner and then heat them on an open grill. They then serve the food on a large paddle from which you grab your plate. Entertaining and delicious though make sure to note, it is quite pricey. Robataya 231 East 9th Street 212-979-9674 ABC Kitchen: A space as beautiful as it is inviting where the ingredients are always seasonal, fresh and clean. Michelin star Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and his team will make you feel right at home. ABC Kitchen 35 East 18th Street 212-475-5829 Locande Verde: This rustic Italian Tribeca gem will never disappoint. They have a spectacular brunch, house made pastas and a very large wine list. You'll be so cosy and well fed, you won't want to leave. Locande Verde 377 Greenwich Street 212-925-3797 Nobu & Nobu Next Door: Will forever and always be a favorite of my husband and I. I will often order the yellowtail with jalepeno as an appetizer...and also for dessert. Nobu 105 Hudson Street 212-219-0500 The Red Head: A neighborhood restaurant inspired by the local farmer's market stands. Quaint and delicious. 349 East 13th Street 212-533-6212 LMP's favorite Quick & Cheap eatsMighty Quinn's: Hands down my favorite spot for BBQ, especially with the kids. This is a super casual restaurant with a walk up counter and a menu consisting of very slowly cooked meats with the perfect amount of spice. You won't leave hungry. Mighty Quinn's - East Village 103 Second Avenue 212-677-3733 The Shake Shack: In the middle of Madison Square Park is where you'll often find me in the off hours, avoiding the line, waiting for a shroom burger. It's a large portebello mushroom stuffed with cheese and fried. The cheese oozes out after your first, heavenly bite. The Shake Shack Southeast corner of Madison Square Park near Madison Avenue and E. 23rd Street Mimi's Cheng's Dumplings: A family run, small dumpling shop that quickly became an addiction in my home. The sisters who run this place are the sweetest and I love hearing about how they took their mother's dumpling recipe and turned it into a storefront dream. Every time I visit their shop I get at least one of every dish on their short menu, usually doubling up on the fried pork. Mimi's Dumplings are perfect for lunch, dinner or even just a snack! Mimi's Dumplings 179 Second Avenue Joe's Shanghai: Will remain on our list of favorites till the day I die. We visit Joe's almost every Sunday and look forward to our meal there week after week. A very casual restaurant in the heart of Chinatown where they are famous for their soup dumplings. Other must have dishes are the sesame chicken, scallion pancakes and beef with string beans. Joe's Shanghai 9 Pell Street 212-233-8888 Joe's Pizza: New York is known for it's pizza cooked to perfection and Joe's is a must. After an afternoon of shopping the streets in Soho and / or the West Village do yourself a favor and grab a slice. Joe's Pizza 7 Carmine Street 212-366-1182 Grey Dog: It's hard to believe their first and only location was one of my favorite spots when moving to NYC. I've been living in this city for 15 years now and they have opened tons of locations since. Lucky for me one of the openings was right under my office so I think it's safe to say I'm there at a minimum of twice every week. From their coffee to eggs to Michelle's favorite meatball soup, they have a delicious menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Grey Dog Locations here LMP's favorite Tiny Hot Spotsgo before 6pm if you want to get a seat without having to wait at least an hour for your table... Joseph Leonard: Love the people, the food and the HASHBROWN is a MUST! The Little Owl: MEATBALL sliders are a MUST! Mary's Fish Camp: Best lobster roll in the city. Maybe the world. Red Farm: The best Asian Fusion you've seen yet. The Spotted Pig: A MUST order: Sheep’s Milk Ricotta Gnudi with Brown Butter & Sage - just trust me. Westville: Always seasonal and always delicious. Parm: Looking for a meatball sub? GO. They have the best ever. Momofuko Ssam Bar: You won't know what hit you when you try their pork bun... Prune: My favorite brunch in NYC. I go prior to their opening at 10am and wait in line to be one of the first ones in. Otherwise, forget it. The Meatball Shop: I can't get enough of the naked balls here. And they have chicken meatballs that are gluten free! LMP's Favorite Bars - the short listAnalogue where they serve the best Manhattan's in Manhattan made by our favorite bartender Cliff. The Nomad for the pretty people watching. Gottino for a glass of wine and some delectable pairings. Employees Only for the fabulous cocktails. Death & Company for a fun night out. McSorley's Old Ale House for a beer with the boys. How to take in some cultureNew York City Ballet The MET Stroll through Little Italy - start on Mulberry street just south of Spring See a show on Broadway - I just saw This is our Youth with Michael Cera, Fantastic! Also saw Aladdin, fabulous. Next on the list - Matilda! Catch a game Yankees Stadium & CitiField Stroll, play or bike through Central Park. Don't forget to check out the zoo... See the city from above at The Empire State Building For the lil onesThe Ferris Wheel at Toys R Us Times Square Piccolini - our favorite kids store in NYC - home of the famous I pretzel hotdog NY (designed by Alex Zagami, founder and owner of the store) Hop on the big piano at FAO Schwartz Go for a skate and hot chocolate in Bryant Park (in the winter) Take a ride around Jane's Carousal in Dumbo, Brooklyn (in the summer) Tour the Southstreet seaport and imagination playground Play and learn at the Museum of Mathematics LMP Favorite streets to shop5th avenue between 23rd and 14th street West Broadway between Houston and Canal Weave in and out of the West Village: Start at Bank Street and 8th Avenue

Hope you have a BLAST in this amazing city!