Travel 2 minutes 29 March 2024

Where Tastemaker Rich Torrisi Finds the Best Food in NYC

The Major Food Group restaurateur dishes on his favorite spots in the city—late night haunts, underrated coffee spots, special-occasion restaurants, and more.

New York City by The MICHELIN Guide

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Chef Rich Torrisi has mastered the recipe for creating a hit restaurant. When the New York-native chef opened Torrisi Italian Specialties in 2009, it was a watershed moment for Italian cuisine. Offering charcuterie-stacked sandwiches by day and elegant prix-fixe dinners by night, Torrisi showcased the range of high-quality Italian products and recipes.

Together with the Major Food Group founders, Torrisi has opened Carbone, Parm, Sadelle’s, and many more—all instantly popular, all known for their vibes and great food. Opened in late November 2022, Torrisi Bar & Restaurant is the team’s latest New York venture. Swapping red-and-white checkered tablecloths for crisp pressed linens, Torrisi serves upscale homey recipes like tortellini pomodoro and linguini with clam sauce. A critical success, it was no surprise that the restaurant earned One MICHELIN Star in 2023.

Helping to run a hospitality empire keeps Torrisi busy, but he still finds time to enjoy New York, soup to nuts. Here, he shares with The MICHELIN Guide some of his favorite places around the city.

New York runs on coffee. What's your favorite place to get a cup?

Coffee with cardamom from Punjabi Deli.

When the night stretches on, where do you go to keep the evening alive?

I love neighborhood spots. The Mulberry (a neighborhood speakeasy), The Nines, and The Bowery Lobby in the Bowery Hotel.

When hunger strikes, where can you find a great late-night snack?

Great N.Y. Noodletown. My go-to orders are the salt baked squid, baby pig, Chinese flowering chives with shredded roast duck, Singapore chow fun (spicy), and wonton soup with shrimp.

A dressed-down seafood platter by the sea is a perfect meal for Torrisi. (© Rich Torrisi)

What is your guilty pleasure and where do you go to satisfy it?

George Motz's fried onion burger with cheese from Hamburger America; lamb shawarma from Mamoun's Falafel; nocciola gelato from Gelateria Gentile; a classic Sabrett street hot dog with the works; or a dim sum feast.

What are your favorite spots to celebrate a special occasion?

The Grill, Torrisi, Yoshino, or Cote.

What are your go-to spots for taking out-of-towners?

I take them to one of my restaurants, otherwise, Russ & Daughters, Lucali, Nom Wah Tea Parlor, Minetta Tavern, Tatiana, or Sakagura.

Outside of the restaurant scene, what is your preferred place in the city?

I live near Washington Square Park and find myself there at least once a day, whether I'm with my dog, just passing through, or having meetings there. I love to cycle the loop in Central Park and go for runs under the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges. I enjoy Hudson River Park, Carl Schurz Park in Yorkville, and Columbus Park in Chinatown, all of which I've discovered at different times in my life. When I lived in Stuy Town, I appreciated the green areas there. Regardless of which neighborhood I'm living in, I'm drawn to the parks. I'm an outdoors guy.