Running a One MICHELIN Star restaurant keeps Rich Torrisi quite busy, but he still finds time to visit spots outside of his own kitchen. Below, discover some of his favorite places in New York City.
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Coffee: Coffee with cardamom from Punjabi Deli.
After-hours: I love "neighborhood spots." The Mulberry (a neighborhood speakeasy), The Nines, and The Bowery Lobby in the Bowery Hotel.
For a 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.
Guilty pleasures: George Motz's fried onion burger with cheese from Hamburger America; lamb shawarma from Mamoun's Falafel; nocciola gelato from Gelateria Gentile; a NY street Sabrett hot dog with the works; or a dim sum feast.
Special occasion: The Grill, Torrisi, Yoshino, or Cote.
Where you'd take an out-of-towner: Either my restaurants, Russ & Daughters, Lucali, Nom Wah Tea Parlor, Minetta Tavern, Tatiana, or Sakagura.
Favorite NYC spot: 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 what neighborhood I'm living in, I'm drawn to the parks...I'm an outdoor/parks guy.
