Photo Courtesy of Wendy Longo

Here at Gobbl we know that eating out can be a serious matter for your wallet.  New York is an expensive place to eat, not to mention the staggering effect that markups on wine and liquors at most restaurants can have on your pocketbook.  Therefore, we’ve concocted for you a Take Five of the best Bring Your Own Booze (BYOB) establishments that Manhattan has to offer. So, grab a bottle of your favorite go-to drink from home and head out to one of these spots for a good meal and a great time. (more…)

Photo Credit: Manhattan Skyline by David G. Kelly

As the dog days of summer fade away, making way for the changing leaves of autumn, New York’s culinary world also undergoes a number of changes, including the opening of new restaurants, the revamping of menus, and the shifting of culinary staffs.  Gobbl is proud to highlight for you a few of the new restaurants that are slated to open later this year in New York City. (more…)

Photo Credit: Meatball Sliders at the Little Owl by Kathryn Yu

Poor service is a frequent complaint about restaurants in this city. In a 2007 Zagat survey, 48% of those surveyed said poor service irritated them most about New York dining (while only 10% cited prices). Every New Yorker has a story about the awful and inattentive waiter or the pretentious maitre d’hotel that they may have happened upon at some point.

Here are five restaurants, brought to you by Gobbl, where you’ll never meet a haughty hostess or snobbish server, where every guest is treated like Frank Bruni and where, best of all, the food is deliciously satisfying. Please note that restaurants like Per Se aren’t included in this list, which is meant to be accessible–places where a reservation isn’t needed two months in advance. (more…)

Photo Credit: Broccoli Rabe Spaghetti, Blossom Cafe by Bahar Zaker

A hub for sustainably cultivated, locally grown, and organic foods, it is no surprise that the New York restaurant scene, already world-renown for its increasing environmental and health consciousness, is such a major haven for vegans and anyone who enjoys fresh, green cuisine. Here at Gobbl it is our mission to provide our readers with access to the highest quality food at reasonable prices (not to mention ultra-slick ambiences and interesting clientèle). Therefore, we present to you our green-thumbed guide to the best vegan restaurants in New York City. Whether you are a vegan or not, these restaurants are definitely worth the trip!

Blossom

Voted the best vegan restaurant in NYC in 2008 by Time Out New York, this vegan mainstay serves up beautifully presented dishes ranging from a succulent seitan scallopini to a portobello mushroom stuffed in a cashew-tahini sauce. Head to their Upper Westside location, Blossom Cafe, for a chance to enjoy their quiet ambience, smooth yellow lighting, and exquisite diner-top dining. Don’t forget to try the mouthwatering vegan Philly cheesesteak and sample their daily selection of freshly-baked desserts.

Blossom, 187 9th Ave. (Between 21st & 22nd Sts.)

Blossom Cafe, 466 Columbus Ave. (Between 82nd and 83rd Sts.) (more…)

Photo Credit: Eunice Chou

For those who do not frequently dine out, Restaurant Week is a great chance to explore New York City and sample the culinary talents of the nation’s finest chefs without paying hundreds, or in some cases even thousands of dollars. But as many people already know, Restaurant Week is not always the best way to experience a restaurant’s true menu. In order to provide our readers with access to high quality food at reasonable prices, Gobbl presents the Non-Restaurant-Week Dining-Out for Cheap List.

Perry St. Lunch

Perry St. (pictured above) offers a three-course lunch featuring two plates (either appetizers or entrees) plus a dessert for $24. Of the plates included on its menu, the yellow fin tuna burger comes highly recommended. Dynamite flavors sandwiched between perfectly crisped buns make this dish a must try. Other highlights include the passionfruit sunflower creme diplomate and the slowly cooked salmon with cherry tomato juice.

Dovetail Sunday Suppa

On Sundays, Dovetail serves up an appetizer, entree, and dessert prix-fixe for $38. Their prix fixe menu really entails corn bread, an amuse, appetizer, entree, dessert, red velvet cupcakes, and granola (nice touch) to take home for breakfast the next day. So make sure you show up hungry. The wine list is brief, but it is impeccable.

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Photo Credits: Robyn Lee

GQ’s Alan Richman, having traveled nearly 24,000 miles and consumed upwards of 200 burgers, undoubtedly owns the sharpest honed burger palate in the US. He recently released his rating of the top five burgers in NYC. While we agree with some of Richman’s choices, including his praise for Shake Shack’s burger on a potato roll and his elevation of Burger Joint’s unadorned classic, we found some of Richman’s choices a little less than savory. What was up with his fondness of over-sized, soggy-bun burgers at Big Nick’s? Maybe it’s the flaky walls adorned with Rita Hayworth pictures that snagged the old dive-seeker.

Here at Gobbl we’re all about flavor and fun. Therefore, in honor of Mr. Richman’s rankings, Gobbl’s decided to offer up our own list of the top five burger alternatives in New York City. Enjoy our take on the great American classic after the jump! (In no particular order of course). (more…)

With so many neighborhoods, quaint eateries, and stores, NYC is a gastronomic playground waiting to offer adventures. The best of these, Bleecker Street, has a hodgepodge of romantic restaurants, specialty stores, and of course pizza. Here are some of its best.

Two Boots

Pizza purists of the city may scoff at Two Boots (pictured above) and would probably prefer Bleecker Street Pizza or John’s. But while Two Boots is certainly not typical New York style pizza, its unlikely blend of New Orleans cajun and Italian (the two boots stand for the shapes of Italy and Louisiana) is tantamount to wonderfully delicious food. Bonus: the people behind the counter are the friendliest pizzeria employees you’ll ever meet.

Two Boots 74 Bleecker (btwn Broadway and Crosby)

Indian Bread Co.

Photo Credit: Robyn Lee

From the kati rolls to the mango lassis, every bite at Indian Bread Co. is delicious and satisfying. It’s some of the best–and cheapest–Indian food in New York, and what’s more–they’re open until 5 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Indian Bread Co. 194 Bleecker (btwn MacDougal and Sixth Ave)

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While New York may have some of the best sit-down restaurants in the world, it also has some of the most unconventional eat spots — from exclusive underground supper clubs to food on wheels. The latter, staffed by talented cooks with a passion for quirky food, deliver mouthwatering creations at cheap prices. Here’s a rundown of trucks that you can enjoy at various times of the day:

Wafels & Dinges (Breakfast)

For your “most important meal of the day,” give this bright yellow truck a try (photo above). With a cult following, Wafels & Dinges serves up some delicious, authentic Belgium waffles. Waffles are $4 and you have the option of adding a “dinge” (Belgian for whatcamacallits) for another $1. Dinges include strawberries, chocolates, and syrups.

Location: Monday - Friday (8am- 11am) - Park Avenue between 26th and 27th Street
Sunday - Monday - Friday (3:00pm - 9:30pm) - 14th Street, in front of Trader Joe’s at 3rd Av.
Saturdays - (11am - 6pm) - 7th Avenue and Carroll Street, in front of the Key Foods

Jiannetto’s Pizza Truck (Lunch)

The finest of New York’s numerous pizza trucks, Jiannetto’s serves deliciously thin and crispy slices straight from the truck’s built-in oven. $2.25 will buy you a huge slice of old-school Sicilian topped with fresh basil and Parmesan, and their inexpensive menu also includes pasta, sandwiches, and the ever popular Arancini – baked rice balls filled with ragu (a steal at $4, and it even comes with garlic knots!).

Location: 48th bet. 6th and 7th Ave.

Mo Gridder’s (Dinner)

A BBQ joint inside an autoshop may sound a bit suspicious, even a health hazard. But this Bronx-based BBQ trailer serves some of the best dishes in New York. The ribs melt in your mouth, the pulled pork is excellent, and the combo plates are perfect for dinner. Prices range from the $3.50 hamburger to the $14.95 three meat combo plate.

Location: 565 Hunt’s Point Ave. (at Randall Ave.), Bronx

Phone: 718-991-3046

Treats Truck (Dessert)

Treat yourself after a long day, and pack in some comforting calories at the Treats Truck. This retro-looking truck serves up tried and true oldies, from freshly baked oatmeal cookies ($1) to brownies ($3).

Location: Changes daily. Check www.treatstruck.com

Green Pirate Juice Truck (Pick-me-up)

With Celebrate Brooklyn! taking place in Prospect Park and other high-profile events scheduled, Brooklyn is sure to be on your list of places to visit this summer. While you’re there, stop by the Green Pirate and fight the heat with healthy, delicious juices like their Mountain Jam (carrot and apple juices with ginger) or their Cantaloupe Coconut Crush ($4). True to their name, the Green Pirate Juice Truck runs on biodiesel fuel and all organic waste is composted to create nutrient-rich soil for farmers.

Location: Based in Brooklyn. Check www.myspace.com/greenpiratenyc for location updates.