Recently, Kelli and I were able to take a quick trip to one of my favorite places – New York City! There is something about the big apple that I’ve always loved, and I’m grateful that Lavin Label takes me there for work. On our most recent visit, we stayed at the One Hotel — which is near Central Park. The decor, laid back atmosphere and their commitment to sustainability made this a wonderful place to stay that I would highly recommend. Since New York has become one of my favorite cities to visit, I’m sharing some of my personal restaurant picks in the city! Hopefully this mini restaurant guide will come in handy for your next trip to the big apple!

Scarpetta is an incredibly delicious restaraunt that is located at the edge of the historic meat packing district. For dinner, I had the braised short ribs with vegetable and farro risotto as an appetizer. For my entree, I had the roasted chicken with spring vegetables, but they’re also known for their incredible pasta dishes. I recommend ordering several different entrees for the table to share

The Polo Bar is another quintessential New York spot–owned by the iconic designer, Ralph Lauren. This is a classic place to grab a drink or some bar bites–so much so that you need a reservation just to sit at the bar! The entire bar exudes the same attention to detail as we have grown to expect from Ralph’s designs.

Waverly Inn is a legendary restaurant in NYC. We went there one night to meet up with some friends and I had one of the best burgers I’ve had in a long time. Once we were led to our table, I realized we were sitting next to acclaimed producers Quentin Tarantino and Harvey Weinstein. This truly is a favorite spot in the city, even for the celebrities! They also have a cozy bar with a fireplace, which is also a great spot for after dinner drinks.

Rosemary’s is hands down my favorite restaurant in the city. I never leave New York without enjoying this Italian bistro. You can’t go wrong with any of the pastas, since they’re homemade and authentic. I’d also recommend the foccacia bread and mozzarella and burrata. On top of the good eats, they also have a cute rooftop herb garden!

Sarahbeth’s in Central Park is the perfect spot for breakfast in the city. We enjoyed the best French toast along with freshly squeezed juice. Located right next to our hotel, it was as convenient as it was delicious!

Hao Noodle and Tea is a great Chinese restaurant that’s known for authentic Chinese food and amazing homemade noodles. If you enjoy Chinese food, it is a must-try!

I hope you are able to enjoy some of these incredible restaurants the next time you are heading to NYC!

Kelli Boyd Photography exclusively for Lavin Label