*Little Italy Pizza in the Financial District*

I had the pleasure of visiting NYC for a work conference this September. My coworkers and I stayed near the event in Times Square and, since it was my first time in the city, I soaked up all the experiences I could in the 48 hours I was there. Manhattan impressed me with its fantastic food and charmed me with its rich culture and history, so I knew I had to share my experiences with other travelers planning their first visit.

I’ll start with my least favorite part: Times Square was overwhelming, not because it was packed with people and cars, but because of the towering billboards’ retina-burning video ads for big brands. Times Square at 9 p.m. is nearly as bright as it is at 9 a.m. because the ads run 24/7. My coworkers and I were more interested in exploring the unique aspects of New York City than spending money at stores we could visit at any middle America mall, so on our first day we ventured away from the buzz into quieter pockets of Midtown with authentic neighborhood restaurants.

We stumbled upon Pure Ktchn, a tiny basement restaurant serving mighty portions of healthy foods like veggie and superfood bowls. I opted for the earthy Maca Latte and the Pesto Bowl, a warm vegan bowl with cauliflower, quinoa, pesto, kale, pine nuts, spicy sunflower seeds, and almond parmesan. I ate till I couldn’t eat anymore, and yet when I was done, the bowl looked like it had barely been touched. My team marveled at how stuffed we still were well into the evening, and my maca latte gave me the energy I needed to power through an interesting night.

Pesto Bowl from Pure Ktchn, and the quieter side of Midtown Manhattan

What was so interesting about that night, you ask? Well, we arrived at what we thought was our financial conference awards ceremony, only to learn after a few fancy appetizers that we had unintentionally crashed a private rooftop party for Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator and star of Hamilton. Long (and comically embarrassing) story short, our actual conference event was a bust, so by 7:30 we were ready for our next culinary adventure.

Determined to make the best of our short time in New York, we trekked through the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood to Mémé Mediterranean, which had drawn our attention earlier with its cool blue awning and cozy interior. Still satiated from lunch, I ordered the Warm Halloumi Cheese salad and a glass of waiter-recommended Côtes du Rhône V.V. The wine was decent and the mixed greens were fresh, but my first bite of cheese was so good that I ate everything around it and saved the rest of the halloumi cubes for last. Everyone in my group was delighted with their meals, and we walked back to the hotel that evening with full bellies.

We’d agreed to meet the next day shortly before our 10 a.m. bus tour. I had some time to kill that morning and wanted to find a local deli with healthy breakfast options. Most of the coffeeshops I passed on 8th Street were too polished for my liking, until I found Europan Café, an unpretentious restaurant with a surprising array of choices. I ordered a cappuccino and Europan Acai Bowl, a base of acai topped with bananas, strawberries, peanut butter, Nutella, coconut flakes, honey, and sliced almonds (drooling yet?). I asked the staff to forgo the granola to keep it gluten-free. The bowl was a perfect balance of sweet and salty, creamy and crunchy, and the portion was just enough to help me kickstart my day without weighing me down.

Meanwhile my team was making their way to Junior’s, so I met up with them for a watered-down coffee and at least caught a glimpse of the cheesecake that came so highly recommended by locals.

It was time to head to our bus tour, so we walked to the corner of 51st and 7th streets and met the fabulous Rachel, a walking history book on New York City and highly competent tour guide with USA Guided Tours NY. She and driver Manny led us past a long list of landmarks, including St. Patrick’s Cathedral, The Juilliard School, Parsons School of Design, Chinatown, Yoko Ono’s home where Jon Lennon was shot, the building where members of the Genovese crime family lived at the height of New York’s mafia days, and probably a dozen spots featured in popular movies and TV shows. We made stops at Central Park, the Rockefeller Plaza, the heart-wrenching 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and even took a Staten Island Ferry ride for incredible views of the city skyline.

Not only did we pass and experience many incredible sights and learn about the fascinating history of New York, but Rachel also gave us tons of practical tips on New York City travel, such as how to tip and negotiate with vendors, how to get around, and where to eat. Just as importantly, she taught us what NOT to buy, who not to give our money to, and what not to be afraid of (like the Manhattan subway). I highly recommend USA Guided Tours NY for newbie New York travelers like me, especially during the early portion of your trip so you can apply Rachel’s advice throughout the rest of your visit. Since it hits all the top highlights of Manhattan in 6 fulfilling hours, it’s also one of the few things I paid for in New York that was worth every penny.

Back to my main topic, though: food! Driver Manny stopped the bus in the Financial District, where we had the options of stopping at Papaya Dog, 55 Fulton Market, or Little Italy Pizza for a quick lunch. I couldn’t leave town without trying New York style pizza, so I was thrilled to learn that Little Italy Pizza had a gluten-free option. The only downside was that I had to buy a whole pie. I scarfed down two delightfully cheesy, greasy, piping hot slices and took my pizza box back with me on the bus, thinking I’d have to toss the rest or give it to a homeless person. But by the time we got back to our hotel, I was so hungry that I polished off another three pieces, learning that Littly Italy Pizza is just as good cold as it is fresh out of the oven. Definitely grab a slice (or a pie) when you visit New York.

*Gluten-free pizza from Littly Italy Pizza in the Financial District*

My team had to leave right after the bus tour to catch their flights, but the thought of being in New York for only 24 hours was unacceptable to me, so I had taken an extra day off work to explore. On my own for the second evening, I Googled Manhattan neighborhoods where I could walk off my pizza with some boutique shopping. Since big brands and high-end designer stores comprised most of the shopping near Times Square, and I’m not Beyoncé, I decided to visit Nolita, a trendy, youthful neighborhood north of Little Italy with several independently owned boutique shops. Getting there was my first experience taking the New York subway, but my 6 years living in Chicago offered relevant subway experience, and Rachel’s advice gave me the confidence to explore. While the Manhattan subway system is more confusing than Chicago’s L Train, it wasn’t confusing enough to be intimidating and the locals were totally willing to help me find my way.

Most of the clothing stores were closed by the time I arrived in Nolita, but I found a few gems that were open late. Numi had some of the most beautiful Moroccan rugs I’d ever seen, Palo Santo candles, colorful matches, and other bohemian home goods. While the store was lovely, I wasn’t willing to pack a whole rug in my suitcase. Nearby, though, Nati offered temptingly soft sweaters, tees and sleepwear for prices cheaper than what I’d find in my Texas town. I purchased three pillow-soft tops and went on the hunt for a juice bar where I could atone for my pizza sins.

In nearby SoHo, I found Joe & The Juice, a stylish spot that apparently has locations everywhere from Copenhagen to Seoul. It was there that a friendly gentleman opened a door for me—the second person to do so on my short trip, putting a nail in the coffin of the “rude” stereotype I’d believed about New Yorkers. At Joe’s I enjoyed a lightly sweet Green Shield with kale, broccoli, cucumber, spinach, and apple juice. The neighborhood was far less populated than Times Square and pretty dark by the time I finished my drink, and since I was alone in unfamiliar territory, I decided to head back to my hotel.

Green Shield from Joe & The Juice, and me somewhere in Nolita/SoHo

On my way back to the Subway I passed Cocoron and regretted how full I was, because the Japanese noodle restaurant smelled utterly tantalizing. I was half-tempted to go for dinner #2 (or was it three by now?) but thought better of it and made a mental note to try Cocoron on my next trip to New York City.

I set my alarm for 7 a.m. the next morning so I could squeeze in a few more experiences before my lunchtime flight back to Austin. My first stop was Margon; an online review mentioned their great Cuban coffee, and I have been dying for another since my honeymoon six years ago in South Beach. The Cuban coffee at humble Margon is actually café con leche, not the sweetened Cuban espresso you’d typically get when you order a Cuban coffee in Miami, but with a little sugar it still brought back fond memories of my favorite South Florida coffee drink.

I took my scorching hot coffee with me on the subway to the Upper West Side where I’d hoped to check out Modern Bread & Bagel, an entirely gluten-free kosher restaurant offering baked goods I’d never tried, like challah. Unfortunately, it was closed on Thursday, so I had to devise a new plan. I was grateful to find the also wholly gluten-free Brazilian spot Tap NYC. There I ordered the Avo + Eggs, a satisfying panini-like sandwich with mozzarella, fresh tomato, avocado and fried organic eggs.

Avo + Eggs from Tap NYC

The service at Tap NYC was quick so I had extra time to check out my last stop: Central Park. We’d briefly stopped there on our bus tour, but the park was so peaceful and contrary to the nonstop buzz of Times Square, it left me wanting more. I spent my last hour in New York meandering through Central Park’s leaf-scattered walking paths, admiring its tall trees, listening to the hum of cicadas, and watching the world’s most adorable dogs pass me by. In this lush oasis, protected from the sights and sounds of the city by a canopy of green, I was a world away. I envied Charlotte York’s ability to run through this picturesque slice of paradise every day.

But alas, I am not a Sex and the City character, and it was time to return to real life in Austin. As I rode the subway back to my hotel to collect my bags, my mind was rejuvenated, my heart was open, and my belly was full. I promised dear New York City that I would visit again soon.