Lite Bites

Hotel, Lite Bites, Nite Spot, Restaurant

The New York Historical Society, while a legendary institution, worthy of a visit whether a local or a visitor, with the recent opening of the Caffe Storico. Its high-ceilinged, porcelein-white, sun-drenched dining room is more remenescent of a European patisserie than a reading room, and its northern Italian menu from chef Jim Burke, in partnership...

Cafe, Lite Bites, Restaurant

Burgers, Lite Bites, Restaurant

Of all the pleasant advantages of London over New York (which is not to say the reverse is never true), certainly among the best is that a sushi lover can actually head over to Nobu at the spur of the moment and, well, actually get a table. The City Present has loved the original London Nobu...

Lite Bites, Nite Spot, Restaurant

Bakery, Coffee, Lite Bites, Patisserie

Lite Bites, Restaurant, Take Away

In the game of celebrichef Go Fish, London has traded one naked chef for one French chef with our friends across the pond. And from the looks of things, we’ve got the winner. Bar Boulud, the first London outpost from NYC phenom Daniel Boulud opens Thursday in Knightsbridge (although they’re taking reservations today). The...

Burgers, Hotel, Lite Bites, Nite Spot, Restaurant

In continuing our hunt for the City Present’s best burger we find ouselves in Dublin. The late-night organic burger joint called Jo’Burger has loud D.J.’s, graffiti murals and juicy grilled burgers that are pure beef bliss. The Dobson burger is a patty stacked with Maasdam cheese, arugula and a zingy relish, my favorite. Menus are made out...

Burgers, Lite Bites, Nite Spot

“Spice Market” is inspired by the street food Jean-Georges Vongerichten enjoyed while traveling in Asia. Authentically uplifted version of flavorful street foods are service family-style…” Thus reads the Spice Market website. They don’t mention that the ENTIRE INTERIOR of the restaurant has also been lifted up from some other corner of Southeast Asia. If the...

Indian Food, Lite Bites, Nite Spot, Restaurant

Lunch can be an expensive and stressful proposition in much of Manhattan. Time is better spent walking the streets, not standing in line for a salad, or an open table to order a burger. Finding the right spot that serves a quality sandwich in a pleasant atmosphere, without the meal being too time- or...

Lite Bites, Restaurant, Take Away

The Parisian institution that is Patisserie Paul is one of the most popular French high-street chains, with its line-out-the-door storefronts from the Marais to Montparnasse, including small take-away kiosks in landmark locations such as the Tuilleries, offering a high-quality coffee, breakfast, lunch or lite-bite alternative to fast food for locals and foreigners alike. From...

Bakery, Lite Bites, Patisserie, Restaurant, Take Away

In L.A., where hype is an industry, the universal acclaim showered on Adam Fleischman’s Umami Burger chain in its first two years of operation can be lost in a sea of hyperbole. But believe what you hear: Umami Burger may not only be the best burger in Los Angeles, in may even be the...

Burgers, Lite Bites, Restaurant

A St. Louis Institution, Ted Drewe’s Frozen custard is known far and wide for its famous Concrete, a frozen confection so dense and cold that it is served upside-down. But its more than home town loyalty that has kept Ted Drewe’s open, and more than its server’s gimmick that has made it legendary: Ted...

Ice Cream, Lite Bites

Washington still has many holes in its dining options, heavy on the hotel lobby haute-cuisine, with too many expense-account steakhouses and forgettable ethnic eateries. Thankfully, in recent years the city has started to get some serious culinary start-ups, and the City Present’s favorite restaurant in the nation’s capital is the incredible, absolutely unique Birch...

Lite Bites, Nite Spot, Restaurant

Since opening in the center of Chelsea in January 2009, chef Jim Lahey’s solo venture, emphasizing bread-baking and pizza, has been popular for its open, friendly atmosphere, and celebrated for its uncomplicated but completely original Roman-style pizzas. While the squat brick towers of the Elliott-Chelsea Homes might not be the best location for a...

Lite Bites, Nite Spot, Pizza, Restaurant

The Grote Markt at the center of Haarlem is one of the most superb locations in the Netherlands. The center of Haarlem is nowadays an upscale shopping and dining district, with boutiques and bistros as well as its beautiful, bustling food and flower market on Saturdays. In the looming shadow of the massive, historic...

Hotel, Lite Bites, Restaurant

The eye-catching and delicious popsicles of Carmine Street's latest arrival Popbar, are the new old shape of sweet treat refreshment. Served on a stick, Popbar's all-natural gelato, sorbetto and frozen yoghurt add an artisan twist to the classic popsicle. Made fresh in store, a revolving choice of flavours are available to be dipped in dark,...

Ice Cream, Lite Bites

It is a small tragedy when a traveler acquiesces to the ubiquitous fast food outlets when hunger strikes in a foreign city. Hunched over a Big Mac, sliding around in a plastic booth, the lament takes hold that, if only for better knowledge of the city, the meal would a selection of the finest...

Grocer, Lite Bites, Store, Take Away

As the name suggests, Wurstküche is a purveyor of exotic sausages, which ranges from not only classically European servings such as Bratwurst and Italian sausage, a gourmet range including Kielbasa, Filipino pork, Chicken Apple & Spice, and an Exotic range of game including Alligator & Pork, Duck & Bacon and the mildly spicy Rattlesnake...

Lite Bites, Nite Spot, Restaurant

Utrecht, situated less than an hour from Amsterdam by train in the heart of the Netherlands, is well worth a visit. The country’s university town, and the traditional home of Dutch Catholicism, has a very different feel from the Dutch capital. The old city is dominated by its massive cathedral, which is a startling...

Bakery, Coffee, Lite Bites, Restaurant

Bottega Louie is more than an attempt to bring a European palace of cuisine and confection to California. In all its singular details, its atmosphere, and its presentation, Louie transforms a bus-stop and parking lot corner of South Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles into the buzzing block of the Champs Élysées. The space...

Lite Bites, Market, Patisserie, Pizza, Restaurant