Teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for days. Give a man a Metrocard and he’ll eat anything. Dave Cook began his blog, Eating in Translation, about three years ago when his wide-ranging palate had him trying anything New York City had to offer under two conditions: it had to be authentic, and it had to be cheap. Save the five star dining and new restaurant opening for the New York Times, Dave craves the twice fried, the still swimming, hot off the hibachi, and hard to pronounce. Ever heard of upi java, wax gourd, or nam pla wan? Chances are he hadn’t either, but Dave follows one rule those with more sensitive stomachs just call brave: You don’t know until you try.

We caught up with Dave in between meals and asked him to tell us more about his experimental dining habits and the blog that hosts his field notes, 
www.eatingintranslation.com

What brought you to New York?
College. I went to Columbia, and I still live up in Morningside Heights.

What do you love about living in New York?
It’s hard to be bored, especially when it’s so easy to hop a ride to someone else’s code. My blog’s about food, of course, but you can?t beat New York for museums, shopping, live music, people watching, or just wandering around and exploring.

What do you think makes a New Yorker?
Being energized enough to keep things moving along, and relaxed enough to keep a good attitude about it all.

What surprises you about New Yorkers?
They’ll wait 45 minutes for a table at a Manhattan restaurant, but they won’t consider a half-hour trip to an amazing joint in Queens or Brooklyn where they can sit right down.

Do you know any tricks or insider info?
That weak dollar you hear so much about buys a lot more in the outer boroughs than it does in the Village. And this may be more of an observation, but when I’m out food hunting, many folks ask where I’m from, and often they seem very surprised that I live right here. Maybe it’s the camera around my neck, or maybe it’s the outsider attitude.

When you visit a restaurant (and I use the term very loosely), and you’re trying a cuisine that you don’t know very well, sometimes the best way to discover new food is to act like an outsider: Have them make you a plate of whatever they do best, or whatever looks good at another table. Very likely they’ll tame it for you, too, so be sure to ask for whatever condiments you see at the other tables, too. But use them sparingly, till you know what you’re getting into!

Tell us about your blog.
I launched Eating In Translation about three years ago as a collection of field notes on interesting food I’d tried, or planned to try, in and around New York. Since January 2005 I’ve visited some 1,800 restaurants, lunch counters, cafes, street vendors, fairs, festivals, grocers, and greenmarkets. I prefer casual to fancy; inexpensive is good, too.

I don’t focus on my own code; Eating In Translation includes posts, in words and pictures, on the places I’ve eaten in more than 70 New York neighborhoods. Some neighborhoods I’ve visited less than others, but I’m always open to tips from my readers about what’s cool in their code!

What’s the best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?
No secret: I love Gray’s Papaya, at the corner of 72nd and Broadway. They were way ahead of the curve with their recession special, but even if you’ve got deep pockets, they serve a great hot dog!
Best neighborhood bar?
When I’m in a mood to shoot pool, Tap-a-Keg on Broadway near 104th St.; when I’d rather just hang, it’s even up between Abbey Pub on 105th and Broadway Dive at 101st.

Best late night joint?
If it’s not Tap, Abbey, or Dive, it’d have to be Ding Dong Lounge, near 105th over on Columbus. Iffy pool table, good DJs.

Best fancy shmancy restaurant?
I’m not big on shmancy, but I really appreciate Del Posto; the food, decor, and service are top-notch, and they’ll treat you shmancy even when you come as you are.

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)?
I finally caught The Counterfeiters this weekend (which brings me up to date on last year’s Oscar picks), but by the time you read this I’ll probably have been back to the movies again.

Best moviehouse?
Film Forum, by a mile. Closer to my code, Lincoln Plaza and Walter Reader are pretty good, too.

Best place to meet members of the opposite sex?
The cafe at the McNally Robinson bookstore, when I can get a seat; the aisles, when I can’t.

As any New Yorker knows, you could live in NYC your whole life and be able to eat at a different restaurant every day. Miss Menu realized this exciting fact shortly after moving to the city. Coming from the South, she quickly embraced the diversity of food choices and ethnic varieties that can be found everywhere you turn. Her love of dining out became a joke among her friends, at the same time they turned to her for restaurant recommendations. On her blog, Miss Menu does not pull her punches when sharing her dining adventures. Whether she is dissing the straight out of the box rice pilaf at Ali Babi or raving about the multitude of vegetables on the pizza champion at Christina’s, there is no question where Miss Menu stands.

While Miss Menu continues to eat her way across town, we asked her what else she loves about life in the city.

What brought you to New York?
I grew up coming to New York every year with my family. The first time my parents let my brother and me go off on our own was when I fell in love with this city.. We were in awe of seeing something exciting around every corner. That’s when I realized how there’s no where else in the US I’d rather live. After growing up in the South, I was definitely ready for a change of pace, and moving here after graduating from college was the perfect opportunity to take a stab at living in the Big Apple. Five years later, I couldn’t be happier.

What do you love about living in New York?
The main thing I love is the restaurants, obviously! You can find every type of food imaginable in every neighborhood. I walk down the street and get excited about spotting new restaurants I haven’t been to before and adding them to my rapidly-growing “to do” list. I also love that when I’m walking a few blocks, I can pass people from all walks of life. I love the view from my apartment window…Chrysler building to the left, and Queensboro Bridge/East River to my right. And finally, I love how at any time of day (or night), there is something going on and something to do. It’s true…this city never sleeps.

What do you think makes a New Yorker?
Someone who has thick skin and can elbow their way through crowded sidewalks. Someone with the knowledge of which way to walk when you come up the steps from the subway. Someone with the ability to quickly calculate how much to tip a cab driver. Someone who knows (not believes) that New York is the greatest city in the country, if not the world.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?
I miss the energy that this city has. It sometimes takes leaving New York to be reminded of how great that is. When I go home to visit my family in Atlanta, I realize how I have to take a deep breath and slow down a little. At first, it’s so relaxing. But after a while, I find myself getting a little bored and wanting to come back to NYC. And, I wouldn’t be Miss Menu if I didn’t mention how I miss the restaurant culture. Sure, other cities have some fantastic restaurants and local specialties. What makes this city so special is the ability to find fantastic ethnic restaurants within walking distance.

Do you know any tricks or insider info?
I’ve found that being even the tiniest bit friendly to service people can really pay off. I started saying “hi, how are you?” to the guy at the coffee cart outside my office. Now, as soon as he sees me walk up, he gets my order ready even if there are people ahead of me in line. I forgot my work pass one morning, and the security guard I had chatted with before let me through with no problem. I need something repaired in my apartment, and because I am friendly to the maintenance guy, he’s here in five minutes. A little geniality can go a long way!

Tell us about your blog… what is the premise, what are your main coverage areas, how did you get started?
On Miss Menu, I’m excited to share all of my NYC restaurant experiences…both the good and the not so good. Even though life in NYC can be a little uncertain at times, there is one thing I’m sure of…I will never get tired of dining out in this city. Some may say I dine out way too often, but I just think life is too short to be spent eating at home all the time when we live in one of the greatest culinary cities in the world!
This blog came to be after a few things happened: a friend kept joking that I am a walking Zagat guide; many others come to me for restaurant recommendations; and most recently, my boss nick-named me “Miss Menu” after suggesting a handful of restaurants that we could go to for an office lunch.
Follow my latest restaurant adventures, find ideas for your next meal, or even ask for suggestions. Bon Appetit!

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?
Grand Central. Even though it’s a bit of a nightmare to walk through during rush hour, it really is a gorgeous building inside and out. It’s refreshing to see architecture other than modern skyscrapers. Seeing tourists taking photos of Grand Central makes me appreciate how cool it is to be able to walk through a major tourist destination on my walk to work every morning.

Best neighborhood bar?
Underground in Murray Hill. To me, it stands apart from the other bars in this neighborhood. It’s one of those bars that serves many purposes…after work bar, sports bar, lounge, outdoor bar. And, it’s hard to go wrong with their happy hour specials: $1 drafts and $3 mixed drinks.

Best late night joint?
The restaurant formerly known as Chickpea on 3rd Ave & St. Marks. It’s currently closed for remodeling and will be opened under another name, but they have some of the most authentic falafel in the city. It’s also open until 4am, which makes it a perfect fix for greasy, satisfying, late night food.

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)?
I went to see the Jasper Johns’ Gray exhibit at The Met. The building itself is worth a visit. Add an incredible exhibit, and it becomes a “must see” cultural outing. It’s so impressive to see so many of his works all in one place, and to see the variety that he created using only shades of gray.

Best fancy schmancy restaurant?
Megu wins out here. Unfortunately, it’s not the type of restaurant I can dine at regularly, but I won a gift certificate to Megu at work and dined like a queen. The décor is top notch, and the food is even better. You know a place is fancy schmancy when they have a new Buddha ice sculpture brought in daily to serve as the focal point of the restaurant.

Best place to meet members of the opposite sex?
I don’t think there’s a specific spot, but I think in a city this complex, people in New York meet members of the opposite sex in a crazy variety of ways. I know people who have met on the train to Fire Island, at an apartment party, while watching a parade, and online. Some may make for better stories than others, but connecting with someone new in a city of 10 million is great no matter how it happens.

Best moviehouse?
Definitely the Sunshine Cinema on Houston. It’s a nice break from the cookie cutter mega-theaters that are found all over the city. While it lacks stadium seating, most of the theaters are pretty small and very comfortable.

www.missmenunyc.com

In NYC, the stomach rules. Day or night, you can find culinary delights from every corner of the world and in every price range. Thankfully, there’s the NYC Food Guy to help you savor every bite. Lawrence Weibman is a native New Yorker who believes, “food is the simplest pleasure in life next to love and laughter.” His goal is to let people know where to find delicious and affordable food throughout the city. His reviews can be brutal, but are always honest, and his adventures are documented with mouth-watering photos. From BBQ to burgers, or diners to delis, don’t waste another bite.

What brought you to New York?
I’m a native New Yorker, born in Queens where I lived for 10 years before moving to Long Island. I went to college upstate and always knew I wanted to experience real city life for the adventure and excitement only New York could provide.

What do you love about living in New York?
New York is unlike any other city in the world. The concentration of opportunities to seize the day are so abundant that you barely even have a chance to think about it before the next experience comes your way. That and there’s no better variety of quality places to eat than in this city.

What do you think makes a New Yorker?
Unfortunately the outsider’s perception of what makes a New Yorker is the prevalent concept: Outspoken and volatile in a DeNiro-Taxi Driver kind of way, trustworthy at first glance but subtly duplicitous due to whatever it is that’s in New York water. It makes me smile because I know it’s partially true. In actuality I think a true New Yorker embodies the characteristics of Dean Moriarty in Kerouac’s “On the Road”, simple yet wide-eyed and curious with a voracious appetite for new experiences and an appreciation for being a tiny cog in the wheel of a big city.

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?
What surprises me most about New Yorkers is their willingness to lend a helping hand, offer directions, a word of advice, or some spare change. We’re not as intimidating as the general consensus makes us out to be.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?
Leaving New York I feel prepared for whatever might come my way, my awareness is heightened as is my appreciation for new surroundings. The thing I miss most however is the familiarity of my surroundings after dark and the knowledge of where to go to find a taco below 14th Street at 4:30 in the morning.

Do you know any tricks or insider info?
Tricks or insider info, eh? In regard to what exactly? Here’s the only way to get a drink at a crowded bar: Get as close to the bar as possible, have your money in hand, and wait patiently with a smile on your face until you make eye contact with the bartender. They will come over to take your order.

Are you a guy waiting at the front of the line to a crowded club and not getting in? Well first off, if it’s past 10pm and you don’t have women with you, chances are you won’t get in, especially if it’s a female door woman. If it’s a guy though, just be patient and friendly, make small talk if the opportunity arises, but never force yourself on them and do not try to trick them into letting you in, it’ll never happen. Let other people make idiots of themselves, roll your eyes at the fools, it’ll only make you look better. Maybe you won’t get in but all this will certainly help your chances.

If you want the best treatment possible at a restaurant i.e. a quick table, a little taste of something special, or a warm and hearty hello, then upon first visit you should introduce yourself the bartenders, the host, and your waiter. Don’t do it right away though because you first have to establish your knowledge of their craft and cuisine and show your appreciation upon completion of a meal. Don’t kiss up, that’s obvious, just make friends and don’t expect anything except making an acquaintance. Take note of people’s names and a little fact about each one of them and then return with your new knowledge. After a few visits you’ll have everyone asking you why you haven’t come back sooner and odds are you may get some freebies or at the very least a much appreciated tip: “Don’t eat the fish tacos today.”

Tell us about your blog… what is the premise, what are your main coverage areas, how did you get started?
I am the NYC Food Guy. My blog has the same name. Food is the simplest pleasure in life next to love and laughter, that’s my philosophy. My goal is to make people aware of delicious and affordable food throughout the city and its neighboring boroughs. I like to provide a little history or information about each place I review and brutal honesty is at the forefront of every entry. I got my start pretty innocently: I was always the person in my group of friends who was depended upon for the next place to go out to and where we could eat thereafter. I enjoyed this responsibility and decided to spread the love through my blog.

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?
I love Times Square at night but only from a distance. Standing at 51st Street and Broadway while looking into the heart of Times Square illuminating the night sky, the hoards of crane-necked tourists milling about hopefully in my city, the place they’ve daydreamed about for years, the place I get to see everyday. I also love skyscrapers, there’s something trippy about looking straight up to their apex and losing yourself in the vertiginous nature of the experience.

Best neighborhood bar?
Best neighborhood bar…. Upper West Side: George Keely on Amsterdam b/t 83rd and 84th, great beer, best Pub burger on the UWS (review on NYC Food Guy), darts, and a great staff of friendly and helpful bartenders. The crowd is ever-changing but a core group of fun regulars keeps the good times rolling. Downtown: Bleecker Street Bar on Bleecker St. between Broadway and Lafayette. Great bar staff, great beer, three dartboards, three pool tables, a photo booth, and always fun times.

Best late night joint?
Late night joint for food: Ziggiz on 25th Street and 3rd Avenue. Best fries in the city. Thin, crisp, and double fried. San Loco with three locations below 14th street and one in Brooklyn serves quality tacos in a laid back setting until 5am on Fridays and Saturdays. Big Nick’s on 77th and Broadway is a 24 hour diner that has everything you can imagine including pizzas. Their menu is 50 pages and the ambiance is quintessential grease pit, a place that brings bouncers and clubbers together for solid grub late night. I recommend a small pizza and some spicy waffle fries.

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)?
Last cultural thing I did was go to Katz’s Deli for lunch for the first time. It’s a New York landmark and the last of a dying breed.

Best fancy schmancy restaurant?
Define fancy? If fancy means hard to get a reservation or ultra expensive along the lines of Per Se, then I have no interest. I’m into a no frills dining experience that’s all about the food. My favorite restaurant in Manhattan is called El Faro and it’s an old fashioned authentic Spanish place with awesome red sangria with subtle brandy-induced kick, fresh flavorful seafood served in worn metal pots, and delicious homemade potato chips. It’s small and the Flamenco Dancer wallpaper hasn’t changed for 50 years but the authenticity of the experience cannot be beat.

Best place to meet members of the opposite sex?
I’m reminded of a Walt Whitman poem called “To You” that I humbly admit I saw on the subway: “STRANGER! if you, passing, meet me, and desire to speak to me, why should you not speak to me? And why should I not speak to you?” Now despite the fact that Whitman would have bed any woman with a heartbeat, that philosophy somewhat rings true.

The beauty of meeting someone in New York is that it can happen anywhere, anytime, you just have to keep your eyes peeled for the magical connection a smile between strangers provides.

Best moviehouse?
I haven’t been to many but Symphony Space on the UWS is intimate. Besides their popcorn, which apparently is pretty weak, I’ve heard good things about the Angelika. The theatre on 30th St. and 2nd Ave has stadium seating and a lot of movies and you can cause some trouble with a lasciviously-minded friend after the show ends if you play your cards right.

www.nycfoodguy.com