UNI TOAST WITH TRUFFLE
This uni toast with truffle is just to die for as it is the perfect combination of crispy and umami yumminess - one of the best ever dishes I've had in New York from the Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare. The dishes are mostly seafood-oriented and Japanese-inspired with modern French cooking techniques. See Brooklynfare.com
FOIE GRAS SUSHI
I get my sushi fix at Sushi of Gari - my favourite location is the one on Columbus. The Butter sauteed foie gras topped with simmered sliced daikon radish with balsamic vinaigrette sauce is my absolute favourite sushi dish in NYC - super creative and part of the "Omakase" menu. I love how innovative the combinations are. See sushiofgari.com
MARSHMALLOW AND RICE CRISPY TREAT
A great "new" concept I like is run by my friends Chris and Jen Russell. One day, together with their kids, they created these little marshmallow and rice crispy treats for a bake sale and they became so popular it evolved into a fully fledged business. The caramel sea salt is a must-have. See treathouse.com
BRICK OVEN ROASTED WHOLE DORADE
My friend Hilary is the chef at Catch NYC, a great seafood place right in the heart of the Meatpacking District, also my old stomping ground. I absolutely love the king crab ceviche but their stand-out dish is the whole dorade, which is baked in the brick oven and comes with a lovely tomato, artichoke and clam stew. See catchrestaurants.com/catchnyc/
AVOCADO LETTUCE CUPS
A favourite of mine to eat a bit healthier is the avocado lettuce cup from ABCV, Jean-George's vegetarian restaurant in Union Square Park. The cups are filled with toasted cumin, serrano, lime and pepitas, a perfect blend of different textures and flavours. Goes great with their cold-pressed organic juices.
CREAM CHEESE BAGEL
You can't visit New York without having a bagel and Russ & Daughters is one of the oldest and best in the biz. My favourite is a scooped pumpernickel with pastrami cured salmon and scallion cream cheese. The freshly baked bagels are still warm and crunchy and this sandwich is enough for a light lunch in itself. See russanddaughterscafe.com
SHRIMP OKONOMI-YAKI
A little bit like a savoury Japanese pizza pancake with a scrumptious sweet and tangy sauce on it that pairs perfectly with the mayo and "dancing" bonito flakes. I love to get this for a little snack when I go to St Marks where you can find it at Otafuku X Medetai. See otafukuny.com
In his 30-plus-year career, Stanley Wong has headed many top restaurants in Germany, Switzerland, South Africa, Hong Kong, Macau, and in New York with chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, of Jean-Georges Restaurants fame. Wong's latest venture, Eastside Kitchen + Bar is in Sydney's Kensington Street precinct. See eastsidekitchen.com.au
