Intro

It's about time... She who loves food launches a blog about the menus and men in her life in MANhattan. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure where to start. There are sooo many stories, living as a single, attractive (thanks, mom!) woman in a city of the most extraordinary restaurants and the most interesting men. The way I eat, I should be obese. But my genetics have made me this freakish creature who can eat everything, and still manage to have a date every night of the week if I want.

The pairing of men and menus seems to have naturally manifested from the reality that most of my dining experiences are while on dates. Being a foodie, I never let the guy suggest the restaurant. 9 times out of 10 I am utterly disappointed when guys choose. Usually it's some hole-in-the wall that his good buddy recommended, which serves food just about as tasty as your middle-school cafeteria line.

There's a difference. Between food that makes your senses stir, and food that just makes you feel full. Between men who keep you from feeling alone, and ones who make you feel loved.

I've never been one to rush through a meal. My friends know me as someone who allocates a minimum of 2 hours to dinner, every night of the week. Even when I was studying hard in school, I was never one for an efficiency eating.

Eating to me is an experience that is not only vital, but also artistic and intellectual. I say this from not only from being raised a food snob (the daughter of the nation's top fish trader), but also as a wiser food lover (having recently experienced the lamborghini of dining experiences at Tom Keller's Per Se--coincidentally, a restaurant my dad has supplied fish to).

In New York City, there are countless restaurants, catering to any flavor profile you're craving. I very rarely eat at home. At most once a week. I'd rather go to a restaurant solo than eat at home. Case in point, last night I went to Blue Ribbon Sushi alone at 11pm.

The result of my varied, plethora of dining experiences: I've unknowingly become somewhat of an expert on "where to eat" for my friends. With increasing frequency over the past couple years, I've received text messages, calls and Facebook messages looking to me as the guru... "Where can my [friend, date, sister-in-law, dad] and I go for good [Italian, Mexican, Sushi, Fresh Fish, Greek, Drinks]?" Rather than reserving this knowledge for those who ask, I think it's high time to let you in on the highlights of the MANhattan MENu.