Core Blog

“Food” – A Mumin Foodie’s Guide to NYC

December 8, 2017

Words Asma G.
Digital Art Alifiya S.

Bostonian. Epidemiologist. Mehndi Artist. Photographer. Wife. Daughter. Sister. I like to believe I am a jack of all trades… and master of some. 😉

Theme Foreword:

Food is such a big deal to us mooms (mumins of course!). Culturally, spiritually, religiously, we as a community are defined by our food habits and rites. So this month it’s all about food on the blog; we fully intend to force our way into your hearts by way of your stomachs and possibly tongues. That escalated quickly.

Four years in New York has gifted me with a larger-than-life list of scrumptious delights that are tried, tested and true. Tourists can easily search on Google for “Top 50” lists of restaurants, dessert spots, and hangouts in NYC. But, what is a Mumin wanderer seeking halal options in NYC to do? Of course, the famous Halal Guys Chicken and Rice and halal carts on every street corner are a safe and fun option for a visitor to this city, but NYC has so much more to offer. Today, I present you with the Mumin Foodie’s Guide to NYC, with 12 of my favourite food establishments from Manhattan for anyone in search of a delicious, yet halal, day full of eating during their travels.

Brunch

Brunch in NYC is a right of passage for anyone travelling through the Big Apple. For a Mumin Foodie, brunch establishments are always a great option to start a long day full of seeing the sights (and avoiding Times Square at all costs!). A meatless meal, surprisingly, can still be filling. All you need is a plate full of fluffy pancakes, freshly sliced avocados, or eggs cooked in every which way.

Sarabeth’s

My favourite: Almond-Crusted French Toast with Strawberry Sauce

The Smith

My favourite: Truffled local mushroom ciabatta toast with fontina cheese and sunny up egg

Clinton Street Baking Company

My favourite: Huevos Rancheros, topped with guacamole, jalapeno sour cream, salsa picante, pepper jack cheese on a housemade corn tortilla

Lunch / Dinner

NYC has food options for all types of enthusiasts: a couple seeking a perfect date night restaurant, a group of friends in need of a hearty burger and some late night rejuvenation, and vegetarians who want options that aren’t boring by any means. After much exploration, we’ve found a mix of everything in New York City. Creekstone Farms* beef is hidden in gourmet menus across the city, and trends towards healthy living make way for fun, vegetarian spots that will convert even the staunchest meat lover!

Minetta Tavern*

My favourite: Creekstone Farms Minetta Burger with cheddar cheese and caramelized onions

Smokey Burger*

My favourite: The Cabana Deluxe: ground beef burger with cheddar, chipotle sauce, fried egg, pickles, turkey bacon and lettuce

Marc Forgione*

My favourite: Creekstone Farms 28-Day Dry Aged Tomahawk Steak, for two

abcV

My favourite: Half or whole roasted cauliflower, with turmeric-tahini and pistachios

Artichoke’s Pizza

My favourite: The Artichoke: artichoke hearts, spinach, cream sauce, mozzarella and pecorino romano cheese

Dessert

No visit to NYC is complete without a dessert stop. Or maybe 2 or 3 dessert stops. Options are endless in the city, but you know a dessert option is good when I’ve visited them more than once. Here are my favourite choices for quick desserts that will definitely top off an amazing day of eating in The Big Apple!

My favourite: The Classic: Semi-Sweet Chocolate with Sea Salt

Molly’s Cupcakes

My favourite: The Cookie Monster: chocolate chip cupcake with a raw cookie dough centre, buttercream and a mini chocolate chip cookie

*NOTES:

The menus at Marc Forgione and Minetta Tavern contain a mix of halal and non-halal entrees. Creekstone Farms meat is used at these restaurants for specific items on the menu.
Creekstone Farms is a well-known USA source of Halal, all-natural beef, served at some of USA’s top-rated gourmet restaurants.
Smokey Burger (and its next-door neighbour, One Thai Chef) serve only halal meat so everything on their menu is fair game!