Mandarin Magazine Issue 2 Issue 2 | Page 34

UNFORGETTABLE FOOD TOURS Enjoy the flavors of Greenwich Village, Hell’s Kitchen and Astoria while exploring the city with a trusted guide. BY JESSICA DANG T he city of New York is famous for its food. Internationally renowned for its eclectic and diverse options, New Yorkers’ palates are fine-tuned and the proof is in the pudding. The competitive and fast-paced nature of the Big Apple sets the perfect stage for a dining experience like no other. With exten- sive training and meticulous execution, the chefs of New York City each in- dividually contribute to a collective excellence that keeps foodies from across the globe coming back for more. All types of culinary adventures exist within the creative oven of New York. From the most eloquent and tasteful meals you can imagine to the obscure local eats within the depths of each borough, a city like New York can easily stimulate all of your senses while you eat—but you have to know where to go, and sometimes that’s the hard part. Food tours exist as a remedy to the common travelers’ dilemma of where to sample some of the best and most interesting flavors of the city. Exploring all aspects of big city eats, food tours put in the elbow grease and research for you, leaving you to simply enjoy the cuisine constructed and set out before you; plus, they allow you to see various parts of the city while you dine. But take caution: not all food tours are created equal. The tours that truly go the extra mile are the ones that you’ll remember—the tours that aid you in ob- taining a familiar grasp of various NYC cuisines all while providing a carefree and comfortable environment for you while you dine. These are the food tours that are will make your culinary experience truly remarkable. ASTORIA’S GREEN FLAVORS The Astoria neighborhood of Queens seems to gain momentum with each passing year. Home to an ever-expanding roster of newly opened beer gardens, hip bars and restaurants impressive enough to attract travelers and locals alike from other areas of New York City and beyond. Astoria’s time to shine is now and you don’t want to miss it. Situated alongside the East River, Astoria is marked with pleasantly wide streets and sidewalks, wide- open sky, an abundance of tree-lined streets, the breathtaking Astoria Park and limitless options for fresh food. Although treasured because of its close proximity to Manhattan, Astoria might still seem surprisingly unfamiliar in contrast to some of the densely packed neighborhoods of Manhattan. Vi- brantly colored produce stands and al fresco restaurants and cafes (which are packed and buzzing during the warmer months) dot the streets. A famously huge Greek population appoints the Mediterranean cuisine as the popular food of choice in the neighborhood, and so when you are in Astoria, do as Astorians do—eat Greek. 34 INSEASON MAGAZINE | SPRING 2013