So you tried to get a table at Veselka and there’s a long line, no worry. Just few doors away is the Ukrainian East Village Restaurant. That’s how I discovered it. It has a very homey feeling to it and somehow feels more authentic. Whatever that means. They are both really good.

You might not see the sign for the entrance if you don’t look closely. The entrance is down a hallway. I’ve eaten there twice and I really like it. Borscht, blintzes, pierogis and strudel. You can’t go wrong.

Ukrainian East Village Restaurant - 140 Second Avenue (212) 614-3283

I’ve been eating here for many years and especially when I’m in the Chelsea Gallery district. It’s your basic Greek owned New York City diner. You can’t go wrong with breakfast and that’s exactly what I usually have there. It has a homey feel to it and apparently it’s still open 24 hours a day.

Chelsea Square Diner - 368 West 23rd Street 212-691-5400

McNally Jackson now has a new location in Soho about 6 blocks west of the old store.

McNally Jackson is another fabulous independent bookstore in NYC. I love this bookstore! And the musician Beck loves it too! When I find 2 books that I want I immediately go to the cash and pay! Sometimes that only takes about 15 minutes. I need to restrain myself when I'm here. Their selection of poetry, literature, art books and nonfiction books is amazing. As well they sell books about New York City, chapbooks and much more. They also have a very busy café and the food and café lattes are really good. They are situated next to Soho and just above Little Italy. If you love books this store is highly recommended. And if you love to support local businesses like I do. . .

McNally Jackson - 134 Prince Street near West Broadway

So I love diners and Waverly is no exception. It is often packed when I go. They have a basic diner menu with breakfast being the specialty as well as burgers. I've been eating here off and on for years and I'm always happy to see their big neon signs on the corner. Long live diners. By the way, they're open 24 hours 7 days a week! They are cash only and they don't accept reservations.

Waverly Diner - 385 6th Avenue at Waverly Place

Johny's Luncheonette is an old school diner style restaurant. It's been in business since 1994 and has a look that goes back even further than that. It is a standard greasy spoon style restaurant with basic American cuisine and a few Greek items on it. A counter runs almost the length of the restaurant with the food being prepared in front of you. I continue to go back and I'm always happy that they are still there. Johny owns and still works in the restaurant!

Johny's Luncheonette, 124 West 25th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues

I love NYC diners and Washington Square Diner is one that I've eaten at many times. Like most NYC diners it carries not only typical American cuisine including breakfasts and burgers, it also has some Greek food on the menu. I've been told that they've been in business in that location for more than 40 years now! That's really saying something in New York City.

Oh, they're open 24 hours a day! They are located just around the corner from the famous West 4th Street basketball courts and one block away from Washington Square Park.

Washington Square Diner, 150 West 4th Street

John’s Coffee Shop is an old school New York City diner. I was delighted to see that they’re still open. Very cosy atmosphere and the food is wonderful and not expensive. They’ve been in business for over 50 years!

The grilled cheese and French fries was really good. I’ve eaten there over the years and it has always been really good. However, I don’t often go as far east as Second Avenue when I’m in Midtown. I’ll have to change that more often.

John’s Coffee Shop 823 Second Avenue at 45th Street 212-867-4955

Forget all the other famous candy stores in NYC! They are more hype and high prices than anything else. Economy Candy is the place to go! They have old school candy that isn't easy to find anymore. They are a family run business which opened in 1937!

Also they carry a lot of imported chocolates and candies and Kosher candy as well. They have a Pez collection that is out of this world as well as merchandise that is based on candy brands. It's a very cool store indeed.

Economy Candy, 108 Rivington Street

Open since the 1970s. I love NYC diners! Most of them are owned by Greeks. So not only can you get standard American fare. They also serve some Greek food. I've eaten at Cozy Soup 'n' Burger many times over the years and they don't disappoint. They are open 24 hours a day and you'll see a few photographs of famous people on the wall. 

Cozy Soup 'n' Burger, 739 Broadway Near East 8th Street. 212-477-5566