Good News - beginning on Friday 12 February they will be open for indoor dining at 25% capacity. They also have outdoor dining. Both are first come, first served. During normal times the wait might be long. But apparently wait times are not long these days. The pizza is worth it either way. And you can place orders for pick up and delivery online! Updated 8 February 2021 

There's pizza and there's pizza. For me the best pizza in NYC is John's OF Bleecker Street. They've been in business since 1929. Although the owners have changed a few times over the years it is still a family owned and run business. 

There are big debates about who make the best pie in the city. Everyone has an opinion! A word of warning! They don't take reservations and they're cash only!

John's of Bleecker Street, 278 Bleecker Street

Update - it appears that Word Books is open for pick ups and online ordering. On a very happening street in Greenpoint is Word Books. If you're in the neighborhood it's definitely worth checking them out and I definitely recommend Greenpoint! Word Books' genres are across the spectrum and they also have events as well. In case you aren't actually able to be in their physical location they also sell books online . I love the messages in their windows! "Eat, Sleep, Read, Word." And also a quote from Audrey Lorde, "I am deliberate and afraid of nothing."

Word Books - 126 Franklin Street.

Good News - Zucker’s is open. Normally it would’ve been really crowded on a Saturday midday when I was there. I understand that they have a GoFundMe for their employees who are hopefully only temporarily unemployed.

Zucker's Bagels makes hand-rolled, kettle-boiled bagels. You can get bagels at any corner deli. But, they won't be fresh and you won't be able to get them hot out of the oven. At Zucker's you can! The owner of Zucker's Bagels left a job on Wall Street and opened his first shop in 1994. Their bagels are seriously good! I wish I had one now! Just a stone's throw from Grand Central Terminal.

Zucker's Bagels, 370 Lexington Avenue near 41st Street

Devoción is a very cool café in Williamsburg. Yes, the coffee is really good. But the thing you will notice even before you order is that the look and feel of the space is like being in a rain forest. Great coffee and great atmosphere.

You will also notice when entering that they roast their beans right there! I haven’t been to their other 3 locations in the city. Not yet. It could be a little tricky getting a seat here.

Devoción - 69 Grand Street near Wythe Street

Trash and Vaudeville was located on St Mark’s Place from 1975-2016 and is now located on East 7th Street. The store specializes in clothing that dressed everyone from Debbie Harry tp Lady Gaga, If you’re looking for punk, glam, goth or other related clothing styles, this is the go to store.

When Trash and Vaudeville moved to East 7th Street the store split into two different shops. Ray Goodman, the owner of Trash and Vaudeville kept the name. While Jimmy Webb, the manager and buyer opened a new store in the Lower East Side called I Need More. Webb was the an icon of Trash and Vaudeville. His shop will be added to Discover New York City soon.

Trash and Vaudeville - 96 East 7th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue

The Ukrainian Museum is located in the East Village which has been home to many Ukrainian immigrants since the late 1800s. You will find a number of Ukrainian businesses in the East Village including restaurants and also churches.

“The Ukrainian Museum is the largest museum in the U.S. committed to acquiring, preserving, exhibiting, and interpreting articles of artistic or historic significance to the rich cultural heritage of Ukrainians. At its founding in 1976 by the Ukrainian National Women's League of America, the Museum was hailed as one of the finest achievements of the Ukrainian American community. Today, its unparalleled array of folk art, exceptional collection of fine art, and extensive compendium of archival materials make it one of the most unique and dynamic museums in New York City, with broad appeal for diverse audiences. Each year, the Museum organizes several exhibitions, publishes accompanying bilingual catalogues, and conducts a wide range of public programming, frequently in collaboration with other museums, educational institutions, and cultural centers.”

The Ukrainian Museum - 222 East 6th Street

The American Kennel Club first opened their Museum of the Dog in 1982 in New York City. They have changed locations a few times outside of New York City and they recently returned.

In their own words “The AKC Museum of the Dog preserves, interprets and celebrates the role of dogs in society and educates the public about the human-canine bond through its collection of art and exhibits that inspire engagement with dogs.”

A must see for dog lovers and it’s a stone’s throw from Grand Central.

The AKC Museum of the Dog - 101 Park Avenue at 40th Street

Revolution Books in their own words “is a bookstore with literature, history, science, art, philosophy, and revolutionary theory... a place of discovery and engagement. Scientific and poetic, wrangling and visionary. A bookstore at the center of a movement for revolution.”

The atmosphere at RB is very friendly and it’s almost like being in someone’s home. They are very knowledgable, well-read and welcoming.

Revolution Books 437 Lenox Avenue (Malcolm X Boulevard) at 132nd Street

Happy 125 years birthday! Veniero's Pasticceria and Caffé is a fabulous Italian pastry shop. They.ve been in business since 1894! What more can I say? Not too many little family-owned independent businesses have been around for more than 100 years! 

They have every kind of cheesecake (NY style or Italian,) cannolis, cookies, biscotti, gelato, sorbetto etc etc. They also make Italian style egg creams and all the different coffee drinks as well. You can take it to go or sit in their caffé. And they're open 365 days a year!!! Looking for a great place for dessert? This is a great place for it. They also do special orders.

Veniero's Pasticceria and Caffé, 342 East 11th Street near First Avenue