My Favorite NYC Spots

by Sally Rychlak

I find myself in New York City almost every month for work, and while my calendar usually revolves around meetings, I've learned that the best business trips always leave a little room for exploring. Most of my meetings happen in Midtown, but if I have any free time, you'll find me spending at least part of the day in the West Village. Between the tree-lined streets, charming neighborhood cafés, and historic brownstones, it's one of my favorite places to unwind. It also helps that several of my friends live nearby, so we'll often catch up over coffee, meet for drinks, squeeze in a class at Fuze House, or take a walk along the West Side Highway.

Favorite Village Bites

The West Village is hands down my favorite neighborhood for restaurants. I always recommend L'Artusi for incredible Italian, I Sodi for their famous lemon pasta, or Don Angie if you can snag a reservation (the lasagna is worth the hype). For something a little more classic, Waverly Inn never disappoints, and Pastis is one of my favorite French bistros just over in the Meatpacking District. If I'm looking for something casual, Little Ruby's is always a great choice, and Bus Stop Cafe is the perfect neighborhood breakfast spot.

Don Angie Lasanga

Sally Rychlak at Waverly Inn

I love working from Hungry Llama, grabbing coffee at The Elk, lingering over breakfast at Buvette, or making a quick stop at 11th Street Cafe for one of their gluten-free blueberry scones. Speaking of gluten-free, Modern Bread & Bagel is a celiac mecca on W 14th.

breakfast plate at Hungry Llama

Favorite Midtown Stops

When work has me in Midtown, I usually keep it simple. Hatsuhana is one of my go-to sushi spots, Estiatorio Milos is perfect for client dinners (especially the Hudson Yards location at sunset), and Quality Bistro never misses with its lively atmosphere, spicy Caesar salad, and unforgettable bread service. The Whitby Hotel has a lovely breakfast and lunch that's often a perfect spot for a business meeting.

Hatsuhana

spicy caesar salad at Quality Bistro

Favorite Workouts

One thing I love about New York is how easy it is to stay active while traveling. BodyRok has one of my favorite reformer Pilates classes, Fuze House is my go-to when I want a heated sculpt workout, Solidcore is scattered throughout Manhattan, and Barry's is always a reliable high-energy workout no matter which neighborhood I'm staying in.

As much as I love staying downtown and taking advantage of the West Side Highway for long walks and runs along the Hudson, nothing beats a run through Central Park. If I can make it uptown for a loop around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, I know I've earned a stop at one of my favorite restaurants before heading back to work.

West Side Highway Run at Sunset

I'm in the city often enough that this list is always growing, so if you have a favorite restaurant, coffee shop, or hidden gem, I'd love to hear about it before my next trip.

Healthier Chick-fil-A

Never throw out pickle juice - save it for your next chicken marinade and you won't regret it. Pickle juice, often overlooked and discarded, is a culinary gem that can elevate your chicken dishes to new heights. The acidity and flavors from the pickle brine not only tenderize the meat but also infuse it with a delightful tang that's hard to resist. You can simply marinate chicken in pickle juice for a few hours and you’ll be rewarded with juicy, flavorful chicken that rivals your favorite fast food options. OR, if you're feeling a bit more adventurous and want to recreate that special experience at home, you can put in a little more thought and effort to have your very own Chick-fil-A night right in your kitchen.

Imagine setting the scene with delicious sides like waffle fries or a kale salad, and perhaps even a homemade lemonade to wash it all down. While I'd like to say that the pickle-brined chicken is the best part of this meal, it's actually the Chick-fil-A sauce that truly steals the show. This sauce, a perfect blend of sweet and tangy flavors, enhances the chicken and adds an irresistible layer of richness. This recipe includes a copycat recipe for the yummiest condiment in the fast food chain lineup, allowing you to enjoy that signature taste without having to leave your home. The combination of mayonnaise, honey, mustard, and a hint of barbecue sauce creates a creamy, dreamy dip that pairs beautifully with your pickle-brined chicken. With this simple yet delightful meal, you can enjoy the flavors of your favorite fast food while knowing exactly what ingredients went into your meal, making it both a delicious and guilt-free indulgence.

This recipe includes gluten free options, but it is adaptable and hard to screw up.

sally rychlak chickfila

Healthier Choc Chip Cookie

As previously documented, I am still in a toxic cycle of craving a cookie every night. The Gluten Free M&M cookie recipe is a winner, but with warmer weather approaching, it's time to adapt the recipe with a little bit cleaner ingredients.

With the assistance of Chat, admittedly, I've been refining a recipe that is rich and satisfying but free of refined sugar and (excessive) saturated fat. I aimed to ensure this wasn't toooo healthy... there's some butter in there and lots of chocolate, but it also includes healthy fats and fiber thanks to almond butter, almond flour, and dates.

Have you ever tried a healthy dessert recipe that ended up tasting more like a breakfast bar? This recipe is definitely not one of those... it's undeniably a dessert and will satisfy your (my) nightly cookie requirement.

As usual, my website primarily serves as a place for me to keep track of the recipes I experiment with, enjoy, and want to remember. This cookie recipe is a new favorite for me and worth remembering. I hope that if you've found your way here and decide to try it, you'll agree with me!

• 

  Sally Rychlak refined sugar free cookie