Thread by @FranklinBi

Looking forward to being back in town for #NYBlockchainWeek! Going out on a limb to say the world doesn’t need another guide to the 100+ events going on, so thought I'd share some tips & food/drink rec's as a native NYer, who's recently moved & rather homesick. Here goes:

TL;DR - New York is for (food) lovers. Less networking, more eating.

Finding your way around Manhattan is easier than most other US cities. It's a simple grid of Streets and Avenues until you hit downtown, but you likely won't be walking around there much. Streets (y-axis) increase in number going north, Avenues (x-asis) increase going west.

This is important info because otherwise you'll be staring at Google Maps on your phone and walking real slow, I’m not here to do that to my fellow NYers. If you get pushed / bumped / loudly sighed at, you probably deserved it.

Avenue of the Americas = 6th Ave. Don't ever call it anything except 6th Ave, no one else does either. Broadway confuses ppl - it's always somewhere btwn 5th and 8th, like the train to Hogwarts. 4th Ave doesn't exist or it does, but it got split up btwn Madison / Park / Lex

Btw it's totally fine to eat while you're walking or on the subway or in a taxi. Anyone who tells you otherwise, tell them to GFY. It's literally why pizza exists. Speaking of, here come the food rec's - mainly for Midtown / proximity to Consensus. NOT a top 10 list:

NYC pizza speaks for itself, the real question is whether you want a slice or a pie. Best slice around is Joe's on 40th & Broadway. Plain cheese or fresh mozz is the way to go. Get both actually, that's the magic of thin crust.

For damn good brick-oven pies, go for Roberta's (food hall on 45th & Park) but avoid the lunch rush.

Dollar slices are always a respectable option - 2 Bros is fine or anywhere with a line. Throw on those red pepper flakes like you just don't care. Garlic powder if you really don't care.

For bagels, go for Ess-a-Bagel on 51st & 3rd. It's not the best, but the average NYC bagel is in the 90th percentile nationally - as long as it's fresh, so basically anywhere doing high volumes. Know your damn order before you get to the front of the line.

My go-to is a whole wheat everything, scooped, toasted, sliced lox, scallion cream cheese - heavy schmear. + tomato & capers if I'm treating myself. God I miss bagels.

Great Asian food isn't just in Chinatown or Flushing anymore. Prime example is Xi'an Famous Foods (54th & 6th - 1 block from Hilton). Basically grew up with this place when it was Jason's dad in a basement stall pre-Bourdain visit. Closed now sadly. RIP to the OGs.

Jason (now CEO) was still working part-time with his dad back then. Now he's absolutely killing it with locations all over the city and soundtracks have been on point since the East Village spot. I go for the classic combo - lamb burger and cold noodles, but everything's good.

Also nearby - Dim Sum Palace on 55th & 6th. Not the best or most authentic, but does the job. Ordering dim sum from a menu is personally depressing, but it's even common in China now. Palace does the basics well - shrimp dumplings, siu mai, chicken feet.

You could also hit up Joe's Shanghai (56th & 5th). Joe's used to be the go-to for soup dumplings in the 90s, but it's gone downhill since their chefs all left for Flushing, the soup is way too greasy now. Not saying to avoid it, just sad about the state of xiao long bao in NYC.

Pouring one out for Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao - my old favorite that just closed in Flushing. Never got to say goodbye 💔ny.eater.com/2019/5/3/18528…

Actually you know what? I'll just say it - Joe's Shanghai is trash and has been trash for a long time. Don't accept mediocrity, this is NYC. Should've died off a long time ago but food critics just regurgitate the same stuff from 10 years ago. Go to Flushing.

Better sit-down options for Chinese: Wu Liang Ye, 48th & 6th - an institution for Chinese immigrants since the early 90s, or Cafe China on 37th & 5th, only Chinese place in NYC with a Michelin star which makes me question the whole Michelin system but w/e I know what's good.

On a happier note, one of the best burgers in NYC nearby - Burger Joint on 56th & 6th. Go behind the curtain at Le Parker Meridien. Not fancy, just super delicious. Cheeseburger with everything, don't overthink it.

Could also head to the Shake Shack in Times Square (43rd & 8th). Only downside is it's Times Square, but the upside is milkshakes yum.

If you're looking to make the most of your time away from networking (FUN!) and have a sweet tooth, check out the food hall at the Plaza Hotel on 59th & 5th. Get a brief glimpse (and smell) of Central Park's highly overrated horse carriages before heading downstairs.

Highlights include Lady M's cakes (my wife's favorite), Ladurée's macarons, Luke's Lobster's... ehh skip that tbh. Head north of the wall if you want lobster rolls.

Can't leave off Halal Guys, though you won't need any help finding it (53rd & 6th). They have B&M locations all over the world now, but still 10x more delicious at 2am in the morning. Combo plate w/ the white sauce & 1 hit of the red (don't be a hero), then straight to bed.

Quick hits:
Totto Ramen, 52nd & 2nd

Quality Meats, 58th & 6th (carnivore friendly - take note, steak maximalists)

Pocha 32, 32nd & 5th for proper Koreatown drinking & eating. Equally perfect for a big group at 7pm and 3am. Get the watermelon soju, trust me.

Beyond Sushi, 56th & 6th for vegan options. Haven't tried it but my one vegan friend highly recommended it before I changed the topic.

Radiance Tea House, 55th & 7th or MoMA, 53rd & 6th for somewhere to be by yourself and recharge. Places like these keep me sane during conference season. Be kind to yourself, folks - the world will still be there when you get back.

TL;DR #2 - y'all out here thinking you're competing with Consensus... Nah, you're competing with the greatest city in the world. Welcome and have a lovely time.