I’ve learned a few things about deciding to pick up your life and moving halfway around the world, but this is probably the most prevalent one: everyone who wants to catch up with you wants to eat with you.

My last week on the east coast was booked with old friends that wanted to catch up. . . and EAT. Here’s a delicious play-by-play of some of the delicious eats that I had during my last week in New York.

Ramenrittos from Press Tea in the West Village with my team members from work

Chocolate chip pancakes and Nutella milkshake from Tops Diner in Newark, NJ with my favorite sister (joke, I only have one)

Parmesan tortellini from Terra in Tribeca with my first boss ever and forever mentor

Chicken and Rice from the Halal Guys – 53rd & 3rd location with some co-workers

Fried chicken and waffles, chicken biscuit, mac and cheese, grits, and bourbon pecan pie from Pies and Thighs in the Lower East Side with my “little” from back in college

Omakase form Sushi Nakazawa in the West Village with my very good friend Victor

BBQ brisket, broccoli salad, and sweet potato pecan side from Mighty Quinn’s – downtown location at Hudson Eats

guacamole with ruby grapefruit salsa and warm crunchy tortillas

charred octopus, smoked paprika creme fraiche and guajillo vinaigrette

baby calamari stuffed with chorizo, celery root, chickpeas and basil

peekytoe crab fritters, chipotle mayosmall plates

spiced ground beef and celery root empanadas with tomato salsa

roasted turkey cuban sandwich, flying pigs ham, dairyere cheese and pickles

salted caramel ‘impossible’ flan

arroz con pollo, crackling skin and lemon zest

A smorgasburg of tapas from ABC Cocina (the charred octopus, arroz con pollo, and empanadas were my favorite!)

We also went to Dough afterwards and I definitely couldn’t fit anymore inside my stomach (let alone a doughnut), but how delicious did this spread look?

I still have many a things to eat next time I’m back in NYC, but I highly recommend all of the above!