I love Crif Dogs. I’m sure most of the locals in New York know about this awesome hot dog place, but for those new to the area, it’s a must see, do and eat. Deciding on what hot dog your belly desires is probably the most difficult thing to do here as there are many to choose, from the classic New Yorker to my all time favourite, Spicy Redneck: a house dog, bacon wrapped, with chilli, cole slaw, and jalapenos. You may need to get two hot dogs and a side of tatar tots to fill your stomach, as I was craving more. While I was waiting, I killed some time playing my favorite 80s arcade game, Galaga. Also, you may get invited into their secret bar, PDT. You need enter the phone booth to answer a secret password or just be let in by chance.

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71 is the kind of place which is small enough to miss, but once you see it, you realize everyone somehow knows about it. It’s set three steps down from the sidewalk level, and it’s always packed, except for week late nights and mid-mornings. Even though their service is not the friendliest — like any other spot in New York that’s too cool for school — 71 has a noticeably loyal clientele. Lots of writers hang out with their computers, while photographers check out the scene, and artists meet up with their reps. Besides hot and cold drinks, including their own coffee, they also offer a great selection of pastries, sandwiches and my friend Nicolas’ favorite chicken soup ever.

Ok, so it’s 3.30 on Thursday afternoon and I’m sitting in a Brooklyn cafe, tapping away as fast as two fingers possibly can. As I look around, discreetly to my left and then more openly to my right, I cannot see a single person in this warm and friendly place wearing a more stylish and comfortable scarf than the one that I have wrapped around my neck. Yes, as my grandfather would say, it’s a very ‘handsome’ scarf — a soft, playful, ‘handsome’ scarf. And you know what? There’s not a single damn person in this room who can compete with it. Ha! That feels good. That feels very, very good. Mind you, it is 76 degrees outside, and I’m starting to sweat, so perhaps I’m just a little … ummm … over-dressed.

Located on Manhattan’s Crosby Street, the Housing Works cafe is a great place to browse around a huge collection of used and new books. The Used Book Cafe is not only that — they also have live music, readings and book signings. And even better is that one hundred percent of their profits go to Housing Works, a non-profit that helps the homeless.

Passionate about gelato? The second best to going to Italy is going to Grom. More than $4 for a small cup? A long line? It’s so worth it, trust me. They opened a store in ice cream battleground, the West Village, but my choice is the more quiet and chilled Upper West Side store. A secret tip to a short wait is to never go there after dinner. Early in the day is the short cut to a cup of Extra Noir chocolate. Or any other taste of your choice.

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This café, cookie shop, ice cream place in Cobble Hill Brooklyn is all about flavor, aroma and family. Their cookies and ice cream are absolutely to-die-for, and the place is so well-designed, painted in vintage colors with old family pictures printed on the walls, that you’ll want to indulge yourself for more than just a few minutes. Try their Whoopies and Lucia cookies. They’re my favourite.