Ljs: 10 hidden dining gems in NYC

Eater.com editor Amanda Kludt sniffs out the best hidden eateries in the city
? As featured in our New York city guide

Red Hook Ballfields

A seasonal Red Hook presence, the Ballfield vendors have been coming out to sell their Mexican and South American wares during summer soccer games for over a decade. A few years ago, as more and more "foodies" discovered and blogged about the top notch offerings, they grew in popularity and eventually attracted the attention of the Department of Health. After forcing the vendors to go through expensive certifying and training, and compelling them to buy newfangled trucks, the vendors victoriously returned. It may not be as romantic anymore, but the food is just as good. Go for the big, messy huraches, papusas, tacos, Mexican corn, and freshly squeezed fruit juices.
? Clinton & Bay Streets, Red Hook, Brooklyn, yelp.com/biz/red-hook-ball-fields-brooklyn

The Whisk & Ladle

Underground supper clubs were all the rage in New York between 2006, when they emerged on the scene, and 2009, when adventurous food lovers realised they'd be better off, in terms of value and experience, in a real restaurant. But somehow the Whisk & Ladle, a private supper club now in its fifth year, still gets the job done. It's fun, it's social, it's secretive, but it's also affordable, and the food and drink don't disappoint. Nights at the Whisk and Ladle, located in a 95-year-old converted factory building in Williamsburg, begin with cocktails and segue into inventive five-course meals (typically $65 a head with drinks), sometimes made by visiting chefs.
? Undisclosed loft in Williamsburg, thewhiskandladle.com. Email rsvp@thewhiskandladle.com for prices and other info

The Temple Canteen at the Hindi Temple Society of North America

This one requires some effort but offers big payoffs. Roughly a 15-minute walk from the last stop on the no 7 train sits the Hindi Temple Society of North America. It's a real working temple, with a fabulous canteen in the basement and an affordable cafeteria, both open to the public. They serve authentic, cheap, wonderful South Indian fare like giant dosas, sambars, and samosas, and a hearty full lunch for $7 on Sundays. Of course the decor isn't anything special, reminiscent of your high school cafeteria, folding chairs and all. But that hardly matters given the food on the plate and the money left in your wallet.
? 14309 Holly Avenue, Flushing, +1 718 460 2500, nyganeshtemple.org

Schnitzel & Things

Schnitzel & Things, a small Germanic street cart that calls Midtown home, has been so successful over the last two years that it's gone and opened a bricks and mortar store. But do go to the original cart, even if there's a line, to experience the real deal. They sell schnitzel of course ? a hand pounded, lightly breaded thin cutlet fried to golden perfection ? in three varieties, pork, cod, and chicken. One look at the line will reveal just how delicious those dishes are, especially served with Austrian potato salad or french fries. The truck moves around quite a bit between regular spaces in the Village, Gramercy, and Midtown, so watch its website for scheduling updates.

? 46th between 5th and 6th Avenues, +1 347 772 7341, schnitzelandthings.com

Le Veau d'Or

This classic French restaurant, so untrendy, so old-school, is overlooked by many food lovers hunting for what's new. But what a mistake! This time capsule serves textbook French classics ? vichysoisse, sole amandines ou meuni�re, rack of lamb carved tableside ? and it's utterly charming, filled with glass, mahogany, old photos, and paintings. It will be populated with fusty old timers, but visiting is one of the few ways to feel transported back to the Mad Men era of New York, when the food was French, the ma�tre d' knew you, music didn't compete with conversation, and tablecloths were mandatory.

? 129 East 60th Street, +1 212 838 8133, yelp.com/biz/le-veau-dor-new-york

Tanoreen

Tanoreen may be located way out in the nether regions of Brooklyn, otherwise known as Bay Ridge, but the subway train or car ride is quickly forgotten once visiting pilgrims get a taste of their Middle Eastern specialities. Owned by a Palestinian woman who grew up in Israel and has long called Brooklyn home, Tanoreen is sweet, vibrant and one of a kind. Lamb is the order of the day here so make sure to get a least one dish with it (try the lamb fette, or the kibbe), and don't miss their ethereal hummus, smoky baba ghanoush, fried snapper, or roast chicken. Word has spread about this place, so call ahead before making the trip.
? 7523 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn, +1 718 748 5600, tanoreen.com

Patacon Pisao

Patacon Pisao, like many food truck recommendations, has both mobile and bricks and mortar locations. The truck caters to the dinner and late night crowds, only serving food between 7pm and 6am in Inwood at the tip of Manhattan. They offer wonderful Venezuelan specialities such as cachapas (a corn pancake filled with cheese), tequenos (fried cheese rolls), arepas (corn cake sandwiches filled with deliciousness), and their namesake, patacons, which are sandwiches of fried and flattened green plantains that hold shredded beef, chicken, fried cheese, or roasted pork, each for around $6. The restaurant has two locations, one in Washington Heights and one in Elmhurst, Queens. They offer the same delicacies but over a broader range of hours.
? 85-22 Grand Avenue, Elmhurst, +1 718 899 8922, pataconpisaonyc.com

Andre's Cafe

To find the small refectory hidden at the back of this Upper East Side Hungarian bakery, you have to walk past display case after display case of strudels, babkas, breads and pastries. It's hard to tell from the outside that a comfort food-driven restaurant lurks behind those baked goods, but what a find! They serve all the Hungarian classics ? stuffed cabbage, schnitzel, chicken paprikash, and an unholy and delicious dish of egg noodles covered in farm cheese, sour cream, and bacon. It has a folk museum vibe but the service and the food is no-nonsense. And if you aren't hungry, try a coffee and a sacher torte.
? 1631 2nd Avenue, +1 212 327 1105, andrescafeny.com

Kajitsu

Kajitsu is not a hidden gem per se, located as it is in the very populous East Village. But it is an oddball in the New York dining scene. The restaurant only serves set menus ? $50 for four courses, $70 for eight ? of "shojin" Buddhist cuisine. Which means no meat, no fish. They simply prepare the best seasonal vegetables available in the most incredible, austere way. Celeb chefs David Chang and Grant Achatz rave about the place, while the city's food-focused vegetarians can't get enough of it. Thus, the new need to book a few weeks in advance or come at off hours. For jaded diners, those who think they've seen it all, this is a must.
? 414 East 9th Street, +1 212 228 4873, kajitsunyc.com

Calexico Cart

Calexico launched on the streets of Soho a few years ago as a small, straightforward street cart serving excellent tacos, burritos and quesadillas. Word caught on, lines during the lunch rush stretched to the hour mark, and the owners expanded to another cart on Park Avenue South. They were soon winning awards ? called "the Vendys" around these parts ? and eventually went brick and mortar. Now they have storefronts in both Greenpoint and Red Hook and make cart runs to Williamsburg and beyond. Still, go to the original on Prince and Wooster during a weekday lunch to get a taste of where it all began.
? Prince St & Wooster St, +1 718 488 8226, calexicocart.com

? Amanda Kludt is the New York editor of eater.com

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