The Chicagoan's Perfect Culinary Tour of Manhattan

I've been hearing about Union Square Cafe for what feels like my entire life. The Sancerre I had at the bar was a perfect pre-dinner treat before skedoodling to other restaurants in the swanky area.

Gotham Bar and Grill is officially one of my fave restaurants. The energy, the ambiance, the food and the impeccable service would get me on a plane to NYC any day of the week.

If I told you I bought an extra pizza from Arturos (after eating 4 pieces of my own), purchased foil and Ziploc baggies while on vacation just so I can haul an entire pizza back to Chicago, would you believe that it's some of the best coal fired pizza in the country?

This felt like a classic Chicago steakhouse plopped right in the middle of Manhattan. This Chicagoan felt perfectly at home!

A cute little cafe/coffee shop with a random mezze platter that rivals any Greek grandmas.

Size doesn't matter. Jack's is smaller than a Manhattan hotel room but the coffee and tea pack a major punch.

Anywhere that charges me $16 for a fluffy martini and is WORTH it gets my vote.

I only hit up Ted's because Capital Grill next door was too packed, but they have a nice Friday happy hour so I'd probably do it again.

This teeny tiny restaurant with an open kitchen just screams new york. Hip people nibbled on some of the most amazing charred octopus while sipping Italian vino. Who doesn't heart NY?

Daniel's done it again with Boulud Sud, a fancy, lovely, very mature take on Mediterranean cuisine. Don't come here for the hummus, come for the fish you've probably never heard of or the octopus a la Planxa. Prepare to be swept away.

I guess this could be considered a default quick bite if you live, visit or work in Midtown Manhattan.

Georgetown Cupcakes are singlehandedly the best I've ever had, and I've had cupcakes from Florida to Maine, Cali to Chicago.

Would it be enough to tell you that Tarallucci boasts the best chocolate croissant maybe in the world?