Christmas in NYC, A Tale of Food

Okay, I never made it out to Elysian Fields when I was in NYC. I met up with my good friend Richie and we decided to see David Lynch's "Inland Empire" instead. I am a big Lynch fan, and I'd say this is a film to be appreciated and not loved. I enjoyed it, but I'll be damned if I could actually tell you what it's about.

 I was only in NYC for a few days, and we had holiday stuff to attend to, so I didn't go to a ton of restaurants. Here is where I did go, though, for those keeping score at home:

Thursday Night --
Two Boots Pizza on Avenue A
Pizza place connected to a DVD rental place. I think I got a slice named after Mr Pink. It was delicious. I wish I ate 12.

Friday Lunch -
Westville
Met up with my old pal Charlesworth  and his wife (Stephanie) and unborn child at this burger place he read about on Chowhound. It was good, but it didn't make me lose my mind.

Friday Dinner -
Mary Ann's on Second Ave
This is where I had dinner with Rich. I'm sure there's better places to eat in the hood, but it was raining and they had seating. My food was actually really good, and the margaritas helped out with the Lynch film.

Sunday Lunch
Better Burger on 19th and 8th
Organic burger joint that was cheap and great. Loved the fries, and the guacamole. And the price. My sister goes here a lot and I understasnd why.

Sunday Dinner (Christmas Eve)
Il Bagatto on 2nd St
This restaurant is in the same building as where my sister lives. It had a nice winter wonderland decor, and the food was great. Holy crap I miss you, lasanga. And the Christmas cake with vanilla cake, vanilla gellato and chocolate syrus, I miss you so much.

The rest of the trip was spent in NJ. As far as food and NJ is concerned, there's only one thing you need to know: