Being St. Patrick’s Day and all, it seemed appropriate to spend my Saturday celebrating over pints of Guinness and some pub fare. My friends decided upon Johnny Foley’s Irish House, a traditional Irish pub located near Union Square, for the festivities. Foley’s was surprisingly larger than expected with multiple dining areas and a separate bar in the rear dining room. There’s even a dueling piano bar located in the basement worth checking out. The food is best described as hearty pub fare with staples like fish & chips, bangers & mash, and sheperd’s pie, though I did see a curry dish on the menu as well. The menu’s various fried foods will usually pair nicely with any beer from Murphy’s Irish Stout to Chimay, both of which are available on tap. |Johnny Foley’s|

Being my birthday and all, lunch somewhere a little more fancy than the typical Thursday norm seemed in order. Some white wine at noon on a Thursday? Hmm, why not. The Rotunda is located at the top of Neiman Marcus and is one of the more notable spots in Union Square for that special brunch, lunch, or afternoon tea. Nearly every table gets a great view of the Beaux Arts stained-glass skylight, but seats facing the unobstructed views of Union Square are highly sought after and are usually reserved well in advance.

Once seated, a demitasse of chicken broth served with a small crunchy popover wets the appetite, followed by their signature freshly baked popovers served with raspberry butter. I usually find myself ordering the burger when I dine here, but since it was my birthday, something a little more decadent this time around seemed appropriate. The lobster gratin penne pasta had a rich sauce, the deep-fried lobster imperial rolls were crunchy and delicious, and the lobster club was a rich take on an American classic sandwich. For the finale, a banana bread pudding with candied pecans, banana chips, caramel and chocolate was a great end to a decadent weekday lunch.

Open 7 days a week:
Mon-Thurs: 11am-4pm
Fri-Sat: 11am-5pm
Sun: 12pm-4pm
Afternoon Tea:
Sun-Thurs: 2:30pm-4pm
Fri-Sat: 2:30pm-5pm

When wandering around the streets near Union Square, it’s easy to get distracted by the sea of retail and restaurants dotted along Powell Street. It’s best to push past the aggressive restaurant greeters indicative of tourist traps and instead, opt for a crowded seat or table at Bangkok Noodles. Judging by the hungry diners that often congregate outside during meal times, it’s no secret that this place is a local favorite for some of the best affordable and delicious Thai cuisine in the city.

Bangkok Noodles makes various curries and flat noodle dishes that are especially good, the Pad Ga-Prow (minced chicken or pork with thai basil, chili, and bell peppers) is also one of my favorites. Portions are a good value that won’t stretch the wallet that much, just remember to bring cash (no plastic accepted).

Open 7 days a week:
Mon-Sun: 11am-1am

For those crisp and sunny autumn days spent shopping in Union Square, an outdoor lunch on Maiden Lane is the prefect break from the frenzy of holiday shopping. Dining here amongst the boutiques and art galleries feels like areas of SoHo, while the live jazz helps to muffle the harsh noises of the city.

Mocca is a great little European bistro, best known for their marinated tri-tip steak and tuna nicoise. Their turkey, cranberry and brie sandwich is also worth trying at least once. For visits later in the afternoon, a hot cappuccino and dessert can be a great close to a productive shopping trip, just remember to bring cash.

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri: 8am-6pm
Sat: 8:30am-4pm
Sun: Closed