This burger might change the way you look at burgers. Yes, seriously. Chris and I discovered the Bondurants' Pimento Burger and let's just say our burger game has changed a little. Bondurants is an awesome neighborhood spot that features small batch bourbons, local distilleries, a draft list the rotates and some banging food.

Meet our new favorite burger on the Upper East Side in all of its pimento cheese, lettuce, pickled green tomato, hot sauce (this is key) and pretzel bun goodness.

The key things that set this burger apart with some southern flair are 3 things -- the hot sauce, pimento cheese and pickled green tomato. Combined together they give a nice kick to your mouth that compliments the burger perfectly. Add in the pretzel bun and you've got a seriously delicious burger. Just try it. You need to.

That's not all though. They make these tots.. that are unlike any tots you have had before. They are handcrafted and all sorts of delicious. They're bigger than what you are used to and once you take one bite dipped in their spicy ranch or ketchup you'll be hooked. We've been here a couple of times by now and vowed to try some of the other options on their shares menu, but we just can't get away from them! So tasty.

If you're a burger lover like I am it's worth the trip uptown (or down the street for me) to check them out. Eat up!

Did I just eat Short Rib and Bone Marrow Agnolotti at the Village Idiot? Or, did I long ago drink $5 pitchers of Miller Lite while signing along to Waylon Jennings songs at Scarpetta?  The answer to both questions is sort of, yes.

I started this column to tell the story of how I discovered some of my favorite New York City foods and what led me to try them for the first time.  I learned about Scarpetta in the most uninteresting way possible.  I saw it on the Food Network.  Not that there is anything wrong with the Food Network.  I've half watched enough Diners Drive Ins and Dives marathons to make my eyes bleed.

After watching Chef Scott Conant demonstrate for Ted Allen on “Best Thing I Ever Ate” how he makes his famous spaghetti I was sold.  I knew Scarpetta was a restaurant that I would soon need to try.

As I waited for my girlfriend outside the building at 355 W 14th it became readily apparent to me that Scarpetta occupies that same space that once housed a great dive bar called the Village Idiot.  In late 1990s and early 2000s I witnessed/participated in countless drunken fights and sloppy hookups at the rowdy tavern where patrons drank straight from their own pitcher. Who needs a glass when the whole pitcher is only 5 bucks?

At the Village Idiot broke college kids, grizzled bikers, and Wall Street bankers all drank the same piss and played the same Johnny Cash songs from the jukebox. Completely pretense free dives like the Idiot are a dying breed in New York City.  One is not going stay on business on a prime corner of the Meat Packing district in 2015 when your main product is under-priced domestic beer.

Once inside I was able to ignore the ghosts of past savagery long enough to enjoy a terrific meal.  The basket of bread included two slices of excellent stromboli, one with meat, one vegetarian. The olive oil and marzipan whipped butter that were provided for dipping both were delicious.

We ordered two pasta dishes to share, the above mentioned agnolotti and spaghetti that is Ted Allen's favorite.  I don't believe I'd ever previously had a pasta that was stuffed with beef short rib and bone marrow.  The delicate house made noodle, similar to a mini ravioli, was dressed with garlic chips and horseradish.  It was a really inventive and tasty plate.

The much hyped spaghetti did not disappoint.  It seemed as if it was the chef's intent to take a simple and classic dish and elevate it through the use of great ingredients cooked perfectly.

We finished the meal with a fabulous dessert called Limoncello Semifreddo. The pistachio cake, macerated berries, and blackberry basil sorbet all worked together in sweet harmony.  Overall it was a great meal and night in lower Manhattan. Though I truly miss my wild nights at the Village Idiot, I'm glad that Chef Scott Conant is doing noble work in the space.       

---

Chris Sandstrom - Is a graduate of Columbia University and the author of the debut novel, "Reality TV and Hookers" a satire on the reality TV industry. You can keep up with Chris on Twitter at @ChrisSandstrom8.

Finding Food in NYC Is a series highlighting how Chris discovered some of his favorite food spots in New York City.

When I go to a street fair or food festival I try not to have a preconceived notion of what I am going to eat. I like to walk around, survey the scene and if something looks tasty I’ll give it a whirl.

I certainly didn’t foresee that I’d be eating a “Kronie” when I ventured down to Little Italy for the San Gennaro Festival a couple years ago. I’ve been going to the traditional Fall Italian celebration since the 1990s and though it has become increasingly overcrowded with slow walking tourists, there is still plenty of delicious street food to be discovered.

My favorite discovery in recent years has been Jolie’s Sweet Creations. In the middle of the expected vendors selling sausage and peppers heroes, Sicilian rice balls, and canolis I spotted a stand with rows of colorfully frosted doughnuts that seemed to have the flakey crust of a croissant.

French pastry chef Dominique Ansel has received a great deal of attention and accord for his “Cronut” desert, but if you don’t want to brave the 7:00 am lines at his Soho bakery, Jolie’s Sweet Creations version, the “Kronie” is an excellent alternative.

Created by Joe Floriano of Enrico’s Pastry shop and named for his sweet four-year-old daughter Jolie, the “Kronie” has great doughy texture similar to a really well made French Cruller with an exterior that is light and flakey like a croissant. 

The “Kronies” are filled with a variety of delicious icings, jellies, and custard fillings.  Every flavor of “Kronie” that I’ve tried has been terrific, but two that really stand out for me are the Raspberry and Salted Caramel.

I’ve been lucky enough to spot a Jolie’s Sweet Creations stand at two different Manhattan street fairs this summer.  If I lived closer to either of the Enrico’s Pastry Shops in the Bronx or Hartsdale I would likely have a serious “Kronie” addiction. 

I will definitely be feasting on Jolie’s “Kronies” soon at this year's Feast of San Gennaro, which kicks off today. You can also try one by visiting one of their storefronts or ordering from their website.

---

Chris Sandstrom - Is a graduate of Columbia University and the author of the debut novel, "Reality TV and Hookers" a satire on the reality TV industry. You can keep up with Chris on Twitter at @ChrisSandstrom8.

Finding Food in NYC Is a series highlighting how Chris discovered some of his favorite food spots in New York City.

---