Posts Tagged ‘restaurants nyc’

Tasting With Thomas: Kyuramen

Sunday, March 2nd, 2025

Hey there! Welcome to the first edition of Tasting With Thomas. As an avid connoisseur of dining atmospheres, interesting flavors, and a good sweet treat, I’m excited to explore and share the affordable eats that New York City has to offer. For this first edition, my friend Eres and I made our way over to Kyuramen’s Columbia location to enjoy some creative Japanese cuisine.

As we ducked into the warmly lit eatery off Broadway Ave, Eres and I were instantly attended to despite the apparent business of the Friday evening. From the minimalist, Japanese style decorations to the private booth seating arrangements, the atmosphere of the restaurant was the perfect prelude to the notable dining experience that was to come.

Kyuramen’s inviting entrance.

We started our meal off with two Thai iced teas. While I personally was trying the drink for the first time, Eres had already proclaimed her status as a “division one milk tea critic”. After a good shake, we stabbed our straws through the plastic lid and took a sip of the refreshing milk tea. Even with Eres’ tenured taste for Thai tea, she described the drink as “Not too sweet but not too sophisticated. It’s that classic Thai tea flavor that can never disappoint.”

Our two refreshing Thai Iced Teas.

After working up our appetites with our drinks, we were ready for the generous variety of platters and entrees that Kyuramen had to offer. After some consideration, we decided to taste the Honey Comb and Yakitori Platters first. Between the chili garlic edamame, lobster & chashu salad ball, tamago egg, shrimp tempura, eel unagi, scallops, and seaweed salad, we had an incredibly diverse array of flavors to indulge in. Shockingly, those were only the bites in the Honey Comb Platter! Eres and I especially loved trying the more savory flavors like shrimp tempura and eel unagi while routinely cleansing our palette with the fresh seaweed salad. 

The Honey Comb and Yakitori Platters. Lots of variety!

The Yin-Yang Bowl and the Seafood/Eel Kamameshi dishes were our main entrees for the night. The innovative design of the Yin-Yang bowl aesthetically incorporated two different broths and toppings, making it the perfect choice for customers sharing their meal. As a pescatarian, I appreciated the opportunity to enjoy the same dish with Eres without sacrificing my dietary restrictions. Both Kamameshi dishes were beautifully presented with skewers of shrimp, prawns, and eel stuck into an unsuspectingly deep dish of sushi rice, egg, and spring onions. The bottomless base of rice was the perfect compliment to the salty seafood skewers we got to pick and choose from.

The full dinner spread, including two platters, two kamameshi rice dishes, yin-yang ramen, and the matcha tiramisu.

We concluded the dining experience with the cutest presentation of tiramisu that I’ve ever seen. What’s more, Kyuramen had put their own Japanese twist on the conventionally italian dessert by flavoring it with matcha instead of espresso. We were delighted to taste the distinct herbal tones of the matcha paired with the light mascarpone cream. “ I loved that it wasn’t too rich or heavy, but more airy and sweet”, remarked Eres as we set down our spoons with satisfied smiles.

The light and airy matcha tiramisu dessert.

As we stepped out of our booth and back onto Broadway Ave, we couldn’t wipe those smiles off our faces. Reflecting on the delicious flavors, the aesthetic presentation, and the welcoming hospitality had us in an afterglow of appreciation throughout our walk home. We didn’t just have a good meal, we had a good experience.



Written By Thomas Stewart, 03/01/2025

Author Bio: Thomas Stewart is an undergraduate student at Columbia University pursuing studies in creative writing and human rights in an effort to utilize media as a tool to vitalize our communities. When Thomas isn’t off overthinking in his journal, you can find him on campus volunteering for the local Housing Equity Project, organizing for the Black Student Organization, or playing a jam session at Columbia University Records club. Ultimately, his love for all things creative prevails throughout his life.


Connect with Thomas via Linkedin here!

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Balancing The City

Thursday, June 20th, 2024

Screeching metal wheels, passing footsteps, and foreign languages flood your senses when walking down the average New York City street. For myself and many others who didn’t grow up in the hustle and bustle of the city, it can be quite an adjustment. Exploring and understanding your new college environment is a challenge on its own, but I believe it’s important to venture beyond campus walls and appreciate the city that is at your fingertips. Even if you’re moving into the city with an open mindset, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. While my time in New York has been limited so far, I’ve picked up on a few tips that might be helpful to the average New York City freshman. 

First things first, it’s very important to understand your immediate surrounding area. New York City is gigantic, complex, and diverse. With a population that speaks over 200 languages, includes over three million foreign born residents, and houses the most ethnic enclaves in the country, there’s certainly a lot to discover. Even though there’s a whole city to explore, it’s best to start with a home base. Get familiar with your surrounding community! The best way to accomplish this is to walk around, which is convenient, since NYC is one of the most walkable cities in the U.S! As a student at Columbia University, I took it upon myself to become aware of the surrounding Harlem area. I remember walking to so many places that seemed interesting to me during my first few months of college. From cafes, to barbershops, to parks, I was intentionally exploring all my immediate area had to offer me. Ultimately I found success and satisfaction in doing so! One of my favorite cafes in the city is just a 15 minute walk from campus, and my barber is only 10 minutes. Google Maps can be really helpful when it comes to finding destinations. Virtually scanning for nearby restaurants or cafes is a great way to mentally plan out your excursions. Granted, it’s important to do your research on the safety of your given area. Use your best judgment, especially when traveling alone. No matter what region or borough your school is located in, I believe that exploring on foot is one of the best ways to go.

My current google maps view, showcasing all transit lines and saved locations.

Depending on your area, you might be able to get familiar with your surroundings within the first month of college. When you feel comfortable enough, you should take your ventures out past the university area. Seeing as college campuses typically alter the culture of their immediate surrounding area, it can be refreshing to explore the city outside of the “university bubble”. While your immediate neighborhood is the most accessible, it’s worth it to take the extra step to experience a more authentic side of New York. For destinations outside of walking distance, public transit is your best friend. New York’s subway system is incredibly extensive, boasting 472 subway stations and 3.6 million daily riders. Thankfully, the system is always accessible and can whisk you from one side of the city to the next with ease. One tip that helped me when it came to exploring the city was setting my Google Maps to transit mode. This allowed me to not only see the subway lines that I would be taking, but also get used to the layout of the system over time. It’s important to have some idea of where you’re going before you get on the subway. Since phone service can get shaky in between stops, I try to carry a paper map with me whenever I can. You can get a portable map for free by simply asking the worker at the booth near the turnstile. In my experience, it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Most important of all, it’s important to find a balance during your time at college. While life at university might feel suffocating at some points, it can be strenuous (physically and financially!) to go out on the town every night as well! Scheduling at least one outing with friends per week was what worked best for me. It gave me something to look forward to during the school week. I suggest trying out what schedule works best for you. Asking questions like “can I afford a $6 matcha five days a week?” or “is it smart to leave campus so late?” can help formulate a plan that makes sense. Finding this balance between campus life and exploring the city is what really makes going to college in New York City worthwhile. So whenever you make the time, I encourage you to get out there and explore all that the city has to offer!


By Thomas Stewart

Thomas currently attends Columbia University and plans to double major in creative writing and human rights. At Columbia Thomas is a staff writer for the City News section of the Columbia Daily Spectator, where he publishes articles that concern the West Harlem community. In his free time, you can find him practicing music or trying new vegetarian recipes


If you’re like me and love looking for new acai bowls, use code PYGCK at Tropical Berry Cafe for 40% off.

For over 20 years, the Campus Clipper has been offering awesome student discounts in NYC,  from the East Side to Greenwich Village. Along with inspiration, the company offers students a special coupon booklet and the Official Student Guide, which encourages them to discover new places in the city and save money on food, clothing, and services.  

At the Campus Clipper, not only do we help our interns learn new skills, make money, and create wonderful e-books, we give them a platform to teach others. Check our website for more student savings and watch our YouTube video showing off some of New York City’s finest students during the Welcome Week of 2015.

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College Students Save Money with The Campus Clipper

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2022
Watch NYU students talk about why they love the Campus Clipper!
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Isabella Italian: The East Village Spot for Homemade Italian on a Student Budget

Tuesday, September 14th, 2021

Isabella Italian offers fresh, homemade, and, best of all, affordable Italian food in a charming space on St. Mark’s Place between 1st Avenue and Avenue A. The menu features top-notch pasta, pizza, sandwiches, and other classic Italian entrees. 

Isabella was originally scheduled to open in March of 2020. Owner Daniel (Danny) Rivera had to wait over a year to debut his solo venture, but the team at Isabella has managed to persevere and is now fully operating. The restaurant is clearly a personal project for Danny; you can see the care he has for the place, from the details of each dish to the name​​—Isabella is named after Danny’s 2-year-old daughter. Danny is also a partner of David’s Café next door (one of my favorite brunch spots), so you often see staff crossing back and forth between the two restaurants.

I visited Isabella on a Thursday evening, feeling extra hungry after spending the day wandering through the rainy East Village streets. It’s the perfect spot to catch up with a friend you haven’t seen in a long time while nurturing a glass of wine and debating which pasta to order. I had a glass of the Pinot Noir, while my friend had a glass of the Pinot Grigio. I don’t normally order wine, but I’m glad I did. The Pinot Noir was lovely, perfectly complementing the cozy space.

Isabella is secretly a great spot for students. Unlike many other Italian restaurants in the area, Isabella won’t charge you $25 for a small bowl of pasta that will leave you wishing you could ask for seconds. You can get just about any pasta you like for under $15, and the portions won’t disappoint. All the pasta is from the Greenwich Village establishment Raffetto’s, probably THE fresh pasta destination in NYC. My friend and I agonized over the menu, but we eventually settled on two pasta dishes. I had the Cacio & Peppe, a bucatini gloriously drowned in butter and cheese, topped with ground pepper. My friend had the Rigatoni Medici. She is allergic to dairy, so she had the dish with their standard tomato sauce instead of the tomato cream sauce. In addition to the sauce, the rigatoni comes with peas, chicken, chopped tomato, and shallots. My friend generously shared a few bites with me, and it tasted like the homemade sauce my late Italian grandpa used to make on Sundays. Just delightful. 

Isabella also offers a variety of pizzas. Many of the pizzas feature a buffalo mozzarella—a richer, creamier, and more flavorful alternative to cow’s milk mozzarella. However, with my friend’s dairy allergy, we had the Marinara pizza, which, although cheeseless, features that delicious homemade tomato sauce and basil pesto. I devoured the pizza with such eagerness that I honestly didn’t even miss the cheese.

So students – make your reservations as soon as possible for this affordable, high-quality Italian restaurant. Whether it’s your birthday dinner or a first day, Isabella Italian will not disappoint. Students receive 10% off anytime with our coupon and student ID. 



By: Marisa Bianco

Marisa graduated from NYU in May 2020, summa cum laude, with degrees in International Relations and Spanish. She grew up in Nebraska, but she is currently living in Córdoba, Spain, where she works as an English teacher. You can find her eating tapas in the Spanish sun while likely stressing about finding her life’s purpose.


For over 20 years, the Campus Clipper has been offering awesome student discounts in NYC,  from the East Side to Greenwich Village. Along with inspiration, the company offers students a special coupon booklet and the Official Student Guide, which encourages them to discover new places in the city and save money on food, clothing, and services.  

At the Campus Clipper, not only do we help our interns learn new skills, make money, and create wonderful e-books, we give them a platform to teach others. Check our website for more student savings and watch our YouTube video showing off some of New York City’s finest students during the Welcome Week of 2015.

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Restaurants Beyond Your Imagination

Monday, July 19th, 2021

As my year at NYU began and I started to venture out onto the NYU campus to see the dining hall options that were included in my meal plan, I sadly came to realize how few options were provided. I decided instead to go outside my NYU meal plan bubble and see what other options I could find. As I walked around campus I found out how many vegan/vegetarian restaurants there were. I was so excited to try them all. Even my friends wanted to do this for fun and ask how many new and delicious food spots we could find and eat at. Some are more affordable than others, but one place that I know stands out to NYU students is called Sweetgreen. This green, vibrant health food take-out or sit-in restaurant is a place where I love to go eat, and it caters to anyone’s dietary needs. This heavenly make-your-own salad place has many choices of toppings, proteins, and dressings for whatever your heart desires. I can’t wait to walk in and choose from the endless options. Sweetgreen has various locations in NYC, and the one on 12th street is always bustling with NYU students. Sweetgreen was so good it even inspired Trader Joe’s to try and replicate their famous salads and dressings. Although we all love Sweetgreen, it is not the only option near NYU.

“Order Sweetgreen (Dupont) Delivery Online: Washington D.C.: Menu & Prices: Uber Eats.” Order Sweetgreen (Dupont) Delivery Online | Washington D.C. | Menu & Prices | Uber Eats. Web. 19 July 2021.

One of the many draws to NYC (and NYU students) is the vast array of food choices and restaurants to try. Washington Square Park is in the center of the action. It is surrounded by a plethora of different restaurants always busy with students wanting to try the next great meal. One place that I love walking into, Banter, is located only 5-10 min from campus. Banter is an infamous brunch spot often crowded with students. The often 20min wait for a table is definitely worth it. It is a healthy brunch spot with various options ranging from the beloved avocado toast to the amazing sweet potato fries and a burger. 

School, Beatrice Forman High. “Banter: More than Your Neighborhood Coffee Shop.” Spoon University. 30 May 2017. Web. 19 July 2021.

If the NYU dining hall food is getting a bit old, you can continue past Banter to many restaurants stretching up and down the block. Another personal favorite is Grey Dog. Grey Dog is open all day long for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They are a force to be reckoned with since they offer breakfast all day long along with other various food options ranging from tacos to salads and burgers. Their food is hard to beat as whatever you get leaves you feeling nourished and joyful inside. Grey Dog is the perfect brunch, lunch, or even dinner spot to go to. Since it is located right near the dorms, students love to just stop by with friends. There is always a table and never a long wait to get in. This cafe provides delicious foods ranging from being just right for someone’s sweet tooth to a savory flavor as well. A few doors down is another one of my all-time favorites, Peacefood Cafe, a vegan restaurant full of delicious flavors. There are many options ranging from salad bowls, to vegan sandwiches, to even fake chicken choices! This cafe is a fun place to go, do school work and enjoy a bite to eat. I would even encourage meat-eaters to step out of their comfort zone, and see how delicious vegan and vegetarian food can be. A lot of my friends personally were surprised when they ate here because even their vegan cookies and tiramisu tasted like it was the real deal!

“Simple & Delicious American Comfort Food.” The Grey Dog. Web. 19 July 2021.

Overall, I really do believe that there is a restaurant for any type of eater near the NYU campus. Many are affordable, especially if they accept NYU cash or offer discounts if you show your student ID. There are many different types of cuisine beyond your imagination. 

By: Hanna Mandel

Hanna Mandel studies Drama at NYU Tisch in hopes of being on the big screen one day. She hopes to venture into writing, directing, and producing. She loves to travel and explore new places, as well as trying new foods!

For over 20 years, the Campus Clipper has been offering awesome student discounts in NYC,  from the East Side to Greenwich Village. Along with inspiration, the company offers students a special coupon booklet and the Official Student Guide, which encourages them to discover new places in the city and save money on food, clothing, and services.  

At the Campus Clipper, not only do we help our interns learn new skills, make money, and create wonderful e-books, we give them a platform to teach others. Check our website for more student savings and watch our YouTube video showing off some of New York City’s finest students during the Welcome Week of 2015.

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