10 “warm you to the bone” holiday eats in NYC

Editor’s Note: This year, we’ve been asked to participate in a series of blog posts called NYC BLOGGERS DO THE HOLIDAYS organized by The Manhattan User’s Guide. And so, when you’re done reading, be sure to check out the other posts in the series. And if you’re new to the site, we’re a weekly EMAIL ONLY newlsetter of all the delicious food events in the city. To learn more and to subscribe, click here. Here are the other bloggers in the group:

NYC BLOGGERS DO THE HOLIDAYS
A Child Grows – Where to See Santa in New York City and Brooklyn.
Give and Get NYC – G&G for the Holidays: Gifts that Give Back.
‘the improvised life’ – Design (or Hack) Your Own Holiday E-Cards.
Manhattan User’s Guide – The Gift Guide: 21 Over $21.
Markets of New York – Festive Food at New York’s Holiday Markets.
Mommy Poppins – 11 Experience Gifts for NYC Kids.
NY Barfly – Holiday Cocktails, And We Ain’t Talkin’ Egg Nog.
offManhattan – The Anti-Holiday Travel Guide: 5 Quick Getaways from NYC.
the skint – 11 free and cheap non-holiday things to do this holiday season.
This is FYF – A Drug-Friendly Guide to Your New York Holidays.
Patell and Waterman’s History of New York – Christmas with Andy Warhol.
Walking Off the Big Apple – A Mortal’s Guide to the Angels of New York City.
We Heart Astoria – The Best Places To Shop Local – WHA Holiday Gift Guide.

And now, the post…

From carolers and dank subway rides, to slushy puddles and The Rockettes, winter can be down right depressing. And of course there’s the cold; that dry brittle chill that slices through you despite your layers of Thinsulate and long johns. Luckily though, there is a solution: Comfort food. We’re not just talking fried chicken comfort food, we’re talking malaise curing, stick to your ribs, warm you to the bone food, necessary for survival of mankind comfort food. And so, here are our top ten must eat to beat the cold dishes of 2010.

1. Adjarskie Khachapuri at Pirosmani
Sure you love cheese on your bread – but what about cheese IN bread, with a whole stick of butter, and a barely poached egg? If you’re eating that, you’re more than likely at Pirosmani, a small Georgian eatery in Sheepshead Bay. The dish is deliciously filling, and totally fun to eat. Rip off a hunk of the bread sidewall, and a deluge of ooy gooey cheese love pours onto your plate. Quick, grab more bread, sop, eat, rip, repeat!
Pirosmani – 2222 Avenue U, Brooklyn, NY

2. Salted Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate at Shack Shack
Face it, you always go to Shake Shack and ALWAYS angrily gawk at the folks zipping past you on the b-line. Thankfully, your time has come! To keep you warm, Shake Shack has introduced a Salted Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate that’s crazy good! This creamy, just hot enough to enjoy but not burn you, treat is a seasonal addition to the Shack’s already kick ass menu. On first sip you get a glint of salt, the the warm rich chocolate, and finally a familiar – but not overwhelming – peanutty finish.
Shake Shack – Madison Ave & 23rd St, New York

3. Akamaru Modern at Ippudo
This one is was easy! Take a creamy Tonkotsu (pork bone marrow) broth, then boost it with miso and garlic, and I’m there! While this famed dish is a bit more expensive than other ramen the city has to offer, for me, it delivers a level of satisfaction unrivaled by competitors. And if you’re down for a little extra slurping action, order it Kae-dama, and you’ll get double the delicious, hand-pulled noodles.
Ippudo – 65 4th Ave, New York

4. Sunday Night One-Pot Dinners at Back Forty
There’s something so romantic to me about one-pot dinners. While it could hark back to my my peasant roots (Jersey), me thinks it’s how all the flavors meld and marry after hours in the oven. Simply put, made at home, or by the skilled fill-your-belly technicians at Back Forty, on a cold night nothing will fill you up faster than a hearty braised One-Pot meal.
Back Forty – 190 Avenue B, New York

5. Singapore Kari Laska at Taste Good
For my fifth pick, I thought I’d turn to my good friend James Boo, who writes at TheEatenPath.com and for SeriousEats.com. His choice was easy: The Kari Laska at Taste Good in Elmhurst, Queens. Having had it, I second his luscious description: “Shrimp, chicken, fish balls and fried tofu float between strands of rice noodle amidst swirls of coconut milk gravy and fiery red curry. This broth, sharply spiced, slightly sweet and ludicrously rich, is enough on its own to justify the trip. The accompanying noodles are glassy and thick, managing to pull off the illusion of heartiness when in fact they’re extremely light.” Take the trip, you won’t regret it.
Taste Good – 8218 45th Ave, Elmhurst

6. Red Bean Chili at Daisy May’s BBQ
Sure do love a big hunkin’ bowl of chile now and again. Next time you find yourself in Midtown, head a bit west and settle down to a cup of Daisy May’s finest. The chili’s rich and thick, with huge chunks of braised beef, saddled up with sides of tortillas, cheese, sour cream, rice and beans. Hard to beat this $7 fill you up.
Daisy May’s BBQ – 623 11th Ave, New York

7. Late Night Brisket at Fatty Cue
If you find yourself lost & cold amidst a sea of skinny jeans and flannel, you’re surely not far from Fatty Cue! Sure, the food’s awesome all the time, but with midnight comes the late night menu! Pull a seat up to the bar and fill up with their late night brisket sandwich, then wash it down with one of their smoked picklebacks. You’re tongue will slap your face, and you’re body will be all the better.
Fatty Cue – 91 S. 6th St, Williamsburg

8. Roasted Duck Gumbo at The Redhead
For number eight we turn to Rebecca Lando, a friend, fellow podcaster, and host of Working Class Foodies. Her pick, the Roasted Duck Gumbo at The Redhead. “It’s a big bowl of smoky, sultry comfort. The rice is perfectly tender and the rich duck and piquant andouille sausage are like a festive, New Orleans-inspired take on the classic French cassoulet.” Oh yeah!
The Readhead – 349 East 13th St, New York

9. Molten Chocolate Cake at DT Works
Even before The Dessert Truck moved off the street and into their LES brick and mortar shop, I knew I’d be having a love affair with this dessert for a LONG time. Spongy chocolate cake with dark chocolate magma eagerly waiting in the center. All carefully garnished with candied hazelnuts, ice cream, and sea salt – this thing is decadent. And at just five bucks you should stay extra warm and get two!
DT Works – 6 Clinton St, New York

10. Pot Pie at The Blue Stove
Our number 10 pick is a classic. Let’s set the scene: It’s grey, you’re cold, and nothing would cheer you up more than the type of pot pie Grandma used to make. Luckily for you, there’s The Blue Stove. With old standbys like chicken pot pie, and more innovative likes of pulled pork, each pot pie boast a flaky, tender crust with just the faintest hint of sweetness. Plus, they’ve got great teas, wifi, and quiche! Yum!
The Blue Stove – 415 Graham Ave, Williamsburg

So that’s our wrap up! Got a favorite cold weather food? Tell us about it! Post it in the comments. And be sure to sign up for Eater’s Digest here.