The Conclusion

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Over two days, two people went around town trying new foods and I should suggest that people do this more often- one at a time though to enjoy it more. We traversed the lengths of the city from Coney Island to the Upper West Side- not managing to cover Queens unfortunately. We both learnt valuable lessons and lessons, everyone knows but for some reason forget.

1. People in Brooklyn are friendlier and more humble.
2. Prices in Brooklyn are friendlier as well and you can have a nice hearty meal for less.
3. Don't try to eat on the boardwalk on cold winter morning unless you fancy being attacked by birds.
4. Always go to "neighborhoods"- if you cannot find the place you are looking for, you will probably find something similar and just as good.
5. Walk- helps to digest up the grub but also makes you go through some pretty parts of town you would miss on the subway.
6. Don't tank up on colas- they will bloat you up and take up valuable space that should be kept alone for some solid food.
7. If you negotiate, the chef can actually cook up something rather special for you!
8. The most important lesson of all- avoid Manhattan if you don't want to spend too much money and have more homely cooked food- unless of course, you fancy bitchy service and fancy china.

At the end of a year and half in New York, the thing I most value about it is not what it is most popular for. Apart from crazy places like Coney Island and ferry rides to Ikea, the availability of so many different types of foods from all over the world by the actual people themselves in the more humble neighborhoods is undoubtedly the best thing about the city for me - otherwise its just another city really. Hanifa has grown up in the city and she probably has a different take (it's home after all) but I am glad to have found someone who likes to eat and who appreciates the real good things in life.

From this "great adventure" that was cooked up (pun intended- ha ha :P ) in a matter of few hours, the two things that I have truly gained are- a more gastronomically knowledgeable stomach and a good person as a good friend- a good friend who I hope will be ready for a great eat- especially for the third day of this still incomplete great adventure when I come back to New York!