Q&A With Melissa From @thehungrygames__

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How’d you get started in the food social media industry?

So, my day job is actually completely different from running my food Instagram (I’m an actuary). My sister and I started thehungrygames__ account initially because we both posted a lot of food on our personal profiles. As time went on, I began to run the account entirely on my own as a fun side hobby. At first, I was just taking photos here and there, whenever I thought I had purchased/cooked a photogenic meal. But then, as the food scene in New York City began to flourish, restaurants began reaching out to offer a free meal in exchange for photos and posts. Of course, it’s only continued to expand and, over time, I’ve developed relationships with other Instagrammers, restaurants, and brands that I feel have made me more in touch with the NYC food industry. 

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Do you have a particular type of cuisine that is your favorite?

My favorite cuisine to photograph is easily Italian. I love getting the perfect noodle pull or finding the best light to shoot a slice of a margherita pizza. I would never complain about having a nice Italian meal, but I also absolutely love Greek food: the dips, the fish, the pita, everything about it.

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What restaurants in New York do you think are musts for those visiting the city?

In a city like New York, it would be nearly impossible to hit up everything in one trip. That being said, my favorite spot is Lilia in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. (Note, you need to quickly snag a reservation here 30 days out on Resy.) Other Italian musts are Fiaschatteria Pistoia, Rubirosa, and La Pecora Bianca. If you want a good NY slice, Joe’s is a solid choice, although Mama’s Too on the Upper West Side has some awesome square slices if you have time to go up there. Bagels are also a must: I love Tompkins Square Bagels, Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee, and Russ & Daughters (to name just a few). Some other noteworthy spots: Clinton St. Baking Company (for their pancakes), Caffe Panna (for the best ice cream), Chip and/or Levain (for cookies), Maison and/or Jacob’s Pickles (for brunch). Probably everyone has their own list, so these were just a few entries from mine.

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What changes have you noted in the New York restaurant industry since the pandemic began?

Unfortunately, the stark reality is that (in the restaurant industry), the pandemic has cost us a lot of long-time local favorites. For a while, it seemed as though every other week another big name had to shut down. That being said, you can’t ignore how resilient a lot of restaurants have become. Many got creative with a lot of their takeout deals and promotions (see: takeout drinks). Furthermore, so many spots put up outdoor seating structures in record time. Even when it was 30 degrees out, I remember having an outdoor brunch with my mom where every (socially distanced) table was filled. 

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What is your favorite thing to cook at home?

This is tough! I try to eat fairly healthy when I’m not going to restaurants. So, I probably cook some combination of a chicken stir fry, some baked pesto salmon, or pasta primavera throughout each month. I really like making breakfast foods like french toast and pancakes. During quarantine, I got creative with my combos (e.g., chocolate babka french toast, blueberry pancakes with blackberry coulis). And, honestly, I make a mean roasted balsamic brussel sprout.

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What do you think sets New York apart as a food city?

I search out foodie locations in every city I travel to, so I know that a lot of cities can rival the variety that New York is renowned to offer. (I’m biased, but I still think NYC might offer the most options per capita.) I think one thing that sets New York apart are its boroughs. Every neighborhood within each of the 5 boroughs is so distinct, the foods and restaurant vibes you get in each are so representative of where you are.

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Outside of New York, have you been to any other cities that have wowed you with their food?

Like I said in the last question, whenever I travel, I do some foodie research (via Instagram, Eater, Timeout, other food websites). I was in London in December a few years back and loved all the food at the holiday markets! Also, Borough Market is an absolute must – There are so many different cuisines represented there, it’s an amazing experience! I also loved the food in Rome. That’s pretty self-explanatory. I’m lactose intolerant and I still ate gelato multiple times.

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Where should people go in New York if they want to visit a restaurant that is a hidden gem?

I recently tried a semi-new spot called Ci Siamo; it doesn’t have the reputation yet, but everything there was amazing. (Make sure you order the onion torta and the hazelnut gelato!) Another spot that doesn’t often get recognized is New Park Pizza, arguably my favorite slice in all of the five boroughs. It’s located in Howard Beach, Queens, which is a trek from Manhattan, but it’s close to JFK for anyone flying! One last one, and I mentioned it on my must-try list: Caffe Panna. They’re not completely hidden, as I was among hundreds who lined up in a blizzard on their re-opening day (post-renovations), but they might not come up if you’re staying in Midtown. They’re located down near Gramercy Park (19th Street) and have some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had. They have a creative variety of flavors, and all scoops come with their addictive crunch and imported Italian panna.

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What is your all-time favorite dish?

If I think back to a singular dish, I would probably have to say the Cacio e Pepe I got at Roscioli in Rome. It was the first time I had ever had that preparation before, so this experience effectively made Cacio e Pepe my favorite pasta. In the back of my mind, I always compare the plate of Cacio e Pepe in front of me to that one. While none have quite compared, I’ve found some seriously great alternatives in the city. I mentioned earlier that I’m lactose intolerant, but I will always sacrifice a day of digestive happiness to enjoy a bowl of Cacio e Pepe.

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How has being a food influencer changed your relationship with New York City?

I grew up on Long Island and came into the city with my family several times each year. Once I started working (and simultaneously saw my account start growing), I commuted to the city every day and began spending more time here. At that point, I think I realized that I wanted to live here full time. It’s fast-paced, busy, and certainly not for everyone, but I loved being here and, of course, having a chance to try all the different restaurants and experiences the city has to offer. Living here, I’m able to visit a lot more restaurants and meet many of the faces behind them, which I think only makes my draw to New York stronger.

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