How’d you get started in the food social media industry?
I started by posting food pics on my personal Instagram account and followed well-known influencers such as @cyeats and @brunchboys (now known as @jeremyjacobwitz). Seeing how intriguing their photos and posts were, they influenced me to create my own food page. Within the first few months, I got my first invite to an Italian eatery in the Lower East Side and met other food bloggers, big and small as well as the owners. I was overwhelmed by how friendly and courteous everyone was. As a newbie, it can be scary and intimidating to meet new people in a new industry but I felt accepted with open arms.
Do you have a particular type of cuisine that is your favorite?
Although I love many cuisines, my all time favorite is Filipino. I love the marriage of Spanish and Asian flavors!
What restaurants in New York do you think are musts for those visiting the city?
Donburi-ya, Rubirosa and Wayan
What changes have you noted in the New York restaurant industry since the pandemic began?
A lot of really good well-established restaurants closed due to the citywide shutdown that lasted 18 months. The pandemic changed the landscape of how restaurants operate, offering only take out and delivery service when they re-opened as well as abiding by vaccine and mask mandates that never existed in my lifetime. Restaurants had to quickly adapt to ever changing rules and regulations in order to survive.
What is your favorite thing to cook at home?
Sunday Gravy with Homemade Linguini. It’s a tradition that I continue to keep near and dear from when I lived at home with the Italian-American side of my family.
What do you think sets New York apart as a food city?
New York is the food mecca of the world. You can find almost every cuisine. Plus we have the best pizza and bagels 🙂
Outside of New York, have you been to any other cities that have wowed you with their food?
Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Montreal.
Where should people go in New York if they want to visit a restaurant that is a hidden gem?
Sigiri. It’s a Sri-Lankan restaurant located in the East Village right above my favorite spice shop, Dual.
What is your all-time favorite dish?
Kare-Kare. It’s a Filipino staple, a peanut based stew with oxtail, tripe, bok choy, green beans and eggplant.
How has being a food influencer changed your relationship with New York City?
It made me have a different perspective of food. It’s more than food, it’s the people and the experiences that come along with the journey.
