All posts by John Cameron

A Taste of New York’s Chinatown and Little Italy

Looking for a unique and delicious way to explore New York City’s history? Sample dishes from both Chinatown and Little Italy with Ahoy New York Food Tours on a guided walking tour of these two historic and culturally rich neighborhoods.

A food tour of Chinatown and Little Italy offers a glimpse into the history, culture, and traditions of these immigrant communities that have shaped New York for generations. Along the way, you’ll stop at different locations to sample a variety of dishes: dumplings, noodles, cheese, cannoli plus a sit-down lunch with beer, wine, or non-alcoholic choices.

You’ll visit landmarks such as the oldest church in Manhattan, the former Five Points, and the site of the first pizzeria in the USA and learn about the famous and infamous characters that lived and worked in these areas, including politicians and gangsters.

On a sunny Monday morning, we met our Ahoy New York guide, Hanna, and the other six travelers at the Silk Road Cafe in Chinatown for a pot of tea. Hanna explained that tea is an essential part of Chinese culture and that China produces six main types of tea, each with its own characteristics and health benefits. The delicate jasmine green milk tea we enjoyed aided digestion.

Nom Wah Tea Parlor, Chinatown, New York
Nom Wah Tea Parlor photo credit: Sherel Purcell

From there, we walked to Nom Wah Tea Parlor, the oldest dim sum restaurant in New York. We snacked on their original egg roll, which looked quite different from the usual egg rolls. It was crispy on the outside and filled with chicken and vegetables.

Sponge Cake on Doyers Street, Chinatown, New York

We next sampled a Hong Kong-style sponge cake, which was light and fluffy with a subtle pandan flavor. The fluorescent green color of the sponge cake is not from food dye but is naturally colored and flavored with the pandan plant.

We enjoyed a picnic snack of Beijing dumplings in Columbus Park. Beijing-style dumplings are richer flavored, heartier dumplings with thicker skin and a fried bottom. A natural raconteur, Hannah told us the park, previously Dutch farmland, was named by local Italians and was the site of The Five Points, one of the roughest neighborhoods in NYC’s history.

Piemonte Ravioli, Little Italy, New York
Piemonte Ravioli photo credit: John Cameron

We then walked along Mulberry Street to our first stop in Little Italy, Piemonte Ravioli. Piemonte has been serving fresh pasta since 1920. We munched on tender ricotta gnocchis with a rich homemade marinara sauce.

Our next destination on Grand Street was Di Palo’s Fine Foods, which has been selling Italian specialties since 1910, way before Eataly. We tried two kinds of cheese, a Piave, my favorite, and a Pecorino with some Castelvetrano olives, the perfect martini olive.

Di Palo's, Little Italy, New York
Di Palo’s photo credit: John Cameron

We then visited Benito One, where we traded travel stories with our new friends over a lunch of Eggplant Rollatini with a marinara sauce, accompanied by a glass of red wine.

The final stop of our food tour of Chinatown and Little Italy was Ferrara Bakery and Café, where we enjoyed a traditional Sicilian dessert, cannolis – a crispy shell filled with sweet ricotta cream.

Ferrara Bakery and Café, Little Italy, New York
Ferrara Bakery and Café photo credit: Sherel Purcell

The Ahoy New York Food Tour lasts about three hours and covers two miles on foot, so comfortable shoes are advised. Bring your appetite too. We were so full we skipped dinner. If you love food and culture, take this opportunity to explore two of the tastiest neighborhoods in New York on this fun and informative walking tour.

Discover THesis Hotel in Coral Gables

Whether you’re looking for cuisine, culture, or nature, THesis Hotel Miami has it all. Explore the charming city of Coral Gables from this stylish and comfortable hotel.

Inspired by visits to Spain and Italy, George Merrick founded Coral Gables, one of Miami’s most desirable neighborhoods, in 1925 . Merrick commissioned architects to create signature landmarks such as the Biltmore Hotel, the Venetian Pool, and the Miracle Mile. The University of Miami, the Lowe Art Museum and the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden are also found here, as is the new Thesis Hotel.

THesis Hotel pool
Rooftop pool photo credit: THesis Hotel

The Thesis Hotel, which opened next door to the University of Miami in 2020, boasts 245 contemporary guest rooms, a secluded rooftop pool with a poolside bar and terrace and two in-house gourmet restaurants.

THesis Hotel terrace
THesis Hotel terrace photo credit: THesis Hotel

Guests staying at the AAA Four Diamond Thesis Hotel in Coral Gables have great dining options.

Orno at THesis Hotel
Orno at THesis Hotel photo credit: John Cameron

One of Food & Wine Magazine’s Best New Chefs of 2020, Chef Niven Patel, has two impressive restaurants inside the Thesis, the popular Mamey restaurant and his latest, Orno. Attentive service, a wonderful farm to table menu, wood-fired pizzas, grilled octopus, whole grilled branzino and well crafted seasonal cocktails – try the Holy Cow: Dickle Barrel Select Whiskey, Lemon, Orange, Cardamom, Apple, Ginger and Clarified Milk Punch.

Mamey Happy Hour
Mamey Happy Hour photo credit: Sherel Purcell

Mamey has a great happy hour served on the third floor poolside terrace. Two must tries are the Island Chips with Tomatillo Salsa and the Ghee Roasted Plantains. Like all of Chef Niven’s endeavors, Mamey features locally grown produce, sourced from his own farm, Rancho Patel, in Homestead, Florida. Mamey’s seasonal offerings are complemented by fun, innovative cocktails,  like the Jerk Margarita.

Things to Do in Coral Gables

Electric bikes at THesis Hotel
Electric bikes at THesis Hotel photo credit: John Cameron

Explore historic Coral Gables on a complimentary electric bike from the THesis concierge.

Venetian Pool, Coral Gables

Looking like a vintage Hollywood movie set, the Venetian Pool in Coral Gables  is a public swimming pool with lifeguards and even a small sand beach. Built in the popular Mediterranean Revival style, Venetian Pool is the only swimming pool listed on the US National Register of Historic Places.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Coral Gables

Wings of the Tropics is an enclosed two storey  butterfly garden, guaranteed to bring out your inner child. Get up close and personal with these delicate and fascinating creatures.

Thesis offers a free shuttle service to the shops at Merrick Park, a two-floor, outdoor shopping mall featuring a variety of restaurants, boutiques, department stores and a movie theater.