East 10 St, East Village

I consider the 10th of the East Village to start at 3rd Avenue and it really does start with a bang. It's one of the most magical blocks in the East Village. This particular block is stunning. Almost the entire block is comprised of rowhouses from the mid-19th century so the street actually looks like a real neighborhood rather than a collection of apartment buildings and commercial space that a lot of other Manhattan streets claim as their makeup. Stanford White lived at 118, Diane Arbus lived at 120, Molly Ringwald lived at 122 and Parker Posey lived at 123. Of course, these are actually homes so they are incredible expensive, but the East Village row houses are slightly more affordable than their West Village counterparts. And, the East Village is a hipper, younger neighborhood so you're more in the thick of it if you live here.
The end of the block houses St Marks in the Bowery Church. This is my favorite church in the city. The Bowery, in its entirety, was the Stuyvesant's Farm -- Peter Stuyvesant was the first governor of New York in the 17th century. The church was the actual family's private chapel that was completed in 1799. Now it's a public church but it was only for the elite for many years. WH Auden, Edna St Vincent Millay and Allen Ginsberg have all read here. The Churchyard on the east side is really cool. Peter Stuyvesant and every one of his descendants are all buried here. And, the grounds are elevated from the street below. Apparently, it used to be flush with the surrounding ground but over the centuries, the street just get getting lower.
The block between 2nd and 1st is a little lackluster in comparison to the previous one. The buildings aren't as pretty but there are a ton of restaurants. They're all pretty good but none of them are my favorite. If I had to choose one on this street, it would probably be Moustache because it's so quaint. The one very noteworthy thing on this block is the Russian Bath House. Outside of going to the far end of Brooklyn, this is the spot in New York for the ultimate Russian Bath. They even beat you with leaves which sounds awful but it's really awesome.
Across Ave A is Tompkins Square Park which is the best park on the east side. They have a really fun lineup every summer for the outdoor movie festival. There are some great little restaurants across from the park, but I would recommend Gnocco above any other on this block. East of B is pretty much all apartments with a few little restaurants and bars sprinkled in until you get to the tenements at Ave D. I don't often go East of C (especially at night). But, this neighborhood is changing so quickly, that even the eastern part of the street will probably will be trendy by the end of the year. Overall, it's a great street. There are great bars, restaurants and historical landmarks. And, it's a very popular street for the young and hip while the older generation remains so it's a very New York mix of people.

New York City with its millions of restaurants is a city that caters to foodies. Being one myself, I am always on the lookout for new and interesting restaurants and some of my current favorites are located along a relatively quiet street in the East Village- East 10th Street.

East 10th Street extends from Fifth Avenue to Avenue D in the Alphabet City section of the East Village where it borders the famous Tomkins Square Park. This street like several other streets in the Village is lined with typical New York City walk ups and row townhouses but aside from these residential dwellings this street which I have nicknamed ‘grub street’ (especially the section of street between 2nd Avenue and Avenue A) is home to many fantastic restaurants which are owned and operated by innovative and adventurous New York City restaurateurs.

Some of my favorites that are located here include establishments like David Chang’s Momofuku Noodle Bar, the almost subterranean Italian restaurant, Dieci and the always satisfying Moustache restaurant which is renowned for its delicious Zattar bread.

If you have a sweet tooth then East 10th street is the place for you for located here are some of New York City's best desert places like Pastry Chef Jehangir Mehta’s Graffiti, the Italian coffee house Taralluci e Vino and the legendary Chikalicious desert bar which is known for its mouth watering confections.

E 10th St stretches from 5 Av to Avenue D, in the East Village. My favorite part is around Tompkins Square Park. Twenty years ago, the park and its surroundings were high-crime areas. The increasing gentrification in the East Village has changed this area into a safe one. New Yorkers say that the neighborhood today has lost most of its attractiveness. It is probably true. However, my favorite Italian restaurant – Gnocco – is there. I think it is a reason good enough to sometimes visit E 10th St on Tompkins Square Park.

10th street between fifth and 3rd avenues provides for some fo the most peaceful walking in New York City. It is not generally too crowded, as it is mostly residential and does not seem to attract too much traffic. It is host to a few, comfortable downstairs restaurants, and otherwise mostly townhouses and a couple residential buildings. Part of this street is host to a few NYU buildings and thus one can typically see al ot of students strolling along between their clases. The intersection with 3rd avenue hosts one of the best Tea House chains in the city, Saints Alps´ Teahouse. Although the wooden stools are not always too comfortable, and thus do not entice one to stay for a long time, the sesame black bubble tea is worth all the effort!