Fordham University
The Bronx
Hot Restaurant
“The vibe at Zero Otto Nove (2357 Arthur Ave., nr. 186th St.; 718-220-1027) is intimate: more like Tuscany than the Bronx. Great wine and brick-oven pizza (from $9.95)—plus Nutella pizza for dessert.”
Blow off Steam
“There are essentially three main campus bars, called the Tri-bar. Howl at the Moon (585 E. 189th St., nr. Arthur Ave.; 718-561-7694) has live music. Mugzs (2476 Arthur Ave., at 189th St.; 718-364-8238) gets a ton of frat guys; the floor is always sticky with beer. And then there’s Ziggy’s (601 E. 189th St., at Arthur Ave.; 718-562-3711), a basic sports bar. ”
Local Delicacy
“Borgatti’s Ravioli & Egg Noodles (632 E. 187th St., nr. Hughes Ave.; 718-367-3799) makes amazing fresh tagliatelle ($2 a pound), but the cavatelli is delicious as well. Get some for when you go home to your family.”
Food Provisions
“There’s a lot of older Italian men running delis and espresso bars at the Arthur Avenue Retail Market (2344 Arthur Ave., nr. Crescent Ave.; 718-295-5033). Get the grilled-chicken sandwich with roasted peppers, mozzarella, and balsamic dressing ($6.50) at Mike’s Deli.”
The Happening Bar
“MoGridder’s (632 E. 186th St., at Belmont Ave.; 347-270-9850) was open last semester only as a delivery spot. It just got its liquor license. Great barbecued wings ($6).”
Escape the City
“The New York Botanical Garden (Bronx River Parkway at Fordham Rd.; 718-220-0300) is right across from campus. You won’t necessarily know what you’re looking at, but it’s relaxing.”
Sunday Brunch
“You’ll always find students at M&G Restaurant (2390 Arthur Ave., nr. 187th St.; 718-584-3788) in their pj’s or scrubs after a hard night out. My friends get the grilled cheese ($2.75).”
Late-Night Munchies
“Even at 4 a.m., the pizza ($2.50 a slice) at Pugsley (590 E. 191st St., nr. Hoffman St.; 718-365-0327) turns over fast, so it’s always fresh.”
Dry Cleaner
“Clean House Super Laundromat (2429 Arthur Ave. nr. East 188th St.; 718-329-3175) has a good student deal: 10 percent off if you pay up front.”
Gym
“A 24 Hour Fitness (400 E. Fordham Rd., at Webster Ave.; 718-924-2994) opened in March across the street from campus. Most of the equipment is brand-new.”
Liquor Emporium
“Mt. Carmel Wine & Spirits (609 E. 187th St., nr. Arthur Ave.; 718-367-7833) sells a good, inexpensive red Zinfandel called Le Sciare ($8.99). On Saturdays, tastings are held from 1 to 5 p.m.”
Columbia University
Morningside Heights
Dinner Plus Leftovers
“Taqueria y Fonda la Mexicana (968 Amsterdam Ave., nr. 108th St.; 212-531-0383) has great homemade tortilla chips with salsa ($2.50) and the entrées are overwhelmingly large.”
Sandwich Shop
“You can get huge heroes for about $6 at Hamilton Deli (1129 Amsterdam Ave., nr. 116th St.; 212-749-8924). It’s open 24 hours except on Sunday.”
Hang, Read, Drink Coffee
“Max Caffé (1262 Amsterdam Ave., at 122nd St.; 212-531-1210) has plush chairs and is more conducive to reading than, say, the Hungarian Pastry Shop (1030 Amsterdam Ave., nr. 111th St.; 212-866-4230), which is where you go to let people see you read.”
Budget Date
“Toast (2737 Broadway, nr. 105th St.; 212-663-7010) is essentially a classy diner with fantastic burgers (from $9.95).”
Drugstore
“Hartley Pharmacy (1219 Amsterdam Ave., at 120th St.; 212-749-8480) fills prescriptions fast, the people are friendly, and it doesn’t feel like anyone in there is stressed.”
Urban Escape
“St. John the Divine Cathedral (1047 Amsterdam Ave., at 112th; 212-316-7540) just opened all the chapels in the back, and it’s gorgeous—very serene.”
The Happening Bar
“La Negrita (999 Columbus Ave., at 109th St.; 212-961-1676) has low lighting, good beers on tap (Newcastle, $4), and live music every now and then.”
Pickup Spot
“1020 (1020 Amsterdam Ave., at 110th St.; 212-531-3468) is where students go to make bad decisions—usually after a bunch of $3 Yuenglings.”
Food Provisions
“Some people like Fairway because it’s inexpensive. But Westside Market (2840 Broadway, nr. 110th St.; 212-222-3367) is closer and great for microwavable dinners (Lean Cuisine, $4.19).”
Late-Night Munchies
“Bombay Frankie Roti Roll (994 Amsterdam Ave., nr. 109th St.; 212-666-1500) is a popular drunk-food place. It’s basically Indian-style burritos with chickpeas and spiced yogurt for $3 to $4 each.”
Sunday Brunch
“Kitchenette (1272 Amsterdam Ave., nr. 123rd St.; 212-531-7600) has awesome food: homemade turkey sausage with apple chunks ($4.25) and endless coffee refills ($3). Only downside: It can be a half-hour to an hour wait.”
Quick Delivery
“Thai Market (960 Amsterdam Ave., nr. 107th St.; 212-865-6744) is pretty cheap (pad Thai, $9.50) and obscenely fast. One time they made it from 107th and Amsterdam to 119th and Claremont in nine minutes with two orders.”
Pratt InstituteFort Greene
The Happening Bar
“Five Spot (459 Myrtle Ave., nr. Washington Ave.; 718-852-0202) has a split personality. On one side, it’s a take-out joint. On the other, a bar with a great soul-food kitchen. On Mondays, all pints are $2; get the po’ boys ($9.95) and Cajun curly fries ($3.95).”
Urban Escape
“St. Joseph’s College (245 Clinton Ave., nr. Willoughby Ave.) is a great place to read, study, have a picnic.”
Pickup Spot
“Rope (415 Myrtle Ave., nr. Clinton Ave.; 718-522-2899) is really narrow, so you always seem to be bumping into someone and starting a conversation. They have $1 PBR Night on Mondays.”
Stylish Accessories
“Barking Brown (468 Myrtle Ave., nr. Washington Ave.; 718-638-3757) was opened a couple of years ago by two former students. It’s got cool messenger bags ($78) and jewelry designed by locals.”
Nail Salon
“The Polish Bar (470 Myrtle Ave., nr. Washington Ave.; 718-622-5363) gives a ten percent discounts for students. These people know what they’re doing.”
Sports Field
“Go to Fort Greene Park (DeKalb Ave., at S. Portland Ave.) on the weekends around five for pickup soccer.”
Bike Shop
“Bespoke Bicycles (64-B Lafayette Ave., nr. S. Elliott Pl.; 718-643-6816) is a brand-new shop that specializes in bicycles for the everyday cycler, not a professional race.”
Food Provisions
“Choice Market (318 Lafayette Ave., at Grand Ave.; 718-230-5234) has delicious cakes and amazing sandwiches ($6).”
Hot Restaurant
“Madiba (195 Dekalb Ave., nr. Carlton Ave.; 718-855-9190) can be a bit expensive, but you can make a meal out of the appetizers. Get the slap chips—twice-fried French fries with vinegar and salt—($5) and split a pitcher of sangria ($22).”
Sandwich Shop
“Every Pratt student has to go to Hyun’s Deli (490 Myrtle Ave., nr. Hall St.; 718-783-8081). The guy who makes the sandwiches remembers everyone.”
Sunday Brunch
“Pillow Cafe-Lounge (505 Myrtle Ave., nr. Ryerson St., 718-246-2711) does buy-one-get-a-free-refill mimosas ($7) and blissinis ($7.50) on weekends. Definitely try the waffle and eggs ($9.50) or the goat cheese and sundried-tomato panini ($7.95).
Household Odds & Ends
“Home & U (394 Myrtle Ave., nr. Vanderbilt Ave.; 718-243-9165) is our fancy dollar store: mugs, dishware, bookshelves, plastic bins, slightly dysfunctional socks. You can get plain white Hanes T-shirts for $2 each.”
New York University
Greenwich Village
Blow Off Steam
“Su Casa (404 Sixth Ave., nr. 8th St.; 212-677-6097) has no cover and the music is always really fun. It’s a hidden little place on top of a Qdoba restaurant. The margaritas come in 16-ounce mason jars ($14).”
The Happening Bar
“Blind Tiger Ale House (281 Bleecker St., at Jones St.; 212-462-4682) is the best place for local beers (from $5 at happy hour; weekdays til 8 p.m.). They’ll often serve free cheese from Murray’s.”
Local Delicacy
“The exterior of Eva’s (11 W. 8th St., nr. Fifth Ave.; 212-677-3496) doesn’t look much like a restaurant, but the food is obscenely cheap: amazing falafels for $2.15 and huge vegetarian meals for $4.”
Dinner Plus Leftovers
“Milon (93 First Ave., at Sixth St.; 212-228-4896) is an Indian restaurant with tasty banana pakoras and endless varieties of curry (from $5.50). You have to tell them it’s your birthday—just trust me.”
Hang, Read, Drink Coffee
“Ost (441 E. 12th St., at Ave. A; 212-477-5600) gets a little crowded, but it’s great for people-watching. Plus, fun baristas and really good hot chocolate ($3).”
Drugstore
“C.O. Bigelow (414 Sixth Ave., nr. 9th St.; 212-473-7324) is way more fun than your average chain. It’s more of an old-time apothecary, but you can still get your prescriptions filled in the back.”
Stylish Accessories
“Aldo (700 Broadway, at 4th St.; 212-982-0958) has good going-out shoes and boots for romping around campus. They have regular sales.”
Liquor Emporium
“Warehouse Wines & Spirits (735 Broadway, nr. Waverly Pl.; 212-982-7770) sells $4 bottles of André Champagne and all sorts of vodka. A good place to stock up for a party.”
Bookstore
“Shakespeare & Co. (716 Broadway, at Washington Pl.; 212-529-1330) has got that old musty bookstore smell. The whole place is just fun to get lost in.”
Yoga Studio
“Jivamukti (841 Broadway, nr. 13th St., 2nd fl.; 212-353-0214) has great student discounts. The classes are in a huge room with a beautiful view of the city.”
Movie Theater
“There’s nothing Hollywood about the IFC (323 Sixth Ave., at 3rd St.; 212-924-7771). It even makes the Angelika on Houston Street look mainstream.”
Late-Night Munchies
“All Ray’s are not equal. The sauce at the Sixth Avenue one (465 Sixth Ave., nr. 10th St.; 212-243-2253) is the best (regular slice, $2.75).”
Karaoke Bar
“You don’t have to rent a room at Sing-Sing Karaoke (9 St. Marks Pl., nr. Third Ave.; 212-387-7800). You can just go there and sing along. It’s $2 a song, with a free song per drink.”
Bar Games
“Ace Bar (531 E. Fifth St., nr. Ave. B; 212-979-8476) has darts, pool, skeeball, and a really cool collection of vintage lunch boxes on the wall that are fun to look at.”
Sandwich Shop
“Gracefully (28 Ave. A, nr. 2nd St.; 677-8181) has super sandwiches: The Hummy ($5) literally comes with an entire avocado.”
Pickup Spot
“The Sunburnt Cow (137 Ave. C, nr. 9th St.; 212-529-0005) has some hot Australians behind the bar. Go on a slow night, and you might get free drinks if you flirt a little.”
Happy Hour
“The drinks at Cooper 35 (35 Cooper Sq., nr. 6th St.; 212-375-9195) are ridiculously strong and only $3 (5–7 p.m., Mon. to Thurs.). After that, they’re $4— so you’ll still be happy.”
Budget Date
“During happy hour at Sweet Revenge (62 Carmine St., nr. Bedford St.; 212-242-2240), you can get a glass of sangria and a cupcake for $10.”
The Seniors
Alyssa Calderone,
Business & Marketing
Christopher DiLella, Business Administration
Lauren Sansone, Communications &
Sociology
Portraits by Hannah Whitaker/New York Magazine
The Seniors
Sam Reisman,
English
Bryan Reid,
Philosophy & Anthropology
Jesse Horwitz,
Economics-Mathematics
Portraits by Hannah Whitaker/New York Magazine
The Seniors
Adrielle Slaugh,
Architecture
Kanika Khosla,
Interior Design
Portraits by Hannah Whitaker/New York Magazine
The Seniors
Ami Patel,
Finance & Marketing
Natti Vogel,
Composition & Performance
Morgan Bradford,
Food Studies
Portraits by Hannah Whitaker/New York Magazine