Special Edition: “MUN Students Take On NYC's Hottest Spots”
By: Tallulah Bates '25
In the bitterly cold days of mid-January, 14 Cate students bravely sojourned to the bustling Big Apple. While there, they viewed a collection of city sights, visited some gorgeous galleries, and, of course, consumed an inordinate amount of absurdly overpriced local delicacies. These ventures were crammed in between the commitments of the trip’s original purport: participating in Columbia University’s Model United Nations Conference, or CMUNCE.
CMUNCE is the premier crisis conference for high school students in the United States, offering a diverse blend of committees from different historical periods and regions of the world. The committees of CMUNCE are small, most under 25 delegates, to provide students with the opportunity to participate in debate and actively learn.
While the conferences themselves were undoubtedly the highlight of the trip, what occurred during the in-betweens–in other words, the meals–deserves equal appreciation. Therefore, let the latest Nosh & Nibbles edition recount (or rather, review) the most delectable spots in NYC.
Restaurant: Pastis
Location: Meatpacking District
Cuisine: French
Overall recommendation: ★★☆☆
Following an astonishingly restful flight, it wasn’t long before six of the bright-eyed Cate students were off to battle their next opponent: the New York subway. Apple Maps suddenly held roughly the same reverence as God for these girls, and they managed to lose only one of their members when she neglected to actually step off the platform and onto the train. It is perhaps the greatest miracle that an instance such as this only occurred once during the four-day trip.
In spite of their skill (or, rather, lack thereof) with transportation, the classic French bistro Pastis was within the girls’ sight. The café first opened its doors back in 1999, back when there was enough meatpacking in the Meatpacking District to justify the name. Described by Condé Nast’s Andrea Whittle as “New York’s original see-and-be-seen brunch spot”, Pastis is about a block south of its original location.
After pouring over the lengthy menu, featuring some major “umming and ahhing,” the girls chose a simple selection of four dishes, opting to share with one another for a maximum dining experience:
Our Nibbles:
Bread with butter.
Salade Verte with haricots verts, and radishes ($18)
Our Nosh:
Salade Niçoise with confit tuna, haricots verts, dijon vinaigrette ($31)
Grilled Chicken Sandwich with bacon, black pepper aïoli ($24)
Gruyère Omelette with fines herbes, salade ($19)
Almost immediately after sitting down, the server will ask if you want bread and butter with your meal, and the correct answer is, “Yes, of course; what do I look like? Why would you ask that question? Seriously, what do I look like? What’s going on here?” For the six ravenous students, the two bread baskets arrived at the table like a Godsend (or rather, an Apple Maps-send?)
In terms of what was actually paid for, let’s start with the cheapest item: the Salade Verte. This dish did its job exceptionally well; it was cleansing and crisp, and the produce appeared wonderfully fresh, a pure luxury amidst the dreary midwinter. This was paired with the Gruyère Omelette, which was as lovely as most French omelets are from French bistros. Soft and perfectly underdone, it was exactly what one expected, and yet lacking a certain je ne sais quoi, especially when considering its $19 damage, which, for three, maybe four cooked eggs, seemed a little steep. The chicken sandwich was, as put by Lauren Hubbs ‘26, “yummy, but hard to mess up anyhow.” Lastly, alongside being the most splurgy item, the Salade Niçoise was certainly the most impressive. Flavourful, filling, yet refreshing all at once, it was perhaps the only dish worth what was ultimately paid (a cool $32).
In spite of excessive pricing (an aspect that bonds much of the New York culinary experience), Pastis’ food is still great, and the space still looks like a bistro that came into existence with the sole aim of being the “Frenchest” thing around. And yet, the crowded bistro didn’t feel all that exciting. It’s still useful, so to speak, but there’s no need to go out of your way for it.
Restaurant: Kohoku-ku
Location: Hell’s Kitchen
Cuisine: Japanese
Overall recommendation: ★★★☆
Kohoku-Ku ramen is a teeny, tiny, and outrageously adorable gem in Hell's Kitchen. Filled with colorful paper lanterns, makeshift seating made from repurposed Suntory crates, and a very cute bathroom, the atmosphere is cosy, cute, and comforting. With a kitchen boasting some of NYC’s creamiest ramen, the menu also covers all the classic izakaya dishes, like curry rice and karaage. Kohoku-Ku is fairly close to Times Square but is far enough away from the main action that you can use this as a non-touristy pre-theater option.
Upon their arrival at around quarter past 10 on Friday night, six hungry delegates were advised to order quickly before the kitchen closed for the evening. After six grueling hours in committee meetings, where each girl had either been negotiating trade deals or hostage situations, all shared two common traits: they were cold and they were hungry.
Our Nibbles:
Shishito Peppers, blistered and seasoned with yuzu salt ($7)
Gyoza, homemade pan-fried chicken dumpling with cabbage and scallions ($8)
Our Nosh:
Tonkotsu Ramen, creamy pork broth topped with cha shu pork, komatsuna, menma, jammy egg, sesame seed, scallions, and nori ($17)
Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen, spicy pork broth topped with cha shu pork, komatsuna, menma, jammy egg, sesame seed, scallions, nori, and chili oil ($18)
Shoyu Ramen, chicken and bonito fish broth, topped with crispy chicken, wontons, komatsuna, menma, jammy egg, scallions, and nori ($18)
The shishito peppers were a satisfying entryway into a truly comforting meal. The gyoza was tasty, however, nothing groundbreaking. If you like your ramen incredibly thick and with an almost buttery consistency, you'll love the broth here. Both the tonkatsu and its more, shall we say, dangerous cousin–the spicy tonkatsu–were pleasingly rich and filling. Similarly, the shoyu was delicious, if a tad lighter on the stomach, and, when paired with delightful crispy chicken, produced a quality combination. Regarding the other toppings, the jammy eggs were a highlight; one member of the party (yours truly) nicked three eggs off her companions, which speaks to their pure scrumminess.
Lastly, it would be a shame to miss commenting on this restaurant’s kind and attentive service. Not only were they accommodating with the girls' (and several other parties') late arrival, but the speed at which they presented the meals was impressive. In short, if you're looking for a delicious and cozy ramen spot with excellent service, Kohoku-Ku Ramen is a highly recommended choice.
Restaurant: Vinatería
Location: Harlem
Cuisine: Spanish-Italian
Overall recommendation: ★★★★
Noted as a “proudly women-led and Black-owned restaurant,” Vinatería is a cosy yet chic spot located in Harlem, Upper Manhattan. The menu features both creative small plates and main courses, featuring deliciously fresh and seasonal items with heavy influences from both southern Italian and Spanish cuisine. Here, we opted for a lighter lunch, with a shared starter and two pastas.
Our Nibbles:
Crispy Polenta with paprika aïoli ($9)
Our Nosh:
Black Spaghetti with octopus mussels, bay scallops, & breadcrumbs ($26)
Rosemary Pappardelle with lamb ragu & fresh ricotta ($25)
The crispy polenta was golden and crunchy on the outside, yet creamy and light on the inside. The paprika aïoli added a smoky, tangy depth that perfectly complements the polenta's rich texture. It's a simple yet elegant dish that delivers bold flavors and leaves you craving more.
The spaghetti, a seafood lover's dream come true, was complemented beautifully by the zesty breadcrumbs, making each bite a satisfying mix of textures. The dish was packed with the briny, fresh essence of the sea, balanced by a subtle yet rich sauce. It’s the kind of dish that feels indulgent but somehow still light and refreshing. The pappardelle on the other hand, a luxurious yet comforting dish, was perfectly tender and robust in flavor. The lamb is melt-in-your-mouth tender, with a deep, savory flavor that pairs beautifully with the creamy fresh ricotta. The dish strikes a perfect balance between hearty and delicate, offering a satisfying experience from start to finish.
All three dishes are a celebration of high-quality ingredients and thoughtful preparation. Whether you're in the mood for something light and savory or rich and comforting, Vinatería surely provides a standout dish for every palate.
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