'Mary In Manhattan' Blogger Mary Apesos' Guide To New York City

Mary is taking over our Instagram on Dec. 12! Be sure to follow us (@patch) for a day in the life of her Brooklyn favorites.

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Consider Mary Apesos your window into the life of a New Yorker, especially when it comes to delicious eats around the city. From documenting cheesy, chocolatey and rainbow bites on her popular Instagram account to crafting off-the-beaten-path city itineraries, The Mary In Manhattan blogger brings the best of the boroughs (mainly Manhattan and her new home-base of Brooklyn) right to your smartphone.

Although she grew up in Boston, Apesos moved to the Upper West Side six years ago in search of adventure. Since then, she's become quite the expert in New York City, with a plethora of fun and delicious answers to the question, "What do I do today?" Luckily for us, some of her favorite things include eating, exploring NYC, traveling, writing, taking photos, cooking and eating cookies!

When she's not blogging or handling social media for a candy company (yes, really!), you might find this New Yorker having a girls' night at Malatesta Trattoria or sitting on her favorite rock in Central Park taking in the city views.

Since it's clear this foodie has done her homework, you might want to take a look at some of her first-rate food and activity recommendations around the Big Apple:

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What neighborhood do you live in? I just moved from the Upper West Side to Boerum Hill. Both neighborhoods are so awesome. They don't feel anything like the Times Square touristy New York City that some people are familiar with.

What’s your occupation? I work in social media and marketing for a candy company!

Describe NYC in three words: Delicious, challenging, fast

What’s your favorite overall NYC restaurant? This is unbelievably hard. Quality Eats is always so delicious though, so I have to mention it. I've been about six times...

Best sushi: Tanoshi Omakase. The coolest Omakase-style restaurant in the city, and it's less formal than most. You can bring your own sake and they play 90s hip-hop as you eat.

Best Italian food: Il Corallo Trattoria. I stumbled upon this trying to get into a famous restaurant. I'm so glad I did because this is a gem.

Best dessert: Levain Cookies. I'm a cookie fiend, and these cookies are the BEST.

Best pizza: Prince Street Pizza. The square slice with thick-cut pepperoni — yum!

Best spot for a quick lunch: Saiguette has the best bahn mi sandwiches ever!

Best spot for a romantic date: Le French Diner

Best glass of wine: Malatesta Trattoria. Girls' night equals wine and Italian food in a rustic cozy setting.

Best Sunday brunch: Chalk Point Kitchen

Best spot for a business meeting: Empellon. I recently went here on an actual power lunch. Amazing. Stay for dessert and get the "avocado."

Best cup of coffee: Ground Central on 52nd and 3rd. There's an entire back room that looks like a cozy library!

Best steak: Quality Meats (Quality Eats' big brother)

Best craft cocktail: Manhattan Cricket Club

What hotel would you recommend for your out of town guests? Make sure you stay out of Times Square. It's so much more fun to pick a spot like the NU Hotel in Brooklyn or the NYLO on the Upper West Side. I hear it's a lot cheaper to stay in Long Island City as well, and there are a bunch of hotels there now!

Favorite shopping venue or boutique: I'm into thrift shopping now! Williamsburg has a ton within walking distance, starting at Crossroads Trading, all the way to Beacon's Closet. Plus, it's recycling! (Am I a hipster now?)

Best gym or fitness studio: My go-to exercise is dance. Alvin Ailey has the best dance classes in the city in my opinion!

Favorite charity event or organization: The Food Bank for New York City — every dollar helps to feed New Yorkers in need!

Favorite cultural event: Does every single summer street fair count?

Favorite cultural institution: Since I just moved to Brooklyn, I'm into the Brooklyn Historical Society. There's so much little-known history to learn. Otherwise, I love the lesser-known institutions in Manhattan like Teddy Roosevelt's birthplace! (Ahem, it's also free to the public).

What’s the best museum or current exhibit in NYC? I haven't been yet, but I have my tickets ready for the Bowie exhibit at Brooklyn Museum. It will be here until July 15 and then it's over! NYC is the last stop.

Best historic or iconic NYC landmark to see or explore: Chinatown. The amount of food and things to see is mind-blowing. There's something new to see down every alley, from dumpling houses, to people playing Mah Jong in the park, to the tiniest museum in the world and about 75 different places for ice cream. I bring everyone from out of town here.

What’s your all-time favorite spot in New York City? There's a specific giant rock in Central Park that I love to sit on and people watch or just read a book on. It has great views of the city, and while there are tons of people around, I still feel like it's my spot and I'm the only one there.

The best aspect of New York City is: I got breakfast delivered to me by a guy on a bike while I was in the middle of Central Park sitting on a blanket waiting in line for Shakespeare in the Park tickets. Simultaneously, that very hour, I got my picture accidentally taken and posted in the New York Post. That pretty much sums it up.

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More city guides from notable New Yorkers:

• Chef David Burke's Guide To New York City
• 'An Actress Eats' Blogger Sarah Schenkkan's Guide To NYC
• Food Blogger Johnny Prime's Guide To New York City

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Image Credit: Mary Apesos