Fork This City

This week on Fork This City, Josh and Gabby visit Forsythia, a Roman trattoria in NYC inspired by the flavors, warmth, and traditions of Italy. From handmade pastas to seasonal ingredients and a deeply intentional beverage program, they unpack whether Forsythia actually transports you to Rome—or just tries to.Then, things get a little chaotic as they dive into the recent social media drama surrounding Kawaii Cafe. With a fake review circulating online, the duo breaks down what actually happened and debunks the rumors making the rounds.Finally, they cover one of the most unexpected NYC food collaborations yet: Johnny’s Pizza x PopUp Bagels. Is this carb-on-carb crossover genius, or just another viral food moment?A mix of Roman dining, internet food drama, and NYC’s ever-creative collab culture.

This week on Fork This City, Josh and Gabby head to Il Posto Accanto, a beloved East Village Italian trattoria known for its cozy atmosphere, neighborhood charm, and Roman-inspired comfort food. From burrata and grilled calamari to ricotta cavatelli and house-made meatballs, they break down everything they ordered after going into the meal completely blind.Then, Gabby shares her latest coffee recommendation: Remi Coffee, a minimalist café that's quickly become one of her favorite spots in the city.Finally, the duo dives into the world of New York City bodegas—exploring what makes them such an essential part of everyday life, the foods they're best known for, and why no NYC food conversation is complete without them.A conversation about neighborhood institutions, surprise restaurant picks, and the places that give New York its character.

Chef Matthew Cutolo, third-generation chef at Gargiulo’s Restaurant, joins Fork This City to talk about what it means to carry forward more than 100 years of Italian-American tradition in New York.From growing up in the kitchen with his grandfather to running one of Coney Island’s most iconic restaurants today, Chef Cutolo breaks down how classic dishes like Sunday sauce and cannoli are built on simplicity, repetition, and respect for the craft—not trends.A conversation about legacy, hospitality, and old-school Italian cooking that still stands the test of time.

This week on Fork This City, we're joined by Mike Salzano and Ariel Strizower, the founders and owners of Gnocchi on 9th, one of New York City's most talked-about fast-casual Italian concepts.What started as a tiny East Village storefront with a bold idea—serving only gnocchi—has quickly grown into a neighborhood phenomenon. Mike and Ariel take us behind the scenes of Gnocchi on 9th's rapid rise, sharing how the concept came to life, the risks they took to get it off the ground, and the lessons they learned from their previous experiences in the food industry.We also dive into the process behind making their signature fresh gnocchi, discuss the philosophy that drives the brand, and explore what it takes to turn a simple idea into a growing business. Plus, we wrap things up with a fun rapid-fire segment to get to know the founders beyond the kitchen.Whether you're a food lover, aspiring restaurateur, or just curious about the story behind those famous boxes of gnocchi, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Josh and Gabby head to Chinatown to visit Nom Wah Tea Parlor, NYC’s oldest dim sum restaurant and a century-old institution tucked away on the historic Doyers Street. Along the way, they debate whether Nom Wah’s food lives up to its legendary reputation or if its biggest draw is the story behind it. The episode wraps with another food pet peeve that proves far more divisive than expected.

Josh and Gabby kick things off with a deeper dive into NYC’s most debated food category — tourist trap restaurants. What actually makes a spot a “trap,” and is it about price, quality, location, or just perception?Then they head to the Upper East Side to fork into Anassa Taverna, a bustling Greek restaurant across from Bloomingdale’s that feels like the neighborhood’s unofficial post-shopping dinner hub. The episode wraps with a no-holds-barred round of dining pet peeves — from lemon-in-water debates to wobbly tables and the small things that quietly ruin a meal.

Josh and Gabby kick things off in the East Village at John’s of 12th Street, one of NYC’s most iconic old-school Italian spots where massive chicken parms, bow-tied servers, candlelit chaos, and a surprise vegan menu all coexist under one roof. Then they head to Mimi’s Frozen Yogurt, a minimalist, Apple Store-style dessert shop where tweens line up for surprisingly good froyo, overpriced toppings, and the occasional $22 reality check.The episode wraps with a ranking of NYC’s best “slop bowl” spots—big, chaotic, no-rules meals that define the city’s food scene.

Josh and Gabby kick off the episode with Gabby’s long-awaited return to The Corner Store to see whether a second visit changes her opinion of one of NYC’s toughest reservations. Then, the two face off in a chaotic chain restaurant guessing game that proves maybe they don’t know America’s finest dining establishments as well as they thought.After that, the episode turns into the ultimate bagel conversation as Josh and Gabby sit down with Chris, founder of Tompkins Square Bagels — one of the most iconic bagel spots in New York City. From building the brand and surviving the NYC food scene to what actually makes a great bagel, Chris shares the story behind the neighborhood staple that became a citywide phenomenon.

Josh and Gabby head to Williamsburg to review I Cavallini, the buzzy sister restaurant to Four Horsemen, to see if it delivers the same magic—or just rides the reputation. From the menu to the vibe, they break down whether it’s worth the trip across the bridge or just another pretty room in Brooklyn.Then, we sit down with Anders, co-founder of SLIK, the East Village candy shop bringing a Copenhagen-inspired pick-and-mix experience to NYC. With 70+ rotating Scandinavian sweets, soft-serve, and a constantly evolving lineup, Anders shares how a group of former soccer rivals turned a shared love of candy into a growing brand.

Josh and Gabby head to Flatiron to review Opto , the new Mediterranean hotspot taking over the former Periyali space. With moody booths, three-olive martinis, free bar snacks, and a crowd-pleasing menu built for post-work dinners, they break down whether Opto is a true neighborhood standout—or just the latest trendy reservation with good lighting.Then, Gabby gives her review of 787 Coffee, the always-busy coffee spot that seems to have a line no matter the hour. Is it actually serving great coffee, or is the hype fueled more by the aesthetic than the espresso?

Josh and Gabby take on one of New York’s most talked-about reservations: Carbone. From the impossible table to the spicy rigatoni vodka, they break down whether the legendary red-sauce institution actually lives up to the hype—or if the exclusivity is doing most of the heavy lifting.Then, they put themselves on the spot with a blind ranking of restaurants they’ve covered so far, leading to some controversial takes and a few instant regrets. To celebrate 20 episodes of eating, arguing, and overspending on dinner, they also hand out the first-ever Fork This City Awards—including Best Bite, Most Overrated Reservation, Best Dessert, Worst Service, and more.

Josh and Gabby head uptown to the Upper East Side to review Campagnola, a classic, old-school Italian spot that’s been a staple of the neighborhood for over 30 years. Known for its white-tablecloth service, high-energy dining room, and “see and be seen” crowd, they break down whether the experience (and the food) still lives up to the hype in today’s NYC dining scene—or if it’s coasting on reputation.From there, they dive into one of their hottest debates yet: are pasta samplers actually worth it, or just a dressed-up scam? Expect strong opinions, questionable logic, and a few takes that might divide the group chat.

Josh and Gabby kick things off in the East Village at Danny & Coop’s, the viral Philadelphia-style cheesesteak shop co-owned by Bradley Cooper and Danny DiGiampietro of Angelo’s Pizzeria. With lines wrapping around the block and seeded rolls stacked with high-quality ribeye, they dig into whether this Philly import actually lives up to the hype—or if it’s just another NYC wait-for-the-crowd situation.Next, they switch gears completely and step into Slik NYC, a Copenhagen-inspired candy and soft-serve shop from the team behind Smør bakery. From self-serve Scandinavian sweets like salty licorice and fruit gummies to specialty soft serve twists, they explore what makes this East Village spot feel like a sugar-fueled trip to Denmark.To wrap things up, Gabby shares another one of her coffee recommendations before Josh and Gabby play a chaotic round of Blind Ranking NYC Restaurants, putting spots like Lilia, KazuNori, The Smith, La Pecora Bianca, and Chada head-to-head—no context, no mercy, just instant decisions.

Josh and Gabby start in the East Village at Justin’s Salt Bread, home of the viral Korean-style salt bread. Known for its crispy, caramelized bottom and soft, buttery interior, they break down what makes it stand out and whether it lives up to the hype. Next up is COTE, one of NYC’s most popular Korean steakhouses. With a Michelin star and a high bar to match, Gabby digs into the experience, the food, and what’s actually worth ordering. To close it out, they sit down with Nate from Brown Bag Sandwich Co. to talk about the art of the sandwich — from construction to balance, and why simplicity is often the hardest thing to get right.

Josh and Gabby cover three very different corners of the NYC food scene, starting at Blank Street Coffee — where Josh doesn’t drink coffee, so Gabby takes the lead on what’s actually worth ordering. Then they head to Win Son Bakery, diving into one of the city’s most talked-about Taiwanese-American spots, breaking down the scallion pancake breakfast sandwich, fan tuan, mochi donuts, and more. They also stop by Red Gate Bakery to give an honest, balanced review — what works and what doesn’t. To close it out, they sit down with Elliott, founder of Snag Reservations, to talk about his new app designed to help you land some of the hardest reservations to get in NYC — and what it takes to break into the city’s competitive dining landscape.

Josh sits down with Ariel of Ariel’s Eats, the NYC food creator whose reviews and restaurant recommendations have built a loyal following online.Ariel shares the story behind how the account first started as a side project while she was working a full-time job, and how the pandemic helped spark the idea to start documenting her food experiences. When she was laid off more than two years ago, she decided to take it as a sign and pursue Ariel’s Eats full time.They talk about what people don’t see behind the scenes of food content creation: the hours of editing, doing her own outreach to restaurants and brands, managing sales and marketing, and running every part of the business herself. Ariel also explains why content creation is so fascinating to her — you never quite know what’s going to happen with a post, what will resonate, or where the next opportunity will come from.Follow Ariel on IG! @ariels_eats

Josh and Gabby head to Greenwich Village to try Chada, a Thai restaurant that opened in 2025 from alums of Soothr. They break down their full meal, including a standout Pad See Ew, the appetizers that impressed, and where the experience fell a little short.But dinner also comes with a side of unexpected entertainment when a very loud date two tables over sparks a conversation about restaurant etiquette and the unwritten rules of dining out.Later in the episode, they’re joined by Jaxx Snax founder Jacqueline, a classically trained French pastry chef known for her baked goods, especially her babka. She shares the story behind building her business, how social media has helped grow her audience, and what it takes to turn great pastry into a growing brand.https://jaxxsnax.com/

Josh and Gabby hit three buzzy spots in the city, starting with Bad Roman at Columbus Circle, where the appetizers steal the show over the mains. Next, they dive into Motek, raving about the food while chatting about how quickly the restaurant is expanding across the city. Finally, they visit Randy’s Donuts, the LA institution now in NYC. Along the way, Gabby reflects on the “demise of their own hype,” a trend of restaurants opening with big buzz only to wrestle with expectations. From smart apps to cult donuts, this episode explores what’s really worth the hype in the city’s dining scene.

Josh and Gabby chase one of downtown’s most talked-about bites at Son del North, the burrito spot redefining expectations with Northern Mexico–style flavors, Sonoran flour tortillas, and a strict no-rice philosophy at its Lower East Side and West Village locations. Then they sit down with Kim, founder of Kawaii Cafe, to talk about building a small business in New York, the realities behind the counter, and the rich, bold pull of her signature Vietnamese coffee. From hype-driven burritos to heartfelt entrepreneurship, this episode is all about what fuels the city—on the plate and beyond.

Josh and Gabby explore the flavors of Brooklyn with a stop at Eyval, a New York Times Top 100 Persian restaurant in Bushwick. They then head to Faicco’s Italian Market, home to housemade sausages, sauces, and a treasure trove of meats, cheeses, and oils. Along the way, they dig into the cookie scene, including a spotlight on Funny Face Bakery, ranking NYC’s best bites one dessert at a time. From iconic dishes to hidden gems, this episode is a taste tour of flavor, culture, and the quirks that make New York food unforgettable.

Josh and Gabby are joined by bagel connoisseur and curator Sam Silverman, founder of BagelUp and one of Brooklyn Magazine’s 50 Most Fascinating People. Together, they dive into New York’s bagel culture — from what actually makes a great bagel to how the city’s most iconic food has evolved over time. They talk history, hype, personal favorites, and the rules that should (or shouldn’t) exist when it comes to ordering a bagel. If you’ve ever had a strong opinion about boiled vs. toasted, schmears, or toasting, this episode is for you.https://www.bagelup.com/

Josh and Gabby head to one of Brooklyn’s toughest reservations: Theodora, the MICHELIN-recognized Mediterranean spot in Fort Greene known for its open-fire cooking and seasonal plates. They ordered practically the entire menu and break down what lived up to the hype and what stood out most. From there, the conversation shifts to frozen yogurt and the wave of 2016 nostalgia surrounding its comeback. Is froyo actually worth revisiting, or are we just romanticizing the past? Honest takes, strong opinions, and plenty of food talk in this episode of Fork This City.

Josh and Gabby dive into a true takeout staple: Marinara Pizza. From there, Josh breaks down his thoughts on Dave Portnoy’s pizza reviews and what they’ve done for slice culture. Then it’s time for Fork’d Up or Fair, where we air out our biggest restaurant service pet peeves. From annoying antics to frustrating situations, we run through real dining scenarios and decide what’s completely unacceptable versus just the reality of eating out in 2026. Honest takes, strong opinions, and plenty of food talk in this episode of Fork This City.

Josh and Gabby are joined by Bob Marton for a special in-person recording at Jean’s. The crew dives into the restaurant’s service, breaks down the experience from start to finish, and of course, tries Jean’s famous cookie. Expect honest opinions, strong takes, and plenty of babbling as Bob delivers his unfiltered thoughts in classic Fork This City fashion.

Josh and Gabby sit down with Carina Castagna, founder of Pesto Joe, to dive into her flavorful brand. From her favorite flavors to how Pesto Joe came to life, Carina gives us an inside look at running a growing food business. She also gives Gabby a crash course on NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) and joins us for a fun round of Fork Yeah or Fork No. Expect laughs, insider stories, and plenty of tasty takes in this episode of Fork This City.Visit Pesto Joe's website HERE to learn more!Instagram: @pesto_joe

Josh and Gabby finally tackle one of NYC’s hardest reservations: Don Angie, home of the famous lasagna pinwheels. We break down whether the hype is actually worth it. Then, after walking the entire length of Manhattan, we land at Industry Kitchen for what may have been one of the worst meals we’ve ever had — from the food to the service, nothing went right. Expectations, exhaustion, and disappointment are all on the table in this episode of Fork This City.

Gabby almost puts her foot in the au jus. We brave the freezing NYC weather for a one-hour wait at Salt Hank’s to see if the French dip lives up to the hype. Then, it’s Fork Yeah or Fork No, where we break down green flags and red flags at NYC restaurants. Finally, we chat with Benji, the co-founder of Benji’s Buns in the West Village, to get the inside scoop on cinnamon rolls, flavor development, and what it really takes to run a food business in New York City.

Episode 4 starts with special guest Bob Marton, who joins Josh and Gabby to air out his biggest restaurant pet peeves. From there, the crew recaps their experience at Beefbar, including a deep dive on the famous croque sando and whether it’s worth the buzz. They close things out with a NYC bagel conversation, focusing on Popup Bagels — Josh shares why Popup should expand into a more experiential concept, while Gabby makes the case for it being her number one restaurant in New York.

Josh and Gabby kick off Episode 3 with a classic Fork This City pet peeve: restaurants that only make a limited amount of a menu items per day. Then it’s time for Beli Court, where two NYC institutions go on trial. Gabby defends La Pecora Bianca as a consistently solid go-to, while Josh argues it’s basic and far from the city’s best Italian. Finally, they tackle Hillstone, a beloved favorite, and debate whether any place that safe deserves a 9.5+ rating.

Josh and Gabby take a bite out of New York, starting with their highly anticipated review of Il Cantinori — but things didn’t exactly go as planned. From questionable seating to spotty service and underwhelming dishes, the hype didn’t match reality. Then, they dive into Minetta Tavern’s famous burger, navigating the chaotic hostess and bartender scene to see if it lives up to the legend. All the wins, all the fails, and the stories you can’t get from the reviews.

Welcome to Fork This City 🍴 — a podcast all about eating our way through New York City and telling it like it is. In our first episode, we introduce ourselves, talk about why we started the podcast, and what you can expect as we break down NYC’s most talked-about food spots.We kick things off with a deep dive into The Corner Store, one of the city’s most hyped (and hardest-to-book) restaurants. From the chaos of getting a reservation to our honest thoughts on the lobster roll, pizza roll, and the French dip, we cover what lived up to the hype and what didn’t. We also review Meadow Lane, the viral gourmet grocer everyone’s been posting about, and share our real experience from walking in to walking out.If you love NYC food, restaurant hype, and honest takes, you’re in the right place. New episodes coming soon.