Taste the flavors of Greenwich Village with Devour Tours

New York City abounds with attractions, from world-class museums and Broadway shows to Times Square, Central Park and the Statue of Liberty. You can shop ‘til you drop, become adept at riding the subway and sample food and drinks from all over the world – no passport needed. 

The Big Apple is a foodie town and visitors delight in the countless restaurants, cafes, bakeries, bodegas, food trucks and bars throughout the city. The aromas alone are intoxicating, as you stroll the streets.

Exploring the vibrant food scene in NYC is a mission in itself and each neighborhood offers its own local gems. If you’re overwhelmed, consider taking a food tour. You’ll get the opportunity to taste some of the specialties of the area, while also learning about the community via a knowledgeable guide. 

On my recent trip to NYC, I took the Ultimate Greenwich Village Food Tour with Devour Tours. Devour has been in business since 2012 and operates in eighteen cities in North America and Europe. The company consistently receives excellent feedback and has a stellar reputation. It prides itself on working with locals who are passionate about the city they call home. And it works exclusively with small and medium-sized tasting partners, with a preference for family-owned businesses. 

“We have a vigorous vetting process for new partners and especially look for owners or highly engaged staff members who can interact with our guests – making our tours so much more than food,” explains Halley Rogers, Devour Communications & Community Manager. She adds, “We want our guests to leave with full bellies and a positive perception of the city and its culture.”  

The Greenwich Village food tour particularly appealed to me, as I wanted to delve into this neighborhood more, having spent very little time in the area on previous jaunts to the city. 

We met our tour guide Ric at the Arch in Washington Square Park. The Arch is one of the most iconic monuments in NYC. It takes centerstage in this landscape, and has been an anchor in this neighborhood since it was built in 1895. This marble behemoth honors George Washington, first president of the U.S., and the principles of democracy he championed.

Ric has been a tour guide for a number of years, and happily admits to being a history geek. He’s a longtime New Yorker, who loves the city, and especially its food. But he’s also a professional actor with numerous T.V., film and Broadway credits. 

For location purposes, Greenwich Village is bordered roughly by 14th St. on the north, by the Hudson River on the west, by Broadway on the east, and by Houston St. on the south. The area has long been fertile ground for artists, actors and musicians. It’s also the home to NYU, a prestigious private university founded in 1832. With an enrollment of over 57,000 students, it’s the largest private university in the country. Understandably, the campus has a prominent footprint in the neighborhood. 

Court Street Grocers

First stop on the tour was Court Street Grocers. Ric gave us the back story about this much beloved sandwich shop. Two guys, who met at the Rhode Island School of Design, opened the first of their two restaurants on Court St. in Brooklyn. One of their regular customers lived in NYC and would make the trip to Brooklyn just for the food. He suggested to the owners they open a place in Greenwich Village where he lived. Selfishly, he wanted to have an easier commute, but he also persuaded the guys that it would be a win for them, as it was an ideal location for the business. 

He was right, as the shop is a magnet for locals and NYU students. They can’t get enough of the eclectic sandwich offerings, with names like DROOPY, house-made roast beef, fried onions and arugula on a seeded hero; MACHO (WO) MAN, pork shoulder, cheddar, pickled jalapenos on garlic toasted ciabatta; or the VEG-DELITE, roasted cauliflower and Swiss on rye.

Our group enjoyed the Breakfast Sandwich – scrambled eggs, cheddar, arugula and bacon on fresh baked ciabatta buns. It was the perfect way to start the day. I’m still dreaming of those soft buns!

Brigadeiro Bakery

Next up was Brigadeiro Bakery, where we discovered brigadeiros, a traditional Brazilian sweet. They’re akin to bonbons or truffles, made simply with condensed milk, butter and chocolate. Different flavors include coconut, banana, dulce de leche, banana and dark chocolate. And they’re to die for! 

Growing up in Brazil, bakery owner and executive chef Mariana Vieira fondly recalls brigadeiros being part of every memorable celebration. To her, they represent joy and unity. And baking is her way to spread happiness and help people come together to share life’s sweet moments. 

We certainly were a happy bunch after sampling Classic Chocolate brigadeiros, along with some Brazilian cheese buns. 

Raffetto’s

Raffetto’s was the third stop on the tour. This pasta shop has a long history, dating back to 1906 when Marcello Raffetto opened M. Raffetto & Bros in the heart of the Village. Downstairs was the store and in the apartments above, he raised his family. The establishment is still thriving today, a testament to the many dedicated family members and relatives that have kept the business going through all these years. 

It’s now in the hands of the fourth generation of Raffettos, who still choose to follow the same principles that guided the family’s philosophy since 1906: “Use the best quality ingredients to produce the best quality pasta.” And they’re still cutting noodles in the shop on Marcello’s guillotine machine, which we saw in action. They do, however, have a factory now, as they supply pasta to many restaurants in the city. 

Raffetto’s produces about fifty different kinds of pasta, which is a far cry from the early years when only three products where made. You can find a range of homemade creations that now include such popular choices as pumpkin ravioli, black squid ink linguine and rosemary pappardelle. And there’s even chocolate! You can also get a variety of homemade sauces and prepared meals to take home.

We sampled the cheese ravioli, which melted in my mouth. And we soaked up the cozy ambiance of this old-school institution, while listening to Sarah Raffetto talk about its history. 

Porto Rico Importing Co.

Coffee was on the agenda at Porto Rico Importing Co. We stepped inside and I deeply inhaled the intoxicating aroma of coffee beans. Established in 1907, this quaint shop has been owned and operated by the Longo family for three generations. It specializes in the finest coffees and teas. There are dozens of kinds of special coffee blends and roasts from around the world, as well as flavored, too, from amaretto and caramel to blueberry crème, chocolate and cinnamon, among others. Choosing is the hard part. 

You can buy the beans, order a cup of freshly made Joe, or if you prefer tea, take your pic from herbal, scented and flavored, botanicals and spices, and the list goes on. The shop also sells filters, machines, syrups and even candy. We sampled some chocolate covered espresso beans, which gave us a nice caffeine boost to accompany whatever coffee drink we decided to order.

Pasticceria Rocco

Cannoli was waiting for us at Pasticceria Rocco, our next stop. This shop specializes in authentic Italian pastry using original recipes passed down through generations. The cases are full of cakes, pies, cookies and more tempting desserts than you can imagine. We were given chocolate chip cannoli and learned that all the cannoli made here are hand filled to order, so the shells are always crisp and fresh. The ricotta inside was rich and heavenly. 

Bleecker Street Pizza

If you’re in NYC, pizza is a must. We had our slices at Bleecker Street Pizza, a well-known joint that’s been the winner of “Best Pizza in New York” by Food Network, three years in a row. By the size of the crowd, it was obvious this place merited all the glowing awards and reviews proudly displayed. Photos of celebs also line the walls, with the likes of Luke Wilson, Hugh Jackman, Mickey Rourke, Edward Norton, Kristen Bell and others who frequent the spot. 

We learned that homemade dough and flavorful sauces, combined with authentic, fresh ingredients are key to the pizza here. Plenty of options are available for meat lovers and vegetarians alike, and gluten free is also available. The slices are large and filling. We had the best-selling Nona Marie Pie, consisting of fresh mozzarella, marinara sauce, parmesan and fresh basil. Yum!

Bleecker Street, according to Ric, is one of the best areas for food and drink in The Village. It’s also a hub of music venues and comedy clubs. He pointed out the Bitter End, reportedly NYC’s oldest rock club. All the greats have played at this historic venue, including Bruce Springfield, Neil Diamond, Jackson Browne, Arlo Guthrie, Miles Davis, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder and many more. 

As we strolled along, Ric also pointed out Painted Row, a colorful block of historical homes in different hues. While we drooled at them, he casually mentioned that these residences sell for millions of dollars today. Doesn’t surprise me! They’re beautiful and ooze character. And it’s NYC after all. 

Blind Tiger Ale House

The tour ended at Blind Tiger Ale House, a longtime watering hole with a large selection of microbrews and a menu of comfort food. Ric told us that during Prohibition, places like this would have a booth outside advertising the opportunity to see a blind tiger inside. You’d buy a ticket and enter, knowing there wasn’t any tiger. But there was plenty of alcohol to imbibe!

Ric noted that we could purchase any drinks on our own to accompany the grilled five cheese sandwich and cup of spicy tomato soup we were served. This combo made for a tasty ending to the tour. 

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