Hi, I'm
Brian H.
I trained as an actor, but fell in love with both my city (New York) and the food stories that make up the Big Apple. I've been producing a food blog and video series all about iconic New York dishes since 2010.
- New York, New York
- Guide since 2010
About Me
Q. What inspired you to become a guide?
It was a natural pathway from my background as an actor. It allows me to tell stories, have an audience, and keep myself in the present moment. I love to share my version of New York with guests and show them the way a local lives, breathes, and eats it.
Q. What do you love most about New York?
I love the energy of it - which extends to the diversity, hubbub, and constant change. It's also one of the most walkable cities in the world and seeing it by foot allows you to really get a sense of how it changes from one neighborhood to another yet also feels like a small town.
Q. What's your favorite story to tell on tour?
I really love to share the story of local food artisan shops and show people how Americans used to shop before big grocery stores took over. Places like cheese shops, butchers, and pasta makers. A handful of these are thankfully still around and I love nothing more than telling their story and supporting their business.
Fun Facts
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I grew up in South Florida, but my parents are born and bred New Yorkers and moved down south before I was born. I feel like the city has always been in my blood.
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My son and I made a web series during COVID where we make different dishes from every country in the world (this is an ongoing project but we have made over 50 episodes).
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I make my own ice cream and have experimented with many different unique flavors - some that worked really well (like cucumber gin and tonic sorbet) and others that failed miserably (like Thanksgiving turkey).
My Insider Tips for New York City
Q: Best time of year to enjoy New York?
Anytime really, but spring and fall are the nicest.
Q: What do you tell your visiting friends to see in New York?
Depends what they are interested in, but I often recommend the Tenement Museum. And getting into neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens.
Q: What about the culture in New York should you not miss?
The diversity. You'll see it everywhere and hear so many different languages spoken, but I recommend going to a neighborhood in Queens like Jackson Heights to really see it in action and real people going about their day.
Q: What are some unmissable foods and drinks?
So many. Pizza, bagels and cream cheese, Jewish deli sandwiches, Black and White cookies, Chinese dumplings, Soul Food, Halal street food… I could keep going.
You might see me on these tours
