Peter Antoniou: Brain Teaser

Before

0.2 mi · 4 min walk - Murray Hill

South Indian vegetarian on the Curry Hill stretch of Lexington, open from nine in the morning for idli and a coffee. The paper dosa comes a good deal longer than the plate and they bring sambar and three chutneys with it. Entirely vegetarian and it always has been.

After

0.3 mi · 7 min walk - Union Square - Gramercy

On the corner of Irving Place and East 18th since 1864, which makes it the longest continuously operating bar and restaurant in New York. The front bar is the original and the booths are worn, and O. Henry is supposed to have written The Gift of the Magi in one of them. It is open until 2am seven days a week.