One of New York City's most prominent features is undoubtedly its artistic culture - entailing everything from performing, visual and conceptual arts to the city's musical and literary scenes. So it's no surprise that, upon arrival in New York City, one might be inclined to book theatre tickets or plan a gallery visit before doing anything else - even seeing the Statue of Liberty!



The city is brimming with an array of other cultural attributes - some at the forefront of NYC's cultural scene, others still existing as well-kept secrets. One of the more established of these is undeniably New York's culinary scene. Hailed as a quintessential New York experience, encountering good food and wine in NYC is almost as obligatory to the New York experience as catching a great theatrical performance - one simply can't leave New York without it!

To begin, New York is home to the Culinary Institute of America, as well as the newly unveiled New York Wine and Culinary Center - both vouching for some of the culinary splendours that can be found in the city. However, the real culinary experience of NYC can be pursued inside the city's countless restaurants, cafes, bars and delicatessens. With a culinary flair for every possible taste - and with more than 30 restaurants being added to the prestigious Michelin Star restaurant guide for 2009 - New York's restaurants are among the best in the world.

However, while the food could certainly stand on its own in a culinary experience of New York City, it's always better with wine. New York State wines win awards year after year, meaning that anyone who likes a little wine with their meal won't be disappointed. Visitors to NYC can also take tours of the state's vineyards, learning how and where these delicious wines are made.

One of the best ways to experience New York's culinary offerings is to take a culinary tour. Weather you'd like a themed tour - such as one through NYC's Little Italy or Chinatown, or specifically to taste the best in New York-style pizzas - or, you'd simply like to visit the city's most renowned restaurants, there are a number of culinary tours that operate throughout the city. Choose a culinary tour that appeals to your taste buds, and come away with a true taste of the Big Apple.

With summer just around the corner, now is the best time to inquire about travel to New York City, as well as tours within the city. You might even be able to find special deals on accommodation and , in preparation for a busy wave of summertime holiday bookings. If you're coming to New York, get ready to enjoy the city's many tantalising flavours!