Meet your Google Places Neighbor: Ava Fedorov

Editor’s Note: Now and then we'll spotlight one of our amazing Google Places reviewers. Both so you guys can start to get to know one another and so we can pull together and share our favorite local places. This week we introduce you to Ava Fedorov of Brooklyn.

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Ava was drawn to New York City by the energy of neighborhoods like Chelsea, Greenpoint, and SoHo. Eight years ago she moved here to fulfill a childhood dream and to be inspired by the constant evolution of the city. She took a break from food and art adventures to share a few of her favorite places.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to travel. Whether it's to China or Chinatown, every little trip is an adventure to me.  I also am an illustrator and enjoy capturing the oddities of the world in my sketchbook (as I see them, anyway!)

Do you have any secret talents?
I’ve been known to do some aerialist dancing on my silks.

Share an ultimate insider tip for your city.
Walk as far and as long as you can. You don't want to miss a minute of NYC (or get disoriented) by taking the subway -- unless of course, it's from Battery Park to Harlem (but even so: oh the things you would see if you spent that day walking!).

 

What’s your favorite Google event you’ve been to and why?
The Mermaid Inn #BrewsandBivalves one.  It is the only one I have been to, but I imagine it would be hard to top... dozens of Kumamoto oysters!??!?! DOZENS.

If you could see any celebrity’s reviews on Places, who would you choose and why?
Dan Witz, famous New York street artist... I am sure he knows of places that you wouldn't dream of!

What's your ultimate guilty pleasure?
Eating ice cream in a hot tub under the full moon.

What would your superpower be?
To be able to get eight hours of sleep in one hour.

If you were going to draw a Google Doodle, what would it look like?
Pretty damn good, I am an illustrator!

What are some of your favorite places in New York City that keep you coming back?

Union Square Greenmarket - This market never fails to astonish me with it's great produce, sheer and constant variety, and amazing prices. They always beat all the grocery stores in price and the quality is heads and tails better. Best of all, it's year round. YAY GREENMARKET! It brings some bountiful sunshine to this urban jungle.

Nhà Tôi - Love love LOVE their Summer Rolls—every last one is awesome. The Veggie Pho is huge and, um, pho-nominal. The Bahn Mi are all impressive (the seared basa fish rocks). There are no misses on this menu as far as I am concerned.

B’s Bikes - They are awesome here: never snobby and so helpful and accommodating. They do top notch work and are totally honest. I’ll go out of my way to bring my bike to B's.

Pies-N-Thighs - Biscuits! Clap your hands for these Biscuits! I love their brunch and their atmosphere. Be prepared to wait on the weekend for a table, but it's so worth it.

Saxon + Parole - Beautiful space to sip very uniquely, fine-tuned quaffs. They make their own tonic and their OWN WHISKEY! With graceful yumminess, this is a winner.

Posted by Topher Ziobro, New York City community coordinator