New Yorkers often take pride in finding the “hidden gems” of dining in a city full of options. 

For food writer Kaitlyn Rosati, discovering those gems is a mission she tackles weekly in her Thursday column for the Daily News titled "Hidden Dining." And Rosati's criteria for what qualifies as a hidden gem might surprise some. 

"You can still find them in Times Square. You just kind of have to get off the main avenues and go on to the side streets," she said during an interview on "Mornings On 1” Thursday. 

Her approach to identifying these elusive spots is also unique, as she often seeks out places that don’t advertise their offerings. 

“I have like the opposite effect of your everyday restaurant seeker. If I see a place that's like on the corner without a sign. I'm like, ‘I want to eat there,’" Rosati said. 

For aspiring food explorers looking to follow in her footsteps, Rosati advises tapping into the local community's knowledge. 

"Word of mouth is like honestly the best method. Ask your local baristas, bartenders, they're like walking encyclopedias of the neighborhood," she said.