Mets outfielder Jay Bruce spent his first eight full years in the big leagues playing for Cincinnati before being traded to New York a couple of seasons back, and though the Mets traded him last year, he returned as a free agent. He and his wife and their nearly 2-year-old son call the Upper East Side home during the season but return to his Texas hometown, Beaumont — population 118,000 — in the off-season. Bruce, who turns 31 on Tuesday, tells BILLY HELLER about his first time in the Big Apple and how he’s adjusted.

Early in my career with Cincinnati was the first time I ever came to New York. We were in town to play the Yankees. We were staying at the Palace in Midtown and got on the subway to go to the stadium. Then I realized we were going the wrong way. So we got off as soon as we could, and headed back to The Bronx. It was really funny, but it was also pretty nerve-wracking. I was a rookie and didn’t want to mess up.

When I was traded to the Mets and spent more time in the city, I thought it was cool, different than anything I’d ever experienced. Definitely a fish out of water, I was enjoying it.

My favorite restaurant in the city is most definitely Gramercy Tavern. A lawyer I know from my hometown recommended it to me. It’s a great take on American food. It doesn’t get too crazy with what they’re using. The chef there, Michael Anthony, is a great guy. We also eat at this place Obao [on East 53rd Street] a lot. There’s probably 500 Thai places in New York that are unbelievable.

We do a lot of walking around. My son, being so young he enjoys getting out. He loves the Central Park Zoo. He doesn’t have a favorite animal. Elephants, giraffes, monkeys — he likes ’em all right now!

I really don’t do a ton of clothes shopping. There is a service I use called Trunk Club: They deliver, you can go into their stores as well. They have really nice stuff there. Great quality, not super duper expensive.

We did get to see “Hamilton” last year. I heard it was amazing, the buzz was all around the city. We got the opportunity to see it and it was great.

The speed of things where I’m from in Texas is the exact opposite from New York. The options in New York, for whatever you want, whether it’s shopping or eating, movies, whatever — obviously, it’s night and day compared to where I’m from. That’s why I love it so much here. That’s what makes it so cool, being here and getting to experience it.