OrganiKa

What I Had: Gnocchi Bianchi
What It Cost: $13.95
What Else Was Ordered: Spaghetti Alla Bolognese (13.95) & a nameless salad
Where We Were: West Village

We came to Organika to have a nice outdoor lunch, so I'm assuming by their website's gallery that it's a different scene come dinnertime. Either way, it was peaceful and outdoorsy, just what we were looking for. It was pretty empty but no matter-- our food took exceptionally long to come out and out waiter seemed extremely uninterested. Things that would usually bother the normal person didn't really seem out of place here. The music seemed to be set to the perfect Pandora station and the food was just great. I like to believe it took so long because all of the organic-y goodness of our meals required extra attention and extra time!

PS - I never got a good picture of the front of the restaurant, so the first picture was borrowed from their Facebook page ;)

OrganiKa
89 7th Avenue South
New York, NY 10014
(212) 414 - 1900

Southern Hospitality

What I Had: Smoked Brisket Hash & "Bacon & Eggs"
What It Cost: $11.95 & $8.95
Where We Were: Hell's Kitchen

Dying for some southern food, and this restaurant was just standing there with it's southern name all inviting... so why not?! The actual place is actually super nice. There's wood and great lighting and huge decorations, very friendly. We all actually ordered the same thing from their brunch menu and shared the 3 egg halves that came with the "Bacon & Eggs." If you did the math... 9 bucks for 1.5 eggs seems a little out of line, but I still stand by how amazing they were. And also, that will be the best bacon you've ever eaten. The huge portion make it seem like I barely made a dent in my meal, but I left full and maybe not as southern as I wanted to leave but it came close.

PS - Their butter = perfect

654 9th Avenue (corner of 45th Street)
New York, NY 10036
(212) 265 - 1000
Southern Hospitality

Bouchon Bakery

What I Had: Croque Madame
What It Cost: $17.95
What Else Was Ordered: Tuna Tartine ($13.50)
Where We Were: Columbus Circle - Time Warner Center


There's a selection of nice little restaurants at the Time Warner Center but I'm glad we ate here. We actually came across Bouchon Bakery as a walk up counter where you order all sorts of delicious looking pastries, because (given their name) they are well known for their bakery items. Nonetheless, they do offer table service and have a menu available with French cuisine. I honestly didn't really know what a Croque Madame was but all I know is that it was so, SO good. And the salad that came with it was just as fitting. The Tuna Tartine was the best tuna I've ever had... it actually goes well with the bread they give you. Which by the way, gets paired with the most amazing salty butter.


And also! The view of Columbus Circle is absolutely stunning!


**"Please note we will be closed from Wednesday, August 8 to Tuesday, August 14 in observance of our Summer closure"


10 Columbus Circle - 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10019
(212) 823 - 9366

Croque Madame

Tuna Tartine

Smith's Bar & Restaurant

What I Had: Beef on a Weck with Mashed Potatoes
What It Cost: $11
What Else Was Ordered: 
6 Garlic Parmesan Wings ($4.50)
Just Fries ($7)
Eggplant Artichoke Panini with Caesar Salad ($10)
Reuben on Rye with Onion Rings ($12)
Dessert: Molten Cake ($8)
Where We Were: Hell's Kitchen


I don't know what a "weck" is or why my sandwich was on it, but it was pretty much a french dip... with a LOT of meat. The real winner though is the Eggplant Panini. So get that, always! And the fries were awesome too.


701 8th Avenue
New York, NY 10036
(212) 246 - 3268
Smith's Bar & Restaurant

Wings & Just Fries

 Beef on a Weck

 Eggplant Artichoke Panini 

Reuben on Rye

Molten Cake

Croton Reservoir Tavern

What I Had: Breakfast Pizza & Chocolate Obsession Soufflé Cake
What It Cost: $12 & $7.50
What Else Was Ordered: Steak and Egg Ranchero ($14); Chorizo ($6)
Where We Were: Midtown West

There's nothing more satisfying than having a pizza for brunch right? I got it super plain (just the cheese and meats) so that's partially cheating but who cares, it was so good! And the soufflé cake was even better, although I could've gone without trying that butterfly shaped cookie. The chorizo was pretty spicy and that Ranchero isn't up my alley... but to each his own! There was live music which was ACTUALLY enjoyable, just a talented little man and his guitar... what's not to love?


108 W 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
(212) 997 - 6835
Croton Reservoir Tavern

 Breakfast Pizza

 Steak and Egg Ranchero

Chorizo

Chocolate Obsession Soufflé Cake

Café Duke

What I Had: Eggs, Home Fries, and Toast Platter & French Vanilla Coffee
What It Cost: $3.25 & $1.50
Where I Was: Times Square/Midtown West


I feel like this place is sort of a secret, because who would've thought you'd find a filling breakfast for $5 in this crazy tourist trap?? I've only gone for breakfast and it's been very good, especially the French Vanilla coffee, and ESPECIALLY the price. They have a buffet and a lot of lunch options too which look good, but for now, this is my breakfast haven ;)


1450 Broadway
New York, NY 10018
(212) 345 - 4595
Café Duke

5 Napkin Burger

What We Had: Combo Platter - $15.95
Pork Taquitos - $8.75
5N Cheeseburger - $13.95
5 Napkin Burger - $14.95
Where We Were: Hell's Kitchen


Ordering sushi rolls, little tacos, and burgers may seem like we might've been all over the place, but they went really well together! I have to say though, after the extensive appetizer, only half of the gigantic (but very delicious) burger was eaten. I like 'em plain jane but even then it didn't taste plain. Kind of pricy but a good choice if you feel like eating awesome burgers.


630 9th Avenue
New York, NY 10036
(212) 757 - 2277
5 Napkin Burger

Combo Platter

 Pork Taquitos

 5N Cheeseburger

5 Napkin Burger

Tasti D-Lite

What I Had: Nutella Frozen Yogurt
What It Cost: $3.50
Where I Was: Upper East Side


Nutella. Frozen. Yogurt. Who knew such a wonderful thing existed? And at only 90 calories, it can't get any better. Tasti D-Lite has "hundreds" of flavors but each day, six of them are available to you. Today's flavors all sounded good but if Nutella is ever available, it's a rule that you must have it. I would call ahead and ask what the six daily flavors are before going, but that's just me.


1049 1st Avenue
New York, NY 10022
(212) 319 - 8800
Tasti D-Lite

Burger Heaven

What I Had: Burger Heaven Salad
What It Cost: $14.95
Where I Was: Upper East Side


Getting just water with it and spending $20, it was probably the most expensive salad I've ever eaten, but it was so good I don't even care. After "fixing" it (because..who likes tomatoes?!) it turned out to be one hell of a salad. Lettuce, egg, cheese, grilled chicken, bacon, pita bread, honey mustard... would you like some salad with all your toppings?! Either way, it was awesome.


804 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10065
(212) 838 - 3580
Burger Heaven

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Dominick's Cafe

What I Had: Cafe Latte
What It Cost: $3.00
Where I Was: Upper East Side


Well, a latte is a latte! This was a really good one at that and there was NO line whatsoever, what are the odds? It's also a deli with Boar's Head sandwiches and other goodies so I will have to try that some other day. Being stuck in a cubicle all afternoon made me feel entitled to some afternoon coffee, so to Dominick's I went.


1109 1st Avenue
New York, NY 10065
(212) 838 - 5283
Dominick's Cafe

Baker Street

What I Had: Bowtie Carbonara
What It Cost: $14ish
Where I Was: Upper East Side


Maybe I enjoyed these a little too much because I was starving and wanted pasta very badly, but oh well. Note to self- don't ever order a soda! But other than that, for a solo lunch, it was really good. I was sold once I read the description of "bowtie pasta with bacon in a creamy sauce." If bacon and creamy are ever in the same sentence, it's safe to order that item!


1152 1st Avenue
New York, NY 10065
(212) 688 - 9663
Baker Street

Serendipity 3

What I Had: Chocolate Milkshake
What It Cost: $6
Where I Was: Upper East Side


I was craving a milkshake ALL day and all I could find nearby was Johnny Rockets!
In between ten thousand rug shops and antique stores I ran into Serendipity 3--which I've heard a lot about! I will definitely be coming back to have an actual meal, but I have to say that milkshake was well worth the $6. It better have been... that's a lot for a milkshake! There's an $8.50 minimum charge to sit and eat so you'll have to take it on the go.


225 East 60th Street
New York, NY 10022
(212) 838 - 3531
Serendipity 3

Blue Water Grill

Mother's Day Lunch/Brunch!


What I Had: Rainbow Maki (tuna, hamachi, salmon, fluke, tobiko)
What It Cost: $16.00
What Everyone Else Had:
Calamari Appetizer - $12.00
Crunchy Florida Maki (crab, shrimp, avocado) - $11.00
Crabcake Benedict (spinach, citrus hollandaise) - $20.00
The Burger (pepper jack cheese, sweet onions, avocado aioli, french fries) - $16.00
Dessert: Blue Water Grill's Chocolate Fondue - $10.00
Caramelized Banana Ice Cream Tower - $8.00
Where We Were: Union Square


Speaking for everyone at lunch, this was some serious seafood. Aside from my brother who stayed in his comfort zone and ordered a burger, we all finished lunch having found a new favorite place for sushi/maki. Apparently, ordering the maki only counts as an appetizer, but after eating the calamari and anticipating some dessert, the 8 rolls that came on my plate were plenty filling. This is a great place to go and have everyone order something different from the raw bar and mix&match/share. The dessert was also phenomenal... If you don't want to sit by the loud bar, expect a really long wait. Or have a reservation! And don't use their bathrooms if you're not comfortable being waited on by a bathroom attendant either...


31 Union Square W
New York, NY 10003
(212) 675 - 9500
Blue Water Grill

 Calamari

 Rainbow Maki

 Crunchy Florida Maki

 Crabcake Benedict

 The Burger

 Chocolate Fondue

Caramelized Banana Ice Cream Tower