Recipe

This small restaurant on the UWS is f.a.b.u.l.o.u.s. Probably one of my favorites in the area. We really enjoyed the dining experience, atmosphere, details, and of course the food: starting with their fresh bread with honey butter...

Make a reservation. It fills up fast - even on weeknights.

Recipe

452 Amsterdam Ave

(b/t 81st & 82nd)

Sophie's Cuban

Delicious, cheap cuban food.  Entrees are under $10.  Love it!  There are a handful of locations.  I personally love the cuban sandwich and the roast turkey w/yellow rice. Here's the website:  http://www.sophiescuban.com/

Totto Ramen

Currently my favorite place to eat.  If I don't have the kids (or just Simon) we eat here.  Tiny place, get there early (like 11:45am) to get your name on the list for lunch or else it is a long wait (but still worth the wait!).  I LOVE everything I've had there.  Eat here, you will NOT be disappointed.  Try and sit at the bar, 'cause it's fun to watch the guys cook.  Staff is super cool.

Two Little Red Hens

Delicious delicious pies. Loved the pumpkin and the southern buttermilk cream.

http://www.twolittleredhens.com/

1652 2nd Avenue @ 86th street.

Freemans

I'm posting this for Minde and Tyler (who are holding out on us - seriously, they give the best restaurant recommendations).

Everything about Freemans is fabulous: walking down the alley in the LES to get there, the taxidermy animals on the wall, the way the light comes through the windows just so, and the food, of course the food!

I'm still craving the citrus salad and cinnamon lemonade.

Freemans

End of Freeman Avenue

Off Rivington, between the Bowery and Chrystie.

Hummus Kitchen

I love Middle Eastern food (or Mediterranean as they call it) and especially love eating out with my family who spent most of their life living there. So when my cousin was as impressed as I was with the Hummus Kitchen, I thought it was worth passing on. Very authentic middle eastern food, completely delicious! Best hummus I've had in a long time (probably since I was last in the Middle East).

Two locations:

Hells Kitchen
768 9th Ave., New York, NY (@52nd)
212-333-3009

Upper East Side
1613 2nd Ave., New York, NY (@84th)
212-988-0090

Lowcountry

Another Southern recommendation: Lowcountry. We loved the Wedge Salad, Mac n Cheese, Brussels Sprouts, and Fried Chicken Biscuit.

142 W. 10th Street.

Hill Country

We were in the flatiron district visiting the indoor play place Appleseeds and needed a quick bite. Too cold for Shake Shack. So we opted for the yellow door at Hill Country Chicken. Touted as the "Not All Fried Chicken is Created Equal" spot. The chicken was delicious, tender and well seasoned. I got Chicken Tenders (3 for $7.50) and Tage devoured the Texas Hand Roll ($9) with Fried Avocado. My only problem was that there was more of a crispy, flakier batter. You MUST order a side of the cheesy fried mashed potatoes, by far the best thing on the menu. I'd go back just to order that! One of our favorite things featured at Hill country is Boylan's drinks are on tap featuring Cane Cola, Root Beer, Grape, Orange, Lemon and Black Cherry.

For kids they have the "Kid's Coop" with 2 tenders (they are huge), fries and a drink for $6.50. There are large tables, high chairs and booster seats with plenty of room to finagle strollers and other winter gear. Just be prepared to order quickly because it's set up cafeteria style where you order your chicken, sides, desserts and drink then pay at the end.

Dessert was good, not amazing. With a few mini pie cups ($3 each) we tried the coconut cream and the Texas Billionaire (chocolate with chocolate chips, pecans and marshmellows). They weren't fresh and the pie dough wasn't to my liking, but I imagine their pie shakes ($6) will be fantastic in the summer time.

HILL COUNTRY
1123 Broadway (corner of 25th)
212.257.6446
hillcountrychicken.com

This isn't for the faint at heart!

Turkish Kitchen

Some of my new Turkish friends recommended Turkish Kitchen to us, claiming it was the best Turkish restaurant in the city. We loved everything we ordered and can't wait to go back.

Turkish Kitchen

3rd Avenue b/t 27th-28th street

Paris Sandwich

The most delicious and CHEAP Vietnamese sandwiches we have had in the city. We both got the chicken sandwiches and paid $8 total.

113 Mott Street

(between Hester and Canal)

*If you've never had Vietnamese sandwiches, you should change that. The signature sandwich at most Vietnamese places has pork but I prefer chicken over pork. Add to that shredded carrots and daikon radish, cucumber, cilantro, and delicious sweet dressing and you will have the most wonderful burst of flavor in your mouth.

Anella, Greenpoint

(Photo from NYTimes. The one on my phone didn't do it justice!)

We went to Anella for our anniversary and it didn't disappoint. It's kind of a trip out there - off the Greenpoint stop on the G train - but I'd say it's worth it for a specialish occasion or if you have money in the eating out budget.

Oliver jumped right into the bread in the flowerpot. The menu rotates but here's what we loved:

- Appetizer of King Oyster Mushroom, Smoked Bacon, Sunnyside Egg (for him) and scallop/sweet potato ceviche for her. Delicious.

- The Chatham Cod, Coco Beans, Roasted Tomato, Sherry Vinegar entree was delicious and tasted like fall. Oliver had a pork chop which was good, but I don't think he liked it quite like I loved the cod.

We were so full, but we couldn't pass up the Almond Date Cigars (dates wrapped in phillo dough) with Honey Whipped Cream for dessert. It was a feast.

STK

Last night, I had a work dinner at STK located in the meatpacking district. The food was unbelievable. If you are looking for an upscale steakhouse with a cool ambiance for a special occasion, I recommend it. I loved the mashed potatoes and the truffle fries too. The peanut butter s'mores for dessert were not too shabby either.

Note: It may have tasted better since I didn't have to pay.

http://www.stkhouse.com/

26 Little West 12th Street
New York, NY 10014
646-624-2444

Breeze

Breeze is a Thai-French fusion restaurant that we recommend. We happened onto it a couple of years ago and have gone a few times since then. Go for lunch and get the lunch special for $6.95.

Located on 9th Ave and 46th Street.

The Biryani Cart

I'm typically a little skeptical of the food carts, but I'm a sucker for Indian food, so when Jordan told me about this cart, I wanted to try it. He told me that his coworkers will walk blocks and blocks to eat there. It won a vendy award so it must be good, right? We recommend the Chicken Biryani. It's cheap too.

Located at 46th Street and 6th Ave.