Convertable Mitten

DSW in NYC's Union Square has these fun striped extra long convertible mittens for $17.95. Even the thumb is convertible - so you can still text message in the cold weather.

Also available in brown/tan stripes and pink/berry stripes.

Levain Bakery

Since this bakery located in NYC's Upper West Side at 167 W. 74th Street was touted by Frank Bruni - former NY Times Food Critic and author of "Born Round" I had to try it.

Located one flight below street level this bakery is neighborhood gem. A small counter is the only thing separating customers from the working bakery.

I tried one of their three Crispy Pizzas - artichoke hearts and gruyere cheese ($7.75). They warm it up and cut it into fourths for me. It had a very crispy thin crust with lots of artichoke.

And I also had to try one of their famous chocolate chip cookies ($3.50) which are really huge. It was bigger than my palm and about 2-1/2" high! It was also served warm so the chocolate chips were melted and gooey. Earlier this year the two chefs/owners won the Bobby Flay Chocolate Chip Cookie Throwdown on the Food Network.

Even though it was early on a Sunday afternoon the bakery had sold out of many of their breads and other pastries. I will have to return earlier in the morning to try some of their other offerings.

Ted's Montana Grill

This restaurant is located in NYC's Midtown at 110 West 51st Street near Rockefeller Center.

I was pleasantly surprised with the food. Since this restaurant is one of several owned by Ted Turner I thought it would be gimmicky, but it wasn't.

"T" ordered the St. Phillip's Island Crab Cake appetizer with coleslaw and guacamole ($13) and Bison Short Ribs which were served with mashed potatoes and green beans ($17). The crab cake was mostly crab meat. The short ribs tender and flavorful.

I ordered the Bison Cheese Burger with Cheddar cheese ($14) which was served with fries. The burger was juicy and flavorful, the fries crispy and salted just right.

Then we shared the Daily Featured Dessert - Nutty Apple Crisp made with oats and topped with vanilla ice cream ($8) and Kahlua Fudge brownie topped with vanilla ice cream and Kahlua chocolate sauce ($7). Both desserts were mammoth, delicious and we couldn't finish either of them. But we tried out best.

Ted's is definitely worth a return visit.

Foodie Flicks

Eat Drink Man Woman

This was one of the first films I saw that used food as an integral, yet subtle part of the plot. Don't watch this movie on an empty stomach!

Donut Pub

For a regular donut fix don't go to a chain - go to The Donut Pub in NYC's Chelsea on 14th Street and 8th Avenue where each donut is only $1.10.

"E" had the fun pink frosted donut with sprinkles. I had the coconut coated donut - yum!

NY Cheesecake

D'Aiuto Bakery has been in business since 1929. Located at 405 Ninth Avenue behind NYC's Madison Square Garden and Penn Station. This bakery looks like it has been suspended in time. They are famous for their Baby Watson cheesecake, but their traditional NY sliced cheesecake is even better.

New East

In NYC's Flushing there are a multitude of Chinese restaurants. New East Cuisine Manor is located at 37-02 Main Street on the 2nd floor. The front room is a regular restaurant and the back room is reserved for weddings and on off nights - karaoke and dancing for not so hip middle age folks.

The have a very reasonable "special" menu where all dishes are $4.40-$8.00, but you have to either speak or read Mandarin. Otherwise you are out of luck and have to order of the regular English menu.

We ordered 3 dishes from the special menu: maopo tofu (spicy diced tofu with minced pork) $4.40, chicken and string beans $4.40 and sliced pork and yam $6.00.

And 2 dishes from the regular menu: pan fried flounder $19.95 and sauteed snow peas leaves $16.95.

Complimentary dessert was sliced orange and a sweet bean soup.

All of the food was good, but service was lackadasical. Also, beware - they automatically include a 15% gratituity with the sales tax. If you don't look carefully at the bill you might not notice this and tip them twice.

Xie Xie Again

I revisited this Asian Sandwich Shop in NYC's Hell's Kitchen to try their Vietnamese BBQ Beef sandwich. This comprised of flavorful chunks of beef with basic, mayo and carrot kimchi on a soft sesame seed bun.

They have expanded their beverage offerings, are now selling POP chips and have a combo gift/frequent diner card. If you buy 10 sandwiches your 11th is free!

El Cocotera

This little Argentinian cafe is located in NYC's Chelsea at 228 West 18th Street. It's small, but cozy and part of the kitchen is open so you watch several of the dishes and drinks being prepared. It's inexpensive and serves good food.

"A" had the Tostadas Con Guasaca A Crema De Caraotas Negras - arepa chips with guasaca (venezuelan guacamole) and I had the Yuca Frita Con Nata Y Guasacaca - crispy cassava with venezuelan sour cream and guacamole (each $5.95).

We both ordered a Patacones Maracuchos (Crispy Green Plantain Sandwich) - each $8.95.

"A" had the Jamon Y Queso - virginia style ham, swiss cheese, mayo, lettuce and tomatoes and I had the Pernil - roasted pork, mayo, lettuce, tomatoes.

To drink "A" had Papelon Con Limon - brown sugar-infused homemade limeade and I had Mango Juice (each $4.00).

Unfortunately, both of us were too full to order any dessert (Postres).

Ed's Chowder House

This restaurant is located in the Empire Hotel in NYC's Upper West Side near Lincoln Center at 44 West 63rd Street.

I recently read a review that said the lobster rolls were very good and since I LOVE lobster rolls "J" and I went to check them out.

We were immediately seated at one of the tall tables at the Chowder Bar and given a basket of different breads. The corn bread was very good. The jalapeno bread was tasty and not too spicy.

We both ordered the homemade lemonade ($5), started with the fried calamari appetizer ($11), we both had a lobster roll ($24 each), a side of seasoned fries ($6) and shared a dessert of lemon meringue pie ($8).

The lemonade was very good, fresh and tart. The fried calamari was crisp and served with a spicy remoulade sauce. The lobster roll was very good - nice meaty chunks of lobster with preserved-lemon aioli served on a split top toasted and buttered brioche bun with a side of coleslaw. But I felt for the $24 they should have also served it with fries. The side order of seasoned fries was very good.

The lemon meringue pie was very good with tall peaks of meringue, but not much crust.

The restaurant was well decorated with real lemons on the wall shelves. I would return to order from the regular restaurant menu and try their other offerings.

Foodie Flicks

Marie Antoinette

Even though the fashions and set designs were the real stars of this film the food was just as glamorous, especially the desserts. Everything was pastel and girlie - like a Barbie tea party!

Eating and Shopping

is a great combination. And you can do both a 202 - the Nicole Farhi restaurant/store located in NYC's Chelsea Market at 75 Ninth Avenue. One side has clothing, accessories and home furnishings. The other side is a full service bar and restaurant.

The restaurant is furnished with an eclectic assortment of mismatched tables and chairs.

We started brunch with Cinnamosas ($11) - cinnamon, Proseco and apple cider. There was a foam on top with a generous sprinkling of cinnamon - it tasted like a spiked apple pie.

"J" had the Full English Breakfast ($13) - two poached eggs, bacon, stewed vine repined cherry tomatoes, home fries and mushrooms. "A" had the egg special ($17) - two poached eggs in tomato sauce with chorizo and onions. I had the French Toast with bacon ($12) - 3 fluffy slices of sweet french toast with maple syrup and crispy bacon.

Macaron Cafe

I was back to visit one of my favorite lunch spots in NYC's Garment District - Macaron Cafe at 161 West 36th Street. The food is always fresh and delicious plus they make excellent french macarons. One of my favorite desserts!

Today I had one of the daily specials - salmon quiche made with leeks and gruyere cheese, served with a tossed salad - for $8.75.

I couldn't resist trying two of their new Fall flavored macarons - Apple Cinnamon and Gingerbread - for $1.95 each.