Bed Bath & Beyond with bread

The Bed Bath & Beyond store in NYC's Chelsea area at 620 Sixth Avenue has a cafe called Cafe Beyond where one can buy soups, salads, sandwiches, sweets (cupcakes, cookies) and beverages.

I stopped by for a quick bite: Classic Chicken Panini ($6.99) - grilled chicken, pesto and tomato on artisnal bread and a Mango Mash ($2.69).

The sandwich was okay (it was served warm after being pressed in the panini machine). The burritos and quesadillas looked more appetizing.

Peruvian Chicken

Cuzco Peru is located in NYC's borough of Queens at 98-102 Queens Blvd.

As soon as I sat down they greeted me with a dish of freshly fried green plaintain chips - lightly salted, thin and crisp and quite habit forming.

I had the Super Combo ($8.50) which was 1/4 chicken with salad and choice of side (rice & beans, green plaintains, sweet plaintains or fried yuca). I opted for the sweet plaintains.

There is something special about Peruvian chicken as I noticed there are other restaurants that specialize in this dish. The chicken is marinated with a special Peruvian sauce and then roasted. Whatever it is they have a way of keeping their chicken flavorful and moist.

Bouchon Bakery

is located at Ten Columbus Circle at the Shops at Columbus Circle in NYC's Midtown West area near Central Park West/South.

There is a cafe for quick "to go" bites and a sit down restuarant. "J" and I stopped for dinner at the restaurant.

"J" had the daily special quiche - mushrooms with a tossed salad ($12.50) and a Diet Coke ($2.75). I had the daily special entree - lobster pot pie ($22) which was packed with large chunks of lobster meat and a Gus' Ginger Ale ($3.75). The pot pie's cream sauce was a little watery and I could have used a spoon.

And for dessert...a Maple Waffle Sundae which had a fresh crispy waffle with cinnamon ice cream, chocolate maple syrup and crystallized walnuts ($9.75). I am usually a fan of the baked desserts and this dessert was excellent as well.

Happy in Havana

Well, I was actually at Happy Hour in Havana NYC...a cuban restaurant in NYC's Midtown area near Bryant Park at 27 West 38th Street.

Weeknights between 3-7pm is Half Price Happy Hour. Specialty drinks and food are half priced.

"J" and I both a Margarita (each regularly $12, HH $6). Then we shared 3 appetizers:

Calamares Fritos – Fried Calamari with a Caribbean Cocktail Sauce (reg $12, HH $6)
Tri of Empanadas: lobster, beef, spinach & cheese (reg 3 for $10; HH $5)
Tostones Camarones – Shrimp in Garlic Sauce with green plaintains (reg $12, HH $6).

The drinks were weak, but the food was good although they served cocktail sauce with the calamari.

Ovest Pizzoteca by Luzzo

is located in NYC's Chelsea neighborhood at 513 West 27th Street.

This cozy, warm space has a nice airy feel and you can see the wood burning pizza oven from both the bar and dining room.

"J" started with a Mista Insalate - mixed greens and cherry tomatoes in balsamic dressing ($8) and had a 12" Bufala Pizza Napoletana - with mozzerella, tomato sauce and basil ($17). It had a nice thin crust and pillows of mozzarella.

I had a Via Roma A Frusta - a long brick-oven baked loaf stuffed with eggplant parmigiana ($13) served on a long handled board. It was like a pizza burrito (pizza dough wrapped around eggplant). The crust was fluffy, the eggplant thinly sliced and drizzled with olive oil and the entire thing combination was delicious.

For dessert we had a Pastiera Napoletana - Italian ricotta cheesecake (7). The only thing I didn't like was the floral flavoring and citron in the cheesecake.

But this is a great little spot if you are ever west of 10th Avenue.

The Redhead

The Redhead is a cozy bar turned restaurant located in NYC's East Village at 349 East 13th Street. They are known for their comfort food.

"L", "M", "P" and I shared starters of Bacon Peanut Brittles ($5) and Chips & Dip - housemade waffle chips, butter-braised onion dip ($5). The Brittle was delicious roasted peanuts with real bacon bits and the chips were crispy with the cool oniony deep.

"L" had the duck gumbo special appetizer ($8) and Braised Beef Cheek with potato puree, country ham, truffle vinaigrette ($20). The gumbo was slightly spicy and the beef cheek very tender - similar to short ribs.

"M", "P" and I all had the Buttermilk Fried Chicken cornbread, spinach & apple salad, pecans ($18). The chicken was moist and juicy with a flavorful crust. The cornbread was light and slightly sweet. The salad was wonderful with great flavor.

"L" had a Black & Tan beer, "M" had an Abita beer ($6) and I had a Ginger Snap cocktail - gosling’s rum, ginger syrup, fresh citrus ($10).

For dessert we shared the Meyer Lemon Pot De Creme citrus, vanilla meringue, cookie crumble ($6) which was a nice. light way to end this hearty meal.

And along with the check we were each given a chocolate chip cookie to take home. The cookie was crisp with a hint of something caramelized inside.

This is a great casual spot for a reasonably priced meal and drinks.