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...is a restaurant combined with a retail store located in NYC's Chelsea Market at 75 Ninth Avenue.

"J" had the Skate with lemon, parsley and mashed potatoes ($24).

I had the tuna burger with avocado and plaintain chips ($19).

We both had ginger ales ($2/each).

For dessert we shared the fruit crumble with vanilla ice cream and the daily special pineapple upside down cake with cinnamon ice cream (both $8.50/each).

Our entrees were good, but the desserts were excellent.

Paradou

...is located at 8 Little West 12th Street in NYC's Meat Packing District. On Sunday nights they offer an all you can eat suckling pig dinner for $29. It includes truffle mashed potatoes (creamy and delightful), jasmine rice (fluffy), tossed salad and a glass of wine (red, white or rose). What a great deal!

The pig was moist and flavorful and the skin was crispy and habit forming. So much so that "M" and I asked for just a plate of skin.

NYC Wine & Food Festival

Today "J" and I volunteered for the Food Bank to work at the Festival. We spent 3 hours monitoring the recyclables inside the Grand Tasting tent. But we were able to walk around and try some of the foods such as: artichoke lasagna, veal slider, mini brisket sandwich, mini hot dogs, pomegranate sorbetto, Lindt chocolate and much more!

We also saw Marc Forgione (chef/owner of his namesake restaurant and competitor on the Food Network's "he Next Iron Chef") and Chuck Hughes (star of The Cooking Channel's "Chuck's Day Off").

It was a beautiful day in NYC's Meat Packing District.

Del Posto

Is the NYC Meat Packing District restaurant co-owned by Mario Batalit and Lidia Bistianich located at 85 Tenth Avenue.

I was fortunate to dine here with clients so everything was expensed. I liked the nibblies served at the bar - mixed nuts, home made potato chips and dried pasta coated with parmigiano reggiano (upscale cheetohs!).

I started with a Bellini cocktail ($12). At 7:30 the restuarant dimmed the lights so there are no food photos....sorry!

Our table was given a large basket filled with warm bread - foccaccia, olive rolls and long baguettes. We were also given creamy butter and house made lardo.

"M" and I both ordered Lidia’s Lobster Salad alla Catalana with Tomato and Celery for an appetizer ($22) - this had nice, big generous chunks of lobster.

"S" had the Insalata Primavera della Terra with Citron Vinaigrette ($16) and "J" had the Prosciutto (several slices).

"S" and "J" both ordered the Wood-Grilled Lobster with Malloreddus & Salicornia for their entrees ($39) - whole lobster poached, split and grilled.

"M" and I both ordered the Hand Made Orechchiette with Lamb Shoulder Sausage, Crispy Morels & Minted Soybeans ($24) - tender little ears of pasta with flavorful sausage and minty beans.

"J" had the Chocolate Ricotta Tortino, Toasted Sicilian Pistachios & Extra Virgin Olive Oil Gelato for dessert ($15) and "S" had a single scoop of strawberry gelato and decaf coffee.

"M" had a cup of black tea.

I finished up with the Pineapple Crostata, Champagne Vinegar Caramel & Vanilla Gelato ($15) - a wonderful grilled pineapple tart.

The plates and glasses were all over sized and several times we heard them being dropped in the kitchen. Ouch!

The Standard Grill

is the casual restuarant in the Standard Hotel in NYC's Meatpacking District at 848 Washington Street.

"A" had the eggwhite omelet with home fries ($9) and I had the 2 poached eggs with sourdough toast ($8). We both had lemonade ($4 each) which was extremely tart.

And for dessert we shared the Baked Alaska ($8) with raspberry sorbet and vanilla ice cream - the best part of the meal!

5 Ninth

is the name and address of this restaurant located in a brick building located in NYC's Meatpacking District.

"A" and I went there for brunch.

"A" had an egg white omelette with ham and a mixed green salad ($14) and mimosa ($10).

I had the Croque Madame with duck egg and mixed green salad ($13) and orange juice ($3). We shared a mixed berry cobbler with cinnamon ice cream for dessert ($9).

The food was very good and the building is narrow, old and quaint.

I want to return to try a sandwich because the matchstick fries looked so good when they were served to neighboring tables.

Spice Market

is locaged at 403 West 13th Street in NYC's Meatpacking District. This huge asian fusion restaurant is a 2 level combination between an asian bazaar and trendy lounge.

"J", "R" and I dined here for NYC 2010 Restaurant. We had 4 courses for $35.

"J" had Butternut Squash Soup with ginger pumpkin seeds, Salmon Tartar soy ginger dressing and avocado, Chicken Skewer Lime Dipping Sauce and Ovaltine Kulfi caramelized banana and spiced milk chocolate sauce .

"R" had Green Papaya Salad market apples and candied ginger, Spiced Chicken Samosa with Cilantro Yogurt, Ginger Fried Rice and Ovaltine Kulfi caramelized banana and spiced milk chocolate sauce .

I had the Salmon Tartar soy ginger dressing and avocado, Charred Chili Rubbed Beef Skewer thai basil dipping, Cod with malaysian chili sauce, thai basil and Ovaltine Kulfi caramelized banana and spiced milk chocolate sauce .

Hot Plates Live - Post 10

Stuffed Artisan Cannolis - Coco Loco, Nutella, Peanut Butter Cup

This was my favorite table...I tried 3 out of the 4 flavors. I didn't try the Irish Coffee because I am not a coffee fan, but if I had just one teeny tiny space in my stomach left I would have tried it.

My favorite flavor was Coco Loco - it tasted like an Almond Joy candy bar.