Piccolo Cafe

I went back to this NYC Times Square gem at 274 West 40th Street to try the Grandmother Cake ($5/slice) - one of my favorite desserts. And this did not disappoint - it was light and creamy with a hint of lemon and studded with pistachio nuts!

Piccolo Cafe

...is located at 274 West 40th Street near NYC's Port Authority Bus Station and Times Square. This charming little cafe is tiny with only a few counter seats at the window. They do a brisk take out lunch business - providing delicious food for the harried nearby office workers.

I tried the Grandmother's Meatballs with tomato and basic sauce (with green peas), served with garlic bruschetta (very crunchy) for $8. It was very good and quite filling.

I look forward to many return visits to make my way through their extensive menu of paninis, pastas and salads...not to mention desserts!

Aureole - Bar Room

...is located in NYC's Times Square at One Bryant Park. I visited the Bar Room for a quick bite - an Aureole Grilled Burger ($19) which was served with applewood smoked bacon, white cheddar cheeseand pickled ramp dressing along with the requisite lettuce and tomato. The burger was cooked perfectly and was extremely juicy.

It was accompanied by a delightful silver cup of french fries - crispy and perfect. I also had a glass of Riesling ($12).

Shake Shack - Times Square

I popped into the Times Square branch of the Shake Shack located at 300 West 44th Street for a quick lunch.

I had the Shack Burger ($4.75), cheese fries ($3.75) and an Arnold Palmer ($2.25). It was cold outside so instead of having a frozen custard I had the daily hot chocolate - salted peanut butter ($3.75). It tasted like a warm Reese's peanut butter cup. Delish!

The Counter

"A" and tried this new Times Square burger place for lunch today. The Counter is located at 1451 Broadway.

It's a small place for this area and quickly became very crowded after we had been seated.

"A" and I both had a 1/3 beef burger ($8.95) with your choice of cheese (I had Gruyere), 4 toppings (I had pickle ships, tomatoes, corn salsa and grilled onions), sauce (steak) and bun (we both ordered whole grain). And you can add extra cheese or toppings ("A" added bacon for $1).

And we shared a Fifty-Fifty side which was a combination of onion rings and fries ($5.95). The sides were served very quickly we ranch dressing and bbq sauce so we filled up on them. The onion rings were very good.

Our waitress said the burgers are usually cooked "very pink", but my burger was more medium well than medium rare. The burgers were good, but not fantasic.

Little Pie Company

...is located at 424 W. 43rd Street near NYC's Times Square.
I am a big fan of their Sour Cream Apple Pie, but this time I tried a coconut cupcake ($3). It was moist and had a cream filled center.

Freshii

...is a new upscale deli near NYC's Times Square located at 1407 Broadway that features healthful food options.

I tried the Signature Burrito ($7.59) - brown rice, bbq chicken, red onions, sweet corn, jack & cheddar cheese and low fat ranch dressing. It was served warm with nice grill marks.

Kellari Taverna

...is located near NYC's Times Square at 19 West 44th Street and offers a $32.95 3-course prix fixe pre-theatre menu.

"A" and I both had a glass of Riesling ($11/each) while we enjoyed the fresh bread and complimentary hummus spread (ignoring the beets and olives).

"A" started with the Spanakopita - phyllo filled with spinach, feta and leeks.

I had the Kalamari - grilled squid with olive oil and lemon emulsion.

"A" had the Kotopoulo - roasted, natural chicken with feta-infused mashed potatoes.

I had the Seafood Yiouvetsi - oven roasted orzo with shrimp, mussels and clams.

For dessert "A" had the Karidopita - honey-walnut cake with house made fig ice cream and I had the Baklava - almonds and walnuts in phyllo with clove honey.

Cheetohs!

Free samples of this new flavor were being handed out in Times Square yesterday. I haven't tried them yet, but they sound snackalicious!

Pop Tarts World

Just opened in NYC's Time Square at 128 West 42nd Street. I was able to make my way through the throngs of tourists and order the "pop tarts sushi" (4 pcs for $2.29). This was diced pop tarts wrapped in fruit rollouts - very sweet.

Unless you are a huge Pop Tarts fan and want some logo merchandise there is no need for a foodie to go here.