Ed's Chowder House

...is located at 44 West 63rd Street.

"C" and had dinner back in February for NYC's Restaurant Week.

"C" started with a Diane Margarita - spiked with jalapeno. I had a Pineapple Mojito (both $12).

We both nibbled on the bread basket and butter (corn bread, biscuits and rolls).

"C" and I both had the tuna tartare appetizer, surf and turf entree (hanger steak with grilled shrimp) and a side of garlic spinach ($9).

For dessert we shared the brownie sundae and blueberry cobbler - both served with vanilla ice cream.

The food is very good and the service is excellent.

Sushi A Go Go

...is located on NYC's Upper West Side at 1900 Broadway.

"A" had the Sushi Broadway $17 - 2 tuna, 1 salmon, 1 yellowtail, 1 whitefish, 1 shrimp, 1 ikura and 1 california roll.

I had the Sashimi Columbus $18 - 3 tuna, 3 salmon, 3 yellowtail and 3 whitefish.

The fish was fresh and tender, but the portions a little small.

Fairway Market

...is located at 2127 Broadway on NYC's Upper West Side. I bought a 0.87 lb container of watermelon chunks for $3.04. They were sweet and juicy.

Japan Korea Block Fair

...the 1st Annual Fair was held last weekend on Broadway in NYC's Upper West Side.

I tried the Japanese fried chicken ($3) for little nuggets with wasabi mayonaise. Moist, but not crisp on the outside.

"E" tried a vegetarian patty made with cabbage and topped with a sweetish sauce.

The Ninja demonstration was a little weak and hokey.

Fairway Cafe

...the famous NYC Upper West Side Market has a cafe upstairs at its 2127 Broadway location.

I stopped in for a late lunch consisting of a Fairway burger with American Cheese and grilled onions served with lettuce, tomato, red onions and cole slaw and fries for ($7.50) with a Lemon Mint Fizz ($4). The burger was thick and juicy and the fries were nice and crisp. The Fizz was extremely tart though and required 2 packets of brown sugar.

Too bad the waiter didn't ask me if I wanted dessert because I did. I had my eye on the lemon meringue tart. But since he brought the check to me instead I paid my bill and left.

Bouchon Bakery

...is located at 10 Columbus Circle inside the Shops at Columbus Circle. The restaurant is nice and casual, but there is usually a line.

The bakery section is great for fast service and quick bites. I had a slow roasted pork sandwich ($10.25) - it was served on a flaky roll (a cross between a croissant and a baguette) with cheese and pickles. The pork was very tender. And a Gus' Ginger Ale ($2.25). And you can not visit without buying a baked treat. I tried a TKO - which is Bouchon's take on an orea cookie - dark chocolate cookies sandwich a white chocolate ganache creamy filling ($3).

And you can sit at one of the bar tables or counters for a nice view of Columbus Circle and Central Park.

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.

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.