Eataly - Manzo

Eataly is the mega Italian speciality market in NYC's Chesea at 200 Fifth Avenue. They have several restaurants including Manzo which features meat.

I started with the Striploin salad with foie gras and balsamic vinegar dressing ($19). The steak was medium rare, sliced thinly and sprinkled with shavings of foie gras pate. I wish they offered this in an entree portion size.

Then I had the Papparedelle with sausage ($21) which was very buttery. And I topped it off with the Chocolate Budino ($10) which was a cross between a cake and fudge, but was served chilled with pistachio sauce and vanilla gelato. I wish it was room temperature or even warmed.

Bouchon Bakery

...is located in the Shops at Columbus Circle in NYC's Midtown. I tried a "Fugheddaboutit" ($3.25) which was a chocolate covered rice krispy with a little sea salt. It was very light and a good mix of salty and sweet.

Hilton Dedham Lobby Lounge

I was in a suburb of Boston for an overnight trip and stayed at the Hilton. They didn't have a full size restaurant, but a lobby bar/lounge which had a decent menu. I had the shephard's pie ($15) which was quite large and pretty good. It was served bubbling hot.

I also had a hot tea ($2.50) and they offered a dessert flight for only $4 which consisted of your choice of 3 mini desserts. I had the Key Lime Pie, Apple Crumble and Chocolate Truffles. It was a good bargain.

Bouchon Bakery

...is located in the Shops at Columbus Circle in NYC' Midtown.

I had a Chocolate Chunk cookie ($2.50) which was good, but a bit pedestrian for Bouchon.

The Original Soup Man

was made famous on "Seinfeld" many years ago. He is now making a comeback. His latest outpost is near NYC's Garment District at 1021 Avenue of the Americas.

I had a cup of Lobster Bisque ($5.99) which was very good and creamy with chunks of actual lobster.

All soups are served with your choice of bread (I chose whole wheat) and a Lindt chocolate! What a nice little treat.

And the employees are nice - they will not threaten customers with "No Soup For You!"

Marlow & Sons

...is located 81 Broadway in Brooklyn's Williamsburg neighborhood.

I had the Croque Madame with salad ($12) - the bechamel sauce was very thick. I also ordered an Aperol Sprizer ($8) although they were out of Aperol and substituted Campari (which was not as good because it was bitter).

Then I had the salted caramel chocolate tart for dessert ($8) which was a generous slice of very rich and thick chocolate and caramel.

Perry St.

"M", "S" and I went to Perry Street in NYC's West Village at 176 Perry Street for the Autumn prix fixe 3-course dinner for $38.

The amuse bouche was a leek consumer with truffle oil served in tiny espresso cups.

We started out with the lump crab meat appetizer on a light and crusty baguette.

We all had the fried chicken entree - two chicken breasts nicely fried served with pureed potatoes and wilted spinach.

And for dessert - the molten chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream. A classic!

15 North Roadside Kitchen - Charlotte

I was in Charlotte for business and went out to dinner at this new restaurant near the Southpark area of Charlotte. It's very casual with good, homey food.

We shared the crab cake and grilled calamari for appetizer and threw in an order of parmesan fries and onion rings. Of course, the fried stuff was great.

"A" had the pork chop which must have been double cut because it was the size of a fist.

"J" had the pot roast.

"S" had the daily special of double cheese lasagna.

I had the boneless buttermilk fried chicken which was good, but not as crispy as I generally like.

The for dessert we shared a slice of cheesecake and chocolate layer cake (served with a shot of cold whole milk). The desserts were okay, but pedestrian.

Umami Moto - Milwaukee

Who says you can't find good sushi in Milwaukee? Umami Moto is located in the downtown area at 718 N. Milwaukee Street.

This modern and sleek restuarant is nestled among other very good restaurants on this otherwise deserted block behind the Pfister Hotel.

I started with a Razzle Dazzle cocktail ($8) - which was a slightly sweet, light drink. Then I had Tuna Poke ($15) with wonton chips which had nice chunks of avocado. Followed by an Unagi roll ($13) and Spicy Tuna roll ($8).

This was very good and more than enough food, but I just had to have a little sweet afterwards so I topped dinner off with a warm chocolate cake ($8) topped with coconut ice cream.

Everything was very good.

Market - Vancouver

...located in the Shangri-La Hotel at 1115 Albani Street offers a 3 course prix fixe lunch for CA$32.

I started with a homemade cherry yuzu soda and the dungeness crab cake appetizer - which was good, pure crab meat without filling.

For my entree I had the wild salmon with truffle mashed potatoes and sugar snap peas. The salmon was the pinkest color I had ever seen.

And for dessert - chocolate pudding with candied violets.