Social Eatz

"J" and I tried out Top Chef contestant, Angelo Sosa's, new restaurant, Social Eatz located in NYC's Midtown at 232 East 52nd Street.

We started with an order of Crispy Spring Rolls ($7) - chunks of shrimp with ground chicken, diced jicama, shredded cabbage, mushrooms, scallions and cilantro with duck sauce. They were very good.

"J" had the Social Burger ($9) with cheese, shredded lettuce and Longevity sauce (which was like ketchup and mayo).

I had the Bibimbap Burger ($12) with a slow cooked egg, lettuce, pickle carrot and cucumber. It was very juicy. Both burgers were served with expertly made french fries.

For dessert we tried the Yuzu Cream Puffs ($6) - fried dough filled with yuzu curd - delish!

The Little Owl

...is a cozy little restuarant in NYC's West Village located at 90 Bedford Street.

I had the Bacon Cheeseburger with Gus' pickle and special fries ($16). The burger was very juicy and the fries spicy!

Elsewhere

"M" and I went to Elsewhere in NYC's Theatre District at 403 W. 43rd Street for a last minute dinner because they had a Tasting Table special offer - two for one burgers (regularly $14 each).

We started with cocktails and shared a flavored popcorn - bacon butter ($5). It was deliciously buttery with a nice hint of bacon.

Then our Elsewhere burgers were served with caramelized onions, Five Spoke Tumbelweed cheese and a large bowl of crisp, thick cut french fries - wonderful!

We ended dinner with a sweet potato cake with caramel ice cream ($8).

The Breslin

Bar & Dining Room is located in the very unglamorous lower Midtown

of NYC at 16 West 29th Street.

I had their grilled lamb burger ($17) with feta cheese, cumin mayo and thrice fried potatoes. I was in the majority as this was one of the most popular lunch dishes. It was very juicy and the bun was delicious. The potatoes were hot and crispy. Very good and worth repeating.

Pier 9

"J" and I tried the newly opened Pier 9 restaurant located in NYC's Hell's Kitchen at 802 Ninth Avenue.

We started with the lobster macaroni and cheese ($12) which was not what we expected. It was 6 rings of pasta covered with "cheese fondue" and topped a small nugget of lobster.

"J" had the lobster roll ($24) and I had the Chicago style lobster hot dog ($17) which was a lobster and shrimp "hot dog" topped with lobster (salad) mayo with peppers, lettuce and tomato. Both were served with limp fries.

For dessert we had the S'mores donut ($8) which was a full size donut covered with marshmallow fluff and topped with chocolate ice cream.

The food was just okay, but the setting made you feel like you were by the water - clean and white with sail cloth room dividers.

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!

Petite Abeille

Has 3 locations in NYC. "N" and I went to the one in Tribeca at 134 West Broadway. We both had the Petite Abeille burger for $13.50 - with cheddar and bacon served on a brioche bun with special sauce with fries. Very juicy.

We also had lemonades ($3.50/each).

Le Train Bleu

...is a hidden gem of a restaurant located on the 6th floor of NYC's Bloomingdale's at 1000 Third Avenue.

It actually looks like a train car - both the interior and exterior.

They have a great 3 course prix-fixe menu for $29. I started with caviar and fried egg on smoked salmon with green asparagus and blini pancakes. There were just a few caviar eggs, but the essential flavor was there.

Then I had the sirloin burger with bleu cheese served on an organic brioche roll with pomme frites and beer battered onion rings. It was cooked to perfection!

And I had the blueberry sorbet for dessert. It was served with a sliced strawberry. And the waitress gave me two chocolate mint sticks along with the check.