Macaron Cafe

I went back to one of my favorite lunch spots, Macaron Cafe, in NYC's Garment District at 161 West 36th Street.

I had one of the daily specials - ham and cheese quiche with a salad ($9.75). The quiche was light and fluffy, stuffed with little chunks of ham. The salad was a little blah.

And as usual, I can't walk out of this cafe without indulging in their delicious macarons. Today I tried the rhubarb, peanut butter and pumpkin cinnamon ($2.25/each). The peanut butter was my favorite.

David Burke at Bloomingdale's

After a little shoe shopping at NYC's Bloomingdale's at 1000 Third Avenue I stopped in at David Burke for their 3 course prix fixe dinner for $25.

Right after being seated the waiter delivers a warm cheese popover - yum!

I started with the rich and cream mac n cheese (love the crunchy panko topping). Then I had the lobster cobb salad (with 1/2 lb of lobster, avocado, bacon, bleu cheese, cherry tomatoes and olives). And for dessert I had the Nutella Chocolate Mousse with vanilla gelato and salted caramel. It also had a small biscotti perched on the top. But I wonder why it was served in a Samuel Adams glass.

I washed it all down with a bottle of Pellegrino ($4). This is a good deal and the food is always good.

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.

Chat n Chew

...is located in NYC's Union Square at 10 East 16th Street.

"J" and I both had the wedge salad with sliced steak (bleu cheese and tomatoes) for $13.25/each with a ginger ale $2.25/each.

Then we shared an apple crumb a la mode ($6.95) and a slice of coconut layer cake ($6.45). As with most of our meals - the dessert was the best part!

Rain City Grill - Vancouver

...is located in Vancouver's English Bay section.

They have a 2 course prix-fixe lunch for CA$22. I had a raspberry iced tea (CA$2.95) and the grilled caeser salad (asiago, caesar dressing, croutons) and mussels. Both were very good.

Then I topped it off with a berry tart with lavender ice cream (CA$8.50) - yum.

Bobby Van's

We dined at the 135 W. 5oth Street location near the Theatre District.

Jackie just had the Summer Salad in an entree size ($12.95) and the bread basket. She had Bread Pudding with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream ($11.05) for dessert.

I had the Restaurant Week $40 3-course prix fix:

Summer Salad - blend of Napa Greens, Wild Cherries, Walnut Brie cheese and Berry Vinagrette

Lamb and Wild Mushroom Ravioli tossed with Truffle Sherry Sauce

Tartufo

And we both had ginger ales ($3.95/each).

LA Story - Huckleberry

...is located at 1014 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica.

This well known bakery/cafe has a wonderful breakfast and lunch menu. But only on Fridays do they serve their famous fried chicken with corn and salad ($14.50). "L" and I shared this - the crust is very light and crisp and the meat is tender and juicy.

And we had the Marinated peppers & burrata sandwich on baguette ($10.50) with salad. The sandwich was very tasty, especailly the burrata.

We both had a limonata soda ($3.50 each).

Unfortunately, we were too full to indulge in any of the delicious baked goods.

Food Exchange

this chain of upscale delis has 3 locations in NYC's Midtown...the one located at 1400 Broadway has a 25% off all orders placed via the internet for the month of February.

Normally I like their quesadillas or paninis. Today I tried a more healthful option with a Mediterranean Grill salad ($6.99). It was a salad and therefore not very satisfying. I will revert back to the carb lunches.

Hillstone

(formerly Houston's) is located in NYC's Midtown at 153 East 53rd Street. The name may have changed, but the decor, service and food remains the same - all very good.

I had the Asian Steak Noodle Salad ($19) which had nice juicy chunks of medium rare steak mixed with noodles, peanuts, carrots, avocado, mango, tomatoes, basil and chile flakes.

Since I ate a "salad" I treated myself to dessert - the warm apple walnut cobbler a la mode ($8) which was not very warm and a little too sweet. I also ordered hot tea which was served in a cute, square cast iron tea pot.