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.

Markt

...is located at 676 Sixth Avenue in NYC's Chelsea.

"A" and I shared a bottle of Lindeman's Framboise -raspberry flavored ($15), the daily special appetizer of sliced filet with tomatoes and micro greens ($16) and macaroni gratin ($16) - a delicious little casserole of mac n cheese.

And we shared the Dame Blanche ($7) - vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce and whipped cream; and the warm Chocolate Tart with pistachio ice cream ($10) - a warm molten chocolate cake. Delish!

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!

Bar Americain

...is located in NYC's Midtown near Rockefeller Center at 152 West 52nd Street.

"A" and I shared the homemade potato ships with blue cheese dip ($9) - delicious. There was so much leftover dip that we ordered a refill of chips ($3). I could eat those chips all night. They were light and crispy and not too salty.

I had a glass of reisling ($10).

"A" had the filet mignon ($39) and I had the duck with dirty rice ($31). And we shared the sweet potato gratin ($9).

For dessert "A" had the red velvet sundae with cream cheese soft serve ice cream ($10) and I had the blackberry souffle ($10). My souffle was perfect!

Primehouse New York

....is located at 381 Park Ave. South in NYC's Gramercy area.

"A" and I tried their NYC Restaurant Week Menu: 3 course prix fixe for $35.

"A" started with a White Russian ($12). I had a Sommerwind - Montecristo rum, Reisling, lychee and cucumber ($12).

"A" ordered the Baby Field of Greens with Sherry Vinagrette and I had the Crispy Pork Belly with smoked cherry barbecue sauce. The pork belly was good, but not as tender as other places.

We both had the Creek Stone Farm's aged 7 oz NY strip with duck fat fingerling potatoes and house made steak sauce. The steak was chewy and disappointing.

We shared the Strawberry Shortcake - Cheesecake Ice Cream Sandwich, Farmer's Market Strawberries and Mint - this mediocre and pedistrian; and the Bittersweet chocolate tart with chocolate custard, toasted meringue and s'mores ice cream - very good and worth ordering again.

Grilling

Socrates Sculpture Park in Astoria - NYC's borough of Queens offered a free adult workshop: Cooking with Fire with The Brooklyn Kitchen and Meat Hook on 6/20. This offered tips on how to grill meets and vegetables.

Harold from The Meat Hook was on hand to discuss how to light the grill, placement of the foods, preparing foods for grilling and, of course, the grilling of foods.

He grilled Mexican chorizo sausages, marinated chicken legs and thighs, a 5 lb "Man steak", squash and portabello mushrooms. And then attendees were allowed to sample all the finished foods. Everything was delicious!