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.

Burger and Barrel

"M", "S" and I went to Burger and Barrel in NYC's SoHo located at 25 West Houston Street.

It's a nice casual place for dinner and drinks. "M" and "S" both had the Bash Burger ($14) with french fries. I had the fried chicken with mashed potatoes ($19). Although the chicken was moist the coating was too thick.

We topped it off with a salted caramel brownie sundae ($10). We were disappointed the brownies and caramel sauce were not warm.

Sweetiepie

...is a darling little restaurant/dessert cafe located at 19 Greenwich Avenue in NYC's West Village.

It's decorated in bright pink and white and perfect for a girl's (young and more mature) gathering for comfort food and sweets.

We started with cockails $12 each: "A" had the Nutty Russian (khalua based) and I had the Sweetiepie Mojito (rum, raspberries, mint, lime, brown sugar and soda).

Then we shared an appetizer of homemade potato chips and creamed avocado dip ($9). The chips were thin and crisp.

"A" had the scrambed eggs in a nest - 2 parmesan baskets ($14) - the eggs were good, but the baskets were chewy. I had the mac n cheese with american, sharp cheddar and parmesan ($15) - it had a nice crispy breadcrumb/cheese crust.

For dessert we shared a Cookie 'Screamer - 3 scoops of ice cream (your choice of any 3 flavors; we ordered chocolate chip, mint chocolate chip and vanilla), rainbow sprinkles, crumbled homemade chocolate chip cookies and hot fudge ($13) and the trio of micro cakes ($12) - 3 Barbie size frosted sponge cakes (chocolate, lemon and vanilla).

We watched as a birthday party of girls devoured a Sweetiepig - sponge cake, whipped cream, bananas, strawberries and 18 (yes, that's right - 18) scoops of ice cream for $75!

Cocoa V Chocolat Boutique and Wine Bar

"A" and I happened upon this darling store and restaurant in NYC's Chelsea at 174 Ninth Avenue and were drawn in by the beautiful chocolates and cupcakes.

Little did we know that everything was 100% vegan. We ordered a brownie sundae ($9) and chocolate peanut butter tart ($7). I also ordered an iced cappucino ($4.25). One bite and I knew there was something amiss. Even though they looked beautiful and appetizing they tasted vegan.

But we are still willing to return to try the chocolates.

ABC Kitchen

...is located in NYC's Union Square area at 35 East 18th Street and is connected to the retail store, ABC Home.

Immediately after being seated we were served fresh bread, olive oil and the tiniest beets (but they were very bitter).

"A" had a glass of riesling ($12), Portabella mushroom appetizer ($8) and Kasha Bow Tie Pasta with veal meatballs entree ($21). The Kasha gave the pasta a nice crunch.

I had a glass of house made Ginger-Lime Soda ($5), daily special soft shell crab appetizer ($12) and Organic Crisp Chicken with mashed potatoes ($21). Soft shell crab is one of my favorite foods and this was fried nicely so it had a good crunch to it. The Chicken was pan fried and although it did not have a coating it was, indeed crispy.

For dessert "A" had the Vanilla Chip Ice Cream Cake vanilla sauce, almonds & substituted the orange sorbet with chocolate ice cream ($7) and I had the Sundae salted caramel-peanut ice cream, candied popcorn, whipped creme fraiche & chocolate sauce ($8).

The food was very good and the decor was eclectic.

Bouchon Bakery

is located at Ten Columbus Circle at the Shops at Columbus Circle in NYC's Midtown West area near Central Park West/South.

There is a cafe for quick "to go" bites and a sit down restuarant. "J" and I stopped for dinner at the restaurant.

"J" had the daily special quiche - mushrooms with a tossed salad ($12.50) and a Diet Coke ($2.75). I had the daily special entree - lobster pot pie ($22) which was packed with large chunks of lobster meat and a Gus' Ginger Ale ($3.75). The pot pie's cream sauce was a little watery and I could have used a spoon.

And for dessert...a Maple Waffle Sundae which had a fresh crispy waffle with cinnamon ice cream, chocolate maple syrup and crystallized walnuts ($9.75). I am usually a fan of the baked desserts and this dessert was excellent as well.