PHEBE'S TAVERN & GRILL - East Village

For good bar food & tunes to sing-a-long to, check out Phebe's Tavern & Grill (359 Bowery).  Anyone who knows me knows how much I LOVE bacon.  I gave their battered & deep fried bacon a chance and was not disappointed.  It was as artery clogging as I thought it would be but you only live once.  My friend has the blue cheese burges and two of us ordered the steak blt.  Overall, good food & good prices!! 

AMSTERDAM ALE HOUSE - Upper West Side

I am a BIG fan of the Amsterdam Ale House (76th Street & Amsterdam Ave).  Whenever we have shows at the Beacon Theatre, we usually go here for some pre-show cocktails.  The Crosby, Stills & Nash show bought us back here for the second time in two weeks.  I'd also have to say that AAH has one of my top 10 burgers in NYC.  They're delicious!!!  In the summer you can sit outside which is what a group of us girls did for happy hour & food two weeks ago.  I can't say that there were any deals but the prices were reasonable and they have a rather extensive beer menu.  P.S. Wilson Cruz from "My So-Called Life" walked right by me so I was a happy camper :-)

PS 450 - Midtown East

If you're looking for a great spot for brunch, you've got to check out PS 450 (450 Park Ave South). I've been here at least a dozen times and I keep going back.  This is one of those great restaurants that give you endless mimosas, bellini's & bloody mary's for a fantastic price.  The food is really good, they've got a variety of food on the menu and the restaurant itself is very nice and spacious.  Another great thing about PS 450 is it can accommodate large groups and sports fans with their many TVs.  Go have yourself a Sunday Funday!!  

RUBIROSA - Nolita

My friend and I went to Rubirosa (235 Mulberry Street) for dinner last night.  As you can see from the pictures above we had two individual brushetta appetizers (mushroom & tomato) and shared the vodka pizza plus their chicken parmigiana entree.  DELICIOUS!!!  From the sauce (some say gravy), to the breading on the chicken and the thinness of the pizza...everything was terrific.  The restaurant has a very rustic & romantic feel to it.  Lots of wood, small but not too tiny that it's uncomfortable and lots of charm.  I highly recommend visiting Rubirosa if you're in the neighborhood.

BRYANT PARK GRILL - Midtown West

Had a lovely lunch at Bryant Park Grill on Friday afternoon outside in the garden.  I wouldn't call this restaurant "budget friendly" but the food is worth the prices!!  I had the lobster roll, my friend had the lobster salad and her mother had the Cobb salad.  Two of us skipped dessert but my friend's mom had the Belgian chocolate cake with a scoop of dulce de leche.  We loved everything!!!  If you're looking to do some people watching and enjoy a tasty meal on no budget, go check out this restaurant!!

LUCY'S CANTINA - Midtown West

If you're looking for a great spot before a concert at MSG or while you're waiting for your train, try Lucy's Cantina (1 Penn Plaza at 8th Ave & 33rd Street).  They've got indoor & outdoor space which is perfect for the summer & early fall.  This was my second time there and I really enjoyed myself.  There's a nice business crowd, some tourists, happy hour (ends before 7) and the food & drinks are reasonably priced plus delicious.  They offer over 80 different types of tequila and the food is a mix of Baja California/TexMex.  Go check it out!!

Freddy Cole - JAZZ STANDARD

Sunday night (7/31) a group of us went to see Freddy Cole at the Jazz Standard.  My friend Bob takes guitar lessons from Randy Napoleon so he asked us to come check out Randy and Freddy.  Such a great night of music with such talented musicians!!  Just an FYI for my fellow music lovers, Freddy was Nat King Cole's brother.  He's a very accomplished musician in his own right and has proven he should not be in the shadow of his brother.  While growing up, he had such greats as Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton & Count Basie pass through his house...amazing!!  And, Randy toured with Michael Buble!!