Ta Cocina

$6.95 lunch special make this one of the best deals on the Avenue. Fresh chips and salsa are plentiful. Not too crowded and a comfortable spot for lunchtime grub. Lots of the usual suspects for lunch like the steak burrito pictured with fresh meat, choice of beans, rice, and pungent pico de gallo. Also tried the veggie chimichanga which was lightly fried and served with a side of black beans and cheese.
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http://www.tacocina.com

Peter Luger's Steakhouse

The grand dame of steakhouses in New York is in Williamsburg Brooklyn where it has been for over 100 years. Cash, debit or Peter Luger's cards only here. You must be a carnivore here as the meat is the star of the show. My friend and I ordered jumbo shrimp, and a thick slab of bacon to start. The shrimp were jumbo and juicy served with homememade cocktail sauce which tasted like Luger sauce with horseradish. The rolls here are super fresh and tasty. Now for the main event- we ordered the Porterhouse medium rare and it was a beautiful sight. Perfectly cooked, super tender, a great American steak. American steaks are a little underseasoned to my palate sometimes and this steak features the flavor of the meat, without alot of salt or seasoning like some South American style steaks. The onion rings to accompany were delish. For dessert we went with the hot fudge sundaes. When I asked the waiter(friendly by Luger standards) where the ice-cream was made he said Haagen Daz. Luger's has a formula and doesn't deviate which is suprising with all the great homemade ice-cream around. Still quite satisfying even with Haagen Daz.
If you are craving some great American beef and have the bucks to shell out, this is the place.
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Artichoke Basil/Westiside

Artichoke moves west to the Meatpacking District with a restaurant and slice shop. The slice shop features the usual suspects of square, magherita and the artichoke signature slice. Pizza is a little pricier than the east side with two pieces topping out at $9. On the plus side the small shop is not as crowded and pies are fresher and not as charred. Head over to the Highline while weather permits to chow down on some great pizza.
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Hill Country Chicken

The new outpost of chicken opened by the very successful Hill Country Barbecue people is a mixed bag of chicken. Kitschy, cute retro decor and value priced, alacarte eating make it a fun destination. The food is another story. Having eaten there twice- 2nd time on a gift certificate, I am not a fan of the skin on chicken. Looking dark and tasty- it is seasonless and crunchless. It tastes almost baked. The skinless chicken has somewhat more crunch. The sides are another matter- cheesy mashed is spyicy, cheesey comfort food deliciousness. The blistered corn is decent. The pies are small and delish- tried the banana cream and double cherry.
You could eat a meal plus dessert for under $20, which isn't over the hill.
SLOW GO! Broadway at 25th. Street