3 - Le Colonial [French Vietnamese]

LAST VISIT: 8/4/2008    http://www.lecolonialnyc.com/

My husband took me to dinner at Le Colonial for my birthday during our first summer in NYC. The atmosphere in the restaurant makes you feel like you are in Vietnam. It is a fun environment and surprising that it is on 57th Street in the city! The service is top notch and the food is delish. I have only been once, but I ordered the Com Tho Ga (organic chicken in a clay pot with shiitake, bamboo shoots, Napa cabbage and ginger seasoned rice) and the memory of the flavors was stamped on the taste part of my brain and has stuck with me. This is a great place to feel like you have escaped the city for a mini vacation while enjoying fun, creative food.

3 - Buttercup Bake Shop

LAST VISIT: 5/2009     http://buttercupbakeshop.com/

So far, these rank as my most loved cupcakes in NYC. They are fluffy and full of flavor. My favorite is the Sour Cream Spice cupcake...holy moly is it deliciousness!!!! Of course they are a bakery so they have much more than cupcakes to choose from...there is something for everyone. I have a hard time looking at the picture - it makes me want to run out and grab a Sour Cream Spice pronto!

1 - Serendipity3

LAST VISIT: 11/2008     http://www.serendipity3.com/main.htm

I know this restaurant is recognized by Oprah for the frozen hot chocolate...but screw Oprah! I like the desserts, they are pretty good, but I have no idea why everyone loves the frozen hot chocolate so much - it is bland. The food is just okay, but what concerns me is that this "famous place" was shut down for an infestation problem in 2007 [http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2007/11/15/2007-11-15_health_dept_closes_serendipity_3_over_ra.html]. Ever since I heard about that I really hate the idea of going...and I will only eat the desserts if I do go. Guard yourselves people - just because Oprah loves it doesn't mean it is rodent-free!

2 - Rosa Mexicano

LAST VISIT: 1/2009 http://www.rosamexicano.com/

There is a debate in NYC - Who's guac is the best: Dos Caminos or Rosa Mexicano??? I fell in love with the Dos Camino's guac just shortly after moving to NYC, so I had to take the challenge to determine which guac was best. Sure enough, Dos Caminos' guac won the metal of honor. Rosa's version is similar however, it was bland. It seems to lack the flavor and kick that any guac requires. Their food was in a similar boat - their interpretation of Mexican fusion didn't get me flying off my seat only to return a week later. It wasn't horrible, but my expectations were too high and the food was average.

3 - Dos Caminos (Guacamole/Chips/Salsa ONLY)

LAST VISIT: 4/2010 http://www.brguestrestaurants.com/restaurants/dos_caminos_soho/index.php

I used to LOVE Dos Caminos. It was a great fusion Mexican food experience. Recently the restaurant made several food changes and the food just doesn't seem to be as awesome as it was about six months. Don't get me wrong though, the guacamole, chips and salsa are still off the chain. My girlfriend and I went there just the other day to sit on the patio on the nice spring day and have the famous guacamole. Seriously, it isn't repeatable anywhere else. It is too bad the food hit the decline!

Go here just for the guac!

3 - Butter Lane

LAST VISIT: 12/2009 http://www.butterlane.com/

These cupcakes are delightful!!! They inspire creativity by allowing you mix and match the mini cakes with your choice of frosting. They have homemade cider that is super delish and warms you right up. A super cute place indeed!