Corner Cafe & Bakery, 1645 3rd Ave (NE corner of 92nd)

One day I was exploring the Upper East Side with my roommate when we stumbled across a new bakery. Not only was there a delicious smell of fresh baked bread, but they also owned a restaurant, where presumably said fresh bread was also served. So, on another parental visit, mom, dad and I explored the new Corner Cafe & Bakery.

Normally I have a sick ability to remember what everybody I'm dining with had to eat. For some reason, the only thing I can remember from this meal was that my mom had bacon, and it was delicious. She either had a turkey club or a blt, both items I've seen my mother eat and for the life of me I can't remember which it was. I can't even remember what I had to eat because that bacon stuck out like a sore thumb. Also, the bread was fresh and delicious because, of course, they made it at the bakery a few feet away.

The Corner Cafe is small, but the service was good and the staff was friendly. This was some time ago, and it was fairly new, but I saw it was still thriving and can only imagine the fresh bread just keeps bringing diners back time and time again.

WHAT TO BITE? BLT, $11.95.

Fetch, 1649 3rd Ave (btwn 92nd & 93rd)

When I lived on the Upper East Side I found exploring restaurants to be a good use of one's time, since lets' be honest, once you move below 42nd Street you find any excuse not to have to go above it. My parents were still living in Westchester during that time and fortunately for me were willing to visit often, since my work schedule didn't allow many leisurely trips home. On one such occassion, Dad and a good friend of mine decided to walk North on 3rd Avenue and see what we could find. We stumbled upon Fetch, which stole my heart because the owners are heavily involved in animal rescue, and the food is quite good.

Fetch is technically a family place, so don't go between 7am and 9pm if you're really not in the mood to have a screaming toddler at the table next to you. 99.9% of the time I don't want to see children in a restaurant, but I won't fault parents for bringing them to a place like this. Where they certainly should not be is at Marea on a Saturday night. No seriously. It's weird.

The ambiance is friendly and inviting, there are pictures of pet owners and their dogs on the wall, and they even have an adoption wall so you can cry after eating your eggs. The food is pretty standard, with a few pleasant surprises. They have these philly cheese steak egg rolls that apparently are a little slice of heaven. Too bad I was still off red meat when I was dining there. So, if you find yourself WAY on the Upper East Side, maybe after visiting one of our fine NYC museums, walk a few avenues East and grab some food at Fetch.

WHAT TO BITE? Philly Cheese steak Egg Rolls, $10, Cobb Salad (with fresh corn!), $11.

La Follia, 226 3rd Ave. (NW corner of 19th)

Valentine's Day dinners can be a lot of pressure, I'm sure. Frankly, I'm not a big fan of the holiday asides from it's an excuse to eat some chocolate, which I'm also not the biggest fan of. I was pleasantly surprised by the price fix menu at La Follia, unfortunately for me it was comprised of slight "V-day" variations of their normal menu, and I can't return until perhaps next year for what was quite possibly the best truffle polenta of my life.

The restaurant is split into two parts, so it makes the ambiance a little calmer, and quieter. I don't enjoy having to yell in order to articulate a point in my conversation. The wait staff was attentive, and the runners quickly brought the food out. Maybe again, because it was a pre-set menu with limited dining options, but let's chalk it up to the wonderful runners out there. There are steps leading into the kitchen, which I think can only spell catastrophe for the staff, but everything managed to go fine, with food placed on the bar and then brought over either by a runner or waitstaff.

The restaurant itself is warm, without being overdone. They have small plates of meats and cheeses, and the menu includes some health conscious items as well as a lighter take on some Italian classics. So grab your significant other, or a friend, and walk over, enjoy the evening together and get a new spin on an old food.

WHAT TO BITE? The polenta, $8 and whatever you do, try the truffle fries.. your dining companion will be jealous, $5.

dishes, 48 Grand Central Terminal (42nd btwn Park & Lex)

I was blessed with the ability to live with my parents for the first two years of law school. That is, when I wasn't living in the library. The first year, my mom was working in Westchester as a librarian so, was doing the reverse commute from Grand Central. Sometimes, when I came home before midnight and hadn't succomb to fast food row near the law school, there would be a delicious pot pie from dishes waiting for me at home.

There is almost anything you can imagine at Dishes. That's why I can't categorize it as one particular theme. It has some traditional american dishes (like my pot pie), some latin american dishes, southwestern style, even asian noodles. It's actually perfect given its location, so commuters passing through not knowing what the heck they want to eat for dinner can have options. They also have a massive list of pre-designed sandwiches, targeting the same audience, as well as numerous salads. Oh, and did I mention they have Balthazar croissants? Yum without the two hour wait.

So if you find yourself at Grand Central, wanting to pick up something to take home, or are heading somewhere else and want a little picnic lunch, not only should you check out Grand Central Market but definitely make a pit stop at dishes. The hot entree's change, but they are always wonderful.

WHAT TO BITE? Personal chicken pot pie, $5.50.