Brother Jimmy's, 1485 2nd Ave (btwn 77 & 78th)

If you went to an ACC college, at some point you will find yourself at a Brother Jimmy's. When I first moved to the city, a friend of mine would organize saturday game days at the upper east side location, which I believe is considered "the original". I also had the pleasure of living 2 blocks away from the upper UPPER east side's bait shop on 92nd and 3rd, which my roommate and I found hilarious to visit in our PJs one night.

Brother Jimmy's is loud, and if there is a remotely interesting game on it's going to be crowded, but if you are fortunate enough to get a table facing a TV playing your game, you will not be disappointed. Aside from the $2 PBRs, Brother Jimmy's also does a swamp water, which is a ridiculously sugary mixture of various mixes, alcohols and who knows what, doused in ice and then presented to the table with about 20 straws and a plastic alligator. The waitress blows a whistle as she brings it to the table and everyone hurridly sucks away only to find out 2 minutes later it was probably the worst idea they'd had in a long time. Not to say I didn't have my fair share of swamp waters, but when you're 23 you're not exactly making the best life decisions.

Just about any night of the week is going to be hopping, so it's good to go with friends, large groups, or even a date if she's into that (and there are many of us who are!). The Bait Shop has a huge back room great for alumni gatherings, and the lexington avenue and union square locations have some outdoor seating.

WHAT TO BITE? Nachos, $12.50, to accompany your Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich, $10.50 - when asked your choice of side, steer clear of the fries and find your way to the mac n' cheese.

The Pump, 80 Pine Street (btwn Pearl & Water)

I had my first meal at The Pump a few years ago when I was working at a law firm in midtown. I probably ordered the wrong thing because I didn't find it all that appealing. Now that I work downtown, there is one across the street from my office (yay) that I live at, especially now with the bad weather.

What The Pump does is what there should be more of in New York City. They take good food and keeps it healthy so you don't have to do all the work. I eat breakfast at home, but if I didn't, I'd come here. Egg whites are par for the course and the seasonal muffins they have keep me going all morning (for those mornings when I'm too lazy to cook for myself). Lunch is my favorite. The concept is, you pick a protein (spicy bison meatballs, oven roasted turkey, chicken breast, beef or tofu) served in a plate with rice (or a veg), in a low-carb wrap, or as a salad, and add on your veggies (seasonal veggies + tons of others), add some healthy fats, squirt on a little sauce and there you have it. All the veggies have fantastic flavors as they are either grilled, roasted, or mixed with fresh herbs, and the sauces steer far away from the fat/calorie contents you find in a lot of dishes.

WHAT TO BITE? Get a bison plate over brown rice (or herbed spaghetti squash if in season), tomatoes with basil, caramelized peppers and onions topped with grass-fed cheddar cheese, some sweet red hot sauce, $11.25 and devoured in under 2 minutes.