Effy's Cafe, 1638 3rd Ave (btwn 91st & 92nd)

I used to pass Effy's Cafe on the way home from the gym, and there's nothing the body craves more after a spinning class than carbohydrates. Though I make it a point not to take my wallet with me to the gym for that exact reason, often I'd shower, think about my next meal, and walk over and take a seat at Effy's. First of all, they serve breakfast all day, which I personally find fantastic. Second of all, it's an adorable little cafe with some of the best people watching a person could hope for. And third, it's not a Starbucks, so I'm happy to support it.

You can pick up or sit in the cafe, but be warned, on the weekend's its tough to find a spot. The good thing is Central Park isn't too far away, so you can get your food and then take a seat near Jackie O's reservoir.

WHAT TO BITE? Spinach quiche, $6.95 or the Tel Aviv Salad, $7.95.

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.