Sauteed Portobello Mushrooms  @ Udaberri Pintxos Y Vino
Udaberri may be known for its cocktails and late-night bar feel, but its lesser-known food offerings should get just as much attention as the drinks. In particular, the sauteed portobello mushrooms with egg yolk is delicious and super affordable at only $7! Juicy and meaty mushroom pieces sauteed in a rich butter sauce combined with a golden egg yolk create absolute bliss. Even meat eaters would be impressed. Other items on the ever-changing menu is worth a taste too. In particular, their monster sized steaks and watermelon and feta salad drizzled in honey, Get in early to snag a seat, as Udaberri gets packed early on weekends.

Fig Brown Butter Financier Cake and DKA  @ 189 Spring St, New York,
Before there was the Cronut, there was a simple neighborhood bakery headed by one of the greatest pastry chefs to ever grace the New York dining scene. Formerly of Daniel, Dominique Ansel spread his wings to open his own bakery in the West Village with his take on classic pastries. While everything is tasty, standouts include his seasonal desserts. Pictured is the Fig Brown Butter Financier Cake, which is subtly sweet, creamy and the perfect combination of textures. Year-round, however, you should definitely make a point to get the DKA (pictured) - Dominique's take on the kouign-amann, a pastry that tastes like a palmier cookie, but pulls apart and flakes lightly like the best croissant. Think of it as a “plain,” non-deep-fried cronut, but better, because you don't have to wake up super early to get one.

Mille crepe  @ Lady M Confections
Imagine the lightest crepe you've ever tasted. Now imagine that multiplied by 20, layered together and bound by the slightest bit of pastry cream. Cut into cake slices, you have the infamous mille crepe from Lady M. Each bite is so airy and light you almost think you're eating deliciously scented air, but really it's just meltingly soft crepe cake. It feels like a truly guilt-free food you can eat every day. The green tea flavor is wonderfully bitter, while the chocolate is rich without overwhelming the lightness of the cake. Certain flavors change seasonally, so it's a good bet to keep returning for more.

Macaron Ice Cream Sandwiches @ Franois Payard Bakery
Francois Payard is known for many things, including his incredible almond croissants - some of the best in the city. One of the most unique creations he offers, however, are the seasonal macaron ice cream sandwiches. Fun flavors include salted caramel, espresso brownie and coconut mango and more. The macaron cookies blanket wonderful ice cream and offer the perfect treat to beat the heat.

Bagel Bomb  @ Momofuku Milk Bar
Milk Bar, the dessert-focused arm of the Momofuku restaurant empire, came to prominence with such offerings as the compost cookie, which boasts pretzels, potato chips and coffee grounds among its many ingredients; and cereal milk soft-serve, which tastes exactly as it sounds - a soft-serve version of the sweetened milk found at the bottom of your bowl of cereal. While those are both great choices on the sweet side of things, the bagel bomb is a savory delight - bacon scallion cream cheese encased in an everything-bagel exterior. Ask them to heat it up so the cream cheese starts to ooze slightly. It will change your view of breakfast forever.

Baguettes  @ Maison Kayser
When Parisian baker Eric Kayser opened his first location in New York, there was much speculation about how the quality would vary. Worries about this are completely unfounded and melt away as you bite into the amazingly delicious baguette. Crisp crust and airy crumb, it is the perfect vehicle for loads of butter or just alone. All of the breads at this lovely boulangerie are absolutely perfect specimens. But for a quick bite, the almond croissant is fantastic, while the ham and cheese croissant is truly amazing. Eaten cold, the ham and cheese combination is familiar to most, but heated up slightly makes the cheese ooey gooey and the ham's saltiness that much more of a complement to the cheese. Not to be missed on any bakery tour.

Cookies @ Levain Bakery
Frequently touted as the best cookies in NYC, this is one of the few times I'll go along with the crowd. These cookies are insane. Levain is one of the few places I will wait in line because the cookies are that good. I'm partial to the dark chocolate chocolate chip, which is rich with only a touch of sweetness, crispy edges with a chewy center and chocolate chips that are practically creamy even when eating fully room temperature. The classic chocolate chip walnut is a perennial favorite as well. But quite honestly, after waiting in the quick moving, but very long line, you might as well go all out and get all four types of cookies, including oatmeal raisin and dark chocolate peanut butter chip. You won't regret it (though find someone to share - these are really big cookies).

The Super Bowl @ Las Palapas
Recommended order: Taco Norteno (steak, cheese and avocado in a grilled flour tortilla) and Las Palapas’ Super Bowl (choice of al carbon, chicken fajita or guisada, drizzled with queso dip and rice, charro beans, lettuce, tomatoes and sliced avocado.). When the waiter brings you complimentary chips and salsa, be sure to ask for roasted salsa, too.

Chicken Fajita Plate @ Rosas Cafe Tortilla
Another favorite is Rosa’s Café Tortilla Factory. In addition to delicious Tex-Mex food at reasonable prices, Rosa’s runs a tight ship. It’s one of the most efficient establishments you will find. Your food is ready fast (they post your check number on a screen when your food is ready. They boast an average wait time of less than three minutes, it’s always hot and fresh, and they keep their salsa station freshly stocked. Primarily in West Texas (Its first location was built in San Angelo, Texas, in 1983.), Rosa’s has almost 40 locations (38 company-owned locations in Texas and an independently-owned location in California). Recommended order: Chicken Fajita Plate accompanied by guacamole and three tortillas.

Picadillo Nachos  @ Mama Margie's
Recommended order at Mama Margie’s: Picadillo Nachos (A big platter of chips with plenty of refried beans, picadillo meat and melted Cheddar cheese. Served with guacamole and sour cream) and Mike’s Super Plate (a cheese enchilada, a crispy beef taco and bean and cheese chalupa with refried beans, Mexican rice, guacamole salad, lettuce, tomato and two flour tortillas.