New York City New York City Chelsea Food

Cafeteria, 119 7th Ave. (www.cafeteriagroup.com), The meatloaf comes with garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, and roasted tomato relish ($15). The blueberry pancakes are made with ricotta and come with lemon zest and cream ($11). The inspiration is Aunt Jemima, the execution is Wolfgang Puck. Also featuring a spirited list of cocktails ($11-13) and mocktails ($5-6). Breakfast $6-12. Appetizers $6-13. Salads $8-15. Entrees $14-20. Beer $6-8. Mixed drinks $11-13. Open daily 24hr. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.
Westside Market, 77 Seventh Ave., at 15th St. (www.wmarketnyc.com), You may never have been shocked and awed by a grocery store before, but there is a first time for everything. Cheeses, artisan beers, sandwiches, hot entrees, sushi, salads, sides, homemade spreads, meats, granolas, candies, coffees, teas, juices..they have everything, and they have a lot of it. Whether you're gourmet-only or a shopper on a budget, this store has enough options to keep staring wide-eyed at food for longer than is generally socially acceptable. Cheese $5-27 per lb. Artisan beer 6-pack $12-20. Homemade spreads from $3 per lb. Sushi $6.15-9.75. Wraps and sandwiches $6-7. Meat $3-9 per lb. Hot entrees $5-16 per lb. Produce $0.89-4 per lb. Open daily 7am-midnight. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.
The City Bakery, 3 W. 18th St., between 5th and 6th Ave. (www.thecitybakery.com), Restaurateurs in Chelsea sometimes give their establishments misleading names. This “bakery,” for instance, is actually a buffet-style restaurant. Gourmet pastas, including the best macaroni and cheese in the neighborhood, salads, homemade soups, fresh baked goods; grab a plate and load up! Just like your high school cafeteria, but with edible food. Salads and hot entrees $14 per lb. Yogurt and fruit $7.50 per lb. Bakery $0.75-$6. Pizzas and sandwiches $3.50-$9. Soup $5-7. Open M-F 7:30am-7pm, Sa 8am-7pm, Su 10am-6pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.
Rosa Mexicano, 9 E. 18th St., between Broadway and 5th Ave. (www.rosamexicano.com), In the Chelsea restaurant business, presentation is everything, and this Mexican-inspired restaurant just about takes the torta. Every dish, from the chicken tacos ($13.50-18.50) to the Enchiladas de Pulpo ($14), a world apart from the ones your abuela made, is a work of art. You almost don't want to eat it. But don't stare too long, the food is even more delicious than it looks. Appetizers $8-14. Quesadillas and tortas $11.50-13.50. Tacos $13.50-19. Enchiladas $11.75-24. Tacos $14-20. Tequila $11-19. Margaritas $11-18. Wine $8-10. M-Th 11:30am-10:30pm, F-Sa 11:30am-11:30pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.
Paradise Cafe, 141 8th Ave, at 17th St. Hipsters and businessmen alike gather at this brightly colored cafe papered with original art to sip their fair-trade certified coffee and use free Wi-Fi. The menu contains an overwhelming number of sandwiches, wraps, salads, and bakery items for both meat eaters and vegetarians. On summer days, the large windows are opened to let in the breeze. Paradisiacal indeed. Salads $7.50-9.50. Sandwiches $4-8.25. Breakfast $1.50-$8.25. Smoothies $4.50-$5.50. Bakery $1.90-$4. Coffee and tea $1.30-4. Open daily 7am-7pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.
Better Burger, 178 8th Ave., between 19th and 20th St. (www.betterburgernyc.com), You know the American burger has developed an attitude when the condiment bar includes “Karma Ketchup” (ketchup with curry, cumin, coriander, and cardamom). Yes, the burger has gone in for a makeover and come back tastier, healthier, and more creative. It now comes in chicken, turkey, and soy form ($5-7.45). Fries, too, have their noses in the air; they insist on being AIR-BAKED instead of deep-fried. Instead of ordering a milkshake, you can wash it all down with milk- or fruit-based smoothies in eight different flavors. Burgers $5-8. Sides $2.25. Salads $3.45-9. Soups $3-4. Smoothies $4.25-5.25. Open M-Th 11am-11:30pm, F-Sa 11am-midnight, Su 11am-11:30pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.
RUB, 208 W. 23rd St. (www.rubbbq.com), They call him the “Baron of Barbeque.” That's because Paul Kirk, head chef of RUB (Righteous Urban Barbeque), has won 425 cooking awards and holds a coveted position in the Barbecue Hall of Fame. You can feast on the Baron's spicy, tangy barbecue greatness on pork-, fish-, chicken-, duck-, or even, if you are of the vegetarian persuasion, Portobello mushroom-form. An order of deep-fried Oreos ($5) or bacon chocolate-chip cookies ($6) will help you close your feast in true Kansas City-barbecue style. Appetizers $7-9. Sandwiches $9.25-12. BBQ by the lb. $17-18. Platters $15.50-24. Chicken $4.75-19. Ribs $12.50-24. Specialties $15.50-289. Beer $6. Mixed drinks $7-12. Open daily 11:30am-11:30pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.
elmo, 156 7th Ave., at 19th St. (www.elmorestaurant.com), Don't be misled into thinking the name has anything to do with Sesame Street; this place is for grown-ups. You can tell from the modern art hanging from the ceiling, the creative cocktails like the Blood Orange Cosmo ($11), and the fact that the French fries are truffle-filled ($9). The waiters, clad in black shorts and matching shirts, will treat you like family. Or at least call you “Love.” Appetizers $7-10. Salads $7-17. Mixed drinks $11. Wine $8-10. Open daily M-F 11am-midnight, Sa 11am-1am, Su 10am-11pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol. Has outdoor seating.
Vynl, 102 8th Ave., at 15th St. (www.vynl-nyc.com), With a ceiling that looks like a giant disco ball sky dotted by record-shaped raindrops, colorful mosaic tables, and little shrines to music on the walls, complete with Michael Jackson and “Yellow Submarine” dolls, you can't possibly sit in this restaurant and not be having fun. The interactive menu, with items such as “Your” Grilled Cheese Sandwich, is similarly fun. Choose from six different breads, seven different cheeses, and optional add-ons such as bacon and avocado ($7). Appetizers $6-12. Soups and salads $7-13. Burgers $10-11. Sandwiches $7-10. Entrees $11-17. M-Th 11am-11pm, F 11am-midnight, Sa-Su 9:30am-midnight. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol. Has outdoor seating.
Le Zie 2000, 172 7th Ave., between 20th and 21st St. (www.lezie.com), Because Italian restaurants are generic and cliché, Le Zie 2000 specializes in Venetian food. Which means that they serve lasagna, ravioli, fettuccine, gnocchi, and spaghetti ($12-16). The linguini with clams, garlic, and olive oil ($14) is delicious. Appetizers $6-17. Pasta $12-16. Entrees $15-17. Wine $8. Open M-F noon-11pm, Sa-Su 11am-11pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol. Has outdoor seating.
Pop Burger, 58-60 9th Ave., between 14th and 15th St. (www.popburger.com), The innovative Pop Burger is a 3 oz. patty, usually served with a clone or two. You can eat it in the counter area, which resembles a cross between a modern art gallery and beach-style food stand, or in the swanky lounge area, paired with a cocktail ($12-15). But choose wisely: at the counter, twin pop burgers cost a reasonable $6.75, while in the lounge the price skyrockets to $15 for a trio. Burgers and sandwiches $7-9. Salads $6-10. Sides $3.50-5. Soda and shakes $2-6. Dinner $12-25. Beer $5-11, mixed drinks $12-15, wine $11/44-$16/60. Open M-Th 11am-2am, F-Sa 11am-5am, Su 11am-2am. Lounge opens at 5pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.