WEST VILLAGE. Don't let the diminutive size of Ino fool you ­ this Italian wine bar serves up munchies that are huge on taste! Lone lunchers or small groups are most common here, and you will see many worker-bees who have dashed out for a quick noontime bite. Favorites are the creative sandwiches and the classic bruschetta. Light appetites should try the Panini, which comes in variations such as prosciutto with soft Italian cheese and sweet onion or roasted vegetables and goat cheese.

UPPER EAST SIDE. Break away from ordinary dinner fare at this well-received restaurant, which tantalizes taste buds with fragrant, earthy spices and terrific, charcoal-broiled dishes. Start with bolanee kadu (a fried pumpkin turnover) before digging into classics like tandoori chicken or chicken korma. Shrimp, lamb, cod, and beef kebabs also get a spicy rubdown before they're broiled to juicy perfection. Vegetarians have much to applaud as well, thanks to zesty dishes of eggplant, okra, spinach, and zucchini. Affordable prices. TRAIN: 6 to 77th St

MIDTOWN WEST. For Turkish cuisine just a few strides from Time Square, this stylishly appointed dining room is hard to beat. Indeed, folks pack the long, narrow space nightly. The mezes include superb renditions of zucchini pancakes, whipped red caviar, eggplant salad and stuffed vine leaves; meanwhile, mains run from traditional Turkish gyro to grilled trout with arugula and carrots. As to dessert, few things cap a night like Turkish coffee and rice pudding. At just under $20, their three-course prix fixe option allows diners to feast on dishes like barbequed meatballs, falafel and baby okra. TRAIN: B, D, F, V to 47th-50th St-Rockefeller Center; E, V to Fifth Ave-53rd St

CHELSEA. This quaint little breakfast and lunch stop, located in the trendy Chelsea Market, is popular for its delicious homemade baked goods. Inside, you'll see Amy's latest baked offerings like "Organic Rustic Italian," "Organic Whole Wheat Baguette," or "Black Olive Fougasse" stacked in the bins around the counter. Breakfast fare includes a vast selection of scones, muffins, sticky buns, Irish soda bread and more. The neighborhood folks crowd in daily for Amy's unique take on traditional lunch fare ­ a grilled cheese and tomato seasoned with cilantro and chipolte red pepper or ham with swiss on potato onion dill bread. TRAIN: A, C, E, L to 14th St.

EAST VILLAGE. The line out the door will show you that vegans and carnivores agree ­ Angelica Kitchen is a wonderful dining experience. Anyone worried that vegetarian fare isn't filling hasn't tried the sweet potato croquettes flavored with pecans, garlic, fennel and caraway, with an onion-dill glaze. Other filling favorites are the hot, open-faced tempeh sandwich and the "dragon bowl" composed of steamed sea veggies, rice, beans and tofu. Don't forget to save room for the delectable desserts ­ the lemon-almond torte wins raves among regulars. Cash only. Casual dress.