Trina's Starlite lounge has awesome Monday brunch. Starts at Noon though.

Corn fritters, pop-tart and ay caramba benny are awesome. Of course, you gotta have their bloody mary too.

Agreed on the Maíz Asado con Alioli y Queso Cotija at Toro.

Also, Lone Star Taco Bar's Grilled Street Corn and Tico's Sweet Corn with Bacon, Chiles and Thai Basil

Had no idea that onion rings could be anorexic or anemic. Good to know for the future..

Trina's Starlite Lounge has consistently great food and drinks. It's a funky vibe with traditional updated American fare and the staff is really great. The chicken & waffles are awesome (with the Gentleman cocktail especially) and you can never go wrong with their mac and cheese. I've never been disappointed here and It's totally laid back. Not saying you'll want to do this after the rehearsal dinner, but you could totally pop over next door at Parlor Sports and catch any game and a brew on one of the 8 tvs in there.
Russell House Tavern is great too- a bit more upscale but still laid back and completely accommodating. Brussel sprouts and grits are great and the British Bee and Moscow Mule cocktails are go-to's for me.

Whiskey. Before you go on business dinners or what have you, taste various bourbons, ryes and scotch whiskeys to discern what you like. I mostly drink my bourbon neat or with half of a cube to release the favors, but you may not like that. Try it both on the rocks and neat. If that's a little too strong, go with a manhattan for sure.
My other favorite is a martini, and a real one at that (gin).

In Framingham, at Atlantic Importing Co, they carry Hoppin Frog regularly. It wouldn't be a wasted drive as they have an awesome selection.

Esca in midtown west

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Esca
402 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036

Sit on the lawn of the restaurant and hold up a sign that says "Occupy (enter sister's name)"

Seriously, you spoke with your sister and she dismissed you, but I encourage you to have it out with her again since it is crystal clear that she has no respect for you (given that she didn't ask your opinion). I'd say take one for the team, but look at where that got us as a Union? The compromise is paying for what YOU can afford.
Peruse the menu before you go, plan accordingly, bring cash and tell your sister EXACTLY what you're doing. If she has a problem with it then that's too bad, she'll just have to deal with it and get over it.

As a med student, I cannot afford much but perhaps one day I will; even so, I would never assume others could afford or not afford exactly what I can.
Kill with a smile and have a great time.

I hope so, but then the Food Network will run with it and create a new show while some how justifying Guy Fieri being thrown into the mix.

They have the Brett Favre syndrome.

haha, now I concur with this statement.

No, no it does not taste just like bacon.

Rome wasn't built in a day; it is very difficult to educate the general public overnight, which I am sure you understand.
Perhaps the best course of action is educating your daughter wholly first- if she is armed with the tools and intellect of what she can and cannot eat or should or should not eat, I think she can pay that forward to her peers and superiors.
I understand she is young, but this is also the best time for her to absorb as much knowledge as possible. I'm a med student and in my "spare" time, I volunteer in the pediatric oncology wing to help educate the children about their personal illnesses. This helps them to cope and educate others on their lifestyle. Obviously, it is NOT the same, but they are armed with knowledge to help them navigate the world.
Good luck!

Cheesecake- Two Little Red Hens
Gelato- Otto and il Laboratorio del gelato
Praline Parfait - Pearl Oyster Bar
Carrot Cake- Amy's Bread

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Pearl Oyster Bar
18 Cornelia St, New York, NY 10014

Two Little Red Hens
1652 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028

Amy's Bread
250 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014

Il Laboratorio del Gelato
188 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002

I like how you questioned both the bartender and manager; I'm still wondering how they thought you were somehow out of line for questioning them.

Similar to what someone else said, this reminds me of the Seinfeld when George gets charged for missing his Physical Therapy appt, then he charges the PT for missing their next appt and not giving 24 hr notice.
Charge the bar tender for not knowing her Belgian saisons from her Americans- what a crime.

Cannoli Cake!
My parents got one for me when I got into Medical school; it is the only "birthday" cake I eat besides my favorite ice cream cake with the little chocolate crunchies in the center.

I am confused. Did you just move to Union Square? Or Nyc for that matter? Many chains in NYC are such tourist traps so please, for your sake, check in with Chowhound for some awesome lunch spots next time! ;-)

Oh god, I feel the same way; eataly sounds like the name of a bad food blog written by an out of work FiDi guy who is looking for a new career path.

How about Locanda Verde in Tribeca or The Spotted Pig in WV?

Not sure about their August hours, so look into that.

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Spotted Pig
314 W 11th St, New York, NY 10014

Locanda Verde
377 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013

Waldorf Salad, Chicken a la King, shrimp cocktail, hot canapes, raspberry mousse, tea sandwiches, venetian ice cream

Drinks (for those of age): Brandy Sours, Stingers, Champagne, Martinis, Locomotives

American Vintage Wine Biscuits are amazing, addictive and thank goodness they come in 4.5 oz packages.
New York Style Everything Bagel Chips. Wow.

Exactly; I'm pretty sure Frank Bruni (I'd hope so) would agree with you, thew.
His job is not to tell us where to eat and where not to eat, but to enlighten us and share experiences.
According to my taste buds, I really enjoed Abraco for their 3 course lunch; it's really a great value.

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Abraco
86 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003

Why bring it up? It's natural for people to use personal experiences that are relative. You're asking for restaurant suggestions based on the experiences of the Chowhound community; Pemmican seemed to answer the question posted, quite well, and draw a parallel.

That being said, I found Pigalle to be rather quiet and comfortable.

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Pigalle
75 Charles Street South, Boston, MA 02116

Co.
Bar Breton
The Breslin

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La Quenelle
254 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10020

The Breslin
20 W 29th St, New York, NY 10001

I honestly think more than $12 is overpriced. I say that because I am quite a fan of the cocktails at The Breslin and PDT (which are $12); thus, if they are completely satiating my desire and more, why would I pay more elsewhere?
I use those as an example because they are better, in my opinion, than the cocktails I have tasted in other places in recent weeks.

I believe if I am served something really excellent and it exceeds $12, its price will not diminish its appeal for me.

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The Breslin
20 W 29th St, New York, NY 10001

A little north, at 58 and 3rd, is Mia Dona. It has good Spaghetti and meatballs (though, my grandma's are better) with very good prices. 4,5,6 to 59 st

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Mia Dona
206 East 58th Street, New York, NY 10022

Morandi, Minetta Tavern, Peasant, Prune or Tocqueville

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Minetta Tavern
113 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012

Morandi
211 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10014

For whiskey, brandy and yes even great martinis you can go to Brandy Library on N. Moore in Tribeca; they have never let me down and it is a great atmosphere. There is never an overcrowding as they do not let anyone stand. I have never had a problem nor a complaint here.

In addition, for the vibe you described, Flatiron Lounge would hit the spot. I would steer clear on Fri and Sat evenings; weeknights post happy hour would be best.

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Flatiron Lounge
37 W 19th St, New York, NY 10011

Brandy Library
25 N Moore St, New York, NY 10013

How about Morandi? It can get loud, but the food and wine are excellent (particularly the roasted veal chop)

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Morandi
211 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10014

Bar Veloce on 7th ave nr 20th st would be perfect; it's a small space with a great wine list and light panini/tramezzini

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Bar Veloce
176 7th Ave, New York, NY 10011