Deena: Tropical Roll 1
Where: JJ’s Asian Fusion 37-05 31st Ave., Astoria, Queens
Cost: $9.95



Sushi doesn't come cheap, and this is another sushi place in Astoria where I will actually eat.    I love it--great, interesting rolls, not like other generic rolls that we all know the names of.  And really friendly service in a romantic dining room.  The Tropical Roll 1 is a refreshing mix of salmon, avocado, mango and soybean paper with a strawberry-mango sauce and almond garnish.  






David: Hummus Fava
Where: Hummus Place 109 St. Mark’s Place, East Village (between 1st Ave. and Ave. A); 212.529.9198
Cost: $4.00

Hummus Place is the kind of place you want close to home.  It's quick and inexpensive, yummy and filling, and best of all, chic.  And as all true New Yorkers know, any place worth its salt needs to be close enough to run down to or get a delivery from.  They now have five locations on each corner of this island so that no Manhattanite is left out.  They had to double up in the west, uptown and downtown.  There’s a Hummus Place no matter where you are in Manhattan, and each location has its own design and neighborhood feel.

Jessica: Latte and Balthazar Croissant
Where: Bittersweet - 180 Dekalb Ave, Fort Greene, Brooklyn; (718)852-2556
Cost: $6

This is my "bittersweet" goodbye to my dear Fort Greene community and my favorite, most reliable espresso fix.  Thank you for your beautiful, velvety foam and rich, dark caramel flavor. I will never forget you and promise to visit every once in a while, especially in the summer, when the trees are lush and the stoops are sunny. Mwah! Love ya!





José: Thai Crispy Crab Cakes
Where: Alpha Asian Fusion 365 W. 34th St., Midtown (212) 279.8887
Cost: $9


Forget what you know about crab cakes and head over to Alpha. In most restaurants crab cakes tend to be overrated. They’re either dry, too mushy or bland. As soon as you get a bite from these guys, I promise you, you’ll come back for more. The crunchy sweetness of the outside is a great surprise. What’s even more surprising is how fresh and yummy they are on the inside. I’ve never had anything like it.

Tags: cheap eats