kid friendly

This Saturday visit the Museum of Chinese in America and try your hand at puzzle solving! MOCA is offering family puzzle-solving workshops on the last Saturday of each month from March to August 2011. Kids 4 and older work with...

Nothing rings in Spring better than a funky, upbeat concert led by a banjo-playing certified music therapist.  On Sunday, March 20 from 11-2, the Educational Alliance is hosting The Bossy Frog Band at the Mazer Theater (197 East...

The best congee (26 varieties) in New York City can be found at this large restaurant on Allen Street, and its sister outpost on the Bowery. But there's a huge menu (250 items long) featuring a wide variety of...

Revel in the tacky decor as you slurp down big bowls of congee (rice porridge). There's an extensive menu featuring many other Cantonese dishes.One of the best bargains in the neighborhood - and they deliver! 207 Bowery, near Rivington 212-766-2828 Open 11am-midnight...

A favorite of late night bar crowds, this "hole in the wall" spot serves sweet and savory crepes until the wee hours. 135 Ludlow, near Rivington 212-979-5521 or 212-253-6705 Hours Sunday-Thursday 11am-3am; Friday-Saturday 11am-4am Web site Cash only, late night

A dependable option for pizza and so much more (you can get everything from a burger to Shrimp Scampi).  At least one Lo-Down reader touts the meatballs. Fast delivery, gentle prices. 525 Grand Street, near Henry 212-477-3374 Menu Delivery

A vegan Chinese restaurant that also prepares dishes without garlic and onion (gasp!). Stay away from the mock meat dishes. 170 Allen, near Stanton 212-388-1364 Hours Mon-Sat, 12:30pm-10:30pm; Sun, closed Menu FEATURES Chinese, vegan, delivery, lunch

A-1 Pizza offers a decent slice on the eastern end of Grand Street. 505 Grand Street, near East Broadway 212-533-0214 Open until midnight Menu Delivery

Hand pulled noodles from Lanzhou, in Central China, is the specialty at this hole-in-the-wall on Eldridge Street. The dumplings are also standouts here. 26 Eldridge, near Canal 212-625-1198 Open 1030am-1030pm Menu

Chief Curmudgeon Kenny Shopsin serves up a few hundred (no, that's not a typo) wacky items in his little corner of the Essex Market. Ignore his profane rants and occasional temper tantrums while slurping down one of 54 "made...