lunch

Cusine: MexicanAddress: 120 Essex St., Essex Street Market/mapPhone: 646-820-8226 Hours:  Daily 11 a.m.-6 p.m.Menu/web siteReservations: noDelivery: no Jesse Kramer, a French Culinary School grad, and Erica Molina first impressed taco aficionados on the Lower East Side at the Hester Street Fair....

Bright, friendly coffee shop on Orchard with a good selection of teas, salads and sandwiches. They recently began offering a full dinner menu, with table service after 6pm, as well as wine and beer. 88 Orchard, at Broome 212-228-8880 Mon.-Thurs. 7:30-11PM, Fri....

One of the only kosher restaurants in the neighborhood. The menu includes all of the Jewish delicatessen standards, plus steaks, pasta dishes and burgers. 399 Grand, near Clinton 212-674-2200 Open Sun-Thu, 10am-10pm; Fri, 9am-3pm; Sat, closed Menu

The large Grand Street restaurant offers an expansive Vietnamese menu, including ten varieties of pho. The service is chilly but efficient. 245 Grand, near Bowery 212-966-6507 Open daily 10am-10pm Menu

This place only has five tables and three seats at the sushi bar. Customers frequently have to wait awhile to be served, but it's hard to beat the daily special: three rolls for $10. 109 Eldridge, near Broome 212-219-1555 Hours Sun-Thu, 11:30am-11:30pm;...

Vietnamese restaurant mogul Michael Huynh conquers the burger at this tiny Lower East Side joint. The basic offerings will only set you back $5. Add chili or cheese, jalapeno and wasabi menu --  and you'll pay a couple bucks...

The build-your-own meatball sensation on Stanton Street. Pick a meatball from column a (beef, pork, chicken, vegetable) with a sauce from column b. The DIY theme continues on the dessert menu: ice cream sandwiches featuring several flavors and cookie...

Located in an appealing corner spot on Orchard Street, Little Giant serves a homey, locally sourced, seasonal menu.  Brunch is very popular. 85 Orchard, at Broome 212-226-5047 ...

A French bistro with Brazilian and African accents, a laid back vibe and a party atmosphere in the late evenings. The grilled steak marinated in spices from the Ivory Coast, a Brazilian seafood stew and the lamb shank tajine...

Gussied up diner serving a global menu, but excelling at Mediterranean specialties like falafel and seafood herime. Very friendly service. Wi/fi service not always reliable. 189 East Broadway (at Jefferson) 212-387-0366 Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-10:30pm; Sat-Sun, 8:30am-10:30pm Menu Delivery, wi-fi