Miriam - Brooklyn, New York

Star rating: **

This looked good, this looked really good. Opposite some prime second hand shopping this looked like a place to eat. We shared some mezes which were all delicious yet it could've done with bigger portions (one stuffed vine leaf, one stuffed pastry)

So imagine my huge disappointment was when I had to suffer one of the worst meals I've had since the olive garden incident. A tasteless coucous with a sour, unseasoned tomato sauce and pumpkin and butternut squash that resembled and tasted like something you'd get out of a jar of baby food. This puke worthy main should come with a warning.

I still have some hope as the mezes were THAT good and all my carnivorous friends loved their meals. Maybe it was bad choosing on my part.

Worth another try but definitely don't go near the couscous and vegetables.

Market Diner - Manhattan, New York

Star rating: ***

After some friday partying me and my friends were on a grease hunt. We wanted burgers and milk shakes. We wanted fries and pizzas. We were hungry and determined. Following a recommendation we found ourselves in a healthy pizza take out where the pizza was served at room temperature and just found ourselves walking right back out despite the fact the one slice we shared was good we knew it wouldn't hit the spot.

This left us walking around Hell's Kitchen, then the Theatre District and somewhere inbetween this giant diner hailed us. It was everything we wanted and more. I got a veggie burger and we shared our plethora of fries (sweet potato not so good, regular and waffle fires scrumptious) and someone had a brioche french toast with caramelised apples which was yummy. Everyone else had regular burgers which I did without.

When you get the munchies or have a tummy hangover this place is a food eden, we asked about star spots by the staff on our way out and the place boasts guests such as Keanu Reeves and Cynthia Nixon, so who knows who will see you in your dragged out of bed best.

Olive Garden - Manhattan, New York

Star rating: *

No good food comes out of times square so when my mum's friend vehemently advocated the Olive Garden I decided to let myself be surprised. Especially when I was told unlimited salad and bread were on offer.

There was a stench hanging in the air and we were told to wait for 45mins, we had some good cocktails going in that time. Definitely recommend the Mango Margarita, which is cool and refreshing. We had a chance to skim through the menu which to be honest was uninspired, with a horrible calorie count for every dish. We both decided on a creamy mushroom ravioli.

The bread was delicious, garlic-y and buttery. The salad was lovely, with lemon and parmesan. The ravioli was filling but was boring and bland. Just something to give you a bad belly ache. What this place should do is just stick to what it does well, the salad and the bread. Mmm. I know I only had the ravioli but with that overpowering smell I didn't want to stick around and find out what else they had to offer.

Max Brenner - Manhattan, New York

Star rating: ****

For a chocolate break you won't forget in a hurry, this delicious chocolate fest is nestled in the busy union square.

This is definitely not where I'd go if I wanted a savoury meal rather it's a place of indulgence. Pages and pages of things you didn't know you could do with sugar. We had a combination of the non-chocolate and chocolate, I had a cinnamon apple waffle, with syrup and ice cream. Beautiful. My friend had a banana chocolate filled crepe. Beautiful but not as beautiful as mine. My mum had an omelette and an italian hot chocolate, vanilla cream milk with some smooth velvety milk chocolate; yes I stole it. We got some spiced fries for the table but I thought they had a funny after taste and got suspicious about if they were cooked in the same oil or area as some meat.

There weren't many non-meaty savoury options, actually just the funny tasting fries if you're not an egg-eater so I'd recommend a small tiny savoury snack somewhere else before falling into the sweet haven of max brenner. Even the most hardcore dieter would give in and it'll be worth every moment on the lips.

Shelly's Trattoria - Manhattan, New York

Star rating: ***

Me and my mum stumbled across this primarily seafood place on our way home from fifth. Now neither of us ate sea food so most of the menu was no-go, until you get to the vegetable section. My eyes flitted from the 'vegetarian' which was aubergine, peppers, arugula (my new favourite word) and mozzarella and a wholesome option, goats cheese, caramelized onion and some more arugula. With the waiter's recommendation I opted for the vegetarian. Seems like ordering the vegetarian is turning into a habit.

The setting was lovely, quiet after all the hustle and bustle. You do get a bit of a seafood stench but you get used to it. Also, even though the prices seem to be a bit above the norm, the pizza is definitely enough for two (tried and tested). The pizza was simple in flavour, the way a pizza should be and light on the digestion. We got lovely complimentary breads, parmesan crispy bread and what appeared to be a sun-dried tomato loaf, it would have been a pleasant bonus if the loaf was warm when it arrived.

In typical tantalizing style desserts were brought out to tempt you to go against your better judgement. We got some tiramisu, which was a bit on the creamy side yet sweet and moist enough to keep me happy. If you were wanting something sweet and couldn't bear the idea of the huge desserts on offer (creme brulee, strawberry cheese cake and some cannolas.

The service was great, welcoming, friendly and helpful. It was a cosy experience after all and a filling one at that; it's hard not to be full after american size portions!

Helmand - Afghani Restaurant, Cambridge MA

Star rating: *****

When you see a section of the menu titled vegetarian you're expectations rise a little, Helmand's had such a section and it did not disappoint.

Just next to a shopping centre it's a perfect post-retail therapy meal. The atmosphere is welcoming and warm. You get a feel that you are in Afghanistan with the soft music in the background and a glimpse of a giant stone oven.

The service was acceptable, the staff generally nice but nothing exceptional. The menu had a mouth watering variety of options for vegetarians which made making a decision difficult.

Flat Afghani bread was served with a variety of sauces and some butter for the less adventurous, for starters we had the bowlani, two pastries, one filled with spiced potatoes which was divine and the other with leeks and scallion both drizzled with yoghurt mint sauce. I ordered the 'special' for my main course; this was aubergine (eggplant) on a roasted tomato sauce, spinach, pumpkin with a garlic/yoghurt sauce, okra with some pallow rice topped with some raisins (rice with a variety spices such as cinnamon and cumin). The aubergine was soft but not greasy, the pumpkin was sweet and melted in your mouth and the rice was a lovely subtle accompaniment to the meal.

The meal was delicious and the portions were generous. The prices were fair for such a lovely meal and it was great to have a filling meal in the USA that was not soaked in cheese and butter. This restaurant is highly recommended for vegetarians.