Kaffe Bona

4785 A E. 91st St., 493-2552; 300 Riverwalk Terrace, 392-9944; 4808 S. 109th E. Ave. (inside Planet Fitness), 392-5432

You shouldn't have to choose between a good cup of coffee and a filling breakfast. Try the bagels with cream cheese or butter, fruit by itself or in a yogurt and granola parfait. Whet your whistle with The Hurricane, a raspberry mocha blend, or the Pirate's Booty, macadamia nut mocha.

Hours: MON-THURS 7-12AM; FRI 7-1AM; SAT 9-1AM; SUN 11AM-12AM

Hebert's Specialty Meats

2101 E. 71st St., 298-8400

Add a taste of the Bayou to your day at this meat shop and lunch spot. Meats to cook at home include turkey or chicken to Cajun sausage or even rascally rabbit. Or let Herbert's do the work and enjoy catfish filled with shrimp and crab stuffing or turducken served with dirty rice.

Hours: MON-SAT 10AM-6PM

Saigon Palace Asian Cuisine

1938 S. Garnett, 438-9205

Looking for some Asian cuisine but can't settle on one region? Saigon Palace specializes in Chinese, Vietnamese, Laotian and Taiwanese dishes. For starters try the spring rolls accompanied by a delightful peanut sauce. For an entrée, the stir fried clam dinner comes highly recommended, served in oyster sauce with large slices of ginger providing just the right amount of zest.

Hours: SUN-SAT 11AM-10PM

Tucci's

1344 E. 15th St., 582-3456

These hot days make a good case for a late night meal. Tucci's, open late Friday and Saturday, has the cure for summer blues. The Caesar Salad is always a refreshing option, but if you're in the mood for something heartier, you might try the lasagna or ask for the day's special.

MON-FRI 11AM-2PM; MON-THURS 5PM-9:30PM; FRI-SAT 5pm-10:30PM