Every neighborhood should have a City Bakery, where imaginative salads make veggies exciting, soups are silky and flavorful, and chocoholics rejoice at the creamy, dreamy hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows. The caramelized French toast (available only on weekends) and pretzel croissant have legions of fans as well, as do the array of sweet baked treats. Seating in the boisterous, high-ceilinged café is limited, so if you’re not the patient type, take your goodies to go and sit in nearby Union Square to munch alfresco.

City Bakery Information:

• American menu. Breakfast, lunch.