Alex Rosen

Every year at the beginning of the semester, both first-years and upperclassmen (newly liberated of John Jay) arrive on campus looking for exciting, reasonable places to eat.

As a first-year, you’ll be eating on campus quite a bit. But there will also be those times when you just want to get away from Columbia dining.

Students arriving back on campus after spring break undoubtedly noticed major changes at Ferris Booth Commons—most notably, a rotating choice of healthy entrees and a new smoothie bar.

Perhaps no place in New York is more elitist, traditional, and expensive than Gramercy. Situated in the 20s near Lexington Avenue, it features huge pre-war brownstones and an eternally-locked private park. To a student with a limited budget, it can look daunting, but by no means should it be avoided. In fact, because of its proximity to Union Square, it can be one of the most entertaining places to visit in the city.

Ever have a craving for just one thing? California roll? Beef burrito? A nice juicy burger? Look no further than FoodieBytes.com, a new beta-form Web site that searches the city’s restaurant menus in order to find the closest restaurants that serve what you desire.

A visit to our local Greenmarket on Broadway—the biweekly farmers market—will reveal the full force of the local and fresh-foods movement.