If you’ve ever been to New York, or known anyone from New York, you’ve probably heard of the unappetizing-sounding dish called the ”garbage plate.” The garbage plate was created in 1918 by a genius (in my book) named Nick Tahou, who owned Nick Tahou Hots in Rochester, N.Y. Although no one will ever be able to recreate it completely, as Tahou was smart enough to trademark his signature dish, T-Bones has added a N.Y. “Garbage Plate” Burger to their menu; along with 19 other new dishes. The Garbage Plate Burger is made with two slices of pan-seared meatloaf topped with fried potato “wheels,” coleslaw, red onion, Buffalo sauce, and American cheese, sandwiched within a grilled roll.

The original garbage plate, however, is defined as a combination of a hamburger, red and white hots, Italian sausage, Haddock, chicken tenders, grilled cheese, ham OR eggs; and two sides of either baked beans, French fries, home fries, or macaroni salad. This mess of a plate is then topped with one or more of the following, depending on your preference: ketchup, mustard, onions, and/or hot sauce, and served with bread.

How do you think T-Bones’ “Garbage Plate” Burger measures up to the original classic?

Many of you may not have even heard of Out of the Woods Cafe in Merrimack before, but the wilderness-loving coffee house is tucked away in the Commons Shopping Plaza (right next to London Court). The cafe has a gift shop a few doors down, which was opened before inspiring Jim and Dianne Flowers, the owners, to open the cafe. The cafe is most known for their wide variety of K-Cups (over 200, to be exact), and for those not in the know, K-Cups are single-cup coffee makers that work in Keurig coffee machines. With flavors such as Mocha Nut Fudge, the bold Lake & Lodge, and Caramel Vanilla Cream, Out of the Woods offers customers a slew of brand name coffee goodness, and the K-Cups can even be ordered online through the cafe. However, Out of the Woods is expanding their normal coffee house menu to include carnival-type fare such as hot dogs, fried dough, ice cream and root beer floats. Not sure how these items tie into their overall theme, but during the summer, at least, having another option for a quick, inexpensive lunch is always a plus.

If you haven’t yet dined at Stella Blu, you are missing out on some of the tastiest food downtown Nashua has to offer; and that is an understatement. Luckily for Stella fans and wannabes, the tapas bar is extending their hours. Starting Saturday, July 11th, Stella Blu will be open on Saturdays for both lunch and dinner, and although they are now closed for dinner on Sundays for the summer, the restaurant is launching a tapas brunch to take place on Sundays, starting July 12th. The brunch menu is still TBA, but the restaurant promises to post it on their website before the launch date. This is a busy long weekend for the culinary gem, as they are holding an Artist in Show event on July 9th, featuring Laura Keith Woerner of Harrisville, N.H. Not many things in life taste better than a pitcher of sangria while enjoying some local art. Throwing some global tapas in there doesn’t hurt either.

Yet again, the recession works in us foodies’ favors. Saffron Bistro, another upscale spot in downtown Nashua, is now offering a less expensive bar menu from 4 p.m. to close. With items like the Black Angus Burger served with fries to the Lobster Mac & Cheese to the Baked Stuffed Top Neck Clams, prices range from a mere $5 to $16. The bar & lounge area is open Tuesday through Saturday, and this new, more approachable menu is a great way to enjoy one of the most under-mentioned (in my opinion) downtown restaurants. As for the how the bar food tastes…that’s up to your trusted taste buds. Has anyone given it a go yet?

Eden’s Restaurant & Lounge in Salzburg Square is one upscale, hidden eatery in Amherst that just became more approachable. Personally, I would have kept going back despite Eden’s recent changes, but the restaurant has decided to lower the prices on their menu to better accommodate their customers’ wallets. Not only is the classy establishment giving 1/2 off appetizers Monday through Wednesday, they also now offer any of their dinner entrees in appetizer size (which thus, costs less money). This is all in addition to, of course, changing the dinner prices, too. Salmon for $10; baked brie for $9; and duck for $16? Yes, please. Did I mention Eden’s even has a new dessert menu, including their family recipe for apple crisp pie? New catering and event menu to come, too. Phew.

Side note: While you’re there, try one of Eden’s generous (in size and vodka) martinis.

The proof is in the veggies: The Hippo named them Best Vegetarian Menu and Best Salads for 2009, and New Hampshire Magazine gave them Best Wraps. The Seedling Cafe, tucked away behind Main Street, is showing off their newly expanded dining room…and menu. The Cafe, which is known for their vegetarian-friendly lunch items, now has a breakfast menu for the lacto-ovos and omnivores alike. The new menu boasts new wraps like The Allie, which is stuffed with scrambled eggs, red onion, tomatoes, avocado, cheddar cheese, organic baby spinach, all grilled on a wheat wrap. Each wrap can even be made into a scramble, or gluten-free wraps are available, and each is served with a fruit salad. Daily specials are also included in the new menu, like the Belgian Waffle of the Day topped with fresh fruit compote and N.H.-made maple syrup, as well as Quiche of the Day made with seasonal, local and organic ingredients. Perfect timing, as the farmer’s markets are starting to open up around the state. What are some other restaurants the local vegetarians like to eat at?

Another reason to celebrate the recession: normally expensive downtown eateries are accommodating their menus to accommodate our wallets. Unum’s is one of the latest spots - the upscale eatery just introduced their new dinner menu yesterday, with diverse offerings for much smaller price tags. While before it was rather difficult to find a dinner at Unum’s for under $20, now many new items are in the $7-15 range, including appetizers. The Roasted Pork Medallion appetizer is a mere $9, served over a roasted corn tomato pesto hush puppy with raspberry syrup. I’d eat that for $90. Salads run $7-9, including the Roasted Vegetable Grecian Salata, and entrees are $14-32. One example of a $14 entree is the Chestnut Ravioli (which used to be $18), finished with spinach, sweet potato, sweet capicolla, bacon and nutmeg in mascarpone cream. Cream AND bacon? Count me in. The new menu’s not on their website yet, so don’t be fooled by the old menu’s prices and offerings.

There is more going on at The Black Orchid Grille than there is in my own personal life. Not sure if that’s a good thing or not, but here’s the scoop on BOG: their lunch menu is back Wednesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and there prix fixe menu (which was so popular during Feast Week) has also been brought back. The lunch menu includes salads (the Black Orchid Salad is a must try), sandwiches, pizzas and entrees (like Louisiana Style Jambalaya and Grilled Steak Tips Chimichurri), with casual sides like French fries and onion rings. Most dishes are about $8-15. The prix fixe menu is three courses for $27.50, and it sounds like it will change weekly. I’d sign up for their e-newsletter to get weekly updates on the fixed price dishes, but three meals for under 30 bucks? Thanks to the recession, we no longer need to rely on the chain restaurants for such good deals.