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All three locations of this small eatery (owned by the same company responsible for the ubiquitous Café Metro) share a look akin to an upscale cafeteria. Walls are painted warm fall colors; floor tiles stick to neutral shades; chairs and tables are metal, not wood, so students—be they from a nearby university or the school of life—can’t carve their initials in on the surfaces. While each space has ample seating, these are basically grab-a-go luncheonettes for sandwiches, salads, pastas, wraps, etc. Of the three, only the 40th Street location encourages a proper sit-down meal. With its wagon wheels, antiqued window frames and copper jugs, this Food Merchant outpost almost feels like a different franchise. — Aimee Rawlins