William Cotter and Daviot Kelly, Contributors

Little Italy Sizzling Shrimp Marinara at T.G.I. Friday's. -Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Never one to have the same ol' same ol' every time, T.G.I. Friday's introduced its'A Taste Of New York' menu on Thursday.

Selected media personnel as well as members of the West Indies Players' Association (part of a new sponsorship deal with the restaurant) were the first to try the new dishes which will be around for about three months. The mood was busy (regular customers were eating out and using the bar that night), but festive despite the hustle.

The seven dishes (including one dessert) were displayed in front of several museum-like exhibitions celebrating everything New York, such as its jazz movement of the early 20th century. The photos were from the United States Embassy in Jamaica - red, white and blue flags completing the decor.

The appetiser was Soho Asian Nachos in Oyster Sauce with Monterey Jack cheese served with Asian slaw. This was a great snack to start off the meal because they were not just any old nachos and cheese, the add-ons made the taste unique, not too spicy and not too bland, but all the ingredients worked together to even the taste out. This will be a welcomed appetiser to the tortilla chip lover.

There are also two new chicken dishes as part of the menu. The first is Parmesan Chicken. Fried in cheese, blanketed with Japanese breadcrumbs and served with the T.G.I. bruschetta mix, this large chicken breast is one hefty load of white meat. Japanese breadcrumbs add greatly to the flavour (so no blandness) and it adds a small, sweet taste to the overall breast. Its sheer size easily makes up one meal. With this meal you'll get more poultry for your money as with the other poultry dish, Lemon Chicken. This is sauteed chicken breast served with garlic butter beans and angel hair pasta. If you're not a fan of cheese then this chicken dish is a goo to the Parmesan Chicken. Simple, yet effective.

Seafood too

There's also seafood on the menu. The Little Italy Sizzling Shrimp Marinara could both serve as a single meal or appetiser for a group. It's a bit spicy, but for those who love shrimp or those who don't mind a little shrimp every now and then, it's sure to be a good choice when picking off the menu.

Now, how can you have an American-style meal without a rack of ribs? At T.G.I. Friday's they did not neglect this question with Chinatown Imperial Ribs accompanied by Cajun Fried onion rings. The rack was cooked to tender goodness. The meat came off the rib with very little effort and it nearly melts in the mouth. The barbecue sauce it was smothered in will only enhance rib eating for the rib fanatic.

The vital vegetable content comes in the form of the Brooklyn Beef Salad. As its name implies, this salad is made special by the small strips of steak on top. It is also served with olive garlic bread and croutons. Of course, this dish can easily be turned into a vegetarian delight but for casual beef fans, the strips of steak will serve no little role in making this salad not just any salad but a great salad.

If you've any space left for desert, the Friday's 5th Avenue coffee mousse is made of premium coffee, heavily whipped cream, gelatine and spices. If rich desserts aren't your cup of tea, then you'd better share this dessert with someone else so you don't overload your taste buds. If you're a fan of coffee treats, or enjoy a little mocha in your mug, this dish may also appeal to you the most.