hee hee - this makes me smile. Not the greatest composition with the flower in the lower left, but in a way, it helps ground the shot, and show that there are other tables in the restaurant.
I love what you've captured with this images, and how you can see so clearly that you can present to us what you've seen. Wonderful tones, not afraid to leave the highlights in place (diners almost always have windows like those, bright sun coming in, and you've captured it perfectly), and wonderfully composed. Nice.
I do prefer these, but you did appear to have some fun with the Grand Avenue. I really admire the person who can get these images (these in the diner). I'm so shy when I'm out that the images I get suffer. (think horrendous lighting and far away, blurry images.) I really like these series of images you're doing. Wonderful!