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AMERICAN
CAFE S.F.A.
611 Fifth Ave., 8th fl.
New York, NY, 10022-6899
(212) 940-4080
High atop Saks, this New American favorite of the shop-till-you-drop
crowd offers restorative light lunches along with a glorious view
of St. Patrick's; it makes for a civilized pick-me-up, but you must
go early to avoid a long wait.
ICON
130 E. 39th St.
New York, NY, 10016-0906
(212) 592-8888
Atmosphere is everything at this Murray Hill New American via Drew
Nieporent, from the stylish crowd to the slinky design with tunnel-of-love
lighting; cynics, contradicted by the menu's high ratings, say the
kitchen's creativity plays second fiddle to the scene, adding you
have to be young to stand the noise level.
VYNL
824 Ninth Ave.
New York, NY, 10019-4404
(212) 974-2003
Kitschy but tasty twists on diner favorites surface at this arty
Hell's Kitchen American-Thai featuring conversation-starting record
sleeve menus that echo its retro looks; low prices make it a great
pre-theater option, despite occasionally laughable service.
TOCQUEVILLE
15 E. 15th St.
York, NY, 10003
(212) 647-1515
Surveyors give a tip of the toque to this diminutive New American
beauty with a pronounced French accent, giving it high marks for
its stylish, serious cooking and intimate (if underdecorated) setting
just west of Union Square; dot-goners, however, may want to take
out a loan first, since the bill may floor you.
BBQ
COWGIRL HALL OF FAME
519 Hudson St.
New York, NY, 10014-2601
(212) 633-1133
Corn dogs and tequila shots make an interesting meal at this West
Village Southwesterner known for its trailer park eats served in
campy digs, though the ultra-cheap tabs are no joke.
HOG PIT BBQ
22 Ninth Ave.
New York, NY, 10014-1204
(212) 604-0092
Manhattan rednecks close their eyes and channel Texas at this Meatpacking
District BBQ joint that supplies cheap, lurid fun with greasy food;
there's agreement it looks like a rickety shack, but debate over
what's saucier - the ribs or the barmaids?
DUKE'S
99 E. 19th St.
New York, NY, 10003-1301
(212) 260-2922
Everything's fried and true at this laid-back, down-home Southern
BBQ comfort-grub joint with kitschy decor; although the beer-fueled,
fratty after-work scene is a bit much, this Gramercy spot is kid-friendly
and boasts good delivery.
TENNESSEE MOUNTAIN
143 Spring St.
New York, NY, 10012-3812
(212) 431-3993
It's hard to believe this backwoods BBQ has put down roots in SoHo,
but hillbilly fans pretend they're in the hollow and wallow in big
ol' slabs of ribs; critics contend that this Jersey-esque approach,
albeit inexpensive, is about as authentic as New England clam chowder
in Memphis.
CAJUN/CREOLE
212 RESTAURANT & BAR
133 E. 65th St.
New York, NY, 10021
(212) 249-6565
Despite a Euro-Hamptons bar scene right out of Sex and the City,
this East Side American turns out surprisingly good chow; there's
no truth to the rumor they're opening a street cart called 917.
ACME BAR & GRILL
9 Great Jones St.
New York, NY, 10012
(212) 420-1934
Hog wild habitués insist it's all about the sweet potato
fries at this grungy NoHo Cajun dishing out authentically fake Southern
eats that make for inexpensive, messy fun; as for that faux roadhouse
decor, let's just say it's not to everyone's taste.
BAYOU
308 Lenox Ave.
New York, NY, 10027-4405
(212) 426-3800
Harlem's lucky to host this Cajun-Creole bit of New Orleans that's
proving it's not too far north after all; revelers trumpet its fun
feel, while stargazers hope for the possibility of rubbing shoulders
with Bill Clinton at a power lunch.
DELTA GRILL, THE
700 Ninth Ave.
New York, NY, 10036-3603
(212) 956-0934
Jambalaya junkies fix on cheap, calorific Southern comfort food
at this Hell's Kitchen rajun Cajun where the spicy eats and enjoyable
bayou atmosphere make up for the down-and-dirty digs.
LA BELLE EPOQUE
827 Broadway
New York, NY, 10003-4783
(212) 254-6436
This charming Central Village French-Creole transports you to a
different era with its stylized take on 19th-century Paris; it's
most fun on tango nights, but ratings show you could do better.
CHINESE
EXCELLENT DUMPLING HOUSE
111 Lafayette St.
New York, NY, 10013-4105
(212) 219-0212
Go back to basics at this Chinatown dive where there's no decor
whatsoever to distract from the mouthwatering potstickers; it's
a must for blowing a jury duty stipend, since it's really cheap
and there's no point in lingering.
MAPLE GARDEN DUCK HOUSE
236 E. 53rd St.
New York, NY, 10022-5201
(212) 759-8260
Delectable Peking duck has folks flocking to this Midtown Chinese
where you can duck in when the mood strikes, since you don't need
to order it ahead; granted, the bland, suburban setting ruffles
some feathers, but solid service and reasonable prices help smooth
them.
PIG HEAVEN
1540 Second Ave.
New York, NY, 10028
(212) 744-4333
Even though this Chinese Eastsider serves more than just pork, the
dishes from its menu's porcine region are a cut above the rest;
if some longtime patrons are still adjusting to the upscale revamp
a couple of years back, most say it seems rejuvenated and still
provides priceless pigging out.
XO KITCHEN
148 Hester St.
New York, NY, 10013-4735
(212) 965-8645
An off-the-beaten-path, quirky Chinatown find, this funky, always-crowded,
Hong Kong-style joint resembles a dingy rec room; its adventurous
menu offers great variety, which can be a problem, since some find
it hard to figure out what's good and what's simply strange.
FRENCH
ALOUETTE
2588 Broadway
New York, NY, 10025-5654
(212) 222-6808
So out of place and so welcome, this double-decker West Side French
bistro presents well-thought-out fare that rivals that of far costlier
establishments; just ignore your neighbor's elbows, the awkward
space and somewhat scatterbrained service.
CHEZ JOSEPHINE
414 W. 42nd St.
New York, NY, 10036
(212) 594-1925
As wonderful and dramatic as Josephine Baker herself, owner Jean-Claude's
quirky Times Square paean to his mother gets you in the mood for
the theater; its recently redone decadent decor and tasty French
fare also add to the ooh-la-la factor.
LE MONDE
2885 Broadway
New York, NY, 10025-7820
(212) 531-3939
Captive audience Columbia students are divided on this good-looking
French brasserie: fans claim it brings quality cooking to Morningside
Heights, but foes find it a charming envelope with nothing inside,
except poor service that's particularly gauling.
TROIS MARCHES
306 E. 81st St.
New York, NY, 10028-3931
(212) 639-1900
An undiscovered Yorkville treasure, this cozy Asian-accented New
French should be packed every night, since its delish dishes are
such a good value (especially the wallet-friendly early-bird); but
pickier eaters say this valiant effort doesn't always hit the mark.
ITALIAN
ANGELS
1135 First Ave.
New York, NY, 10021
(212) 980-3131
Large portions at low prices are a winning combination at this humble
East Side Italian that's often elbow-to-elbow, even though picky
eaters find the generic grub not heavenly.
ANTONIO RISTORANTE
157 E. 55th St.
New York, NY, 10022-4029
(212) 588-1545
A congenial host makes first-timers feel like regulars at this upscale
but homey Midtown Italian that's like eating at a friend's; maybe
it's a little overpriced, but high and low rollers alike call it
a safe bet for civilized dining and outstanding service.
BELLA BLU
967 Lexington Ave.
New York, NY, 10021-5103
(212) 988-4624
Throngs of singles show up to be fed and seen at this frenetic Upper
East Side Northern Italian; though the wild decor almost overwhelms
its terrific pizzas, most people are having too good a time to notice.
LETIZIA AMORE RESTAURANT
1374 First Ave.
New York, NY, 10021
(212) 517-2244
For a cozy, traditional Italian meal replete with Sinatra, Marilyn
and Kennedy photos, you could do worse than consider this new Eastsider;
the pastas and other standards are joined by less typical game dishes
like pheasant and rabbit.
SAPORE
55 Greenwich Ave.
New York, NY, 10014
(212) 229-0551
Ok, it's so small you can't sneeze, but this flavorful West Village
Italian find manages to turn out tasty home cooking at very fair
prices (including bargain lunch specials); in clement weather, sidewalk
seating relieves the jam-packed room.
VICEVERSA
325 W. 51st St.
New York, NY, 10019
(212) 399-9291
What the waiters promise, the kitchen delivers at this highly innovative
Italian standout on an unassuming block in Hell's Kitchen's burgeoning
restaurant district; reasonable tabs, a sleek interior and an exquisite
outdoor garden make this one a real winner.
JAPANESE
BOND STREET
6 Bond St.
York, NY, 10012-2312
(212) 777-2500
Matisse meets sashimi at this ultra-cool NoHo Japanese where the
artfully done, sushi-centric menu is as delicious as the rail-thin,
leggy crowd; no surprise, you can count on high-octane attitude
and prices that aren't as anorexic as the waitresses, but in return
there's that sexy, sleek setting and downstairs bar that's quite
the scene.
FUJIYAMA MAMA
467 Columbus Ave.
New York, NY, 10024
(212) 769-1144
Eat up and disco down at this wild West Side Japanese where the
glaring neon and DJ-spun dance music delight the loud crowd just
as much as the pretty good sushi; although a tacky, so '80s scene
with killer decibel levels, it makes birthdays special and every
day a celebration.
NADAMAN HAKUBAI
66 Park Ave.
New York, NY, 10016-3007
(212) 885-7111
Traditional types pronounce the multicourse kaiseki dinner at this
Murray Hill hotel Japanese the experience of a lifetime and say
the great-tasting sushi, beautiful presentation and very formal
service will make you feel like you're in Japan - unfortunately,
the towering tab will too.
NËO SUSHI
2298 Broadway
New York, NY, 10024-4902
(212) 769-1003
Hailed as a huge step forward for the Upper West Side, this Nobu-esque
Japanese nëwcomer arrives with excellent nontraditional fare
centered around amazing sushi; an as-yet unconvinced minority bemoans
sizable tabs for tiny portions - your stomach and wallet are empty
an hour later.
SUSHI ROSE
248 E. 52nd St., 2nd fl.
York, NY, 10022-6201
(212) 813-1800
Among the most generous of Japanese, this Midtowner's Saturday night
half-off deal is worth waiting for, and it rises to the occasion
with big pieces of fresh sushi and sashimi; despite its sterile
environs, it's quite popular - go early.
MEDITERRANEAN
ACQUARIO
Central Village/NoHo
5 Bleecker St.
New York, NY, 10012-2445
(212) 260-4666
Cramped yet cozy, this shabby chic NoHo Mediterranean is a good
bet if you're trawling for earthy cooking along the lines of a very
authentic Portuguese fish stew; still, the smoking-allowed policy
is a little too authentic for fresh-air fanatics.
CAFÉ BOTANICA
160 Central Park S.
York, NY, 10019-1561
(212) 484-5120
Breakfast is bliss amidst the flowers and greenery that mirror this
delightful Med-French's lush Central Park views; though the cooking's
typically delicious, its good value prix fixe deals and buffet brunches
fit for a king are standouts.
METRONOME
915 Broadway
New York, NY, 10010-7108
(212) 505-7400
The ambiance is just right at this classy deco Flatiron Med-New
American, a scene without attitude where jazz fans sip great cosmopolitans
and watch the band playing above the bar; hep cats call the food
nearly as tasty as the riffs and grooves, but those not in sync
say just ok.
PANGEA
178 Second Ave.
New York, NY, 10003
(212) 995-0900
Its thirtysomething fan base likes this dark, relaxed Med for its
diverse menu that's always dependable for food with personality
at old East Village prices; its few critics consider it uneven.
SUGAR BAR
254 W. 72nd St.
New York, NY, 10023-2821
(212) 579-0222
Owned by singer/songwriters Ashford and Simpson, this West Side
African-Mediterranean draws a random crowd of yups and bups with
an artful, seafood-leaning menu and a cool, recently renovated space;
flat notes include pricey tabs and service that's not solid as a
rock.
TERRACE IN THE SKY
400 W. 119th St.
New York, NY, 10027
(212) 666-9490
Known for its spectacular skyline view, this classy, terraced Morningside
Heights rooftop star in the sky also provides superb French-Med
fare and gracious service, while a harpist strikes the right chords;
granted, it all comes at what seem like splurge prices this far
Uptown, but you get fantastic everything in return.
MEXICAN/TEX-MEXICAN
BABY BO'S BURRITOS
627 Second Ave.
New York, NY, 10016
(212) 779-2656
Terrific, little-known Tex-Mex hiding out in Murray Hill, despite
addictive burritos served in a cozy space; though prices are low
in general, its fabulous lunch specials are especially noteworthy.
COSMIC CANTINA
201 Third Ave.
New York, NY, 10003-2501
(212) 420-0975
In the heart of NYU territory comes this new Mexican with a healthy
spin, turning out fare made strictly from organic ingredients; even
better, prices are right and it's open daily till 5 AM.
KOMODO
East Village
186 Ave. A (12th St.)
New York, NY, 10009
(212) 529-2658
The union of Asian and Mexican cooking at this offbeat East Villager
makes for some clever new tastes to wake up your mouth; though some
snipe at fusion confusion, modest prices and caring service led
by a personable owner make this a must-try.
MEXICAN RADIO
19 Cleveland Pl.
New York, NY, 10012
(212) 343-0140
Don't touch that dial: in its new NoLita digs, this above-average
Mexican finally has some elbow room, although it may be too dark
to see; while nostalgists miss the old charm, killer margaritas
and tasty grub cut through any static.
TORTILLA FLATS
767 Washington St.
New York, NY, 10014-1746
(212) 243-1053
At this intentionally tacky West Village Tex-Mex hot spot, hula-hooping
frat guys and bingo-mad bachelorettes down dangerous margaritas
and bypass the bypass-inducing food; come have some laughs, but
just make sure you don't have to work the next day.
SEAFOOD
AQUAVIT
13 W. 54th St.
New York, NY, 10019-5404
(212) 307-7311
From its sublime Scandinavian fare to the therapeutic waterfall,
this flawless Midtown Modernist classic from culinary magician Marcus
Samuelsson celebrates the joys of salmon and just gets better with
time; though the prices are as high as the [atrium] ceiling, its
wonderful selection of aquavits numbs the sting and the casual upstairs
cafe remains a bargain.
DALGA SEAFOOD GRILL
401 E. 62nd St.
New York, NY, 10021
(212) 813-1790
The name translates as 'wave', and this small Turkish newcomer near
the Queensboro Bridge is making a big splash stressing a wonderful
selection of sensational seafood rather than the conventional kebabs;
the soothing, marine-blue decor may get modest ratings, but the
pleasant service does better.
DOLPHINS
35 Cooper Sq.
New York, NY, 10003-7107
(212) 375-9195
Thirsting for a quiet oasis in the Cooper Square dining desert,
nomads turn to this swell seafooder, which continues to surprise
first-timers with its lovely garden seating and good selection of
fin fare; it's also priced for value, with a certified steal of
a $20 pre-theater prix fixe.
GRAND CENTRAL OYSTER BAR
Grand Central, lower level
New York, NY, 10017
(212) 490-6650
This 1913 Grand Central seafood tradition is a Damon Runyon-esque
quintessential standard that's the place for anything on the half-shell;
despite lousy acoustics, grouchy waiters and tabs that may run you
a lotta clams, it more than redeems itself with wonderful fresh
fish, a grand vaulted ceiling, lively counter seating and chowder
to dream about - if only the trains were this reliable.
OCEANA
55 E. 54th St. New York, NY,
10022-4206
(212) 759-5941
Phenomenal phish leagues above the rest defines this opulent yacht
moored in landlocked Midtown that rises to the surface with slick
nautical decor and flawless service directed by the best captain
in the city; though priced way above the water (prix fixe only:
$40 lunch, $65 dinner), this deep-sea shrine is worth every last
dime - you'll never want to go back on shore again.
ROY'S NEW YORK
130 Washington St.
New York, NY, 10006-1523
(212) 266-6262
Paradise comes to Lower Manhattan at this original, if expensive,
Asian seafooder from star Honolulu chef Roy Yamaguchi, whose innovative
use of exotic flavors is improving all the time; its airy digs feel
almost as laid-back as Hawaii.
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