Pulino’s, located on Bowery and Houston Streets, is the latest in the lineup of classic New York restaurants by Keith McNally. The new spot—a pizzeria—does not fall short of standards set by sister properties Pastis, Balthazar, Morandi, and Minetta Tavern (to name a few). You’ll probably see more servers than patrons, as Pulino’s makes its mark with excellent service in a comfortable atmosphere. With magnificent light and windows that open onto the Bowery, Pulino’s is perfect for warm weather dining. Aesthetic elements are drawn from the classic McNally look: chicken wiring, simple seating, and heavy use of wood and brick. The menu lists classic thin-crust pizzas such as the Margarita, Salsiccia and Funghi, and enticing appetizers such as Prosciutto di Parma and the Smoked Sablefish. As for the drinks, the Bloody Maria’s at brunch cannot be missed.

Another Jean Georges hit finds its home in ABC Carpet Department store located in the booming Flatiron District. As with most of Jean Georges’ ventures, ABC Kitchen has a gimmick—sustainability. The menus executed by chef Dan Kluger are made out of recycled paper and placed on cardboard from the store’s delivery boxes, and all leftovers are sent to compost. Most of the menu is sourced from local vendors, such as the fried calamari dusted with crushed pretzels from the Union Square Market. The split pea soup with carrots and mint is wonderful on the palate and light enough to save room for your main course. Highly recommended are the steamed halibut with shitake mushrooms, avocado and asparagus juice, and—not to be discounted—the akaushi cheeseburger with herbed mayo and pickled Japanese jalepeños.

A Village staple rife with history—Barbara Streisand and Bette Midler both got their starts as performers here —The Lion has recently reopened with a new look and a new menu. Designed by Meg Sharpe, the dimly-lit, woody space features artwork by big-names such as Andy Warhol, David LaChapelle, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Damien Hirst scattered between retro NY Daily News photographs of boxers and gangsters. The menu, crafted by Waverly Inn chef John DeLucie, is American classic with Italian influences, featuring dishes such as the Hand-cut Pappardelle with rabbit ragout and parmegiano reggiano and the Mussels with red thai curry, coconut milk, and kaffir lime leaves. Where DeLucie goes, celebrities follow: Cameron Diaz and Alex Rodriguez were recently spotted here having a romantic dinner in the private dining room. The Lion may not look as refined and polished as its patrons, but the food certainly has the flavor of distinction.

Biscuits, gravy, and dirty rice have never made a more delicious appearance above the Mason Dixon until South Houston opened at the corner of West Broadway and Grand. In addition to down-home favorites such as peach apricot BBQ wings, buttermilk chicken and waffles, and even meatloaf wrapped in bacon (and slathered in molasses BBQ sauce), the southern-comfort eatery boasts an impressive selection of brews, including take-home growlers, craft bottles, and eight taps rotated every two weeks.

Chef Anita Lo, who draws her culinary inspiration from her Asian roots, classical French training, and world travels, personally executes the menu each night at Annisa. Borne of her contemporary style and unique vision, the inventive menu features exquisite creations such as Lo’s famous foie gras soup dumplings and miso-marinated fillet of sable. True to the spirit of the restaurant, whose name means “women” in Arabic, the wine list offers only selections produced by female vintners and vineyard owners.

A slice of Maine in the middle of Greenwich Village, Pearl Oyster Bar serves up a menu inspired by Chef Rebecca Charles’s summers on the beaches of New England. The restaurant may very well have introduced the lobster roll to Manhattan when it opened in 1997, and it still serves one of the best lobster rolls to be found in the city today.

Nightlife and hospitality gurus Paul Sevigny and Joey Campanaro bring you Kenmare, the latest hotspot in the NoLIta dining scene. Designed by Fernando Santangelo, Kenmare’s upper floor features pink stuccoed walls, while the marbled bar and bronze palm leaves add quiet luxury to the space. Chef Campanaro’s contemporary Mediterranean-American menu is market-driven, combining local freshmarket ingredients with imported flavors. His upscale comfort food selection includes Campanaro’s signature Gravy Meatball Sliders, but also with updated options such as Basil Gnocci with Short Rib Ragout and freshly made pasta, and Sea Scallops with Spinach Strawberry Salad and Buerre Noisette Vinagrette, all made exclusively for Kenmare.

With its simple and elegant Italian fare and complimentary white bean bruschetta appetizer, this West Village restaurant fills up quickly. Pó’s fresh seasonal fare is created using produce delivered daily from an organic grower in the Hudson Valley and ingredients delivered by foot or bicycle from family-run Italian specialty shops. The comfortable and intimate setting is also sure to please a date.

A casual restaurant with a warm and lively atmosphere, Lupa is a West Village take on a traditional Roman trattoria. The owners have stayed true to their intent to keep the menu as traditionally Roman as possible, with a wine list representing almost every region of Italy, a salumeria serving Italian artisan meats and cheeses, and a bar offering the largest selection of bitters in the city, as well as a variety of grappas, dessert wines, sambucas, and other Italian liquors. For a less boisterous dining experience, ask to be seated in the quieter back room.

On the lobby floor of the Trump International Hotel and Tower, this restaurant is divided into the main Jean Georges dining room and the slightly less formal Nougatine Café bar/lounge, offering seating on the Mistral Terrace in nice weather. Jean Georges offers prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus, as well as two seven-course tasting menus, including a menu of signature dishes and a seasonal menu with an emphasis on fresh produce. Guests will agree that famed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s dishes are crafted with such creativity and finesse that even the simplest order is an innovation of its own.

Photo courtesy of Thomas Loof.

This charmingly rustic mixed-use space meshes together a restaurant and concept store where you can enjoy a smooth cup of espresso amidst a mishmash of knitting kits and potpourri, vintage eyewear and local artwork, and a see-and-be-seen Sunday Brunch crowd as well as cafégoers settling in for an afternoon with a good book. With lunch and dinner menus inspired by Executive Chef Melia Marden’s Moroccan and Mediterranean family favorites, the Smile is nothing short of the interesting space owners Carlos Quirarte and Matt Kliegman envisioned for interesting people to come hang out.

Photo courtesy of The Selby.

Located on a quaint West Village corner, this authentic Milanese espresso bar is also a pastries counter as well as casual breakfast & lunch spot, and not to mention posh dinner location.  The traditional, albeit pricey, menu consists of dishes such as an artichoke and parmesan salad, risotto, exotic fruit salad, tiramisu, and pear gelato with pear liqueur. Clientele includes European art dealers and editors from Vogue and Vanity Fair and neighborhood locals such as Sarah Jessica Parker. Please note, this is a real Italian espresso bar, so don’t expect to get coffee on the go.

Opened in SoHo by two brothers newly arrived from Alsace, France, Raoul’s has become a New York bistro for the books. The locals used to come here in the 1970s for the fine French steaks with crispy frites and the undemanding bohemian atmosphere, and even flooded with artsy, business, and model types today, it’s still these classic orders and laid-back attitude that keep people coming back.

When Chef Eric Ripert was recruited as Chef de Cuisine of Le Bernardin, he brought to New York his unique French style and technique, cultivated over years of training with the renowned chef Joël Robuchon. Le Bernardin offers a prix-fixe menu (divided into Almost Raw, Barely Touched, Lightly Cooked, and Dessert) as well as a tasting menu and the three-course City Harvest Menu, $5 of which is donated to the food rescue organization. Les Salons Bernardin, the restaurant’s private dining rooms, can accommodate parties of up to 80 guests.

David Chang’s original East Village spot spawned dozens of imitators – none with the success of Momofuku’s eponymous ramen soup and Berkshire pork buns. Using traditional French cooking techniques to create an Asian fusion menu, diners can choose from an array of Korean, Japanese, and Chinese inspired dishes. The newest craze from the Momofuku empire is the pre-order ‘Fried Chicken’ dinner which includes two whole fried chickens, one Southern style and one Korean style – mu shu pancakes, bibb lettuce, four sauces and an assortment of seasonal vegetables.

Several years ago, there was a clash between the chef/owners of New York’s famous Pearl Oyster Bar on Cornelia Street. Mary Redding left and started her own seafood restaurant a few blocks away, and the city was lucky to get another West Village spot for amazing, to-die-for lobster rolls. The cozy space only has ten tables and a stainless-steel counter, so seating is limited and offered on a first come first serve basis.  There is always a wait, but the fresh seafood is so sublime that this should be no surprise.

Under the watchful eye of owner Mario Batali and Joseph Bastianich, Chef Andy Nusser brings the food of Catalunya and more specifically the food of Barcelona’s legendary Boqueria market to New York City’s Union Square area. Casa Mono features small tapas style dishes of Catalan specialties as well as a wine list of nearly 600 Spanish wines. The interior is tiny with only a handful of tables, but the best seats are at the bar overlooking the kitchen where many of the Spanish dishes are cooked “à la plancha,” or on the grill.

Marc Meyer and Vicki Freeman first brought Five Points to NoHo, Cookshop to Chelsea, and now Hundred Acres to SoHo. Their signature approach is to bring farm-fresh food paired with a stylish setting that is neither pretentious nor trendy. At Hundred Acres (formerly Provence) there are long communal tables and subway tiles along the front bar room. The dining room in the back has a farmhouse vibe with potted plants and plank wood floors. The seasonal menu changes often, but is always reliable for delicious simply prepared dishes.

Thomas Keller, the famed chef of Napa Valley’s French Laundry and Bouchon, blessed New York City with the opening of Per Se in the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle. Featuring two daily prix fixe menus, one of which is vegetarian, Per Se has been a favorite of food writers and epicureans alike.  Since 2006, Per Se has been only one of three restaurants in the United States to be awarded three stars in the Michelin Guide, along with Joël Robuchon and The French Laundry.

One of the many Bromberg Bros. restaurants, Blue Ribbon Bakery began on a picturesque West Village corner nearly 15 years ago.  Despite its many accolades including winner of the “Best Brunch in NYC,” the restaurant is known for more that just sit down service.  With its famous old world oven at the heart of the operation, the kitchen also takes orders for bread from area restaurants as well as serving as the anchor of the renowned restaurant.  The franchise has a smaller outpost steps away on Bedford St. that serves as a separate baking outlet with offerings such as raw Mexican honey, cured meats and cheeses, seasonings, juices, and, of course, a full selection of Blue Ribbon bread.  Offering a colorful menu (illustrations and food alike) the restaurant is perfect place to start a night on the town, or to wind down after a long week.

Wallsé, Chef Kurt Gutenbrunner’s first New York restaurant, blends a contemporary aesthetic with traditional Austrian cuisine.  With artwork by Julian Schnabel and Albert Oehlan, Gutenbrunner creates a dining experience that is unique, simplistic, and forward-thinking.  The food is authentic and rich, with dishes such as Quark spätzle with braised rabbit, wild mushrooms, Brussels sprouts and tarragon; and Wiener Schnitzel with potato-cucumber salad and lingonberries.  The interior of the restaurant is lush and well-lit; dramatic velvet curtains draped at the door set the scene for a romantic and sophisticated dining experience.  Overall, Wallsé lends a more subdued atmosphere to the bustling West Village scene.

Few words other than “rustic” and “inviting” can adequately describe Keith McNally’s Italian outpost, Morandi.  This bustling eatery has the European brasserie feel of Pastis, Balthazar, and Schiller’s, yet maintains a unique atmosphere all its own.  The interior is warmly designed with stripped wood panels, antique tiles, and bottles of Chianti lining the walls alongside rustic loaves of bread.  A bustling crowd appears to be ever-present along its sidewalk tables outside; however, Morandi’s simple yet delicious menu is worth the wait.  Standouts include grilled octopus with olives and roasted fennel with orange honey and entrees such as spaghetti vongole, grilled hanger steak with anchovies, and grilled chicken with chilis and lime. Without reservations, you might wait up to an hour for a table, but we’ve often found that seats at the bar are the best in the house.

A quaint downtown scene that isn’t “sceney,” Café Cluny remains a staple for weekday lunches and weekend brunches for the sophisticated-yet-relaxed set.  Partners Lynn Wagenknecht, Judi Wong, and Steven Abramowitz (Odeon, Café Luxembourg) feature their French-American bistro flair and a menu designed by executive chef Vincent Nargi in a classic, contemporary setting. The presentation of the food is organic yet beautiful; from crisp pumpkin and goat cheese fritters to the Cluny hamburger with french fries, the spread provides a delicious dish for every palate.   With low amber candlelight, a décor characterized by natural hues, and an eclectic bird motif ornamenting the walls, Café Cluny is the ideal spot for a quick bite on a charming West Village corner.

You won’t believe you’re still in NoHo when you step into this lively little roadhouse with the blasting jukebox. You’ll likely wait for a table, but you won’t wait for a menu, since the specials are printed on a blackboard and change daily. Creole favorites like blackened catfish, gumbo and assorted po-boy sandwiches will sate your hankering for the bayou, but the spicy and fragrant crawfish boil (which includes a shelling demonstration from your server) is the true test for Cajun mavens. Be sure to order the fresh, honey-topped jalapeno corn bread and red-hot Bloody Marys with everything.

Hidden away on Division Street, a quiet block that curves off of Orchard, Chef Frank DeCarlo, his wife Dulcinea and their partner Kama Geary, just opened Bacaro, an intimate osteria. This cozy spot has long wooden tables and benches, exposed brick walls, rough-hewn slate floors, and lots of candlelight, making it a perfect atmosphere for lingering conversation. The menu is a simple array of colorful cichetti, Venice’s traditional bar snacks: platters of mixed crostini, fritto misto, fried sardines, and polpette (tiny spicy meatballs).

Bar Pitti is more cost effective than its neighbor Da Silvano and boasts a similar reputation for tasty staples of Tuscan fare such as veal meatballs and grilled chicken with lemon and endive. Regulars include Sophie Dahl, Sofia Coppola, and Jay Z. An excellent all Italian wine list, friendly wait staff, outdoor seating, and an always packed house all help set the tone for this popular West Village trattoria.

Blaue Gans is a favorite of TriBeCa residents. Tucked away on quiet Duane Street, this wonderful restaurant has a traditional Austro-German menu that pays homage to the traditional wholesome wirtshaus. Featured menu items include traditional Weiner Schnitzel and Kavelierspitz. Dessert specialties include Apple Strudel, Salzburger Nockerl, and assorted cheeses. The walls are lined with vintage film and art posters (left behind from former occupant - Le Zinc) and the restaurants itself has an air of comfortable style.

Antique yellow ceilings, stained mirrors, and red leather banquettes make up the décor of restaurateur Keith McNally’s classic-feeling Parisian brasserie. With an iced shellfish raw-bar, a café section, an in-house bakery, excellent food, and an extensive wine list, Balthazar is one of the best spots in town.

Located on the same block as the original Blue Ribbon, this top-rated sister restaurant offers fresh, creative sushi from both the Atlantic and Pacific, as well as from the Sea of Japan. And the excellent selections of sake, including seasonal unpasteurized sakes will not disappoint.

Eric and Bruce Bromberg’s popular American bistro and raw bar is open from 4pm to 4am. With no rhyme or reason to the menu, the Brombergs have thrown together matzoh ball soup, paella, and sweet and sour catfish to entice their late night crowd. Many come back time and again for its revered raw bar. Always cacophonous, always packed, and always exceptional, the Blue Ribbon is a must for night owls and early birds alike.

Featuring food as simple in nature to its name, Ed’s Lobster Bar is a no frills establishment catering to lobster and seafood lovers alike. With founder and chef Edward McFarland’s love for New England cuisine and impressive resume (everything from Le Cirque to Pearl Oyster Bar), Ed’s offers the freshest ocean catch at some of the best prices around. The raw-bar has something for everyone, whether you’re into jumbo shrimp cocktail or an oyster sampler and the menu offers weekly specials such as Monday “All you can eat mussels” for $15 or Thursday ”1 1/2lb lobsters” for $28.  And of course, the lobster rolls, which come with Ed’s pickles and go for about $20 depending on market price. With their extensive wine, beer and cocktail list, Ed’s makes for a great place to grab a seat at the bar and enjoy some of the freshest seafood around.

Lafayette St is fast becoming a fashionable foodie’s Mecca with restaurants like La Esquina and Café Falai based there and now Café Select. Opened in September 2008, Café Select brings a breath of fresh Alpine air to New York with its Swiss-influenced menu, prepared using the freshest ingredients. Restaurant-goers might not be familiar with Swiss food beyond fondue, milk chocolate and cheese, but this restaurant serves a series of different specialties built up over centuries and influenced by the many countries surrounding landlocked Switzerland. Have a relaxing brunch with delicious salads and sandwiches on offer. Take in the scene whilst enjoying dinner at Café Select – the menu includes more filling mains, such as the classic Schnitzel.

Gramercy Tavern is a New York landmark boasted by owner/chef Tom Colicchio’s new American menu and exceptional wine list. One can dine in the casual Tavern room or in the elegant and formal main dining room. For dinner choose from a three-course prix fixe menu or from a seven-course tasting menu. Menu selections change seasonally.

One of the best casual and authentic Sushi spots in New York, Hasaki offers top quality fish at moderate prices, attracting a loyal local following. This is a small space, but enjoyable for sushi aficionados.

An antique store with a hidden kitchen, il Buco is known for its outstanding food as well as its innate charm. Chef Ignacio Mattos (trained as a youngling in his Italian grandmother’s kitchen) prepares Mediterranean cuisine, focusing on the bold flavors of simplistic, prime ingredients. And, with a menu that changes nightly, fresh seafood fare is the order of the day—try the cod croquettes and octopus with Umbrian chickpeas and parsley over charred bruschetta. Or taste the sage-rubbed porchetta with garlicky black kale alongside a glass of wine.

A hot of the moment Mexican restaurant and chic café combined into one compact little venue. Unlike other trendy spots in the city, this one actually lives up to its reputation in more ways than just attracting celebrity clientele. After passing the door person and heading downstairs through the kitchen, you enter a charming restaurant where the food is equally as delightful as the seventy types of tequila they serve in accompaniment.

Little Giant is proof that size doesn’t matter. This tiny 35-seat restaurant (including 5 bar seats), housed in a turn of the century tenement building, is truly special. From the attentive and knowledgeable staff to the seasonal and locally sourced (and vegetarian friendly) menu, this is a dining experienced not to be missed. Try the (now famous) devilled eggs, one of the interesting and delicious salads and the short ribs. Owners Julie Taras Wallach & Tasha Garcia Gibson opened Little Giant back in 2004 yet you will still find it hard to get a table so be sure to book in advance.

This West Village corner restaurant offers a taste of several Mediterranean regions at once with knowledgeable and attentive service. The intimate yet rustic feel makes The Little Owl a comfortable place to dine for any occasion. Sit beside the large paneled windows while dining on the asparagus soup with fried soft-shell crab, the scallops risotto, the halibut with ramps and lemon crème fraîche, or the unpretentious grilled pork chop—a favorite among patrons.

A part of the Drew Nieporent-Robert De Niro restaurant syndicate, Nobu Matsuhisa’s restaurant draws celebrity clientele to its door partially for the Hollywood-esque scene that has come to define it, but also for its exquisite New Style Japanese cuisine. The décor is simple yet beautiful and designed by star restaurant interior designer David Rockwell.

Opened over twenty years ago, this landmark restaurant is the classic TriBeCa hangout for New York’s fashionable elite. Once owned by Keith McNally, this quasi-authentic French brasserie formula made way for newer establishments such as Pastis and Balthazar. However, with its time tested menu and art deco bar, there’s nothing like an original.

This tiny restaurant located in the East Village serves eclectic New American cuisine like fried sweetbreads, lamb loin chops, and whole grilled fish. The atmosphere has a homey sophistication with tile floors, wooden table, and white washed walls. The warm staff and cozy ambiance make this the perfect place for a hearty meal on a cold winter day.

Reflecting the minimalist design of SoHo’s architectural landscape, Public’s interior evokes the feeling of standing in a public library. The Australasian menu is impressive with selections ranging from grilled kangaroo on falafel with coriander sauce to traditional grilled sea bass with wasabi jelly.

With Schiller’s, Keith McNally expands his restaurant empire (Balthazar and Pastis) to the chic neighborhood of the Lower East Side. This über-bistro is adorned with prison block letter-painted wine bottles, low flattering light, and attentive service—all accompanied by a creative cocktail menu.

This upscale take on the classic English pub feels authentic while incorporating a modern element into the original pub concept. With wooden pig accents and a homey feel, this fun and friendly spot has a pint-drinking, comfort food menu featuring classics like meat and potato pairings and shepard’s pie, as well as unique plates.