9 Jones Street between West 4th and Bleecker Streets 212/929.6868 $147 for three, with a bottle of wine, without tip ♥ ♥ I’ve watched Top Chef enough to know that the judges sometimes can’t make up their minds between “cooking outside the box” and “sticking with what you know”. You had Carla who finally stuck [...]

54 Carmine Street on the corner of Bedford 212/255.2100 $90 each for a group of three, with a bottle of wine, with tip ♥ ♥ ♥ Is it too early to name my favorite restaurant of 2009? Last year, I ate at Dovetail the day after Christmas (and a week after its official opening) and [...]

241 Church Street at Leonard 212/925.0202 $75 for tasting menu, without drinks, without tip ♥ ♥ 66 was a long time ago but entering Matsugen reminded me of those long lunch hours I used to take to eat at an expensive restaurant and only pay lunch prices. I had a delicate dim sum meal back [...]

61 Grove Street off Seventh Avenue South 212/242.3699 $30 each for four, with a bottle of sake, with tip ♥ ♥ I love pigs’ feet. There I said it. I’ve caramelized them before with a tart salad and I’ve grilled them to serve at a summer barbecue party. Hakata Tonton worships the tonsoku. Hakata Tonton [...]

120 West Broadway on Duane Street 212/964.2525 $175 for the tasting menu with wine pairings, without tip ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ There comes a time in your life when you have an awesome meal with good company and you think back the next day without regrets because you realize you deserve everything. Unfortunately for me, [...]