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, [...]

150 West 10th Street off Waverly Place 212.929.0898 about $145 for one tasting menu and two extra dishes, with two drinks, with tip ♥ Where do you go on a first date? If you feel unsure about the other person, you may want to go to a small bistro where the fare would be safe [...]