Tartine

253 West 11th Street corner of West 4th
212/229-2611
$120 for three, BYOB, with tip

I find it hard to pay for grilled portobello mushrooms with goat cheese or for a bowl of endives and beets but Tartine lets you bring your own wine without a cork fee so I willingly shell out my $8 for each dish. Heck, I even shell out $40 to pay for my share of a $120-dinner which consisted of two bowls of mussels, five snails, grilled salmon, a baked artichoke! Some of my favorite dishes include: salad Basquaise with roasted red bell peppers and eggplants with basil and arugula, garlic saucisson in shallots and chives dressing and roasted pears sprinkled with prosciutto.

But Tartine is so much better during the fall when produce is more than acceptable in New York City. If you can spare 45 minutes and wait for a table outside, brunch on a Saturday morning is superb. No matter when you go, save room for dessert. Their tarte tatin and chocolate meringue with ganache are delicious with that bottle of wine you’ve been saving.