24 Prince

24 Prince St, New York, NY 10012 212-226-8624

Description: NOLITA. Attractive, contemporary dining room specializes in comfortable classics like meat loaf, steak and fries, and fried chicken.
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Aquagrill

210 Spring St, New York, NY 10013 212-274-0505

Description: SOHO. With a menu almost exclusively devoted to seafood, Aquagrill is an excellent pick for diners who want great choice and unparalleled options. Try lobster or salmon prepared to your specifications, or come early, eat oysters and people-watch. No matter what you do, save room for a perfectly prepared dessert. Locals also rave about Aquagrill's brunches, and single diners can get a great meal at the bar. TRAIN: C, E to Spring St
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Blue Ribbon Bakery

35 Downing St, at Bedford St, New York, NY 10014 212-337-0404

Description: WEST VILLAGE. With an eclectic array of lunch and dinner menu items, Blue Ribbon Bakery prides itself on more than just its baked goods. It offers tasty selections like rack of lamb or the more exotic smoked seafood. A split-level building design allows for two dining areas, each with a distinct ambience. The first floor dining area has large windows great for watching the West Village, and the brick-walled basement area includes a wine cellar and a 97-year-old stone oven that still turns out deliciously fresh breads and pastries. TRAIN: A, C, E, B, D, F, Q to W 4th St; 1, 9 to Houston St
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Blue Ribbon Brasserie

97 Sullivan St, between Spring and Prince Sts, New York, NY 10012 212-274-0404

Description: SOHO. Blue Ribbon is open until the wee hours of the morning, thus making it a late-night haven of sorts for its young and trendy regulars. Rumor has it that the best steak tartare in town can be had here. The Brothers Bromberg's menu also boasts a variety of heavenly, chocolate-themed desserts that are perfect for late-night fits of entropy. TRAIN: C, E to Spring St
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Bubby's Pie Co.

120 Hudson St, New York, NY 10013-3217 212-219-0666

Description: TRIBECA. One of the most popular brunch spots in the city, this eatery routinely pleases crowds with such tasty options as pecan waffles and freshly squeezed orange juice. The décor hearkens back to a 1940s era train depot with a brass bar and wooden seats. Outside seating available during summer months. There's usually a wait for a table at brunch time. TRAIN: 1, 9 to Franklin St
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City Hall

131 Duane St, Between Church and W Broadway, New York, NY 10013 212-227-7777

Description: TRIBECA. Traditional American eats and well-presented dishes characterize this TriBeCa dining room, which tends to draw a cool mix of families, fashion-ites and folks from the neighborhood. The space boasts all the classy, "big city" style you could ask for, from bustling, energetic servers to the old school elements of its 19th century digs. As for the food, there are few better ways to start a morning than with a stiff cup of joe and one of City Hall's signature blintzes. For dinner, one of their NYC-themed "seafood towers" is a must-try. TRAIN: A, C, 1, 2, 3 to Chambers St
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Clinton St. Baking Company & Restaurant

4 Clinton St, New York, NY 646-602-6263

Description: LOWER EAST SIDE. A wise bet for brunch in the LES, this charmer most assuredly benefits from having a bakery attached to it ... Actually, it's the customers who are the true beneficiaries, thanks to dandies like old-fashioned buttermilk biscuits, blueberry pancakes and brioche French toast. If you're counting carbs, don't sweat it ­ they also serve up a wicked Spanish scramble, huevos rancheros and a build-it-yourself omelet. Despite the place's popularity and upscale digs (it's a diner, sure, but a very contemporary one), its "mom-n-pop bakery" attitude is refreshingly constant. TRAIN: F to Delancey St; J, M, Z to Essex St
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Duane Park

157 Duane St, New York, NY 10013 212-732-5555

Description: TRIBECA. A rarity in the city ­ unhurried, pleasurable, great New American fare with a Southern flare at reasonable prices. A true TriBeca treasure, Duane Park is well worth the hike downtown to feel so well fed and "taken care of." Main courses include spicy Creole seafood bouillabaisse, Barolo-braised short ribs or crispy duck confit. Reservations recommended. TRAIN: A, C, 1, 2, 3, 9 to Chambers St
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Dylan Prime

62 Laight St, New York, NY 10013 212-334-4783

Description: TRIBECA. Don't be confused by the pub-like interior of this TriBeCa star ­ the dark green walls, mahogany accents and dim lighting. Upscale Dylan Prime is anything but a beer joint, as you'll find out once you've seen the cocktail list, which features $11 cocktails with names like TriBeCa Town Car and Makers Mark Manhattan. And yet, this is far more than a trendy place to tip a glass ­ superb numbers like the Colorado rack of lamb, 32-oz. porterhouse, and succulent filet mignon most assuredly see to that. TRAIN: 1, 9 to Canal St
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Grey Dog Coffee

33 Carmine St, New York, NY 10014 212-462-0041

Description: WEST VILLAGE. Weathered, worn-out signage on Carmine Street points folks in the direction of some of the Village's best percolated beans. Named in honor of two Labrador retrievers, one white and the other black, this small coffeehouse offers up no false pretense ... it simply is what it is: a mom and pop business that has become as much a part of the community as, say, the family dog. Come early in the day for an order of eggs prepared any style, challah French toast, or a bagel with lox. Stop in any time you want for a large cafe au lait, spiced chai or machiato. TRAIN: A, C, E, F, V to W 4th; 1, 9 to Houston
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Katz's Deli

205 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002 212-254-2246

Description: LOWER EAST SIDE. This East Houston gem enjoys a fine reputation as one of the Lower East Side's best delis ­ perhaps this is because it's so close to Little Italy! Remember the famous "Yes, yes, yes!" scene from "When Harry Met Sally?" If so, you'll recognize Katz's Deli, a Manhattan mainstay since before World War II. This is one of the very few delis that still carves corned beef and pastrami by hand. Overlook the décor, ignore the brash waitstaff, and concentrate on the best deli sandwich you've ever eaten. $20 minimum on credit card purchases. TRAIN: F to 2nd Ave
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Little Giant

85 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002 212-226-5047

Description: LOWER EAST SIDE. Seasonal fare is the forte of this finely-tuned New American, located at the corner of Orchard and Broome. The brain trust behind the attractive little corner space certainly delivers some enormously good brunch dishes ­ items like the Trucker's Breakfast (scrambled eggs, hand-sliced bacon, andouille sausage and more) and Duck Club (pulled duck confit with applewood-smoked bacon, arugula and avocado). The dining room, which straddles the line between quirky and cool, features banquettes, angular cafe tables, and a wall of shelves lined with "kitcheny" odds and ends like fondue pots and pepper grinders. TRAIN: F to Delancey S; B, D to Grand St
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Lure Fishbar

142 Mercer St, New York, NY 10012 212-431-7676

Description: SOHO. Portholes, teak paneling, angular passageways and windows, cabin-inspired private rooms, and arched ceilings ­ Lure certainly impresses first-timers with its luxury liner motif. That said, it's the food ­ the truest measure of a restaurant's capacity for staying afloat ­ that makes this place SoHo's fashionable choice for fish and seafood. Those opting for bar food dining can enjoy Puget Sound oysters, artic char or Littleneck clams; meanwhile, the "Fish Board" features options like grilled swordfish with soy-ginger marinade and bay leaf-crusted seared tuna. TRAIN B, D, F, V to Broadway-Lafayette; R, W to Prince St; 6 to Bleeker
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Mama's Food Shop

200 E 3rd St, between Aves A and B, New York, NY 10009 212-777-4425

Description: EAST VILLAGE. This is comfort food better than what your own mama served! When New Yorkers hunger for meatloaf and mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese or down home fried chicken, this is where they go. Mama's gets raves for their reasonable prices as well as their satisfying grub. If you aren't in the mood for Mama's Food Shop, try Stepmama (a grill across the street) or Mama's Milk (a coffee bar next door.) Alcoholic beverages purchased from Mama's Milk are permitted in the Food Shop. TRAIN: F to 2nd Ave
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Odeon

145 W Broadway, New York, NY 10013-3373 212-233-0507

Description: TRIBECA. Opened in 1980, this place is still going strong as one of the most popular places for a casual weekend brunch. Try some of the delicious buttermilk pancakes slathered in cranberry (winter) or strawberry (summer) butter, or munch on an exceptionally tasty seared tuna sandwich. Actually, any item from the New American/French menu is sure to please. While brunching, you may catch a glimpse of some celebs as many are known to frequent this exciting bistro. Jacket and tie not required. Reservations recommended. TRAIN: A, C, 1, 2, 3, 9 to Chambers St
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Prune

54 E 1st St, between 1st & 2nd Aves, New York, NY 10003 212-677-6221

Description: EAST VILLAGE. If you are in the mood for an intimate dinner, this cozy East Village is certainly a place to try. This home-away-from-home offers an intimate dining experience, made complete by the personable waitstaff. Locals laud Chef Gabrielle Hamilton's creative menu, which features anything from grilled artichokes to filet of sea bass to roast suckling pig wrapped in bacon. Whatever you choose, you'll not be disappointed. Reservations are suggested. TRAIN: F to 2nd Ave
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Public

210 Elizabeth St, between Prince & Spring St, New York, NY 10012 212-343-7011

Description: NOLITA. This ultra-hip eatery does all it can to defy definition. The space, which juxtaposes library pieces (book and card catalog shelves) with the cool, industrial aesthetics of converted warehouse. Billed as free-spirited fusion, the fare incorporates influences from far and wide ­ that is to say, from Northern Africa to New Zealand, Europe to Southeast Asia. Starters include the likes of smoked coconut laksa with grilled Maya prawn; mains run from Thai pumpkin curry with pickled cucumber relish to snail and oxtail ravioli with pickled shiitake mushrooms. Corkage: $25 per bottle. TRAIN: 6 to Spring St; N, R to Prince St; F, V to Broadway-Lafayette; J, M to Bowery
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The Mercer Kitchen

99 Prince St, Mercer Hotel, New York, NY 10012 212-966-5454

Description: SOHO. Don't be misled by the name; this is one fabulous restaurant. The décor is breathtaking with heavy wooden tables, brick walls and beautiful table top appointments. Feast on innovative and mouth watering food like black sea bass drizzled in lime juice and coriander, codfish wrapped in fig leaf surrounded by figs and eggplant or the rich custard topped with caramelized pineapple. Prix fixe lunch is $24. TRAIN: N, R at Prince St
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wd~50

50 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002 212-477-2900

Description: LOWER EAST SIDE. Located between Rivington and Stanton, wd~50 features owner-chef Wylie Dufresne's innovative American fare and a sleek, artsy space.
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Wolfgang's Steakhouse

409 Greenwich St, between Hubert & Beach Sts, New York, NY 10013 212-925-0350

Description: TRIBECA. Founded by the former headwaiter at Peter Luger, the elder of these two steakhouse siblings occupies the dining room of the historic Vanderbilt Hotel, and its vaulted, blue and white tiled ceiling was designed by Raphael Guastavino, whom the Vanderbilts also hired to work on Grand Central Station. This newer edition in TriBeCa, meanwhile, enjoys an equally spectacular space ­ one marked by stone mosaics, 14-foot arched ceilings, and walnut floors. On the menu are crowd-pleasers like steak for two, three or four. From there, the choices are à la cart, from cottage fries or mashed potatoes to creamed spinach or fried onion rings. TRAIN: TRAIN: 1, 9 to Canal St
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