Spotlights

Spotlight

New York City

Restaurants

Taking a bite out of the Big Apple is a treat indeed, as it boasts America's (and among the world's) most diverse culinary scene. From the famed street vendor $1 hot dogs all the way up to a $1000 sushi platter for two at Masa, New York is a 24/7 foodie paradise: a city that has served as a melting pot for every culture under the sun. Any foodie visiting NYC must partake in two rites of passage – a stroll through one of the popular Greenmarkets (selling local and organic produce) and a Sunday brunch, mimosa in hand.

Keep in mind also that "outer" boroughs like Queens can be well worth the trip for their smorgasbords of flavors, whether it's Russian in Brighton Beach or Greek in Astoria; Peter Luger Steak House (178 Broadway at Driggs Ave.; 718/387-7400; www.peterluger.com) in Williamsburg, Brooklyn is a legendary carnivorous paradise. New York's biannual Restaurant Week (www.restaurantweek.com), held for two weeks in summer and winter features hundred of eateries offering great prix-fixe rates on lunch and dinner – trust us, it means big savings.

For luxurious ambiance and haute-cuisine dishes, Alain Ducasse (155 W. 58th St., btwn Sixth & Seventh Aves.; 212/265-7300; www.alain-ducasse.com) is worth the splurge. Michelin darling Ducasse has continuously provided an exquisite French dining experience to his clientele – save up, and reserve well ahead. Chef Nobu Matsuhisa's Japanese kitchen with Peruvian flourishes, Nobu (105 Hudson St. at Franklin St.; 212/219-0500; www.myriadrestaurantgroup.com), remains a culinary star and his dining room a power scene with good stargazing fodder; since reservations are hard to come by, you can also try the first-come, first-served Nobu Next Door (212/334-4445), which offers the same delectable dining at slightly lesser rates – there's also a new Midtown branch, Nobu 57 (40 W. 57th St. btw. Fifth and Sixth Aves., 212/757-3000), that is every bit as sublime as the original. Blue Water Grill (31 Union Sq. W. at 16th St.; 212/675-9500; www.brguestrestaurants.com), situated off of Union Square, is one of the city's best and is definitely a smart splurge for its all-American cuisine, centered on some delectable seafood dishes, and the elegant, yet relaxed décor.

For more moderately-priced value and ambiance, the retro Empire Diner (210 Tenth Ave. at 22nd St.; 212/243-2736) is open round-the-clock near Chelsea's gallery district. This sleek chrome diner is more Hollywood than most others, but the grub is good and the crowd a kick for people watching. We also like that tasty Thai served up at popular Holy Basil (149 Second Ave., 2nd fl. btwn. 9th & 10th Sts.; 212/460-5557) in the East Village – expect upscale service and décor at excellent prices. For delicious small Italian plates coupled with a stellar wine selection, we recommend sibling restaurants 'inoteca (98 Rivington St. at Ludlow St.; 212-614-0473; www.inotecanyc.com) in the Lower East Side or intimate 'ino (21 Bedford St. btwn. Downing St. & 6th Ave.; 212/989-5769; www.cafeino.com in the Village.

If more casual dinning on a budget is your preference, you'll be happy to know that cheap eats, including delectable New-York style pizza, is on every corner. However, Lombardi's (32 Spring St. btwn. Mott & Mulberry Sts.; 212/941-7994), has the others beat with mouth-water crisp-crust pies in no-frill digs. Delis are also ubiquitous – but the best and the brightest is New York City's oldest deli, Katz's Delicatessen (205 E. Houston St. at Ludlow St.; 212/254-2246; www.katzdeli.com) established in 1888 for pastrami, knishes and other Jewish deli staples. Chinatown is a gold-mine for delicious, low-cost ethnic eats; Jing Fong (18 Elizabeth St. btwn. Bayard & Canal Sts.; 212/964-5256) is a rock-solid bet for delicious dim-sum. For a café scene with light hot and cold fare - sandwiches, quiches, a few pastas, and a nice selection of pizzas, the Village's Caffè Raffaella (134 Seventh Ave. S. btwn. Charles & W. 10th Sts.; 212/929-7247) is an oasis by day and a great people-watching spot by night. Finally, Hell's Kitchen Ninth Avenue makes for an excellent pre-theater dining scene with dozens of eclectic, multi-ethnic eateries dishing out tasty fare – our favorite is the always-packed Arriba, Arriba (762 Ninth Ave. at 51st St.; 212/489-0810) for its marvelous margaritas and Mexican dishes. Finally, some of the city's street vendors serve up downright tasty plates to go, and attract an almost cult following with the lunch crowd – one Vendy Award winner (yep, the city's vendors are so popular that the best are awarded with said accolades) worth scoping out is Rolf "Hallo Berlin" Babiel's (cart at 54th St. & Fifth Ave.), for his fantastic selection of sausages, spaetzel, soup, and other delicacies.