Il Bambino Panini – Italian (Sandwiches), Astoria, Queens

Il Bambino 34-08 31st Ave Astoria, Queens (718) 626-0087 Pricing: Not Cheap Venue: Sit Down Cuisine: Italian, Sandwiches Favorite Dish(es): Soppressata panini w hot peppers, asiago, and basil pesto $9 This place has by far the tastiest paninis i’ve ever eaten. Crispy toasted bread with high quality ingredients in amazing combinations. We got delivery this [...]

Roberta’s – American (Pizza), Bushwick (Brooklyn)

Roberta’s 261 Moore St Brooklyn,NY (718) 417-1118 Pricing: Not Cheap Venue: Sit Down Cuisine: American, Pizza Favorite Dish(es): The Beast Master ($17) For our anniversary we wanted to go somewhere low-key and unpretentious, instead of doing a fancy reservation-only spot. Upon recommendation from my friend (and new daddy) David, a true man about the town, [...]

Cafe Du Soleil – French, Upper West Side

Cafe Du Soleil 2723 Broadway, at 104th St (212) 316-5000 Pricing: Not Cheap Venue: Sit-Down Cuisine: French Favorite Dish(es): Moules De Bruxelles (dinner $17.95) – steamed mussels, beer and shallots; Veal Sausage (Brunch); Pommes Frites a L’Ail (side $2.95) – garlic french fries Nice Parisian style cafe perfect for weekend brunches with friends and family. [...]

Popover Cafe – American, Upper West Side

Popover Cafe 551 Amsterdam Ave, at 86th St (212) 595-8555 Pricing: Not Cheap Venue: Sit Down Cuisine: American Favorite Dish(es): Eggs Popeye ($13.95) – a split popover with smoked salmon, spinach, 2 eggs, and lemon hollandaise; Granny Tab Sandwich ($10.95) – turkey breast, turkey bacon, apple slices, melted cheddar, red onion, watercress, dressing; The Butler [...]

Dizzy’s – American (Diner), Park Slope (Brooklyn)

Dizzy’s 511 9th St, Btwn 8th Ave & Prospect Park W (718) 499-1966 Pricing: Not Cheap Venue: Sit Down Cuisine: American, Diner, Eclectic Favorite Dish(es): Huevos Rancheros $8.75, Corned Beef Hash $4.50 Cool, funky little diner-style restaurant with outdoor seating in the heart of Park Slope. Great for brunch on a nice Sunday afternoon, but [...]

Metro Diner – American, Upper West Side

Metro Diner 2641 Broadway, at 100th St (212) 866-0800 Pricing: Cheap Venue: Sit Down Cuisine: American, Diner Favorite Dish(es): BLT ($4.95), Cobb Salad ($12.50), Chicken Souvlaki ($11.95) A diner is a diner, right? Wrong. Most diners in NYC have pretty bland, poorly cooked food with unfresh ingredients. Anything but the eggs is hardly edible. So [...]

Cafe Con Leche – Cuban, Upper West Side

726 Amsterdam Ave, between 95th and 96th (212) 595-7000 Pricing: Cheap Venue: Sit Down Cuisine: Cuban Favorite Dish(es): Meat Empanadas (Appetizer, $4.25), Cubano Sandwich ($6), Cream of Black Bean Soup (3.50), Huevos Rancheros ($6.50) This is a small, casual Cuban food restaurant with ample seating indoors and a few outdoor tables. Nothing fancy or spectacular [...]

Brasserie Maison – French, Midtown West

1700 Broadway, at 53rd St & 7th Ave (212) 757-2233 Pricing: Not Cheap Venue: Sit Down Cuisine: Contemporary American Favorite Dish(es): Croque Madame $11.50; Moules Provencale $14.95 This is a huge touristy place in Midtown, with outdoor seating and the biggest patio umbrella you will ever see. It’s a typical French/Belgian bistro-style cafe with the [...]

Josie’s – American, Upper West Side

300 Amsterdam Ave, 74th St (212) 769-1212 Pricing: Not Cheap Venue: Sit Down Cuisine: American, Health Food, Organic Favorite Dish(es): Seared Asian Tofu Salad ($14.75), Bread of the Day (complimentary) When I hear the words “organic” and “wholesome,” I am usually the first to raise a brow, but Josie’s has lifted my skepticism towards organic [...]

Good Enough to Eat – American, Upper West Side

483 Amsterdam Ave, between 83rd and 84th Sts (212) 496-0163 Pricing: Not Cheap Venue: Sit Down Cuisine: Homestyle American Favorite Dish(es): Turkey Quesadillas (brunch special $8.50); Smoked Salmon Salad ($14.50); Blueberry Pie a la mode ($8) Cute country-themed Upper West Side restaurant with good brunch dishes and salads. But the main draw is the homemade [...]