New York Times
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Theater District

229 W 43rd Street
New York, NY 10036

Gourmet G. writes: My favorite Sunday tradition. Arts & Leisure. Travel. The Book Review. The Magazine. Plus all the news that's fit to print. To prove how hip they are, they include same-sex couples in the engagement  and wedding announcements now. As for the…

Skyline Books NYC
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Gramercy-Flatiron

13 W 18th St
New York, NY 10011

Keiko S. writes: I classify books into three categories.

1) The first is the academic/educational type - like school textbooks and work-related references. For these, I use amazon.com.
2) The second is the recreational, for-leisure type - mostly fictional, suspense…

Cafe El Portal
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Little Italy

174 Elizabeth St
New York, NY 10012

Tori K. writes: Went for an early supper  this evening with my lovely Latina girlfriend who is kind of a Mexican food snob. "she" knows where the best Mexican restaurants in Manhattan are.   When I reminded her that it was actually I who discovered and recommended…

Bar 89
Neighborhood: Manhattan/SoHo

89 Mercer St
New York, NY 10012

Srini V. writes: I believe the owner has copyrighted the phrase "appearances can be deceptive".  Now if you don't believe me, take a look at their web site bar89.com or walk along Mercer and risk missing the bar along the way.  And then, when you walk in, prepare to…

Diner
Neighborhood: Brooklyn/Williamsburg - South Side

85 Broadway
Brooklyn, NY 11211

Becca S. writes: "Birthday dinner this Friday!" the email reads, "we've rented out a room at Diner."  

Wha?  I'm thinking to myself,  Diner has a room?  That you can rent out? For I have been to Diner, and while Diner may be many things, one thing Diner is most…

New York City Icy Co Corp
Neighborhood: Manhattan/East Village

21 Avenue B
New York, NY 10009

John L. writes: If there's a heaven they'll be serving these ices.  My personal fav has always been the coconut but I'm told by chocoholics that any flavor with the magic substance makes the grade as well.  The perfect interlude between dinner in the LES and going…

Once Upon A Tart
Neighborhood: Manhattan/SoHo

135 Sullivan St
New York, NY 10012

Ro N. writes: I was stuck on what I wanted for lunch one day and I passed by here and decided to take a look.  But after reviewing their selection I was not really enticed by what they had to offer.

But then one day we had a mini birthday celebration and there were…

Alice's Tea Cup
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Upper West Side

102 W 73rd St
New York, NY 10023

Ashley A. writes: This is definitely the place to sit down and catch up with friends over tea and scones.  Weekends, the place tends to be packed, but it's always easy to stop in and get some scones to go.  Each time I have gone, the scones have been consistently…

Madras Cafe
Neighborhood: Manhattan/East Village

79 2nd Avenue
New York, NY 10003

Tori K. writes: Indians have a saying about peppers in food, " First Bite it hurts and you cry, second bite doesn't hurt, third bite it's the tastiest dish you've ever had."  Funny that is exactly what all my former boyfriends say about me.

Some of the best South…

Joe's Dairy
Neighborhood: Manhattan/SoHo

156 Sullivan St
New York, NY 10012

Jen M. writes: I had to cover this place for one of my reporting classes (my choice), and in addition to the best smoked mozzarella anywhere, the owner, Anthony Campanelli, and his brother, Vincent, could not be nicer.

Every time I walk in here (or even pass it on…

Frank
Neighborhood: Manhattan/East Village

88 2nd Ave
New York, NY 10003

Whitney R. writes: There are those that speak about Frank as if it were divine. As if god himself reached down from the heavens selecting the chosen curds and blessing them into the softest creamiest mozzarella you ever did taste. Italian cuisine theologians throughout…

El Sombrero
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Lower East Side

108 Stanton St
New York, NY 10002

victoria h. writes: I went here many many years ago. It is dive bar meets Mexican. I was scared. It was good. So good that I remember it oh, 8 yrs later. In fact, been planning to revisit - soon!!

Cheap and delicious. Perhaps I don't remember more due to the mean…

Wild Fusion
Neighborhood: New Jersey/Jersey City

313 Grove St
Jersey City, NJ 07302

Chippers T. writes: I'm sorry-- When did Jersey City turn into the West Village? I must have overslept.

This place is geat. I don't even remember what I ordered other than it was something delicious. I spent a good 15 minutes just trying to figure out what I wanted…

Vincents Restaurant
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Civic Center

119 Mott St Frnt
New York, NY 10013

Jane K. writes: A great simple Italian restaurant.  They have great red sauce that comes in sweet, medium, and spicy.  (I usually get the medium.)  It's inexpensive and the staff is friendly and have been there forever.  The walls are covered with famous and not so…

Komegashi Too Japanese Cuisine
Neighborhood: New Jersey/Jersey City

99 Pavonia Ave
Jersey City, NJ 07310

Vicky L. writes: My favorite sushi place in Jersey City.  I love it, I'm going back and I'm planning a Christmas Eve dinner there with my family and friends.  What can I say?  I am a sucker for finger food and mood lighting.  

There aren't many places that compare to…

Chart House

Weehawken Lincoln Ha
Union City, NJ 07087

Dominic J. writes: Anyone familiar with my reviews (and I know there are some of you out there) may be scratching your heads and saying, "there's no way this guy ate at a classy place like this!" I'm somewhat surprised at myself as well but every know and again you…

Wolford Boutique Llc
Neighborhood: Manhattan/SoHo

122 Greene St
New York, NY 10012

Rachel D. writes: The gentleman who gave me my first pair of Wolford tights sparked a serious and expensive addiction.  These beautiful patterned tights are warm, cozy and totally sexy.  I went back and bought a pair of twenties-style fishnets that make me feel like a…

Rita & Joe's Italian Restaurant & Catering Hall
Neighborhood: New Jersey/Jersey City

142 Broadway
Jersey City, NJ 07306

Edward I. writes: OK, I'm a little hesitant on giving out Rita & Joe's information because I want to keep this restaurant to myself! myself I tell ya!!! All kidding aside, this place has the biggest servings of food within the Jersey City and maybe New York area, not…

Puck Fair
Neighborhood: Manhattan/SoHo

298 Lafayette Street
New York, NY 10012

Nish N. writes: Nothing pretentious here, just a good meeting and gathering spot. It's in SoHo, but doesn't seem out of place for some reason. The bar is long and easy to mingle at, but there are also some wooden booths worth grabbing if you're with a group of about…

Saigon Grill
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Upper West Side

620 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10024

christy c. writes: This place I think deserves perhaps 3 stars? BUT their fried fish with sweet and sour sauce? Bump it up, baby! And delivery? of a fried fish? And it STILL tastes good?!? Bump it again, bump it!

You would think that anything fried is good, right?  For…

Johnny Rockets
Neighborhood: New Jersey/Hoboken

134 Washington St
Hoboken, NJ 07030

Liiisa C. writes: I love Starbucks' Java Chip Frappacino (with a shot of espresso & topped with lots of whipped cream) -- I really do.  At the same time, I need an IC Chip from Panera Bread every so often.  Yes, even if it means trekking out to Hoboken for my fix.  En…

Royal Oak
Neighborhood: Brooklyn/Williamsburg - North Side

594 Union Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11211

eliza b. writes: i've been here 3 times, but i only remember one of those visits. obviously, this is a good sign.
i think they have foosball, and i am pretty sure they make strong drinks.

Sal's Pizzeria
Neighborhood: Brooklyn/Williamsburg - South Side

544 Lorimer St
Brooklyn, NY 11211

Roselle I. writes: Why does Sal get 5 stars?  Because he's not afraid of garlic.  

Get the garlic knots, or you have no soul.

The Ding-Dong Lounge
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Manhattan Valley

929 Columbus Avenue
New York, NY 10025

Toastface Killah X. writes: Ok, "Ding-Dong Lounge" meets "Lava Gina" and nine months later, what do you get?  a "Fat Baby"... ha ha ha ha ...heh ... sigh.  Like Alf, I kill me.

Actually though, the analogy's kind of close... Ding-Dong Lounge is this diviest of dive bars way…

The Grey Dog's Coffee
Neighborhood: Manhattan/West Village

33 Carmine St
New York, NY 10014

Sam P. writes: Grey Dog is a great little neighborhood place that's unfortunately become a bit of scene.  Dark and crowded, it's now pretty cutthroat to get a seat at any time of the day.  Breakfast?  Forget about it - it's their specialty.  Dinner on a Tuesday?…

Max
Neighborhood: Manhattan/East Village

51 Avenue B
New York, NY 10009

Edward F. writes: My better half ("B1/2") and I went to Max early Thursday evening before the crowds started.  Since it was a warm Indian-Summer night in early October, we sat in the back garden and dined alfresco.

The hostess wanted to seat us next to another occupied…

J & R Music and Computer World
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Civic Center

Park Row
New York, NY 10038

Srini V. writes: An incredible array of stores that carry cameras, computer equipment, home appliances and A/V systems.  The prices are competitive with B&H's, although I would compare them online before buying a big-ticket item from either one of them.

A less known…

Buttermilk Bar
Neighborhood: Brooklyn/Windsor Terrace

577 5th Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11215

Kevin W. writes: This bar is awesome, kinda divey, but really comfortable.  The bartenders are friendly (and actually like getting into conversations with patrons, unlike a lot of bartenders in bars I've been to, where they make polite conversation while they're…

Alligator Lounge
Neighborhood: Brooklyn/Williamsburg - South Side

600 Metropolitan Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11211

Jonathan K. writes: Like zombies seeking brains, no night out in Billysburg is complete without a semi-conscious yet beer driven imperative to lurch your way over to Alligator Lounge for more beer and the accompanying free pizza.

Fortunately, the walk over is usually…

Settepani Inc
Neighborhood: Brooklyn/Williamsburg - South Side

602 Lorimer Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211

Ames F. writes: Yet another Williamsburg mainstay makes the cut in AOL CityGuide's 2007 City's Best nominee list. Who can deny the power of fresh baked bread? Not I...

Stonehome Wine Bar
Neighborhood: Brooklyn/Fort Greene

87 Lafayette Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11217

Christy V. writes: Stonehome has a great wine program - interesting flights, good seasonal rotation and it's all served in a beautiful setting. Rose, one of the owners, is an artist and conceived the look of the bar, with its gorgeous glass lights, long, curving wooden…

The Candle Cafe
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Upper East Side

1307 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10021

laura b. writes: take me here and not only will i put out, i'll do all the work.  and i think we both know what i'm talking about.  but in case you don't, i'm basically saying that i'll eat both entrees, you fucking pervert.

Pearl River Mart
Neighborhood: Manhattan/SoHo

477 Broadway
New York, NY 10013

Julia O. writes: Of the adjectives I would use to describe myself, some are nice, some, well, are not so flattering. I'll be the first to say it: I'm cheap.

C-H-E-A-P, CHEEEEEAAAAAAP.

But not so cheap that I'd rather go round to ten different shops and play tourist…

Columbine Foods
Neighborhood: Manhattan/TriBeCa

229 West Broadway
New York, NY 10013

Joe G. writes: Columbine has pretty much single-handedly revived my lunch time ordering experience. I'm pretty freakin' sick and tired of everyones greasy-ass, overpriced, sloppy mess that's trying to call itself a sandwich.

Dumping a pound of melted cheesed and…

Gusto Ristorante e Bar Americano
Neighborhood: Manhattan/West Village

60 Greenwich Avenue
New York, NY 10011

Brad P. writes: In town for a short visit, I joined up with my friends Russ W. and Sam P. for a late dinner at the intimate and friendly "Gusto."  This place happens to be Russ's "Cheers" where truly everyone knows his name - which made the experience especially…

'SNice
Neighborhood: Manhattan/West Village

45 8th Ave
New York, NY 10014

Julie K. writes: late lunch time, it was still full inside!   darker than natural light..  the wall showed the history..  no idea how long it's been existed..  wooden tables and silver chairs & wooden benches around the wall..  bigger than what I imagined..  people…

Mi Cocina Restaurant
Neighborhood: Manhattan/West Village

626 Hudson St
New York, NY 10014

Srini V. writes: Balance Sheet for Mi Cocina as of July 16, 2007

ASSETS                                             LIABILITIES and EQUITY

Current Assets                                 Current Liabilities
---------------------                                …

Jas Mart
Neighborhood: Manhattan/East Village

35 St. Marks Place
New York, NY 10003

Maritess Z. writes: I'm a writer, and sometimes when I am just sick of writing in coffeehouses, I'll go here because they don't care if you're there for 4 hours on your laptop or notebook.

I don't like the cold bento boxes, and the rolls are old, and I'm sure I can get…

Mangia
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Financial District

40 Wall St
New York, NY 10005

Chi N. writes: for gourment SUPER OVERPRICED tiny portions of sandwiches... come here...

its sandwiches are definitely fresh but i just prolly would never come back here cuz of the price.

Chocolate Bar
Neighborhood: Manhattan/East Village

127 E 7th
New York, NY 10009

Sam P. writes: This being the first truly crisp fall day, i thought it only approprate to have it be the day I have my first hot chocolate of the season.  And what better place to have said chocolate than at The Chocolate Bar!  I do work at S'Nice across the street…