Madiba Restaurant
Neighborhood: Brooklyn/Fort Greene

195 Dekalb Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11205

Nadja M. writes: I have a skill. A talent. Perhaps even a gift.
Fuck it---its a power.

I can take a bite or drink of anything, go home and replicate it.  Its a power that I try not to abuse.  

My boyfriend has recently discovered this power and when he becomes…

Hotel QT
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Theater District

125 West 45th Street
New York, NY 10036

Ligaya T. writes: Should I be ashamed that at this age bunk beds are still a tempting novelty? They are rather space efficient too. Slightly disappointing that we got a single queen instead of a king and twin elevated above, but I'm fairly certain my mom wouldn't have…

La Bottega
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Chelsea

88 9th Avenue
Inside Maritime Hotel
New York, NY 10011

Kelly H. writes: This is a place I would go on a Saturday or Sunday summer afternoon if I lived in NYC and stay for hours.  Much like you can do in SF at Park Chalet, and it also has the same kind of feel as PC.  Such a friendly, comfy atmosphere.  Hot waitresses…

Pioneer Bar
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Lower East Side

218 Bowery
New York, NY 10012

Gabby D. writes: I like to think of it as the mullet of bars.  Business in the front...party in the back.  Super spacious, the back turns into a fun-on dance floor with it's own separate bar which makes it the perfect place to have a party on weekends.  Those not…

Liquor Store Bar
Neighborhood: Manhattan/TriBeCa

235 W. Broadway
New York, NY 10013

H.A. .. writes: This neighborhood hangout becomes packed with the nattily dressed crowd (no, not you, Natalie) on the weekends, and is probably the busiest bar in this sleepy (by NYC standards) TriBeCa neighbhorhood.  

The brick Federal style building dates from…

Karma Restaurant & Bar
Neighborhood: Manhattan/East Village

51 1st Ave
New York, NY 10003

Julie K. writes: all my friends know, I HATE smoking with passion..
I know.. I am a drunken Korean girl.. BUT smoking is not my fetish at all..

few weeks ago, I went Karma for a CRAZY bachelorette party..
I am telling you..  it was my FIRST time bachelorette party…

Josie's
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Upper West Side

300 Amsterdam Ave
New York, NY 10023

Srini V. writes: Am I a creature of habit?  Judging from the number of times I have had dinners at Josie's on my birthdays, it is either that, or I absolutely LOVE Josie's.  What's not to love about it?   Except of course the seating arrangement being hit-or-miss.

o…

Seaport Yarn
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Financial District

135 William St
5th Fl
New York, NY 10038

Mallory M. writes: An incredible selection, in a horribly disorganized space.  If you've got the time to pick through boxes and bags scattered throughout this weird office space, you will be handsomely rewarded with some very cool and unique stuff.  The last time I was…

Shun Lee Palace East
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Midtown East

155 E. 55th Street
New York, NY 10022

stephany w. writes: Shun lee...is definitely a classic spot 4 me! We use to deliver it at least 3 times a week!!!!The orange sauce pork , bbq bb.ribs, and the fried rice..mmmm~ quality Chinese!  LOVE IT~!

Salt
Neighborhood: Manhattan/SoHo

56 MacDougal St
New York, NY 10012

Liz S. writes: Salt is about casual dining the way I like it best - small, cozy, unpretentious, uncomplicated - well-prepared food served with neighborhood-friendliness .  Simple.

SIT:
Once you find it (on MacDougal between Houston & King), prepare to settle in for a…

Peep
Neighborhood: Manhattan/SoHo

177 Prince Street
New York, NY 10012

Arnab M. writes: I really liked this place. It was cute, not overcrowded like ever other restaurant in the neighborhood and the food was excellent. We ordered shrimp and pad thai among other stuff, and it was all absolutely scrumptious...

However, one question…

Baraonda
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Upper East Side

1439 2nd Avenue
New York, NY 10021

Yosh H. writes: Claimed by friends to be the best italian restaurant on the UES, I was invited to dinner one evening recently at Baraonda (finally!).  Superb food?  Yes.  Authentic food? I can't judge.  Great environment?  Ehhhhh....   Let's break it down.

First, I…

Russo Mozzarella and Pasta
Neighborhood: Brooklyn/Park Slope

363 7th Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11215

Miguel d. writes: You get a hankering for some food, and you don't know what to get, so you walk around the block and you look at all the delis. There's one on every block but you wait it out; you pass by a few and gloss over the ones without windows and move on. Then…

Two Boots To Go-Go
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Greenwich Village

74 Bleecker St
New York, NY 10012

Scott C. writes: Good Delivery!  Whenever I never a quick delivery of some pizza I order Two Boots.  The pizza has a good quality that's hard to find in Manhattan pizza delivery.  I've ordered a few of their specialty  pies and have never been disappointed with the…

Red Hot Szechuan Restaurant
Neighborhood: Brooklyn/Park Slope

349 7th Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11215

Jessica A. writes: It's not often I would review a Chinese Food restaurant, much less give it 5 stars, but this place? This place is awesome and fresh. It has tainted my thoughts about typical Chinese takeout. I am ruined for life.

Zarela Restaurant
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Midtown East

953 2nd Ave
New York, NY 10022

Josie M. writes: This is not a typical Mexican restaurant so if you're looking for Americanized dishes, Zarela isn't for you.  On the other hand, as a vegetarian I didn't find this place authentic-in-a-scary way, if you know what I mean.  

Our table got lots of…

Li-Lac Chocolates
Neighborhood: Manhattan/West Village

40 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10014

David S. writes: I brought a box of Lilac chocolates to my (now ex-) boyfriend's parents when I met them for the first time. It wasn't exactly cheap (close to $40 for a pretty small assortment box), but they were delicious. I think it did the trick... they invited me…

Wu Liang Ye
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Midtown East

36 W 48th St
New York, NY 10036

Archie R. writes: Every time I come to NYC I make sure to eat here.  We stumbled upon this place about a year ago and things haven't been the same since.  

Place totally ruined me on dan dan noodles anywhere else.  You wont find any place that makes them better than…

Celeste Restaurant
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Upper West Side

502 Amsterdam Ave
New York, NY 10024

Scott R. writes: This Italian spot is as cramped and crowded as the morning subway but the food is better.  

I've only tried a couple things.  The Insalata Mista (Mr. Salad) is so-so.   The thin-crust pizza is a great app for two or a meal for one.  They use fresh…

Euzkadi
Neighborhood: Manhattan/East Village

108 E 4th St
New York, NY 10003

kristine r. writes: I had my 24th birthday dinner here a few years ago.  I really wish Yelp existed back then b/c I would have known that having a big group dinner here was a bad idea.  Then again, I wasn't really expecting so many people to show up.  The more the…

Il Cantinori Restaurant
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Greenwich Village

32 E 10th Street
New York, NY 10003

Gourmet G. writes: This unpretentious neighborhood trattoria has been serving Northern Italian cuisine to local residents for the past two decades, so clearly it's doing something right. Two rustic dining rooms, bathed in natural light from an overhead skylight and…

Le Gamin Cafe
Neighborhood: Brooklyn/Prospect Heights

556 Vanderbilt Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11238

Anna H. writes: I haven't had a meal that I've been this excited about in ages.  Absolutely everything about this food was divine.  I had a savoury crepe for my main course and a sweet crepe for dessert and wished I had room in my stomach for three more crepes after…

Chow Bar
Neighborhood: Manhattan/West Village

230 W 4th St
New York, NY 10014

Gourmet G. writes: Bring several friends and a large appetite to this Pan-Asian dining spot in the West Village. Describing the cuisine as updated Chinese classics doesn't do it justice, since the menu offers many options far more interesting than chicken chow mein and…

Le Cirque
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Midtown East

151 E 58th St
New York, NY 10022

Audrey J. writes: Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to [one of] the [hrmmm...maybe top twenty] greatest show[s] in New York!

Rife with charming decor and a lighthearted ambiance that belie the prices on its menu, Le Cirque was an overall good experience.…

Shambhala Yoga & Dance Center
Neighborhood: Brooklyn/Prospect Heights

348 St. Marks Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11238

Tamara W. writes: small classes and a lot of fun. The great thing about this place is that they cater to all levels of yoga. They also have great dance classes too.

Mooshoes
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Lower East Side

78 Orchard St
New York, NY 10002

laura b. writes: I adore this place and the ethically superior stand it takes (because i like to feel better than other people, it helps me get through the day and fucking A, i need that because i can barely get out of bed in the morning due to crippling…

Verb Cafe

218 Bedford Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11211

Eric S. writes: The x was y

coffee : good
staff : friendly
space : kind of dirty
flies : prolific

Academy LP's
Neighborhood: Manhattan/East Village

415 E 12th St
New York, NY 10003

Julia O. writes: Although they didn't have the specific record I was looking for, their selection is quite good and not overpriced. I ended up with a bunch of stuff I hadn't even planned on getting.

The impression that I got from my one visit was that this is a place…

Screaming Mimi
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Greenwich Village

382 Lafayette St Frnt
New York, NY 10003

Sarah S. writes: Screaming Mimi's has always been good to me. Even when I was seventeen, off a plane from North Carolina and utterly clueless, Screaming Mimi's salvaged me with vintage clothes and baubles and made me feel like the 70's incarnate I dreamed of…

The Amish Market
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Midtown East

240 East 45th Street
New York, NY 10017

Maria M. writes: Like Dean and Deluca.  Only 50 times less pretentious.

The Amish Market is the UN's party place.  Whenever staffers have a party or an after hours wine thing, snacks and cakes are picked up here.  This is also a great place for lunch and for grocery…

FreshDirect.com

2330 Borden Avenue
Astoria, NY 11101

Sam P. writes: And the Lord said, "Let there be Fresh Direct" and the people of New York saw that it was good!  And there was much rejoicing!  I love Fresh Direct, I really do.  They're good to me and my crazy "i don't actually do anything, yet I have no time to do…

Sammy's Noodle Shop & Grill

453 Ave of the Americas
New York, NY 10011

Rocky P. writes: Disclaimer: When it comes to eating Chinese food, according to my father, I "bring shame to the family." Picture a Chinese family walking into a Chinese restaurant, speaking to the servers in Chinese, being given menus printed only in Chinese,…

Island Burgers & Shakes
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan/Theater District

766 9th Ave
New York, NY 10019

Scott R. writes: What a burger.  A little thicker than other great burger places like Corner Bistro and PJ Clarke's but just as tasty.  

They have something like 30 toppings and 50 branded variations that can extend to their burgers or chicken churrascos (basically an…

Metrazur

Grand Central Station, East Balcony
New York, NY 10017

Maria M. writes: I've only had bar app's here, but they were pretty good.  The drinks were very, very good, and tuesday is ladies night so we get two for one or some discount.

Refugees from Campbell's Apartment and their idiotic dress code (it's like they forgot they…

Candela Restaurant
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Gramercy-Flatiron, Manhattan/Union Square

116 E 16th St
New York, NY 10003

Gourmet G. writes: Low lighting and candles help make this one of the most romantic spots in town. The menu is a greatest hits version of Mediterranean, Italian, and Asian dining, with offerings like lobster roll with papaya-mint salsa, calamari with garlic-citrus…

The Village Underground
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Greenwich Village

130 W 3rd St
New York, NY 10012

Rachel H. writes: The vibe from this place is amazing.  I've gone during the week when there's a live band and had a great time there.  The crowd is just as good and awesomely diverse as the performers.  The atmosphere is great for completely letting go.  I usually go…

Gallagher's Steak House
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Theater District

228 W 52nd St
New York, NY 10019

Lindsay K. writes: Gallagher's is a steak house's steak house.  It's the cream of the crop in terms of drinks, service, atmosphere... and meat.  

Vegetarians need not read on.

My uncle has been telling my brother and I to go to Gallagher's for a while and request the…

Ladybird Bakery
Neighborhood: Brooklyn/Park Slope

1112 8th Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11215

Kat M. writes: Ok, so this review is actually for "two little red hens" in Park Slope, Brooklyn! But, since the partners broke up, the Manhattan bakery is keeping the infamous name.   I have to admit, I am much more of a fan of "two little red hens".  But that's…

Mercer Kitchen
Neighborhood: Manhattan/SoHo

99 Prince St
New York, NY 10012

natashka o. writes: My familiarity with zen-like bathroom of the Mercer is strong, since I had to escape there during dinner with Sotheby's furniture expert. Somehow, he was taller when appraising my antiques than when taking me to dinner. Maybe because of all that…

Bellavitae
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Greenwich Village

24 Minetta Lane
New York, NY 10012

Rey P. writes: There aren't a ton of veggie options here, but it doesn't matter because they're all good. Each dish highlights a particular ingredient -- a particular olive oil, a certain cheese -- so if you're a lover of Italian ingredients this is the place for…