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When Henry's opened on 105th and Broadway, riding on the wave of the new millennium, locals quickly embraced its hip vibe and better-than-next-door food. Today, despite more competition, Henry's continues to thrive, and it's easy to see why yuppies, families, and Columbia University staff love the place. The mahogany wood-paneled dining room is exceedingly spacious for Manhattan—there's even room to walk between tables. Floor-to-ceiling windows facing Broadway are flung open during warm weather, and tables are set up on the sidewalk. The New American food has a French accent: a juicy New York Strip steak comes with nutmeg and garlic-accented creamed spinach and crunchy fries; roast chicken is crispy outside, moist inside, and with it you get buttery mashed potatoes, pearl onions, and fried parsley. Especially terrific is Henry's burger: freshly ground sirloin is mouthwateringly juicy and flavorful. Beware of brunch on weekends—there's usually a 10- to 15-minute wait and if you don't have a baby in tow you're the odd one out. Eggs benedict, a gingery tuna burger, and fried calamari are all excellent. Desserts were good, with few misfires: Chocolate and vanilla crème brûlée features a perfectly balanced vanilla half but the chocolate counterpart evokes Swiss Miss pudding. — Lia Miller

Sunday brunch is a good bet here. It's also a popular spot for watching sports at the bar—for important sporting events, like the U.S. Open finals or the World Series, they pull down a giant TV screen in the dining room.

Fried calamari, $10 (appetizer); beet and endive salad with apples, walnuts, and blue cheese, $9; grilled sirloin burger, $10; New York strip steak, $29