What's happened to Chinese food in the city over the years is nothing short of a tragedy. But dry your eyes and check out Shun Lee Palace and Chinatown's Natural.

Montrachet
239 West Broadway
(212-219-2777)
Compass
208 West 70th Street
(212-875-8600)

A pair of Gramercy Tavern and Craft alums bring a helping of professionalism to the East Village. Who cares if the locals don’t eat there?

Two relaxed, thaw-out restaurants—where you don’t have to worry about your hat hair—keep diners delightfully warm (even if one of them has a fake fireplace).

Just when the city seems about to drown in a sea of mediocre Indian food, along comes Tabla -- with its two tiers and two complete menus -- to turn the tide.

Citarella
1240 Sixth Avenue, at 49th Street (212-332-1515)

At the city’s latest high-end Asian eatery, the menu is baffling, the portions are small, the prices are astronomical, and the result is fantastic.

True Italian warmth -- plus great pizzas and pastas -- is turning up in some very out-of-the-way places. Hal Rubenstein reviews Àpizz and Giorgione.