Chef Tony Liu’s August brings a touch of the Mediterranean to the West Village. Never mind the no-reservations policy. It’s worth the wait.

The staircase isn't so scary -- and that goes for the food, too -- at the slicked-up Brasserie. Chocolate beignets are New Yorky French cooking that flies.

A bistro in an unlikely location, Rue 57 astonishes Bergdorf shoppers and business execs with duck crumble, braised-to-the-bone short ribs, and a sushi bar.

The gastronomic revival of Grand Central continues apace with Pershing Square and Métrazur as the latest and worthiest additions.

At Sapa, Patricia Yeo’s fusion cooking is appealing. It’s the room and the menu that need work.

If chef-owner Nobu Matsuhisa opened Next Door Nobu to relieve the crush at the neighboring Nobu, it ain't working; now both are nearly impossible to get into.

Two places worthy of repeat visits -- JUdson Grill scores with a new chef, and Boughalem puts you in the mood for love.

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).

Seviche, merengue, mojitos -- they're a combination bound to give anyone's spirits a lift. And at Noche, they even manage to exorcise a few ghosts.

Zoë, 90 Prince Street (212-966-6722).
Lundy's, 205 West 50th Street (212-586-0022).