Top Five

Wells, Fed

"I'm happy to sign autographs, but not when there's food on the table," Yankees hurler David Wells warns before offering us his favorite places in which to chow down. "One thing about coming back to the Yankees -- I knew I'd be eating good." And as the Yankees cruise down the September stretch, so can you.

By Ben Kaplan (Email)
Published Sep 1, 2002

1. Tao Asian Bistro

"The Kobe beef is just awesome. I get the bass appetizer -- it melts in your mouth. The atmosphere is cool, there's a cool giant Buddha, plus I always sit by the exit -- it's near the bathroom, so I can watch all the chicks." (42 East 58th Street; 212-888-2288.)

2. Redeye Grill

"The mahimahi with prosciutto-and-mushroom sauce? Dude, it's off the hook. I started going a few years ago; now I hit it a couple times a month. I just took Dan Marino for seafood the other night. They're good people there, too." (890 Seventh Avenue, at 56th Street; 212-541-9000.)

3. Otabe

"Paul Simon, Dan Aykroyd, David Cohen, and Lorne Michaels threw a great surprise birthday party for me here once. It's been my Japanese place ever since. They really have everything -- my favorite dishes are traditional ones, like the chicken and steak with white rice. The food is served up Benihana-style, so you know it's all good for the kids." (68 East 56th Street; 212-223-7575.)

4. Starks Veranda

"The steaks are awesome. Good atmosphere, old-fashioned. I get the creamed spinach and the oversize tomatoes with onions. My son likes blue cheese on it." (319 Broadway, near Federal Plaza; 212-406-1727.)

5. Hooters

"You do the math." (211 West 56th Street; 212-581-5656.)