1. 1. Lil’ Frankie’s Pizza

   19 First Ave., nr. 1st St.; 212-420-4900

   Some of the East Village’s best brick-oven pizza, oven-baked pasta, and a great house salad.

2. 2. Otto Enoteca Pizzeria

   1 Fifth Ave., at 8th St.; 212-995-9559

   The Central Village source for delectable seafood antipasti, seasonal salads, and griddled pizzas topped with everything from balsamic onions and goat cheese to meltingly soft lardo.

3. 3. Da Ciro

   229 Lexington Ave., nr. 34th St.; 212-532-1636

   Cognoscenti get the dimpled, truffled-scented focaccia robiola at this Murray Hill standby.

4. 4. Shanghai Pavilion

   1378 Third Ave., nr. 78th St.; 212-585-3388

   The Upper East Side isn’t hurting for Chinese takeout, but this one outcooks and outclasses the rest.

5. 5. Ginger

   1400 Fifth Ave., at 116th St.; 212-423-1111

   Harlem’s pioneering “healthy Chinese” restaurant bakes its egg rolls and abstains from frying and MSG.

Related:

• Archive: “Food Features”
• Articles by Robin Raisfeld | Rob Patronite
• Table of Contents: Feb 26, 2007 issue of New York | Subscribe!