1. 1. 66

   241 Church St., at Leonard St.; 212-925-0202

   Improvisational-genius Chinese cooking by Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

2. 2. De Marco’s Pizzeria

   146 W. Houston St., at Macdougal St.; 212-253-2290

   When the pies are good at this loosely affiliated spinoff of Brooklyn’s Di Fara pizzeria, they’re very, very good.

3. 3. Waldy’s

   800 Sixth Ave., nr. 27th St.; 212-213-5042

   Waldy Malouf tops his pizzas with ingredients lesser pie men wouldn’t dare try, including braised lamb with roasted lemon and oregano.

4. 4. Grand Sichuan Int’l Midtown

   745 Ninth Ave., nr. 50th St.; 212-582-2288

   Order from the super-spicy menu category called “Mao’s home cooking.” (The chairman liked his chile peppers.)

5. 5. Shun Lee West

   43 W. 65th St., nr. Columbus Ave.; 212-595-8895

   This posh Lincoln Center standby is the Le Cirque of Chinese food—with delivery.

Related:

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