The Cardinal (Ave B & East 4th St)
Great southern food with a Carolina flair.

Les Enfants Terribles (Ludlow & Canal)
Get away from the craziness of Rivington Street and relax in this hip, cool Afro-French neighborhood favorite. Sit at the bar for some of the best people watching in the city. The bartenders are nice too.

Cheeky Sandwiches (Hester & Orchard)
The breakfast sandwiches are pure genius. Best homemade biscuit in the city in my humble opinion.

Barrio Chino (Broome & Orchard)
Go here for brunch or late afternoon snack before it gets too busy around dinner time. Nearly the same menu and more space to hang out while enjoying a delicious margarita + guacamole & chips.

Ten Bells (Orchard & Broome)
Sexy spot to have a cocktail while you wait for a seat at Barrio Chino. Or you might just stay all night. Say hello to Charles if you see him.

Bianca (Bleeker & Bowery)
Best Italian food in the area. Be prepared to wait a good two hours for a table though. Also, it is cash only, but that doesn’t really matter when most of the plates are $10 each.

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Monkey Bar (54th & 5th Ave)
I will never forgive them for the disappearance of “monkey bread,” which used to be served in the bar area. It was the most delicious thing I had ever tasted. But I will happily order one of their classic martinis & review life in the Manhattan magazine world. But just remember William Makepeace Thackeray’s words that in life, “All is vanity, nothing is fair.”

Raines Law Room (17th & 6th Ave)
If you plan to be there during peak hours, be sure to reserve a spot on the cushy couches and dim lit corridors of this speakeasy in Flatiron.

Whiskey Blue at The W Hotel (Lexington & 49th)
As far as hotel bars go, this is one of the better ones. Swanky. Fun. Fresh.

Brasserie 8 1/2 (Broadway & 55th St)
There is something about walking down a beautiful winding staircase into an amazing restaurant that takes you back to Mad Men days. Wear your best outfit, smashing high heels, and show the world that you have arrived.

Gordon Ramsey at The London Hotel (6th Ave & 54th St)
Power breakfast, lunch or dinner. Bring your expense account.

Campbell Apartment (Grand Central)
Bring out your inner Gatsby and grab a large martini in this amazing bar hidden away inside Grand Central. Cozy up with a good conversationalist in this dim lit room and try to figure out how this was ever allowed to be just one man’s apartment.

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Lucali (Henry & Carroll Street)
The. Best. Pizza. In. Town. A small, but intimate restaurant that is always worth the two hour wait. And if you’re lucky you might see some of the celebrities that also enjoy coming to visit. BYOB. You can also order pizza for pick up if you live near by, but I dare you to try not to eat it on the way home.

Marlow & Sons (Broadway & Berry)
This oyster happy hour makes Alice very happy in wonderland.

Dressler (Broadway & Bedford Ave)
Brooklyn chic. Take the ferry over.

Seersucker (Smith & President Street)
A friend of a friend opened up this spot. I got to try some of the food at a festival and it was quite tasty. I’d still like to sit down for a full meal one of these days.

Cafe De La Esquina (Wythe Ave & N 3rd St)
A diner converted into a yummy Mexican spot. Perfect spot to eat at the counter or in a booth.

Rucola (Dean & Bond)

“A hidden gem located at Bond and Bergen in a borderland neighborhood, this spot is amazing. The cocktails are crafted with such thought you feel smarter just having one (and even smarter having two) and the food is so well crafted you won’t want to tell anyone else about this place. Try anything, this seasonal menu won’t disappoint.” - submitted by Erin Hersey

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Want to see what is happening in Manhattan? Check out this list if you like to stay downtown or this one if you prefer uptown.

Washington, DC

Chez Billy (Georgia Ave & Randolph St NW)

Tres jolie. This cute French place in Petworth is a great getaway with a solid ambiance, a well stocked French wine list and delightful dishes that is perfect for a date or a night with girl friends.

Graffiato (7th & G NW)

Small plates taste better while shared with friends. Trendy spot in Chinatown tucked away from the madness of the Verizon Center.

Dr. Granville Moore’s (12th & H St NE)

Moules & frittes can make a girl do strange things. Start the night here, enjoy the world outside on H St afterwards.

1905 (9th & T St NW)

It is like eating a really great dinner in a really old house. Try it sometime.

Maple (11th & Monroe NW)

Eleventh street is booming with business lately and this restaurant is the lovely centerpiece on a strip of growing bar & dining options.

The Quill @ The Jefferson (16th St NW and M St NW)

This is where all good gin martinis go to be sipped, seen and seduced while a live piano plays a pretty tune.

The Edgar (Connecticut & L)

While nothing can ever replace the historic Mayflower bar that used to be here, The Edgar is a welcome addition to an area of town with far too many working people and far too few dim lit bars.