In 2003, Andy D'Amico and Simon Oren opened Nice Matin on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Since opening night, no dish has been more popular than the "5 Napkin Burger." The dish proved so popular, in fact, the duo decided to give the burger its own stage in Hell's Kitchen. Since then an additional three 5 Napkin Burgers have opened in Manhattan. The 5 Napkin Burger is 10 ounces of fresh ground chuck topped with Gruyere cheese, caramelized onions and a rosemary aioli. In addition to the house burger, the menu features six other burgers: cheddar bacon, Italian turkey, lamb kofta burger, veggie burger, inside out burger and a burger salad. At its core, 5 Napkin Burger is a great neighborhood restaurant. They have rounded out the burger section of the menu with a broad array of dishes that appeal to anyone in any group. Our menu offers hand-crafted sushi, appetizer and entree salads and a full selection of entrees. For beverages, guests can choose from 50 beers, 100 wines and 10 specialty cocktails.

Tucked inconspicuously into an old brownstone near the corner of 10th Street & 7th avenue, Bobo quietly announces its place on the culinary map of the West Village. While French-inspired fare is de rigueur in the village, Bobo stands out because of it elegance, and quirkiness. The unmarked entrance leads you just below-ground level to the bar (you can peek in the windows and check out the crowd), which bustles with activity. Here, a bar menu provides small plates that pair well with the wines selected for the cellar. Warmly lit and decorated with carefully chosen antiques, the space is designed to inspire that "speak-easy" feeling from the days of Dorothy Parker and the literati. A candlelit staircase takes you to the upstairs dining room, which exudes a cozy elegance seldom achieved no matter how often tried. This is a romantic place, so consider bringing your beloved here for a special occasion. The menu has undergone some alterations, and the kitchen a few chefs, since Bobo opened in 2007. But owner Carlos Suarez, who is as elegant as his restaurant, has managed to bring his vision to this corner of the west village. The technique is definitely inspired by classic French fare, but with a lighter hand and some newer, quirkier flavors. Don't look for loud-takers and glitz-seekers here. There's nothing crass about Bobo.

Red Egg, a new authentic Chinese-Peruvian venture from Darren Wan is just steps north of Canal but miles apart in concept. The restaurant is stylish and, chic with an amazingly comfortable atmosphere. Red Egg offers an exciting dim sum menu along with a wide variety of both regional Chinese specialties and Peruvian favorites. Red Egg offers a full bar area that serves a creative list of cocktails in a casual setting.

Italian for 'kisses and hugs', Baci & Abbracci's Neapolitan-style pizzas and "fresh", "homey" dishes merit the trip on the L. The white-washed walls of this modern Williamsburg trattoria boasts a small bar, while the sun-kissed garden is an "enticing escape."

Christin Tosi's East Village location of Milk Bar stretches its legs across the street from its former home within Ssam Bar, serving the same delicious menu of breads, cakes, cookies, pies, buns ice cream and creative desserts.

A marvelous restaurant from Laurent Halasz, one of three branches of Fig & Olive featuring superb Mediterranean cuisine. The Fifth Avenue Fig & Olive is a classic bi-level space, with a more casual dining room and bar downstairs, and more elegant space upstairs. Popular with the after work Midtown crowds, this location is also popular with shoppers looking for an elegant yet inspired lunch menu. For those who want to stay on the light side, the soups and crositini are tasty and affordable, as are the salads and the carpaccio selections. At the bar, the space is cozy without being cramped. For dinner, best to make reservations, especially during prime time, as table are quickly populated with devotees and visiting businesspeople. If you are in the Grand Central area and seek out a glass or two of wine and a light bite you assuredly can't go wrong here. The Mediterranean-inspired fare is thoughtfully designed around specific ingredients. Each dish is prepared with a special olive oil. The selection of Extra Virgin Olive Oils includes some of the finest olive oils of the Mediterranean region. Enjoy the authentic, fresh and flavorful ingredients in these simple yet refined dishes, along with the health benefits of the olive oil and the Mediterranean diet, and antioxidant quality of figs and olives. Olive oils, vinegars, tapenades and other products are also offered for sale.