Key West, Florida

Some restaurants and most bars in Key West are located on or just off of Duval Street and offer a Mardi-Gras-mixed-with-Spring-Break feel. If you want to test your skills at polishing off 12 Mind Erasers next to a guy in shorts, flip flops and one of those vulgar t-shirts from the local kiosk about which you asked yourself, “who actually BUYS those?!” … just wander around the section of Duval from Front St. to Angela St. Otherwise, enjoy the fabulous side-streets and rest of Duval, full of incredible dining and island homes which deserve a full couple days of exploring via bicycle. 

BREAKFAST & LUNCH:

• Help Yourself – organic café with salads, wraps, juices, smoothies (exactly what you’ll crave after trying all of the dinner options below)
• BlackFin Bistro – simple, lovely interior with friendly staff and fresh, delicious fare of primarily salads and fish.
• Blue Heaven – a former brothel-turned-really-popular eatery with dishes ranging from shrimp & grits to beef tenderloin to gumbo to homemade banana bread
• Five Brothers – bakery with legit Cuban sandwiches and daily specials like Ropa Vieja with plantains, rice and beans
• Southernmost Beach Café – what may look like a cheesy tourist trap is always a can’t-miss stop. Get a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and the homemade key lime pie for dessert. You’re on vacation!

DINNER:
Always make reservations.

• Onlywood – pizza and pasta; best Linguine Vongole ever. Cute patio and ridiculously friendly service. Set in an alleyway just off Duval
• Flaming Buoy – In the midst of a residential neighborhood, this sassy corner bistro and its sassy (in a good way) staff serve up a fabulous wine list and excellent dishes. Get the lobster mac & cheese appetizer!!!
• Seven Fish – Whatever the fish special is, get it. Highest Zagat rating in South Florida and “hip” for Key West.
• Santiago’s Bodega – tapas-style; must get the beef carpaccio, brussel sprouts & short ribs
• BlackFin Bistro – (see lunch)
• Café Sole – Excellent French cooking in a totally random, eclectic setting
• Ambrosia Sushi

WHERE TO DRINK
Here’s a few suggestions, but really, just wander around. If you can’t find a cocktail in this town, you have bigger issues!

• Hog’s Breath Saloon – this is a typical Duval street bar, located in the midst of the “Mardis Gras” setting, but the live music is typically SO GOOD that I’ll make an exemption and actually list this as a must while in Key West!
• Nine One Five – A restored Victorian mansion serving dinner & drinks downstairs and on its Duval-front patio
• Point5, the bar upstairs with DJs and impromptu burlesque shows
• 2Cent – Monday through Friday happy hour, 4:30-6:30pm

THINGS TO DO:

• Rent bikes! Riding through the neighborhood can be done for days
• Wanderlust Boutique: local artisan clothing & jewelry (women’s)
• Cuban Coffee Queen: DO NOT LEAVE without getting a Cafecito (2 shots espresso, sugar cane, steamed milk) or iced coffee (their ice cubes are made out of coffee) and perhaps a Cuban sandwich / snack
• Sunset at Mallory Square – The town gathers along the boardwalk to watch the sun go down amidst weirdos with trained cats and non-weirdos who pre-make a few hundred cups of pre-crushed ice / sugar / mint … mojitos on demand. There’s a restaurant called Sunset Pier with live music, at one end.

Langkawi, Malaysia

Langkawi is a beautifully romantic, never-leave-the-hotel type place.  Stay about an hour from 'downtown,' in one of the two secluded hotels nestled in the jungle on the Andaman Bay.  The vegetation is the most lush you may ever see, and the bay calm and relaxing.  Decisions to make while you're there:  pool or beach? kayak or snorkel? cocktail or smoothie? handstand or cartwheel?

• The Andaman - amazing
• The Datai - really, really amazing!

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Visiting Angkor:

• You must hire a tour guide / driver.  Be prepared to wake up very early and be on your feet all day.  Try Bunphen Chan (chbunpheng@yahoo.com / 855-126-306-11).

• If you visit early (get picked up at 6am at your hotel), you can experience the morning sun peering down upon Wat Ta Phrom and its enormous Banyan roots – a wise choice as most tourists (and tour busses!) select this temple as an early evening visit.  

• Touring the 900 year old, grandiose (an understatement) Angkor Wat can take well over two hours, with its sprawling moat, entryway and towers.  But the sites around the main temple are also incredible ... don't miss Bayon within the Angkor Thom site, which is covered in larger-than-life hand carved faces as far as the eye can see.

Evenings in Siem Reap:

• An absolute must:  cocktails at the Elephant Bar at Raffles Grand Hotel

• Spend some time on “Pub Street” (yes, that’s the real name), as well as the quainter side streets which come alive post-sundown.  With $.50 beers at almost every bar and restaurant, there is plenty of people watching and drinking to be done!  

• Spend an afternoon at the artsy, French-colonial-infused-with-art-deco Hotel de la Paix  (try the Khmer rice brandy ... when in Rome!)

Hotels:

• Amansara - nice, but not great
• Hotel de la Paix - speechless!!
• La Residence d’Angkor - nice, but not great
• Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor - very nice (if you don't stay here, you MUST have a drink at the hotel's Elephant Bar!)

Beijing, China

SIGHTS

• Temple of Heaven – Neat to see, although if you are limited on time, this one is skippable

• Summer Palace – Pretty.

• Tiananmen Square – It's just a square ... but, it’s a MASSIVE one and also at the entrance gate to the Forbidden City, which is awesome.  One must refrain from “talking politics” – especially in a negative light about the Chinese government, of course – while in this square, as there are undercover policemen looking out for just that (really ... although sounds more and more like the US government ...)

• Forbidden City – Really incredible, and sprawling!  An absolute must.

RESTAURANTS

• Da Dong - enjoy the famous Peking ("Beijing") duck, and pour yourself free wine while you wait for your table
• Hua Jia Yiyuan - bustling!  Enjoy fried spare ribs, fried apples, chop suey, etc., amidst red velvet couches, courtyards and Chinese lanterns.  

Also check out the trendy and bohemian “No Name” bar in Houhai Lake, a lake in the middle of the city surrounded by tons of neon-lit bars and cafes (classier and cooler than it sounds!).

Oh, and there's always the Great Wall of China!

Penang, Malaysia

At Bali Hai, you select your fish from over 50 tanks and they grill it right there, on the spot.  Gigantic crab baked with cheese, fresh grilled red snapper, glass noodles with scallops and prawns ... yummy.

This is the only good thing in all of Penang.

Don't go!

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Things to know about Chiang Mai:

• Nimmanheamin Road - outside and to the west of the Old City, which is like a hip Asian version of Santa Fe.  Lined with galleries, restaurants, bars, cafes, salons, shops and spas, spend some significant time on this end of town!
• Check out Ginger (store); also one at House Restaurant
• D Milk, for dessert / snack:  multiple milkshake/snowcone flavors, 100 jars of gummy and chocolate candies, blueberry pie filling, fruits, and other delights as toppings (you get to choose 4).  And, of course, they layer this Drink O’ Perfection in thirds so that they can pour in Carnation Condensed Milk as they go.
• Chiang Mai’s street vendors are just about as clean as your home kitchen. During the Sunday market, you can spend a whopping $4 on myriad dishes for dinner and dessert, and be stuffed.  This market is better than the night bazaar.
• RESTAURANTS
• Dalaaba - you'll read about this place all over, but it's not good. Skip. 
• The House - this place is awesome. Get there early and shop in the cool stores attached to the restaurant.  You will spend about $30 on an incredible dinner with drinks!  
• Huen Phen – a must visit for lunch or dinner … it’s legit!  Entrees are $1.  Try the Khao Soi.  
• Another to try is Bon Kitchen.
• HOTELS
• Shangri-La - No thanks; I'd rather stay at a hostel.
• Chedi - OMG. OMG. OMG.
• D2 - Nice place.
• Mandarin Oriental - OMG. OMG. OMG. A bit outside of town. (this changed owners and is no longer a Mandarin, but it's tough to imagine it being bad)
• Rachamankha - Nice place, even a little nicer than D2.
• MASSAGE
• Fah Lanna:  Great spot.  You’ll have to splurge, though – massages are closer to $7 instead of $4.  
• Everyone will tell you “you have to see the temple on the hill or you haven’t been to Chiang Mai”.  It’s a temple. On a hill.
• Late February is when there are forest clearing fires in the area.  While the weather is quite pleasant, especially in the evening, the smoke that settles on top of the town is pretty rough (mask-worthy).
• Smart Cook cooking school – a wonderful afternoon!  Highly recommended.  The instructor even takes you to the local, outdoor market.
• Patara Elephant Farm - Instead of an elephant “show” – which is the normal tourist activity offered in town – Patara pairs each person with their very own elephant and trainer for the entire day. You'll learn quite a bit about Thai culture, history, and the elephants’ involvement in both through Pat, the English-speaking, friendly and passionate owner.  You'll perform an elephant health check, bathe the elephant, learn their commands, etc.  The elephants are extremely intelligent – responsive to their name when called, and to commands such as “lay down”, “stop”, “go” (as long as you can say the words in Thai, which you'll learn!).  Then, you will mount your elephant and ride it down an easy roadside path to a waterfall area where you watch them play while you enjoy an incredible lunch made by locals (fruits, coconut rice wrapped in banana leaf, fried chicken…).  The post-lunch trek is much more difficult than the morning trail, along a jungle path that would be difficult even for humans to hike.  It’s incredible how these enormous animals can maneuver through trees and treacherous terrain – with us on top!  The tour is complete with a sunset ride through the mountains and rice patties.  A must.
• There are big tented ‘marts’ with multiple bars inside.  Order of events is as follows:  Sit down at one of the dozens of bars. Order beer.  Tell little girl you don’t want to buy bracelet. Tell little boy you don’t want to buy flower.  Tell little girl you don’t want to buy necklace.  Order one large Chang Beer.  Watch Thai boxing in ring 5 feet in front of you.  Finish beer.  See a Ladyboy bar three bars over –which looks more interesting. Move. Tell little girl you don’t want to buy flower.  Order large Chang Beer.  Ladyboys’ favorite song comes on and they strip down to thongs and do a big dance.  Finish Chang Beer.  Leave.

Luang Prabang, Laos

Luang Prabang is (for now) an UNESCO world heritage center with no Starbucks, no hotel chains, and not a tour bus in sight.

The architecture of this very small (one main road and two smaller ones in the town center) destination is quite beautiful.  Its heavy French influence accounts for teak homes and many colonial style shops and restaurants.

The Apsara is a quaint, perfectly located hotel and and a nice base from which to enjoy the town’s small shops, wine bars and restaurants – specifically, L’Elephant (a lively French restaurant) and Arisai (an incredibly delicious Mediterranean bistro).  

Be sure to climb to the temple on the hill and cool off with Beer Lao and spring rolls at Utopia, a cozy Lao-style chill out spot overlooking the Mekong River.

Seattle, Washington

Capitol Hill = hipster neighborhood

Dinner

• Sitka & Spruce (Capitol Hill) - in cool market w/ wine bars, home store, etc. Open air kitchen, great windows
• Bar Cotto (Capitol Hill) - A smallish Parma-style salumeria and cocktail bar with pizza, Italian veggies and a daily selection of local and international cured meats.  Stop in for a snack and cocktail or stay for a whole meal
• Le Pichet (Pike Place area) - This French bistro possesses both a legendary roast chicken and an informal charm that makes you want to linger all evening with some charcuterie and wine.  Legit French.
• Delancey - Perfectly fired seasonal pizzas and cunningly simple sides make this a Seattle institution.  Don't miss the desserts; some come for the salted chocolate chip cookies alone.  Walk-in only.
• Brass Tacks (Georgetown) - The former big and tall shop has acquired a local following with a kitchen whipping up anything you crave - burgers, grilled salads, pork belly, brussels with chorizo.  Super cool, funky interiors.
• The Coterie Room (Belltown) - Beautiful interiors. High ceilings, subway tiles.  Incredible food. Bottomless mimosa ($14) brunch, and they mean it on the refills.

Honolulu, Hawaii

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*** RESTAURANTS (NON-SUSHI)***

•  Salt (3605 Waialae Ave, dinner only, happy hour) "Very inventive" rave admirers of tapas-style dishes packed with unique flavors along with sausages, house-cured meats and cheeseboards and handcrafted Prohibition-era cocktails; grab a counter seat in the industrial-like setting, kitted out with track lighting, metal beams and wood accents and black and white photos or steal away to the upstairs loft for a nibble.
• Lucky Belly (no reservations; 50 North Hotel Street- chinatown) entrees $8-$14; draws a stylish crowd with its sleek, earthy-industrial interior w/ rough plank wood walls, exposed ductwork & and its delicious ramen with smoky pork belly and a rich, gingery broth
•  Hasr Bistro (31 North Pauahi Street - chinatown) entrees $15-$40; next door to the wine shop of the same name, serves French- and Italian-inspired dishes like Kona lobster cioppino; buy a bottle in the shop and have it with your meal
• Duke’s (2335 Kalakaua Avenue) the famous Duke's restaurant & beach bar
• Town (3435 Waialae Avenue; closed Sun) Lively & non-fancy New American–Italian locavore heaven with innovative use of local ingredients, industrial digs' hip, young yet welcoming vibe, with its reasonably priced taste of urban chic.

 *** RESTAURANTS (SUSHI)***

• Sushi Izakaya Gaku (1329 S King St, dinner only, closed Sun) crazy good reviews on Yelp & Chowhound & Tripadvisor; hole-in-wall, best sushi, fresh; This Manoa izakaya-style spot is a favorite among Japanese food enthusiasts, serving dishes straight out of a Tokyo bistro; offering everything from the freshest, most highly prized raw fish to more standard small dishes and omakase, a meal here is pricey, but it's worth it for connoisseurs seeking an overall authentic experience
•  Doraku Sushi (2233 Kalakaua Ave., 7 days lunch & dinner) - This Miami import's unique takes on classic choices will rock your world agree avid sushi lovers; low-lit chill atmosphere; find a perch at this posh location on the third floor of the Royal Hawaiian Center overlooking the main strip of Honolulu
• Mitch’s Sushi (524 Ohohia Street Honolulu, 7 days lunch & dinner) "In-freakin'-credible!" cheer fin fans who dive into the outstanding chirashi plates and large portions of the freshest fish at this Japanese seafooder, a reservations-only BYO set in a nondescript warehouse near the airport car rentals; it's not the prettiest locale, but the master sushi chefs ensure that every piece is a balanced work of edible art
•  Imanas Tei (2626 S King St, dinner only, closed Sun) Incredible reviews on Yelp & Tripadivsor; seek out this smallish University-area Japanese spot for the most authentic specialties and the freshest fish, including excellent sushi and delicious shabu-shabu – the flavors seem traditional, but the twists keep you coming back
• Yanagi Sushi (762 Kapiolani Blvd, 7 days lunch & dinner) local favorite with a lively atmosphere and photos of celebs is the real deal; big portions bring crowds, even into the late hours so reserve ahead
•  Yohei Sushi (1111 Dillingham Blvd., 7 days lunch & dinner) authentic Japanese, meticulously presented sushi sure to transport you to Tokyo; not cheap and the hole-in-the-wall digs can seem overcrowded, but given the unbelievable offerings, it remains popular nonetheless.

 *** NIGHTLIFE *** 

Chinatown = hipster area

• Thirtyninehotel (39 N. Hotel St.) not a hotel; Up the stairs of a dilapidated building, through a white washed club room inside, end at the sunny and lovely rooftop terrace, where insider-y nightlife folk begin their night out
•  The Manifest (32 North Hotel Street) chic coffee bar by day and sleek cocktail bar by night, the glass-ceilinged, exposed-brick loft space is flooded with natural light. 

  *** THINGS TO DO *** 

• Hike Diamondhead
• NYT recommends breakfast before if on Sat @ Farmer’s Market:  7:30 - 11 AM, Kapiolani Community College, 4303 Diamond Head Rd (Parking Lot C) 
• Manoa falls - Easy 1,200m hike with shoulder-height vegetation akin to Jurassic Park (scenes from the third movie were filmed here). - http://hawaiitrails.ehawaii.gov/trail.php?TrailID=OA+19+007
• Waimea Falls – cool, easy hike
• " Booze cruise" - best options are:
•   Maita'i Catamaran
• Na Hoku II Catamaran Cruises
• Waikiki Rigger
• North Shore - rent a jeep and head on out!  Dining while you're there:
• Lei Lei’s @ Turtle Bay Resort- Surfers go for a nice dinner; beautiful views; has just what you need, from breakfast to drinks after a round on the green to a pleasant dinner; the casual atmosphere is so welcoming; while the fare is a minor miracle and much better than it needs to be for a golf clubhouse cafe
• Jameson’s - A Haleiwa tradition, this surf 'n' turf standby hasn't lost its charm, with a beautiful open-air location facing the water and postcard views; a romantic mood enhanced by hurricane lamps, overhead fans and a symphony of island flavors
• Stortos – for sandwiches
• Ted’s - amazing bakery w/ yummy breakfast (also great shrimp plate & Haupia pie)

  *** YOGA ***  

Based on strong, Vinyasa Flow classes

• Waikiki Hot Yoga - legit, nice & clean. 108 degree sauna! $25/class 
• Miramar at Waikiki Hotel - 2345 Kuhio Ave
• Daily 9:30, 11:30, 4:30, 6:30
• Power Yoga Hawaii - Bryan Kest style, good music
• 510 Piikoi 
• Th 5:15 / Fri 9:30, 12, 4:30 / Sat 9:30, 5 / Sun 9:30 / Mon 9:30, 12
• Sunset Yoga Hawaii - *ON BEACH AT SUNSET* $15; must RSVP: www.sunsetyogahawaii.com
• Ala Moana Beach 
• Thurs, Sun 5:45pm
• SUP Yoga w/ Salt Fitness - Email to sign up: http://www.saltfitness.com/class-schedule/
• Fri 5-6:15 (sunset), Sat 10-11:15am & 5-6:15, Sun 10-11:15 & 5-6:15

Tokyo, Japan

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While the people (and clothes) are size negative petite, Tokyo itself is an XXL; so, spend your days exploring the neighborhoods.

***KNOW***

• There is no English here.  And I mean NO. ENGLISH. HERE.  

• Tokyo is the one Asian city that hands out free packs of tissue (with advertising) on every corner. It is also the one city with nice bathrooms (with toilet paper) everywhere you turn. Let’s teach China a thing or two about this brilliant little advertising concept, shall we?

• Mochi isn’t good here unless you have a secret love of red bean paste as the filling. Stick to Trader Joe's.

• 7-11′s food selection puts Whole Foods to shame. 

•  7-11′s sake selection is a hangover waiting to happen. You’ve been warned. 

• Actually, anyone’s sake selection is a hangover waiting to happen. Just because it comes in these cute little cups that the top pops off of does not mean it’s good for you. 

• ALL bars have a cover charge (some restaurants, too) … and some wait to tell you until you are leaving.

• The Sony showroom isn't cool unless you've never been to Best Buy.

• Denki Bran is considered “poor man’s whiskey."  Just say no.

***THE HOODS***

• SHIBUYA 

• Stop by one of the Udon places – the menus (with pictures, thank goodness) are out front along with a vending machine of tickets. Wait in line, make your purchase from the vending machine, go inside, turn in your ticket and, poof!, your selection is handed over. 

• Visit the quite & peaceful Meiji Shrine

• Sushi No Midori – sushi spot in the Shibuya Metro station (yes!) with a guaranteed 30+ minute wait … worth the wait if it's 300 minutes.

• Buri – cool sake bar in the metro station by Yogogi park 

• HARAJUKU (holla back girl!)

•  Explore the area's fab boutiques with a quaint feel

• Walk along Takeshita Dori, where all the “Harajuku Girls” hang out 

• Use the vending machines that put ice in your soda (once you find a local to show you how to use it)

• Kyusha Jangara Ramen – line spilling out the door for the most delicious ramen on earth

• GINZA - This is the area you see on TV, with the high-rises and neon signs. GLAM!

• Go to a "magic bar," where the bartenders are magicians (most are 'hidden' in high-rise buildings).  Prepare for a $60+/hour cover charge, and lots of cigarette smoke.

• On that note, the fact that a bar is on the fifth floor of a dark apartment-like building, inside one of the ‘apartments’ … and every other ‘apartment’ is also a 3-6 seat  bar, and every building in the area is an ‘apartment building’ … Well, you get the point. 

• Andy’s Shinhinomoto – Izakaya (Japanese restaurant/pub) under the train tracks, fun and rowdy spot for dinner … Sake to me!

• TSUKIJI (the world famous fish market) - Walk around the stalls and check out all the 4-seater sushi joints. Sushizanmai is a great place to enjoy some.

• OMOTESANDO (neighborhood) - Fabulous area! Big, main road with lots of little alleyways full of great shops and cool architecture. 

• NAKA MAGURO - area surrounding a canal with little shops and restaurants, a nice stroll in a sleepy area

• SHINJUKU (red light-ish area, good to see but that’s about it)

• Isetan – famous department store … Hello cool fashion, hello high prices.  Fun to browse. The market in the basement is just plain incredible

• AZABU JUBAN in ROPPONGI - area where many expats live, nothing too exciting but possibly the world’s greatest grocery stores

• EBISU

•  Il Boccalone – Italian restaurant that's delicious and quaint, like the neighborhood

New York City (Manhattan)

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[B] = Bar / [R] = Restaurant


**** COCKTAILS ****

• 2nd Floor on Clinton - To get to this swanky lounge, walk straight to the back of LES tavern Barramundi and push the buzzer next to the door marked "private." Once you're buzzed up, order a classic cocktail or sample something from their top-notch brandy list. <eater>

• Apotheke - Spiffy barkeeps in white lab coats shake cocktails in pharmaceutical beakers at this apothecary-themed barroom set in a hard-to-find former opium den in Chinatown <zagat>

• Bathtub Gin - Speakeasy hidden behind a dummy wall in the back of Stone Street Coffee Company. The facade is marked by a red light, so just push that wall back and you'll get to the bar. <eater>

• Breslin @ Ace Hotel -  Hipsterific hotel lobby bar. Chesterfield sofas, photo booths & such. Go to John Dory first (in hotel) for drinks/oysters.

• Dream New York - find the area next to the hotel that looks like 18-wheelers would pull in to drop off food and laundry for the hotel (maybe they do, during the day?).  Walk down it past the "fancy" graffiti-covered walls (think images of Kate Moss) and try your best at getting past the velvet rope.  This is definitely a BNO (big night out).

• Elsa - Good for pre-dinner cocktails, this is a speakyeasy with a Fitzgerald-era feel.

• Experimental Cocktail Club - The NYC outpost of this Paris original is big on infusions and tries to stay clear of liqueurs. The vibe is comfortable and cozy on weekdays, rowdy (and very French) on weekends. 

• Jimmy @ The James Hotel - A lounge on the roof, with a pool! (it's even good in the winter, as the indoor section has just as cool of a view).  Good tunes as well.

• La Piscine @ Hotel Americano - Grupo Habita's (Mexico) first NY project.  Beautiful restaurant/bar on ground floor as well as a sleek rooftop bar "La Piscine," which looks to duplicate the magic of Mexico City's famed Condesa bar in the middle of Manhattan.

• Little Branch - Subterranean mixology hot spot.

• Madam Geneva -  Gin was once known as Madam Geneva & this lounge focuses on it (and vodka). There are 3 homeade jams at the bar each day, which are scooped into your cocktail upon request. Don’t think about it; just do it.  Good for early-evening cocktails as well.

• Mother's Ruin - Unique cocktails, gourmet bar snacks and simple interior design keep the hipster traffic plentiful at this NoLita bar named after the 18th-century Brit slang for gin.

• Mulberry Project – mixology bar; accessible via a subterranean door beneath a Little Italy souvenir shop <eater>

• Pouring Ribbons - 88-seat cocktail den from award-winning mixologist; deco-rec-room clubhouse boasting arched windows <thrillist>

• PYT - Known as PDT, a sexy speakeasy; the cocktail-lounge accessed through a vintage phone booth within Crif (hot) Dogs.  Good classic cocktails. <ny mag>

• Raines Law Room - Past a door buzzer and a discerning host is the windowless space, which just about nails a sumptuous twenties vibe <ny mag>; cool bar, like a kitchen in a home

• Smith & Mills - Set in a teeny-tiny converted carriage house, this signless TriBeCa barroom draws arty types with fantastic cocktails, vintage decor, lighting that ensures everyone looks good and an antique elevator-cab bathroom that’s a sight to see; alas, it’s developed a hip reputation so space constraints make it tough to get in. <zagat>

• Tiny's & The Bar Upstairs -  As the name would imply, this trendy TriBeCan from nightlife czar Matt Abramcyk and former NY Ranger Sean Avery is indeed tiny, though the “rustic, bohemian” decor tilts more cute than cramped; the American menu is likewise small, but showcases an awesome burger served late. <zagat>

**** DINNER ****
It's best to call for reservations at 9am one month in advance for these spots.  Can't get a table? Google "eater new york last minute reservation guide."

• ABC Kitchen - Located in the renown ABC Carpet & Home department store. Fab decor (think varying vintage china throughout) - a hip country house with Jean-Georges' creations on the table. 

• Acme - A split-level dinner club for locavores.  Trendy with hordes of fashionable downtowners. DJ in basement until the wee hours.

• Babbo - Mario Batali's super-famous Italian joint

• Bobo - This intimate two-story French restaurant looks and feels like (is?) a townhome; wonderful, cozy, romantic decor (check out the bathrooms!).

• Buvette - Really cute, French, affordable, marble bar, reclaimed-white-oak flooring, and a chandelier custom-made, plus pinhole photography and hand-crafted leather baskets for bar snacks.

• Carbone - Cool, funky interiors at this Italian joint by the Torrisi guys.  Servers in tuxedos.  Solid Italian food.

• Cole's - Beautiful interiors (featured in Architectural Digest), classic cocktails, meat & fish from a strong crew of restauranteurs.

• Contra

• The Fat Radish - Hipsterific LES 'seasonal British' joint with a beautiful interior that brings the outside in.

• Feast - Cozy, simple layout of exposed brick & dangling light bulbs.  Coffee & pastries by day ... seasonal 'greenmarket-driven American fare' by night <eater>

• Fedora - Casual cool, great vibe.  They even make their own bitters in several flavors (beef jerky, hella citrus).

• Freemans - (no reservations) This hipsterific spot materialized at the end of a nondescript LES alley unknown even to the most intrepid hipster.  A taxidermist's dream of a dining room with incredible cocktails and an American menu. <ny mag>

• Joseph Leonard - Tiny restaurant from the Little Own guy on a prime corner space lot with a standard American bistro menu.  Light, airy, small.

• L'Apicio - East Village Italian housed in airy Bowery digs boasting soaring latticed ceilings, an energetic cocktail lounge and banquettes flanking an open kitchen; menu-wise it follows the familiar, crowd-pleasing formula of umpteen pastas and polentas priced under $20, but it adds salads and earthy entrees to the mix. <google+>

• The Lion - Fabulous, cozy interiors; great scene, chef came from Waverly Inn.

• Little Owl - Cute and quaint, reasonable prices.  Neighborly little place where the high quality of the cooking is out of all proportion to the restaurant’s unassuming size. Ceiling made from antique stamped tin and painted gold. Thirteen dollars buys several plump grilled scallops served over a green, cheesy risotto mixed with fresh spinach and nuggets of lobster. <ny mag>

• Minetta Tavern - Vibe is buzzy, exclusive, and properly chaotic; menu a carefully edited compendium of practiced brasserie favorites, and, to amazement of hipsters, everything on it tastes good. <ny mag>

• Momofuku Ssam Bar - The buzzy, long lines are worth it for the steamed pork buns and crispy rice cakes.

• Monkey Bar - Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter, whose ownership turned the quiet Waverly Inn into one of the city's most sought-after reservations, continues to dabble in the restaurant business with this second venture. <ny mag>

• Osteria Morini - Raucous (in a good way), rustic Italian tavern

• Pearl & Ash - (no reservations) Affordable, globally-inspired small plates. Trendy.

• Peasant - Simple, rustic Italian fare.  Concrete floor, beautiful backlit brick-walled kitchen.

• Perla - The guy from Fedora and Joseph Leonard opened this hearty Italian joint with red banquets for a traditional feel with an updated twist (that's still rustic).

• Piora

• Rosemary's - (no reservations) Fab trattoria with fab open/light/airy decor, herbs in pots and hanging mirrors, exposed ceiling ... lively & bustling. And delicious.

• Schiller's Liquor Bar - Fun, bustling restaurant with the feel of NYC (white subway tiles included).  Hipsterific!

• Standard Grill - The place for anybody who needs to recharge by plugging straight into the abundant, renewable energy source that is downtown Manhattan. Windows in the dining room look north and south, taking in the steel underbelly of the High Line and the endless human circus of the walkers drawn to it. <nyt>

• Tertulia - A snug, beautifully realized Spanish (tapas) taverna in the West Village <ny mag>

• Torissi Italian Specialities - Ridiculously delicious seven-course prix fixe menu ($75) in a quaint room.

• Toro

• Willow Road - Housed in a former Nabisco factory, the space was built out by the designers of ABC Kitchen.  A top-chef alum serves up American fare.

• ZZ' Clam Bar

**** LUNCH ****

• Bread - Small. Bustling.  Delicious.  Lovable. (and yes, they serve more than bread ... way more)

• Pearl Oyster Bar - Think clam chowder, lobster rolls, etc. in a jam-packed setting.

**** BRUNCH ****

• Freemans - see 'dinner'

• Standard Grill - see 'dinner'; plenty of seating & nice bar for a cappuccino or mimosa if there's a wait

• Pearl & Ash - see 'dinner'

• Willow Road - see 'dinner'

• The Dutch - comfort (hangover) food in a large, fabulously designed space

**** HAPPY HOUR ****

• Barrio 47 - Trendy space with $1 oyster happy hour daily 5-7pm

• The Mermaid Oyster Bar - 4-7pm Fri & Sat.  5-7pm all other days.  Oysters for $1 east coast, $1.75 west coast, $5 beers, $6 wine, $7 cocktails

**** OTHER ****

• Momofuku Milk Bar - This tiny space (wait in line outside, order at counter inside, eat on curb) serves up dessert so interesting and delicious it warranted its own cookbook.

**** CLUBS ****

Sorry peeps, but I appreciate a $26 hand-crafted Pisco Sour more than a $2600 bottle of Absolut Vodka. Maybe I'm getting old. Sorry the EE is of no help on this front!