top 3 restaurants iin williamsburg?

[alex70]

I really like the burgers at dumont, but I don't know what else is good in the area.

[livetotravel]

burgers at Peter Luger! And the same owner of DuMont and DuMont Burger opened a very good restaurant called Dressler on Broadway between Driggs and Bedford. We had red snapper and scallops and both were memorable dishes.

[benghoil]

Dressler, Aurora, Marlow & Sons.

I'd have given a nod to Sweetwater but they seem yet again to have a new chef and I haven't tried any of his food.

[Huffy]

Sweetwater is good, but service is well beyond horrible. If there is a new chef, I could possible go and withstand the service to see what its like.

[benghoil]

Good point. The service does manage to feature the worst of Williamsburg (too-cool-to-serve-you) plus the worst of Manhattan ("sparkling or still?").

But since I'm posting again, I'll take the opportunity to recommend Diner and Zipe Zape (for a casual street-side afternoon snack).

[South 6]

Yes. Agreed on all three. With Aurora at the top of my list.

[dianasiri]

I think Diner is still fantastic for brunch, but I've found the quality and service at dinner have deteriorated considerably over the years.

[alex70]

not thrilled with their brunch.

[noodles]

Amen to that. What happened to Diner's service??? It used to be fair to moderate at best. Which I thought was great for the 'burg.

Why has no one mentioned Baci Arabiaci??? Amazing northern Italian, with a garden that put's Aurora's to shame.

And Zippe Zappe rules the day, with smart, focused flavors. Fresh is the word here, with a great look at modern street food. Amazing.

[Huffy]

definitely recommend Zipi Zape. is one of my favorites in the 'hood. Been there numerous times, but the one dish I recommend is the pork lion sandwich. Their website: http://zipizape.vivenuevayork.com/

[YoungHood]

Chimu, Peruvian joint next to Union Pool has been fantastic on the times I have visited. The mix grill for two or the steak with the peruvian spaghetti and green cheese sauce is deadly and the portions are huge. Just try to get over the Scarface style decor, lights burning your retnas and Adult Contemp soundtrack thats blasting and you will be good to go. Also Uncle Minas, a middle eastern lunch counter next to dumont Kofta Kebab is unreal, but they often times do not have it. Mina is the man too. Oh yeah Cheers Thai is a real good spot its near lorimer L stop on metropolitan and the Jade Noodle is a great dish, its a real good cheap everyday Neighborhood spot.

[LRS]

Well, I have to say that this is the worst peruvian restaurant i've been to, not just in the city or jersey, but in general. Anyway, I've been to all the peruvian places in manhattan, brooklyn and queens and to 8 peruvian places in Jersey and this is by far the worst experience i've had.

[wallywalnuts]

What about Aqua da Santa? Nice Italian place. Nice outdoor space, when the weather is good.

[ardnaxela]

Aqua da Santa has such a lovely setting but have been there twice now and their food is mediocre. Bland red sauce, pesto that doesn't taste fresh and out-of-season tomatoes in their caprese!

[MsAlyp]

Agree about Aqua de Santa, the place is very cute, charming but the foods was poor. Bland, sloppy, and pricey for what it was. Don't waste your time or money. For a nice Italian spot check out Aurora.

Dressler is okay, for the amount of money you spend there it can be put to much better use elsewhere. Dumont however (not their burger place) has gone down hill lately. I think since it's gotten more popular the quality isn't really there anymore. Last time i was there I had very poor ill cooked 35 salmon with corn that tasted straight out of the can.

Egg is worth checking out. I have read in Food and Wine Magazine along with seeing on Tv Food Network that their fried chicken dinner is supposed to be amazing. (they are opened for dinner now).

[mrnyc]

what about PUBLIC? i dk it i just walked by it. whats that story on that place?

[Huffy]

where is it? never heard of it.

[South 6]

PUBLIC is a hair salon.

[virtualfrolic]

Although it's only open before noon, I love EGG for brunch.

Blog: http://virtualfrolic.blogspot.com

[spa_81]

I went to egg. the food wass cold and also the service left a lot to be desired. it was dirty and definitely not worth the time.

[likaluca]

Really? People have been raving about that place. Interesting. Good to know.

[spa_81]

I listened to all the hype too but it left a sour taste unfortch. maybe it's cos people were raving about their own food?

[CalJack]

I can see that sort of thing happening at Egg - it sports your classic Williamsburg diffidence when it comes to service, and the space itself is so sparse and stale (big bare white walls mixed with a bit of grit around the edges) that I can easily imagine the food being cold to match.

Sorry to hear that spa 81's experience was so negative; I will however vouch for their Egg Rothko, French toast and biscuits & gravy, but I've only ever had them come out warm.

People rave about Egg because the food CAN be delicious and the prices are absurdly reasonable ($7 for brunch entrees), but precision and consistency are not their strong points. The 40 minute waits on the weekends are excessive, but getting there early (or for a hearty weekday breakfast) is well worth it, most of the time.

[chompchomp]

I will also say that I've found Egg quite delicious -- especially the biscuit with country ham, sharp white cheddar, sundried tomatoes and fig spread. that is one divine meal. I also love the mini french presses. I think it's been in NY Mag's cheap eats two years in a row.

[Rdogg]

I think Peter Luger is the best in the neighborhood, followed by Aurora, and then a toss-up for third among Dumont/Dumont Burger, Sweetwater Cafe, My Moon (not bad, the few times I've been there), and numerous other 'decent' places.

I've only had Aurora once (it's quite expensive) but it was a cut above the rest, and Luger speaks for itself.

[Rdogg]

I should also add that Bozu (on Grand St. past Havemeyer) is a great japanese place, with a distinctive ceviche and variety of sushi

[chubbie]

went to aurora 2x.
first time the food was good, but not great. the slow-cooked pork belly my friend ordered was the only memorable dish.

next time (this past weekend) my friend's grilled steak was good but the rough-cut pasta with salt-cod, tomato and olive was inedible. it tasted like something i would throw together out of leftovers, eat a few bites of because i didn't want to waste food, then toss it and order take-out.

[mike1232456]

Kitchen Delight on north 8th its not fancy or a sit down type place but the food is so taste and they make a burger the way it should be. not 10 oz for 20 bucks as in peter lugars but 4 bucks for a 6oz burger

[YoungHood]

nobody else likes Chimu?

[Huffy]

I keep meaning to go...Will give me report hopefully this weekend.

[Huffy]

I did go that weekend, but forgot to post about it. We sat outside and had a great time. Service was some of the best I have experienced in Williamsburg. I had the arroz con mariscos, as recommend to me by some friends and my gf had the steak. My was pretty good, but her steak was awesome. So tender, spices just right, cooked right, etc. A friend showed up late and got dessert, she got tiramisu and it was also very good. The servings were huge for so little money.

[likaluca]

People seem to really not love that place. I'm not a huge fan myself.

[noodles]

Of all the juke joints in this hood, why, oh why haven't any one of you mentioned the best italian in this way part of Brooklyn??? Baci Arabiaci on Grand St. between Driggs and Bedford is a gem. Although I am not crazy nutty about their pizza, I think their pastas are off the hook. I have eaten at Aurora 4x. Each time, I leave feeling both like I was rushed out, as well that I was beat up in my wallet for a mediocre dining exp. Search Baci Arabiaci (sp) on this site and check out my review. Have been back since over 6x now, and am quite sure that it is not only consistent, well made food, but they OFFER GRACIOUS, ON POINT SERVICE!!!! Who knew this was possible in Williamsburg?

[frenetica]

psst - it's Baci e Abbracci :)

(means hugs and kisses)

[noodles]

Thanks for the correction.

xoxo
noodles

[amandas]

This may be a bit east, but I've had wonderful meals as Fanny on Graham Ave, near the BQE. Its very cozy inside, the prices are more than reasonable and in the summer they have a wonderful little garden in the back. The service is on par with the rest of the neighborhood (a bit slow). Definatly worth a try...

[polpofan]

Hello, I'm new to this blog and will keep my comments short and on the harsh side, since eating in Williamsburg is painful. I sure wish the folks at Blue Ribbon are reading this.

-Sweetwater is utterly horrible and should of been left alone as a great bar with an exceptional jukebox loaded with metal classics.

-Aurora is slightly better but that's not saying much (Italian food in Williamsburg is a nightmare).

-I never understood the Dumont thing, I think the food is pathetically average to bad. Dressler is equally bad but costs more money.

-Fanny is a joke and a waste of a nice interior.

-Enids is straight up disgusting.

-Bonita can be good but suffers from lack of a good salsa roja (The habanero salsa is excellent and the carnitas-style pork can be outstanding).

-Diner can be good, for a bar-style burger it's tolerable (I grew up in New Haven, CT near Louis Lunch). Their steak and eggs is great but they've recently cut the portion in half, literally.

-Marlow & Sons seems like a good idea but I haven't been impressed.

-Bedford Cheese shop is great (they now make sandwiches).

-The only thing worth eating in Williamsburg is Egg.

-Places I'm curious to try: Bacci & Abracci, Moto, Pies and Thighs, Roebling Tea Room.

Hope this helps, sorry for the negativity.

[wleatherette]

definitely try pies and thighs. it's my favorite in the area. roebling tea room i've been pretty unimpressed with, but perhaps it's worth noting that while i'm a tea lover i'm not a tea fanatic who gets excited over things like coconut tea lattes and 18 different kinds of lapsang. whatever the case, the service redefines slow and spacey. it would be laugh-out-loud funny if it wasn't so infuriating.

[polpofan]

Thanks for the tip, I've heard nothing but good things about Pies and Thighs. Heard anything about Moto?

[wleatherette]

i haven't. i hope you enjoy p&t. i don't have any particular tips for you there, because pretty much everything i've had has been outstanding (collard greens a bit weak, perhaps). if you find yourself in greenpoint, check out pio pio riko on manhattan & huron. great pollo a la brasa, low prices, and surprisingly good seafood dishes. the ceviches we've had have totally exceeded expectations, and you can feed 3 people easily from one order. the parahuela is one of the best fried seafood dishes i've had anywhere. downside: the sangria. meh.

[polpofan]

I've had Pio Pio numerous time and I quite enjoy it. I've only had their roast chicken with rice and beans and that green sauce on their tables is very good. Next time I will be a bit more adventurous. Those fish dishes look excellent. Happy Holidays everyone, I'm in New Haven now and I'm about to have a traditional Sicilian Christmas Eve fish dinner. I'm going to try to beat my smelt eating record!

[rebeccadahling]

moto has great atmosphere but gets PACKED on weekends. I find some of their food great and some sorta bland. Think french pesant food.

The brunches are lovely.

[zemilideias]

OK, fine, better stick to the chicken: I've had Pio's ceviche, its sopa a la minuta, and its tamales and they all rot...really sloppy (old ingredients, poorly cooked, crumbly rather than wet tamal seemingly kept warm in oven!)

[bosun]

pies-n-thighs has amazing fried chicken, mac n cheese, fries and cheese grits. i have to say that their brisket was a let down, tough and over seasoned. the pulled pork was good but not in the style that i prefer (they do it up north carolina "style" - very vinegary). i have yet to try the pies (i am always too stuffed), but my friends love them.

[chompchomp]

man, why all the hate?

Moto has a great atmosphere. in particular, their roast chicken and date cake is quite nice.

[Huffy]

My GF and I went to Moto the other day & it was our first time. At first, we were impressed with the menu and set-up. When it came time to order we wanted the cheese fondue, but they were out, so we had to re-think the options. We ended up getting the sopresata plate, the eggs with tuna, a sopresata panni, and my gf order a salad. The apps came out together and then my sandwich came out. After waiting awhile we asked about the salad, the waitress apologized and admitted she forgot to put it in, and was putting it in now. We shared my sandwich, which was really good, but we waited and waited for the salad. We asked for the salad to be cancelled and the check. The waitress brought out the check and the salad wrapped up to go and apologized again about the salad incident and didn’t charge us. After not charging us for the salad and trying to make up for it, I will give this place another try. But get there early if you want a seat, its very small, about 16 seats at tables and 10 seats at the bar.

[CornflakeGirl]

If you do return try the date cake. I'm not a date fan to begin with but my BF had tried it on a previous visit and loved it. I have to say it was pretty damn good. Just a simple square of cake with a toffee sauce. My BF also likes the herring app and I've had some good panini's there. I'll have to make it a point to get to Moto again soon.

[gamma_009]

Moto is a great space, great decor, great music, very transporting. When the food is good, it's great. The baked ham and eggs, the apple pancake with homemade sour cream, everything is pretty fantastic (mind you I'm speaking about brunch). Now I am used to flighty service but this is the only restaurant ANYWHERE that has completely forgotten, flaked my order. Went there with a friend. We each ordered dishes, they were out of his so he re-thought the menu. Settled on a new dish. Well needless to say, they only brought out his dish. Mine couldn't be prepared because the kitchen was closed. I also had to ask for a coffee 5 times. When a starving, hungover woman comes to your place and you mess up her order and then don't bring her coffee and her and her friend have to share one plate of eggs...well, that makes a girl like me stabby. But unfortunately, I love the space and it's so close to home. I will begrudgingly go back. again and again. Oh, the waiter didn't charge me for the coffee. woo hoo.

[YoungHood]

egg=one of the biggest rip offs in all of NYC

[CornflakeGirl]

We tried egg last spring. I had the organic pancakes. This had to be one of the most dreadful things I've ever tried in my life. The flavor was like flour and they had the most awful consistency. Really flat and spongy.

I almost never send food back, my BF is in the business and I tend to be forgiving. He took a bite and believe me, these went back. I remember saying I had never had organic pancakes and maybe thats what they were supposed to be like? He assured me it wasn't.

Oh, and then a spacy server breezed by so fast that a knife fell from the plate she was carrying and splashed gravy on my new suede handbag. She was too out of it to even notice.

If I ever do try egg again I'll go with one of the biscuits. From what I've heard they're good. And I'll wear protective gear!

The funny thing is I like the menu at egg and at Sparky's. The execution is just so poor. Even after visiting Sparky's three or four times, I've never had a hot dog that was hot enough. They've always been sort of lukewarm in the center.

[polpofan]

Rip Offs? What did you order? How is getting farm to table breakfast at around 5-7 dollars that's perfectly prepared a rip off? Their biscuits and gravy is excellent and their selection of meats is fantastic along with their hash browns. Sure the service may be lacking but it's Williamsburg...I tend to let that slide when thinking critically about eating here. If you don't like the food I can understand but calling it a rip off couldn't be more false. The prices are more than fair!

[marstars]

Egg is fantastic. The best treat for breakfast and lunch. They also now have dinner which has been written up favorably by The New York Times recently, though I have yet to try it.
Definitely NOT a rip off because is so inexpensive! Relatedly- if you find the service lacking I would argue it is not because of "hipster attitude" - every time I have been there she and the food runner/ busser have been working their asses off. Note that due to breakfast prices the average tip is about $6 dollars- so there is only one server for the whole restaurant on most days (these people have to make a living too)- so unless you want prices raised I would suggest relaxing a bit.
The breakfast is great particularly the items mentioned above. (I love the biscuits and gravy- with mushrooms and an extra egg on top). in addition a couple items on their lunch menu are great too: the steak sandwich, the chicken sandwich, and the egg sandwich with chorizo.

[Mr. Particular]

Re: Marlow & Sons: Really? I and everyone I know who's ever been there (about 12 people, ranging from WB natives to parents visiting from out of town) have been absolutely blown away by the top quality ingredients, imaginative dishes and menus, and virtuoso- istic flavor combinations. To be honest, I'm a little dumbfounded by its lack of props on this board; some of my best meals EVER have been there. What's going on? Do people hold its hipness against it? Does its magic fade after repeat visits? Is the menu too limited? I've only been 4 times, but 2 of my friends have been there 40 times and are still hooked. Perhaps it simply suits our tastes. I've been to Lugar's, Diner, Bonita, and Dumont; Marlow interests me much more than any of them with the possible exception of Lugar's.

Taste is, of course, subjective, and I'm certainly looking fwd to trying some of the other mentions in this thread. However, can anyone indicate what they weren't impressed with at Marlow?

[KateC.]

I am totally mystified by what people like about Marlow & Sons. I have been there twice and have no interest in going back. I can unwrap lunch meat and cheese or make sandwiches at home. I ordered the brick chicken and it tasted overly processed and salty. The broccoli rabe was fine but nothing out of the ordinary. Is this really a restaurant? Where is the food?

[Mr. Particular]

Well, I never ordered either of those things so I can't comment directly. Instead I'll just list a few of the more memorable offerings I have enjoyed:

terrific oysters
numerous brilliant salads and sides
a world-beating soft shell crab po boy or sandwich
A striped bass (or was it weakfish?) a la nage I still think about
French dip with grass-fed beef that rocked
some of the best cheeses I have ever eaten (one was Latur)

Maybe some of my good fortune can be attributed to almost always ordering the specials, or to my low expectations. (I like broccoli rabe, but if I ordered it I wouldn't expect it to be special, just to be broccoli rabe, you know?) Still, I'm flummoxed. Any other Marlow lovers out there? Please speak up, if you're not too cool for school. I'm beginning to doubt my own experiences and those of my friends!

[CalJack]

Aside from KateC's testimonial and polpofan's post from December '06 that you intitially responded to, I think you'll find that Marlow and Sons is about the closest you'll come on this board to a unanimously-praised Williamsburg restaurant.

Just spend a few minutes searching and the results should reassure you. Not that you should need that much reassurance - you seem to have discovered many of Marlow's highlights without any requisite encouragement from the unwashed multitude.

[Mr. Particular]

Whew! Thanks, CalJack. You're right, of course. I just thought they should be better represented on a board devoted to "3 best restaurants in Williamsburg"! There's definitely a lesson to be learned here...

[wleatherette]

perhaps the lesson is that different people have different tastes. i, for one, didn't mention it because my one meal there was not very good (a decent salad; a horrible sandwich) and our waitress was a nightmare.

[KateC.]

Ad directors love Marlow & Sons. It's the perfect backdrop for Ford's new Edge SUV!

http://gawker.com/news/demographics/f...

[bouffe]

I am a HUGE Marlow and Son's fan! Then again I was with someone that is good friends with the chef and we are all in the industry so we got hooked up. I haven't tried Diner yet but Bonita is some of the better Mexican food I have had since moving to NY.

[wagatron]

one great thing about marlow & son s is the wine list, which is interesting and well thought out, though sadly small. but at least they have stuff that you won t find all over the place.

[nyclibkat]

Been to Fanny's several times and its always great. The menu is limited but everything on it is good, and of course there are nice specials. Of course Diner is still a top winner, and Marlow and Sons is next best - although the gourmet store in front is a bit over the top pricewise for average quality goods.

[orzabelle]

not sure if this is w-burg or Greenpoint, but I really liked Queens Hideaway when I went

[nyclibkat]

Where is it? What do they have?

[Huffy]

Queens Hideaway is in Greenpoint, but it is my favorite in the area of N. Burg & Greenpoint. It is worth the trip out there. Its on Franklin and Huron. Try the boiled peanuts, great southern treat. The menu changes everyday, but everything I have had is fresh, tasty, and good.

[wleatherette]

the boiled peanuts are fantastic. however, after hearing all of the raves i was pretty underwhelmed by the meal. the standout was the absolutely amazing sausage served with the cheese plate. otherwise, salad was drowned in dressing and the tasty-sounding chicken liver app was lukewarm/cold in parts, over-breaded, and really seemed thrown together. none of the components seemed to have anything to do with each other. the pie crust was so tough that it had to be cut with a knife (great homemade whipped cream, though). all in all, it was a pretty disappointing experience at a place i'd been really eager to try.

[orzabelle]

Favorite thing I had there was their 15-hour pork. I am really not into sugary meat, but this knocked my socks off.

[coyote64]

The service at Queen's Hideaway defines the worst of this area. It should be in 11211, not up here.

[pancun187]

Sea on north 6th. best thai in NY. Cheap also. most expensive dish is $14

[artfuldestruct]

you must be kidding right? sea is a see and be seen place. the thai food is alright but not for that price. I'd hardly call $14 inexpensive.

[wagatron]

aurora is by far the best restaurant in williamsburg. by far. du mont is also very good and consistent with service and food. the other places mentioned here can be good but are not as consistently great as aurora.
D.O.C. is great for wine, but the food is nt much to speak of.
Huckleberry Bar (which is kinda East Williamsburg) is also pretty amazing. great glassware, cocktails, wines, atmosphere, and the service is unrivaled. all of the dishes they offer are thought out thoroughly , however they offer very little in the hot-food department. a great place none the less.
i hope aurora does nt get distracted with it s new location in soho, because it is the best restaurant in williamsburg in so many ways.

[bouffe]

Queen's Hidaway - I have had nothing but bad service and over-priced meals there about 3 times. Their wine selection rots as well.

Paloma is just around the corner on Greenpoint and Franklin, I would rather go there anyday. Their lamb short ribs are done well and so is their burger. I am not a fan of Pio Pio Riko which is also mentioned. I would rather go to Pio Pio in Elmhurst or Jackson Heights and make the trek.

Enough with the bad. Marlow and Son's would be my number one pick and Dumont can take second place. Relish is a standby that is too hip for my taste but consistent; nothing head over-heels to mentions. Dressler is "meh", pricey but nice if you are trying to mesh with the yuppies. I find their appetizers to be better than their main courses. Bonita is great for Mexican and much better than Taco Chulo. Aurora is excellent and I prefer the Brooklyn location to the SoHo one.

Egg is cute and nice for breakfast ...no booze.

Fuck I forgot about Baci and Abracci. That place has decent pizza and the owners are sweethearts.

[brooklynsfinest]

I'm kinda surprised no one's mentioned Zenkichi. Definitely in my top 3.

[rax]

I will. Best service I've had in Wburg. Superb food and sake.
1.Zenkichi
2.Marlow and Sons
3.Aurora

Honorable takeout mention for Pies n Thighs and Mexico 2K

[midgepingleton]

1. marlow & sons
2. moto
3. dumont

[vatl619]

just tried aurora for the first time - every dish was consistently really amazing!

[girlhungry1]

I second Zenkichi and Aurora. Both a good bet. Zenkichi is really romanticwe went for our 5th Anniversary.

[Asumnuthin]

I agree Zenkichi vibe is awesome, a bit pricy though

[cmballa]

Roebling Tea Room is worth mentioning I think; though it sort of pales next to Marlow (it follows a similar model, with a small bistro-esque menu and a longish specials list), I've had some very fine dishes there — bar steak, ham and cheese sandwich, a couple of soup specials, salads. Amazing potato salad. This is a something of a go-to place for me and my friends, for food or drinks.

The atmosphere and architecture are nice, too. And cheap happy hours.

[NYJewboy]

Is it me or are all of the places mentioned here just merely mediocre?

[chompchomp]

It is you. Egg, Marlow and Sons, Baci e Abbracci and Aurora are all excellent, and a great value for their prices.

[wleatherette]

so you've tried every restaurant (at least 25) listed in this thread? what are your williamsburg choices?

[NYJewboy]

I have tried most of them, but not Egg or Aurora. I don't think I want to based on these reports. I guess the trendy hipster factor is making me loose my appetite.

[artfuldestruct]

aurora is worth totally worth it. even if it does have hipsters(then again you ARE in williamsburg). it does attract more than that crowd however, and the food is really good. definitely try the braised short rib gnocchi.

[hotpot1]

Haha, so funny! Williamsburg around the Bedford stop is about as "trendy hipster" as Murray Hill these days.

Though I do agree that most Williamsburg restaurants are pretty mediocre, but MARLOW & SONS, EGG, and DUMONT are all really good. Especially Marlowe & Sons.

[thenamesdiana]

Murray Hill is not trendy. Its full of old people. hahahaha but i agree with you on the restaurants.

[Asumnuthin]

What does the neighborhood vibe have to do with the quality of the restaurant anyway?

[eatyououtofhouseandhome]

1. Marlow & Sons
2. Bozu
3. Grandma Slice (while walking) Driggs Pizza

[malibu]

1. Dressler
2. Zenkichi
3. Aurora
4. Marlow & Son
5. Khao Sarn

[shinkoyo_sister]

noodle studio or chai for thai
s & b or aldos for cheap breakfast
sweetwater for mussels
zebulon for drinks with friends and friendly bartenders
m shanghai for takeout chinese

i don't eat at egg. never tried dressler or peter luger.
dumont is okay. i like aurora better...
'good' food for me is often not expensive, so take that for what its worth...

[FAL]

Fiore on Grand .Simple and the owners are nice
SEA
Marlow and Sons

[thenamesdiana]

I am extremely late to this post but still wanted to chip in.
1) Best is Dressler, for taste, plating, and decor. It is also the only one of two michelin rated restaurants in brooklyn, the other being in park slope!
2) Walters Foods- Good turf, Amazing surf. Their oysters arent as exciting as Marlow n Sons. Their fried chicken with honey dipping sauce is to die for. There has been another surge of good chicken in the neighborhood, esp with Egg now serving it for dinner. (The former chef of pies n thighs, meaning brined chicken fried to perfection.)
3) Peter Lugers- Amazing steak, you must get the sizzling bacon steak as an appetizer.
I am naming the top 3. There are of course many other good restaurants such as Bozu, Egg, Marlow n Sons, Moto, Bonita, Aurora, DOC wine bar, Dumont, Sweet Water, Zenkichi, Chai thai, Lily thai.. im sure there are many im not naming, but i also have my own grips about these places. I feel although my thp three isnt as exciting as many other choices, i still feel they are the cream of the crop in food quality, taste, plating, decor, and service. Excpet for peter luger which is rough around the edges, but thats the charm.

[meg.love]

Dressler, Bonita and Kenny's Trattoria (formerly Brick Oven Gallery, RIP). Some of the best have really gone downhill, Diner, whaaa happened?!

[Asumnuthin]

I aggree diner 3 years ago = super yummy
now a days
not so much

[selenster]

in no particular order:

bozu for japanese (avoid the "bombs" though as the rice tends to fall apart)
baci & abbracci for italian
egg for breakfast (NOT ON A WEEKEND) - must get the grafton cheddar omelette w/ stewed tomatoes and hash brown
m shanghai for soup dumplings
roebling tea room for the mac & cheese and steak tartare
fada for french cafe
zenkichi for upscale/romantic japanese
dressler for nouveau american
marlow & sons for oysters