Union Square Cafe - good but small. I had it two weeks ago and it was $29. One not terribly large crab on some puree, with bacon bits and fiddleheads or maybe it was asparagus - delicious, crispy and golden but $29 for 1 crab does not make an entree!

Takahachi - spider roll still the best in town.

Masak - Brunch last week, fried and crispy in a brioche bun - amazing with jalapeno sauce $15.

Txikito - awesome tapas.

Co - great Pizza

Aldea - get a seat at the counter and see everything being cooked right in front of you. Food is great and really inventive. Space and vibe is good too - casual but still cool.

Hearth is a little stuffy but I haven't been in a looong time. I'd actually heard that it has improved tremendously recently. Hearth isn't rustic - it's rustic chic. The food is much more formal than Aldea (to me anyway).

Malaysia Restaurant Inc in flushing. You will feel like you are sitting in a coffee shop in KL. Flourescent lights, linoleum floors. Food is awesome - some of the most authentic I've had.

Nonya isn't that good - it's passable so people go.

You should really consider Blue Hill NYC. If it's good enough for the Obama's... I had the chef's tasting last week - amazing pork entree of Pork 4 ways, Tenderloin, Loin, Shoulder and Jowl. Killer!

Very comfortable atmosphere, great service. Space is a little tight but, as they say, it's NYC! I agree with nmprisons about EMC - it would seem stuffy with those incredibly high ceilings but it really isn't. Lots of natural light during the day. I love that some of the cooks present some courses - they look a little uncomfortable but know everything about the preparation if you ask.

I'd rather ABC Kitchen than JG - why is everyone stuck on 4Star (NYTimes) restaurants?