Restaurant: Petite Abeille

This is the kind of meal that is completely silent--with the exception of intervals of "mmm." Petite Abeille is homey, Belgian food that is so indulgent and delicious you will want to slurp up the leftover sauce on your plate. If you're a mussels or steak lover, you must eat here.

Combination (Dinner):

Moules Grand-Mère: creamy beer sauce, bacon essence, with belgian fries ($21.75)

Skirt Steak "Aux Echalotes": grilled with shallots, with belgian fries--Mushroom Sauce ($22)

Delirium Tremens beer: great balance of sweet & dry ($11)

Service: speedy; walk-in 

Dining Style: Casual

Multiple Locations:

401 East 20th St (at 1st Ave)

Gramercy/Stuy Town, Manhattan

212-727-1505

44 W 17th St (btw 5th Ave & 6th Ave)

Union Square, Manhattan

212-727-2989

4,5,6,N,Q,R to Union Square/F,M to 14th Street

466 Hudson St (btw Grove St & Barrow St)

West Village, Manhattan

212-741-6479

1 to Christopher St

134 W Broadway (btw Duane St & Thompson St)

Tribeca, Manhattan

212-791-1360

1,2,3 to Chambers St

Website:

http://petiteabeille.com/

Restaurant: Extra Virgin

Extra Virgin makes a perfect dinner for two, but I recently discovered it makes an even more perfect brunch. For a Saturday with girlfriends or a new romantic interest, this place is easygoing but of course maintains all the trendiness of the West Village; and you can taste the freshness and deliciousness in each bite.

Combination (Brunch):
Roasted Artichoke Provencal: poached egg, pancetta, parmesan bread crumbs ($12)
Eggs Benedict: smoked bacon, english muffin, fries or salad($14)

Hot Rum Apple Cider

Service: speedy; walk-in (get there early)

Dining Style: Casual, Trendy

259 West 4th St (btw Perry & Charles St)
West Village, Manhattan
212-691-9359

Metro: 1, 2, 3 to 14th St

Website:

http://extravirginrestaurant.com/

Restaurant: Brio

Brio is a solid Italian restaurant on the Upper East Side. It is popular among families and young friends. The restaurant followed the lead of the young crowd and opened a second location in Gramercy. This is the kind of restaurant that gives it all: friendly waiters, intimate decor, sumptuous dishes.

Combination (Dinner):

Tegamino Di Melanzane Alla Parmigiana: baked eggplant parmesan ($15.50) 

Scaloppine Di Vitello "Arciduca:" veal scaloppine sauteed with porcini mushrooms, asparagus tips, in a pinot grigio sauce ($29)

Linguine Nere "Smeraldino:" black ink linguine with bell peppers, shrimp, in a hearty tomato sauce ($19)

Panna Cotta ($7)

Service: average speed; walk-in or reserve

Dining Style: Trendy

920 Broadway (btw 20th & 21st)

Gramercy, Manhattan

212-673-2121

Metro: R or 6 to 23rd Street

137 East 61st Street (at Lexington Ave)
Upper East Side, Manhattan
212-980-2300

Metro: 4, 5, 6, N, Q, R to 59th St

Website:

http://brionyc.com

Restaurant: The Smith

This has been my favorite restaurant since it opened in 2007. It was my local spot in the East Village for a long time and now that I'm back uptown, I'm so grateful that a second location has just opened in Midtown. They take a classic American style and make it flavorful and fun. Here are my three staples.

Combination (Dinner):

Roasted Tomato Soup with cheddar melt ($9)

Steak Salad with arugula, endive, red onions, goat cheese, tomato, balsamic ($21)

Burger Deluxe with special sauce, cheddar, bacon, the works ($15)

Service: average speed; make a reservation online

Dining Style: Trendy

956 Second Avenue (btw 50th and 51st)

Midtown East, Manhattan

212-644-2700

Metro: 6 to 51st Street

55 Third Avenue (btw 10th and 11th)
East Village, Manhattan
212-420-9800

Metro: 4,5,6,N,Q,R to Union Square

Website:

http://thesmithnyc.com

Restaurant: Stanton Social

Prior to this meal, I had only been to Stanton Social for drinks. The unique tapas-style dishes were not only flavorful but also featured several different ways of serving poached eggs--which I love. Saturday afternoon is a great time to try this brunch.

Combination (Brunch):

French Onion Soup Dumplings ($12)

Spicy Lobster Benedict with spinach & chipotle hollandaise ($11.50)

Bistro Salad with haricot vert, tomato, smoked bacon & poached egg ($9)

Spicy Lamb Souvlaki with tzatziki, lime & harissa aioli ($11)

Cocktail: Cranberry Fizz with prosecco, muddled cranberry compote fresh lemon juice and lemon simple syrup ($11)

Service: fast; reservations not required

Dining Style: Trendy/Casual Day/Dressy Night

99 Stanton (btw Orchard & Ludlow)

Lower East Side, Manhattan

212-995-0099

Metro: F to 2nd Avenue

Website:

http://stantonsocial.com

Restaurant: Elephant & Castle

A friend found this spot while we were in the area; and I'm very grateful. Fresh ingredients, unique combinations, and perfectly done poached eggs, have put this restaurant on my go-to list of brunch venues.

Combination (Brunch):

Canyonland Poached Eggs, with Balsamic Jus, Fresh Tarragon, Tomatoes, Avocado and Wild Mushrooms, and Toasted English Muffin ($11.50)
Pureed Spinach with Poached Eggs, Melted Cheese and Potato Pancakes ($11.50)

Fresh Brewed La Colombe Coffee ($3.50)

Service: fast but come early; no reservations

Dining Style: Casual

68 Greenwich Ave (at W 11th St)

Greenwich Village, Manhattan

212-243-1400

Metro: 1, 2, 3 to 14th St

Website:

http://elephantandcastle.com/

Restaurant: Mary's Fish Camp

This corner seafood joint does it right. The food is fresh, zesty, and unique. Skip happy hour for an early dinner and drink at this West Village spot.

Combination (Dinner):

3 Full Brine Oysters with Cocktail Sauce, Horseradish and Blush Mignonette (M/P)
Grilled Polipetti with Spicy Punjabi Chick Peas ($11)
Seared Sea Scallops and Yellow Fin Tuna with Mango, Avocado and Rocket ($23)

Pale Lager ($6)

Service: fast but come early; no reservations

Dining Style: Casual

64 Charles St (at West 4th St)

West Village, Manhattan

646-486-2185

Metro: 1 to Christopher St

Website:

http://marysfishcamp.com/