La Follia, 226 3rd Ave. (NW corner of 19th)

Valentine's Day dinners can be a lot of pressure, I'm sure. Frankly, I'm not a big fan of the holiday asides from it's an excuse to eat some chocolate, which I'm also not the biggest fan of. I was pleasantly surprised by the price fix menu at La Follia, unfortunately for me it was comprised of slight "V-day" variations of their normal menu, and I can't return until perhaps next year for what was quite possibly the best truffle polenta of my life.

The restaurant is split into two parts, so it makes the ambiance a little calmer, and quieter. I don't enjoy having to yell in order to articulate a point in my conversation. The wait staff was attentive, and the runners quickly brought the food out. Maybe again, because it was a pre-set menu with limited dining options, but let's chalk it up to the wonderful runners out there. There are steps leading into the kitchen, which I think can only spell catastrophe for the staff, but everything managed to go fine, with food placed on the bar and then brought over either by a runner or waitstaff.

The restaurant itself is warm, without being overdone. They have small plates of meats and cheeses, and the menu includes some health conscious items as well as a lighter take on some Italian classics. So grab your significant other, or a friend, and walk over, enjoy the evening together and get a new spin on an old food.

WHAT TO BITE? The polenta, $8 and whatever you do, try the truffle fries.. your dining companion will be jealous, $5.

Paul & Jimmy's, 123 E 18th (btwn Park & Irving)

My Grandparents are very particular about where they eat. When you have been on this planet as long as they have, I can't blame a person for saying "this what I want, this is where I'm going, no I will not try something new". Paul and Jimmy's also happens to be around the corner from my Aunt's apartment where she's been for the last 30 years. It's traditional Italian, except for Penna alla Vodka, which I love, but is about as Italian as pepperoni. I also found out recently that my favorite dish, tortellini della nonna was taken off the menu and replaced with a similar, yet different enough dish. So, I'm a little sad, but I guess I'll resolve myself to having the vodka sauce, please.

Unfortunately, Paul and Jimmy's has been underneath a scaffold for the last few years due to construction in the brownstone above them, which asides from breaking some laws, is a shame since their outdoor seating is so lovely. The inside of the restaurant has a gigantic mural on the back wall, which reminds me of the touristy restaurants in Italy. Maybe that's what this place is, but I like it. The wait staff is always so kind and they don't rush you. Again, that could be attributed to dining here usually around 5pm, but regardless I've always felt like my meal is something to be enjoyed, not rushed through. There are some large tables in the back, so it's nice to go with a big group. Note, it's not family style.

WHAT TO BITE? Since my favorite dish was cut and replaced with the Tortellini della Panna, I'm going to go to another classic: Pollo all Scarpariello, $20.

Pure Food & Wine, 54 Irving Place (btwn 17 & 18)

I was a vegetarian for a long time. Not a phase lasting a year or two, not a "sometimes" vegetarian, but a full out, ovo-lacto vegetarian. My mother did not dote on this new found obession. She made one dish for the family, and if it had meat, I could make something for myself. Unfortunately, this was in the 90's through early 2000, before vegetarian was "cool" and when there was only 1 brand of soy products that could only be found at a trip to the local health food store. I had tons of cookbooks teaching me how to compensate for the nutrients a healthy diet normally gets from meat, and I tried my hand at a lot of delicious meat substitutes. Then I went to college and started phasing back in fish, then slowly chicken, and during law school, red meat (which I still really only eat out at a restaurant or dinner parties where it's being served). I still incorporate a lot of soy into my diet (I love Smartdogs, Boca Burgers and Morningstar Farms "Sausage" Patties) and when the raw food diet hit New York City, Pure Food and Wine was something I just needed to try.

First off, the space where Pure Food & Wine is was once where I, along with Julia Roberts, used to get our hair done. Not because it was some place fancy, not because I have unruly hair, but because again, it was across the street from where my Aunt lived. So when it turned into a restaurant, we decided to check it out. It had just opened, so there were not a lot of diners in there, but I remember having red wine. I might actually have been too young to drink, but I was with my Aunt, who could be my mother, so I don't think they cared. Then the dishes came out. I loved mine. It was so creative, it was so crunchy (I hate mushy veggies) and so full of flavor. My Aunt did not. I don't know if she's been back since. I decided to return a few years later with some work-friends when the outdoor patio was open. Again, I thought my meal was delicious, I do find it's not a crowd pleaser so, don't take picky eaters here. It's also a little pricey, especially for food that isn't cook and doesn't use expensive meat products. I don't find that so awful, because at least you're putting good food into your body instead of (delicious) fried bites or (delicious) nachos.

WHAT TO BITE? Sweet Corn & Cashew Tamales with Chili Spiced Portabello, $26 and the Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart, $16

Brother Jimmy's, 1485 2nd Ave (btwn 77 & 78th)

If you went to an ACC college, at some point you will find yourself at a Brother Jimmy's. When I first moved to the city, a friend of mine would organize saturday game days at the upper east side location, which I believe is considered "the original". I also had the pleasure of living 2 blocks away from the upper UPPER east side's bait shop on 92nd and 3rd, which my roommate and I found hilarious to visit in our PJs one night.

Brother Jimmy's is loud, and if there is a remotely interesting game on it's going to be crowded, but if you are fortunate enough to get a table facing a TV playing your game, you will not be disappointed. Aside from the $2 PBRs, Brother Jimmy's also does a swamp water, which is a ridiculously sugary mixture of various mixes, alcohols and who knows what, doused in ice and then presented to the table with about 20 straws and a plastic alligator. The waitress blows a whistle as she brings it to the table and everyone hurridly sucks away only to find out 2 minutes later it was probably the worst idea they'd had in a long time. Not to say I didn't have my fair share of swamp waters, but when you're 23 you're not exactly making the best life decisions.

Just about any night of the week is going to be hopping, so it's good to go with friends, large groups, or even a date if she's into that (and there are many of us who are!). The Bait Shop has a huge back room great for alumni gatherings, and the lexington avenue and union square locations have some outdoor seating.

WHAT TO BITE? Nachos, $12.50, to accompany your Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich, $10.50 - when asked your choice of side, steer clear of the fries and find your way to the mac n' cheese.

Pete's Tavern, 129 E. 18th St. (@ Irving Pl.)

I've been coming to Pete's Tavern since I can remember. My Aunt lives across the street so, when we were kids, our dining options were limited to the area near her apartment, or the area near FAO Schwartz. Pete's is where you go for a no-fuss meal, be it a pot of mussels, a burger, or my personal favorite, brunch.

I know there are a few (crazy) people out there that have a huge disdain for brunch. I am not one of them. Growing up, and still to this day, Christmas is centered around brunch. You got to have the sugary cereal, cinnamon buns and my favorite, bacon. I'm an eggs kind of girl, so a cobb salad marries those breakfast flavors and beefs it up a little bit. There is the bacon, egg and cheese, all on my plate, in a slightly different medium, but delicious all the same.

I was challenged once that Pete's Tavern didn't have a Cobb Salad. I was told I was crazy, that I was mixing up my restaurant and dismissed as not being a reliable source for food information. Well, as you can imagine, that got my goat. I immediately pulled up menupages on my iPhone and showed in big bold letters under the Brunch Menu "Pete's Cobb Salad". Pete's is unassuming. They serve consistent good food made by methods I can only imagine have been used since the place opened in 1864.

WHAT TO BITE? Pete's Cobb Salad (brunch only!), $7.95 or a charcoal grilled burger, $9.95.