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.

The Garage, 99 7th Ave. (btwn W. 4th & Bleecker)

For my mom's birthday one year, the family all headed down to the West Village for jazz brunch at The Garage. There are a lot of places in New York where you can have brunch, and there are a lot of places where you can listen to jazz. . . and there are a lot of places where you can partake at both at the same time. But nothing says summer in the city than sitting outside, with the widows open, listening to jazz and having a constant flow of alcohol to your table.

I've been back to The Garage numerous times with friends. It's delicious food, they take reservations, and it's an affordable boozy brunch. Whether I've sat at the bar, at a table inside, or out on the sidewalk, it has been a truly wonderful experience. It's also a great place to take out of town guests because you can walk off your breakfast in just about any direction, especially now that the West Side greenway is open!

WHAT TO BITE? The French Vanilla Bean Soaked French Toast, $15.95 (+$6 for unlimited mimosas, screwdrivers or bloody marys)

Golden Unicorn, 18 E. Broadway (@ Catherine Street)

I was first introduced to Dim Sum after my last final of law school, and since then, I was hooked. While there are numerous places to go in Chinatown, and all probably of similar caliber, when you know which lady pushes the good cart of dumplings, you just go with what you know. The Golden Unicorn became that place for me.

They don't take reservations, so on the weekend a large party can have a wait of about 20 minutes, but trust me, it's worth it. The more people that go, the more dishes they cart out of the kitchen. While the three floor restaurant is open until 11pm, dim sum only goes until 3pm on the weekdays, 4pm on the weekends. The earlier the better though because, unless you have a hankering for chicken feet, the dishes fly off the cart quicker than they can stamp your card. Also, you don't want to take a picky eater here, as the women pushing the carts generally cannot give you a description of what the food is. You just eat it, and 99% of the time, it's delicious.

I would recommend going here with a larger group of people so as to try more dishes, but mazel to the couple who goes alone on a Sunday morning (and yes, that has been me). They have everything from pan fried dumplings, to steamed dumplings, to steamed or baked buns, to taro cakes and spring rolls. You can even get some steamed vegetables, a duck pancake made tableside or fried rice. Golden Unicorn also has a fantastic traditional Chinese menu, which you can order from if you don't stuff yourself with dim sum first (but, you will).

WHAT TO BITE? Try the shrimp and spinach dumpling, 3 for $3.25 or the baked pork bun, 3 for $2.95.

Cafetasia, 85 Avenue A (btwn 6th & 7th)

After checking out the Hester Street Fair one Sunday afternoon, a friend and I were walking back to my apartment when it looked like the skies were about to open Noah's Ark style. We ducked into a cute looking Asian restaurant with some of the lowest prices I've seen outside of Chinatown and decided to have lunch. As the rain beat down for the next hour, we dined on a delicious meal of flavorful meats and noodles, and have both been back numerous times since.

Cafetasia has two locations in Manhattan. I've been to both (the other near Washington Square Park) but this review is going to be for a birthday dinner I had at the East Village location recently.

I hate birthday dinners for to most part because there are too many people (and often time too many 'new' friends) to object to splitting the bill evenly. It's not that I'm a cheap person when it comes to my food. I think I've made it abundantly clear that I like going out to dinner, but I don't think it's appropriate for the person who ordered the dancing shrimp appetizer, the prime rib and downed an entire bottle of wine to pay the same as me with my mesclun salad with toasted walnuts and goat cheese. I didn't order the salad because I'm senor cheapo, I wasn't terribly hungry. I didn't refrain from drinking because I'm a penny pincher, I just need to go home and function after this dinner. And then comes paying for the birthday girl. This isn't Applebees and we're not in high school anymore. Though I understand it's easier to divide by 15, it's just as easy to pass the check around, split the alcohol bill by the number of people who actually drank and divide tax and tip evenly. We're adults. Math isn't that hard.

Moving on to Cafetasia. As usual, some members of the group arrived upwards of 45 minutes late, but they were very accommodating and let us sit at the table, filling our water glasses and waiting patiently until the banquet sized table was ready to order. For the most part, they did a great job with getting out this massive order (one appetizer was served late with the rest of our meal) and the prex fixe $13 dinner included: soup, salad, two fried spring rolls, three dumplings and dipping sauces, an entree, and a dessert. I also brought cupcakes, which they were nice enough to keep in the fridge and serve at the end of the meal, complete with dimmed lights, a candle, and accompanied by a disco/techno blend of "Happy Birthday". No, we did not have a private room for this, but I'm pretty sure the rest of the diners enjoyed the show.

The restaurant itself is in an industrial space with mirrors on one side, and a large metal bar on the other and the tables can be pushed together to fit anywhere from 2-50 people. All in all, it's a great place to have a birthday dinner where your diners won't walk away $90 poorer and resenting the day your mother brought you to this earth.

WHAT TO BITE? Chicken Basil Udon, $9.

SIDENOTE: The other Cafetasia is on 8th Street (btwn University Pl. and Greene St.) and has a different vibe (and a shorter happy hour). The tables are more communal, a little difficult to get into if you're wearing a dress, and there are gothic candelabras around the room. It's darker, more romantic and less industrial (although the bathrooms are unisex and strange) but still has the same great value and attentive service.

The Smith, 53 3rd Ave (btwn 10th & 11th)

Some friends of mine celebrated NYE here last year, and since their meal I had been wanting to try it. Numerous times I walked bye, the table wait pouring out into the street. What was so great about this place? And where were they proposing to fit all these people? Once I had my first meal here, I finally could answer those perplexing questions. Not only is the bar menu fantastic in complementing their food, but you have a generous portion for the right price. And there are two floors.


To me, The Smith is comfort food. I went here the night after I passed the New York bar exam for a burger and fries (and a few too many passion fruit mojitos). I've dined here with a large group of friends and devoured the skate and a side of brussel sprouts. I've even sat at the bar with a friend and indulged in mac and cheese a few too many times.


I would recommend this place for anything from a large group (who wants to fork over $90 on a birthday dinner?) to a date, to a picky eater, to a food snob. There is likely something on the menu to fit any appetite... or budget.

WHAT TO BITE? Skate a la plancha, $21 with a side of brussels sprouts, $5.