Barzinho (48 Hester St)

He doesn’t want to be spoken about, not sure HE wants to be written about. Even that could be saying too much, but that’s just the way HE likes it! “HE” is Leo, owner of Barzinho, a charming little eatery on Hester Street that serves up Sao Paulo “street food” and entertains diners with ‘70s & ‘80s Soul Train episodes projected on the walls. Leo, who has lived in several cities throughout Brazil, makes it his daily mission to bring diners the most authentic in Brazilian home-cooking experiences. Standout starters include the Porcao de Coxinhas (Brazilian chicken croquettes), Frango a Passarinho (Brazilian fried chicken with garlic and fresh parsley), and the Camarao ao Alho e Oleo (shrimp sautéed with garlic & extra virgin olive oil). As for mains, a complex mix of shrimp and fish stewed in coconut milk, cilantro, tomatoes and dende palm oil served with a yucca flour puree is hearty enough to justify skipping appetizers altogether. The Feijoada (Brazil’s national dish of black bean stew wtih prime meats served with white rice, collard greens, farofa, vinaigrette sauce and fresh oranges) is a flawless homage to Leo’s beautiful country. Sumptuous side dishes including Quiaba (sautéed okra), Banana Frita (fried banana) and Farofa de Bacon (yucca with bacon), which all make for perfect pairings to any main course and even work well as stand-alone small plates. In between servings, be sure to cleanse your palate with a few of Barzinho’s self-proclaimed “best Caipirinhas in the city.”

Kitty’s Canteen (9 Stanton St.)

Tucked away in a tiny nook on Stanton St. is where you’ll find this über private and incredibly sexy canteen serving southern comfort food with a Jewish twist. The crew from The Box opened this resty not far from the cabaret (most likely to supply their friends with an after-hours spot where they can keep the debauchery going in a more subdued and intimate setting.) Dimly lit enclaves, jazz crooning out of an actual record player, heavy tapestries and wall paper drawings of cats by artist Molly Crabapple transport diners to 1920’s Paris. And then there’s food; dishes like brisket with candied yams, braised onions, sweet ‘n sour tomatoes served with farfel, shrimp and grits with a quail egg that’s both poached and fried, fried chicken coated with matzoh meal served with pastrami gravy and spoon-bread cornmeal soufflé show off just how fearlessly Kitty’s links the Deep South with Eastern Europe. There’s also an awesome bagel/biscuit hybrid thingamajig served with honey butter and a strawberry shortcake – the star of Kitty’s dessert selection. Incredible cocktail creations round out the menu. Kitchen stays open ‘till 5am making this the perfect late night alternative to the 24hr Kebab truck parked outside the club!

Lucien (1st Ave @ 1st)

Sister to the now-shuttered Pink Pony, Lucien offers classic French Moroccan fare with a side of art house noir. Operated by Lucien himself and his son Zac, this legendary restaurant caters to the old New York art crowd, LES locals, and younger cultural influencers who prefer a bit of “class” with their roasted chicken. Photographs of Lucien alongside the who’s who of New York over the years cover the walls, spanning from great beauties of the Warhol Factory Girl generation to present day pop culture icons like Courtney Love, Juliette Lewis, Debi Mazar and Lady Gaga. A must-try dish is the braised short rib with haricot vert.

Forgtmenot (138 Division St)  

The decor reminds me of an urban version of Gilligan’s Island, complete with all the requisite kitschy touches – a slate board menu, communal tables, palms adorning the walls…there may even be brushes of sand on the floor. But don’t let the questionable decor deter you from entering into this hidden oasis. The margaritas are killer, and the mixed grill, which includes grilled shrimp, halloumi, steak and chicken served with lemon wedges and grilled bread, is the perfect nightcap!

Beautique – (8 W. 58th St.)

Frank Roberts (more commonly known as “the guy to see” at The Rose bar at Gramercy Hotel) opened this Midtown restaurant a few doors down from the famed Paris Theatre, across the street from the Plaza Hotel and footsteps away from Central Park. Its dual level dining room is traditional and appropriate in size and scope for this part of the city. Beautique serves up a solid menu of French bistro fare with dishes like king snapper confit with cucumber, buttermilk vinaigrette, potato and dill, and sea scallops with foie gras sabayon, shiitake and turnips in diablo sauce. A rich plate of grass fed beef with bone marrow flan, red onion toast and ramp jus pairs perfectly with a French 75 or the “maison” Martini.