New York.

The burger is the move - hands down one of the best in the city - and the chocolate pie is the perfect finish. Getting a table is borderline impossible; book the second a slot opens or go late.

The best massage I've found in Manhattan after trying places all over - spotless, calming, real pros. Quality varies by therapist, so ask who's best when you book.

No menu - tell the bartender what you like and let them build it; the Japanese whiskey cocktail was a knockout. Book ahead, and know a reservation can still mean a short wait outside.

Come for the burger, expect a wait - worth it once.

Get the black spaghetti. Classic room, classic pastas.

On the 6th floor of the Tiffany & Co. store - come for the experience as much as the breakfast. The Blue cocktail is light, crisp, and the signature order. Service is warm from the sidewalk greeting up.

Aussie bakery done right - the beef pie and sausage roll are juicy and legit, and the chicken sandwich is excellent. The mustard and mayo packets from Mike's are a surprise highlight; coffee is just mid.

Amazing breakfast with plenty of healthy options, everything fresh. It gets slammed - service slows and delivery drivers line up - so go off-peak.

Pretty room, uneven kitchen - the food can land bland. If you go, it's for the scene; they did comp champagne when our seating got shuffled.

Stylish restaurant-meets-club with well-crafted cocktails. The door is notoriously hostile even to members, so temper expectations on the way in.

Beautiful, quiet lobby bar for coffee and light plates - classy but pricey. They enforce a keep-buying-or-leave policy, so don't settle in for a long work session.

Grand Central glamour that delivers - great for a celebration, solo or with colleagues. Every dessert is incredible; choosing one is the hard part.

Hidden-gem happy hour - the burrata is excellent and the warm octopus salad is the insider order. Ask for Daniel; book or go early.

My favorite dim sum in the city. Beef chow fun, shrimp dumplings, lava buns, and the best xiao long bao - everything comes out fresh. Cozy little room; the all-you-can-eat dim sum is the move when you're hungry.

Two bars in one - the cocktails justify every best-of list. The mushroom popper and the mochi donut chicken burger are the standouts. Even a 9:30 reservation is worth it; it's hard to get in for a reason.

The locals' old-school lunch counter in the Flatiron's shadow - prime pastrami and piping-hot soups, a real Katz's alternative. Cash-register nostalgia, simple food done right.

Old Yorkville Italian - the chicken parm is the best I've had and the pappardelle is great. Sea bass and sole are impeccable too. Ask for Chris.

Solid sit-down near Hudson Square - the apps are the surprise favorite and the signature burger is juicy; desserts beat the pizza. Fair prices for the neighborhood.

125 years of stacked Italian sandwiches - the chicken cutlet with fresh mozz on fresh bread is the best in the city; the meatball is a four-meal sandwich. Grab Italian chips and a blood orange lemonade.

West Village all-day gem that lives up to the hype - the burger on the pressed potato bun is a must, and the fried chicken sandwich with tahini and cucumbers is right behind it. Warm living-room energy; good for a long lunch.

Mussels a dozen ways on the UES - the mussels alla vodka with extra sourdough is the order I'd cross town for. Oysters and fish dishes are strong too, and happy hour makes it even better.

Rooftop Korean BBQ with skyline views - the omakase is the full experience and worth it. Note you cook the prime cuts yourself at the table; if that bothers you, order from the kitchen side.

Deservedly famous. The honey butter pancakes and the wings are the orders. The wait can hit 90 minutes - reserve or go early.

Worth the hype - the fall-off-the-bone ribs and the Thai noodle salad are the famous orders, plus shoestring fries. Impeccable service; book ahead.

Warm, cozy Gramercy Italian - the kale and figs salad and the tagliatelle bolognese are the repeat orders. They'll seat you early with a drink if you arrive before open; the outdoor tables are lovely.

Walk in on a Sunday afternoon and sit at the bar. The fried artichokes are excellent - crispy and light - and the lasagna is rich and clearly made with care. Skip the bread service; it runs doughy.

Raw bar 12/10 - happy hour oysters, the lobster roll, and the crab dip are all fantastic. The Daily Dose (vodka, dill, parsley) is the drink. Reservations are tough on weekends; worth the effort.

Unpretentious top-50 bar - they explain every drink, go at happy hour.

Hand rolls made in front of you with warm rice - the 6-roll set is the move; sashimi selection is limited by design. Counter seating, quick turnover even when packed.

Go for the Greek-island room and the saganaki; the spreads and tuna tartare deliver too. Past that, the food can be just ok for the price and pacing drags. Loud at Saturday dinner, and they won't seat you until the whole party is there.

The cookie lives up to the hype - chocolate chip walnut, still warm.

The locals' family-run Cuban lunch counter near Times Square - order at the counter and take your tray to one of a dozen tables. The Cuban sandwich is the first-timer's order.

The Black Label burger lives up to it - bar seats are the walk-in play.

Old New York lore and the bar area is more fun than the dining room. The French dip and the burger beat the Polo Bar's; the martini doesn't. Check it off with a long lunch.

Reserve for popular hours - walk-ins at prime time are a long shot. Carbonara and the vongole are the pastas to get. Outdoor tables when the weather cooperates.

Cozy Sicilian - upstairs open-air tables when the weather allows.

Koreatown late-night institution - the fresh watermelon soju (not the bottled stuff) is a must. Best late when it's packed with energy.

Ian Schrager's LES hotel - the design and lobby vibe are the draw, and the location is hard to beat. Rooms are chic but small with a quirky sink setup, and housekeeping can miss, so it's a style-over-spotless pick. The front-desk staff are the standouts.

Indoor mini golf with cocktails in the Meatpacking District - relaxed, fun, and the unlimited golf is affordable. Easy anniversary or group night; the staff genuinely make it.

Post-walk breakfast by the park. Reserve ahead - walk-ins get quoted 45 minutes, though the wait often runs shorter. Eggs Benedict and the banana muffins are the order.

Fast, casual, good value - the beef birria taco with its little side of broth is the order. Skip the asada quesadilla (undercooked onion, off cheese ratio). Easy solo stop near the Soho museums.

The harissa falafel, going strong for years - hummus is excellent too. Counter order, clean and quick.

Lives up to the hype - the tortellini is everything people gush about, then the cavatelli; the clam sourdough pizza is a unique detour. There's a rotating specials menu alongside the classics. Book well ahead.

A quaint wine bar that works for a quiet birthday splurge or a late-night glass - foot traffic is low and it stays lovely late. The clam flatbread and the shrimp get singled out, and there's a private cellar room that groups love (ask for Marco).

The best pies anywhere - preorder for Thanksgiving (window closes the Friday before). Expect a long line; parking turns over fast. The rhubarb bar and pecan cookies travel well.