Top 20 List of Places to Eat Out in NYC

Before I dim the lights on the year 2009 and put the closed sign on the door (figuratively speaking) I thought it would be fun to do a mental review and make a list of the variety of restaurants I visited this year. To keep the list to the top 20 best, I decided to list only the ones that brought to mind the fondest memories of good times with friends; delicious tasting food, great atmosphere and reasonable prices (for a few tips on ways to save money while dining out, see my blog post 10-money-saving-tips-for-dining-out http://wp.me/pvU23-aL)

As a resident New York City foodie and cocktails connoisseur, I made it my quest this year to venture out and discover some new and fun places to eat in the boroughs of New York City. The memorable experiences I shared with friends and family while dining in these culturally diverse eateries, consisting of vegetarian, organic and non vegetarian cuisine, inspired me to make this list of the top 20 restaurants I recommend.  

 The majority of the restaurants on this list are not strictly vegetarian but all cater to a varied clientele. They range from low to moderately priced, trendy and casual bistro and diners to popular restaurants/ lounges and quaint pastry shops. Whether you have a craving for Italian, French, Spanish, British, Asian or American, as we get ready to welcome a New Year, I hope you will have an opportunity to visit at least one of these delightful establishments and create your own special memories. 

The List 

• Angelo’s~Where: 117 West 57th St. between Sixth and Seventh Ave. in NYC • (212) 333-4333
• Bamboo 52~Where: 344 West 52nd Street between Eighth and Ninth Ave. in NYC •  (212) 315-2777
• Cafeteria~Where: 119 7th Ave. between 17th and 18th streets in NYC • (212) 414-1717
• Cafe Lalo~Where: 201 West 83rd St. between Amsterdam and Broadway in NYC • (212) 496-6031
• Chat ’n Chew~Where: 10 East 16th St. between Broadway and Fifth Ave. in NYC • (212) 243-1616
• Ella Cafe~Where: 177 Bedford Ave. between North Seventh and North Eighth streets in Williamsburg, Bklyn • (718) 218-8079
• Fornino~Where: 187 Bedford Ave. between North Sixth and North Seventh streets in Williamsburg, Bklyn • (718) 384-6004
• Fabiane’s~Where: 142 North 5th Street between Bedford Ave. and Berry Street in Williamsburg, Bklyn • (718) 218-9632
• Juliette~Where: 135 North 5th Street between Bedford Ave. and Berry Street in Williamsburg, Bklyn •  (718) 388-9222
• Jane~Where: 100 West Houston Street between West Broadway and Thompson Street in NYC • (212) 254-7000
• Max Brenner a.k.a The Bald Man~Where: 841 Broadway between 13th and 14th streets in NYC • (212) 388-0030
• Magnolia Bakery~Where: 200 Columbus Ave. between West 68th and West 69th streets in NYC •  (212) 724-8101
• Pazza Notte~Where: 1375 Avenue of the Americas between 55th and 56th streets in NYC • (212) 765-6288
• Pranna~Where: 79 Madison Ave. between 28th and 29th streets in NYC • (212) 696-5700
• Piquant~Where: 259 Flatbush Ave. between Sixth and St. Marks Ave. in Park Slope, Bklyn • (718) 484-4114
• Rocking Horse Mexican Cafe~Where: 182 Eighth Ave. between 19th and 20th streets in NYC • (212) 463-9511
• Sweet Melissa~Where: 276 Court St. at Douglass Street in Cobble Hill, Bklyn •  (718) 855-3410
• Sweet Emily’s~Where: 321 West 51st Street between Eighth and Ninth Ave. in NYC • (212) 957-9338
• Tea & Sympathy~Where: 108-110 Greenwich Ave. between Jane and Horatio streets in NYC • (212) 989-9735
• Utopia~Where: 267 Amsterdam Ave. between 72nd and 73rd streets in NYC •  (212) 873-6233