1. BASTA PASTA
Be apprised right off the bat: IT’S HARD TO GET FUSION RIGHT. I don’t know of many places that can pull it off as well as they do here. It kind of confuses you because you are served Italian food by Japanese waitstaff. If that’s not a mindf*ck, I don’t know what is. This is one of those places that you’ve never heard anyone say anything bad about. If you don’t know, now ya know.
MUST GET: PAPPARDELLE W/ UNI VODKA SAUCE

2. BLUE RIBBON BRASSERIE
Some might say the beef marrow or the fried chicken. Supposedly the secret to their fried chicken is matzoh meal, eh? Go figure. Quite frankly, it’s hard to choose when faced with so many great options. Brooklyn Bowl proudly associates itself with their food, and for good reason. When in season, their crawfish are no joke either. Go early to avoid the lines.
MUST GET: CHICKEN LIVER PATE

3. BOHEMIAN
One of those nondescript places that leave you walking out satisfied. The menu has changed little over the seasons, but why mess with something when it’s so consistently good? No frills food is what you will get, such as Sashimi and Vegetable Crudite w/ anchovy fondue. Honorable mention is their Sake Panna Cotta. I forget the series, but they have a Toto Neorest 600 here, with remote control in tow. That alone deserves a Star.
MUST GET: MUSHROOM CROQUETTES

4. DEGUSTATION
Open kitchen is the style of dining. Decent prices with a unique play on textures and flavors. This is a place you love to hate because all the ingredients synergize. Ever had octopus and pork belly on the same dish? How about blue corn crusted scallops? Their Torrija dessert with flamethrower action is unparalleled, at least in this quadrant of the World. They will refuse a coat check tip if you offer so don’t bother.
MUST GET: GRILLED QUAIL

5. FELIDIA
You know you’ve arrived when other competitors are stealing your Mexican pasta makers. Felidia is the flagship brain child of not only a chef, but also an author, TV host, amongst her many other coveted titles. One bite of her savory dishes and you’ll be wondering why you haven’t gone earlier. Their pear pecorino ravioli is nothing to scoff at, providing inspiration for a pizza even. Much like the saying ‘Don’t judge a book by it’s cover’ goes, likewise, ‘Don’t just a Felidia by it’s Becco’.
MUST GET: IL POLIPO

6. LITTLE OWL
A good barometer to see how hot a restaurant is? Check how hard it is to get in via OpenTable. Consider yourself lucky if you can score a table at an off-peak hour. Once you get in though, you will experience a party in your mouth. Brussels sprouts with bacon? Nuff said. Their iPod playlist is not bad either. You may end up Shazam-ing a few songs.
MUST GET:PORK CHOP

Degustation: Torrija

7. SASABUNE
Today’s Menu: Trust Me. Those are the very words you will see hung on the wall. A purist’s haven. Having been at both, it is safe to say 80% of Masa’s quality at 80% less in price. Same omakase only menu, except here you will leave stuffed. Two pieces are cranked out with fastball speed, and they make it as fast as you can eat it. If rushed, you can be out of there within an hour. Hard to choose favorites here, since their butterfish is melty and amazing as well.
MUST GET: CRAB ROLL CIGAR