1. Misi: to this day the best pasta I've had (Tortelli with brown butter) $$-$$$

2. Win Son Bakery: have been for dinner to Win Son as well but the bakery is where magic happens. BEC scallion pancake shouldn't exist but man am I happy it does

3. Raku Soho: udon noodles cooked to perfection. Comfort food, made simply and deliciously $$

4. Spicy Village: cash only soup dumplings and BYOB of all BYOBs

5. Cote: as far as steakhouses go, this is pretty reasonably priced and unbelievably good. The egg soufflé should not be skipped.

6. Thompkins Street Bagels: the ultimate bagel sandwich

7. Shoo Shoo: some nyc locales might say "really?" but this place has never missed. Quality food, reasonable prices, my favorite place for a crisp schnitzel

8. Gage and Tollner: DARLING american spot in brooklyn heights that has delicious food and the best dessert of all time. I'm really not kidding

9. Pop Up Bagel: two bagel spots on top 10?! it is a new york classic and this bagel is unlike other bagels. Crispy outside, chewy inside, and slightly smaller so I can eat two without feeling bad.

10. Kiki's: Last but not least. Yes this spot is basic but the prices are so good I don't even care. Fantastic Greek food, no reservations

Here are my top cheap eats! Everything here is under $15 for an entreé

1. Win Son Bakery - Best place ever. get a scallion pancake sandwich and a mochi donut. You can thank me later

2. Spicy Village - BYOB and $9 soup dumplings. The hand pulled noodles also should not be missed

3. Los Tacos No. 1 - Best tacos in NYC

4. Tasty Hand Pulled Noodles - Get the knife cut noodles, avoid the soup dumplings

5. Keste Pizza - Easy pizza place and great if you have GF friends! nutella pizza is what dreams are made of

6. West New Malaysia - Great back alley Malaysian restaurant. Roti is awesome

7. Mott St Eatery - Food court in chinatown - the taiwan dumpling kiosk was sooo good. also the wonton noodle soup was tasty in the booth when you walk in to the left

8. Taboonette - Prices under $15 ish and great mediterranean falafel bowls

9. Manero's Pizza - My favorite pizza in NYC

10. Dosa Cart - This is a cart in the middle of Washington Square park with a guy slinging dosas. NY Eater did a whole documentary on him. $9 and delicious. Go on an off hour to avoid hideous lines

I hold these restaurants near and dear to my heart.

1. Gage & Tollner - I could have my wedding here, but only if the cake is their baked Alaska for two. American food, cooked to perfection with friendly staff.

2. Bemmelman's Bar - what a beautiful place for a cocktail or dinner. Listen to piano, sip on a $30 G&T, and feel like you are a true New Yorker.

3. Misi - I love this place. Ricotta toast and tortelli would be my death row meal.

These restaurants need no explanation so I will just list below. With these, I can promise you good food, good service, and dinner for two at under $150.

Downtown Picks

1. The Dutch

2. Raku Soho

3. Lil' Frankies

4. Sugarfish

5. Ivan Ramen

6. Thai Villa

7. Dame

8. Cafe Cluny

9. Max Italian

10. Menkoi Sato

11. Top Thai

Uptown / Brooklyn

1. Cafe Luxemborg

2. Bar Boulud

3. Peter Luger

My friend Caroline said that I seem to know every dessert place in New York. She is CORRECT!

Given my expertise in this matter, I take desserts very seriously.

Desserts you can take on the Go

1. Funny Face Bakery - Chocolate Chip or Smore's cookie. As I write this I am having a Pavlovian response

2. Lloyd's Carrot Cake - worth the schlep to Harlem

3. Win Son Bakery - Mochi donut.

4. Pinkberry - yes I said it, Pinkberry! I miss the frozen yogurt era and the original tart can't be beat

5. Beard Papa's - Cream Puffs, these technically can be eaten while walking but bring lots of napkins because it is the ultimate cream puff

6. Levain - get with walnuts even if you don't love walnuts

7. Lafayette - for you think cookie lovers, this one is pretty fantastic

8. Chip City - yes I overdosed on this cookie but for a year I had them weekly

9. Breads Bakery - hot chocolate is to die for. I'm counting it as a dessert

10. Bake Culture - great mini almond cookies

Desserts to Enjoy in the Moment

1. Little Cupcake Bakeshop - Darling interior to eat and enjoy your cake slice or bar. Or take to a local park and eat on a bench!

2. Martha's Country Bakery - they have weekly deals and Wednesday is $3 pie. Pecan pie is my favorite

3. Gage and Tollner - Baked Alaska for two. I've mentioned this dessert three times on this webpage because it has such a chokehold on me!