Albert Hall Tavern

New gastropub in the burgeoning Hells Kitchenish... nabe. This is slightly south of Hells Kitchen proper. Albert Hall(love the name Albert) is a long British decorated pub that serves food some quite good. We started with warmed artichoke dip($10) served with toast points and topped with housemade potato chips. Very tasty and satisfying on a cold night. My main was classic mac and cheese($12) was a gooey, cheesey tasty version. My friend's fish and chips was perfection- $16. Expertly fried and served with thin, crispy fries, skin on cooked in duck fat and drizzled with truffle oil. The beer pictured is a Belgian wheat called Kwak served in a flask and wooden holder was a fantastic presentation. For dessert we shared the custard tart which was a cold mash-up of figs and too rustic for my taste. Charming loos.
GO! 508 9th Ave bet 38th. and 39th.

LYON Bouchon Moderne

They say the cuisine of Lyon France is more meat centric. Perfect for a carnivore like moir. Went for brunch on Sunday and was pleasantly surprised. Firstly, the space occupied by the former Cafe De Bruxelles was a perfect transition for this Lyonaisse spot. Secondly, and rather oddly the restaurant was uncrowded as I abore brunchtime mobs. The service was attentive naturally as I was one of a few diners. I ordered three things. The weiner pictured and served on a pretzel roll as well as brussel sprout hash with bacon plus a hot chocolate. The Lyon hot dog is a truffled dog served with saurkraut on a pretzel roll with Dijon mustard naturally. Delicious, and savory- love the pretzel roll. The bacony brussell sprouts were the best I ever tasted. The hot chocolate though not deeply rich was reminicent of those I have tasted in France.
Must Go!

Stellina Cafe

This little pink cafe is owned by the Sorella restaurant next door. It offers sandwiches, salads and the famous grissini that Sorella is known for. It also showcases luscious looking and tasting gelato. This is high end gelato expensive and worth it. Cones are housemade too for a full ice-cream experience. Gelato is $3.5 per serving and I ordered two in a cone which came to $6.53. The salted caramel with bits of chocolate was divine as was the giandujotto with bits of caramel. Incredible flavors like bananamil which is banana with animal cookies and coconut stadatellla make this a must visit for ice-cream addicts like me. 95 Allen Street.
MUST GO!

Il Laboratorio

The newly opened Il Laboratorio is a genuine modern ice-cream factory. Clean, industrial with minimalist seating, it houses the works in the back and retail in the front. Double the flavors of the Orchard Street location this is an ambitious undertaking. My favorite flavors are Thai chili chocolate and banana both of which were on hand when I was there. Two scoops in a small cup are $3.50 plus $1 extra for a topping. I got a hot fudge topping(pictured). Black mission fig, marscapone, lavender and other amazing flavors. Also, enjoy the refreshing sorbets on a hot day as they are made with raw fruit and quite tasty.
Must Go!

Red Rooster Harlem

Red Rooster is a hopping, happening Harlem hotspot. Complete with a big, beautiful bar this spot is a scene from the moment you enter through a velvet curtain. Hosts with attitude greet or don't greet you and you won't get a table without a reservation unless your name is Clinton or Obama. That being said there are 18 seats at three communal tables next to the bar and there I sat and consumed a fine meal. Ok, bread with exotically spiced chickpea dip arrives first. I ordered the Fried yard bird($21), sweet potatoes with maple bacon($8) and a frosty malted choclate for dessert($8). The two big pieces of chicken are fried darkly and exotically spiced over collards, white mace sauce and hot sauce plus a shake of spices and the chicken is tasty. The whipped sweets with maple bacon are super delicious- bacon makes everything better. The frosty malted chocolate served with house made creme fraiche and pieces of malted milk balls is an orgasmic dessert.
GO!