Empire Diner

The iconic Empire Diner in Chelsea reopens with Amanda Freitag at the helm of this classic, comfort mecca. An one story stand alone spot, Empire Diner like the 11th Street Diner in Miami Beach is iconic. This spot is revamped and romantically lit with a rethought menu with dishes that deserve attention. On the savory side, I went with Pork on Pork- for $21 and chili cheese fries for $11. There were so many choices and with sides at $6, I was tempted, but was bad last night. Now, the heat had failed, the manager frazzled and pretty Amanda Freitag was there to greet, but the food was what I had meandered over for and the savories satisfied. The pork on pork, was a perfectly butchered pork chop with pancetta, cranberry beans over kale. An ideal plate on a frosty night with the pork chop cooked right and tasting delicious. The sweet fries with chili, cheddar and lime crema was a lovely sweet, meat and citrus marriage- very clever. The only food failure was dessert- I went with the warm donut holes with caramel sauce for $7. The holes came out looking like raw sugar and they were. The blobs were warm, though undercooked dough. Nice salted caramel sauce. I immediately sent them back and the cost was removed from the bill. The desserts generally looked underwhelming, but the doughy taste of the donuts was a shock to me. For great savory options and a real NY experience.........GO!

Dinosaur Barbecue

On a frosty, frigid night, I headed to blizzard filled Brooklyn to dine in at Dinosaur Barbecue. Dinosaur normally fills up fast on a Friday, but on the night of the near blizzard was near empty. It's a big roadhouse spot and there is a lot of value in food here. I went with three ribs which came with two sides- $11. A chopped salad was $7. The homemade buttermilk dressing on the salad was mighty tasty, but the salad was just adequate. The ribs were the star- moist, and meaty- super duper. Sides of mac and cheese and turkey neck greens were delish, especially the mac and cheese which had a nice crust and a little spice to it. The Union St. location is down the block from the R train and within an eight block radius to two other great bbq spots- Ft. Reno and Fletcher's. GO!

Carmine's

The back of Carmine's is a surprise- red checkered table-clothed red sauce joint with a hankering for the Yankees. The bread here is house-made and the bruschetta that comes with it a fun difference from just extra virgin olive oil served at so many new wave Italians. The food here is good and cheap. My eggplant parm. with spaghetti was $10 and generous. Tasty, real eggplant with gooey cheese on top was satisfying. Fresh broccoli rabe with garlic was made to order and super. The sauce here while good is not deeply inspired like Joe's of Ave U or La Palina- my personal fave red sauce joints, nevertheless, this is a fine nabe spot to chow down. When on Graham- GO!

Bubby's HIgh Line

Bubby's Highline son of Bubby's Tribeca is relatively new and the best Bubby's yet. A big, generous, corner space with a little area in the back for a quick coffee or light bight. All the purveyors Bubby's uses is listed on the back of the menu and it is impressive. The classic American grub is so well done here, I have been here several times recently and the meals are utter perfection. Spiced apple cider is a warm way to start a meal. Cornmeal encrusted whole trout with yellow potatoes and cherry vinegar peppers was tasty, and hearty for $26. There is great value for the quality of the food. House-made ice-cream- Rocky Road is no better way to finish a meal. Of course, Bubby's is known for their pies and their homemade desserts are a wonderful topper to a top of the line meal. Love the moist cupcakes. GO! GO!

Cafeteria

Back to the classics. While Cafeteria has been around since the 90's, it is far from a has-been. It maintains a popularity and with good reason. American comfort with value. Yes, there may be some attitude, but that is what you are paying for. I was there twice in the last two weeks and satisfied with both meals and ambience. The first time, we were seated by a big, beautiful drag queen and I loved it. The tomato soup with crème fraiche is delish. The biscuits that come with were a great surprise. Big bold flavor. You could go with a soup and half-sammie for $11 and be full. The mac and cheese for $9- cheddar and fontina was quite good. Especially loved the meatloaf with garlic mashed, green beans and tomato relish for $18. The entrees top out at $25 which is reasonable for prime Chelsea/Flatiron. The best part is the seating for four-tops on the corner and by the windowed front. Iconic! GO!

Beygl

The bagels at Beygl are exceptional, with floavor that you don't find in traditional bagels. The addition of brown sugar plus the kettle boil creates an authentic bagel with a unique flavor. I love Beygl's bagels. The bagels are divided into two types- traditional and artisan. I lean towards the artisan because of their originality. The sea-salt and cracked pepper as well as the rosemary, olive oil are my personal faves. The bagels are baked from light to dark so all bread mavens like myself can find one done to their liking Some yummy spreads and delicious coffee make this a great morning pit-stop, but if you don't live in "the Slope", these bagels are worth the trip. GO! GO!

Pastai

Pastai is an elegant restaurant on 9Ave. making it's own pastas near enough to Giovvani Rana at Chelsea Market that I was suspicious about it's food. The quality of the pasta and it's preparation is outstanding. The room is oddly configured with the kitchen in the middle, but no matter. The yeasty bread comes out with lovely fruity Italian olive oil. The insalata mista was a fine salad with romaine and radicchio was a fresh treat. We tried the strained pasta which is shredded with a pesto like sauce, the flavor was great, but loving my pasta whole I was not a fan. The buccatini Ametriana was the best buccatini, I have ever tasted. Thicker than most, with the sensational sauce- amazing. GO!

Hometown Barbecue

Hometown rocks the Red Hook scene with real deal barbecue with a Brooklyn twist. Sunday sandwiches are served on Caputo onion rolls. Pickles from Brooklyn Brine add mega flavor to the said sandwich. At $11 with a mini potato salad, it is a filling enough portion. Add on sides at $4 for even more Americana fun. The beans with pieces of meat is an intense flavor fest- deep red looking like a mole. Creamy mac and cheese and good smokey collards. There is good beer to wash down all that barbecue, I went with a Shiner from Texas- amber, fruity, and tasty. The spot is still not ready for primetime servicewise, but once they are you can expect warehouse sized crowds for slamin' Brooklyn barbecue. GO!

5 OZ

Do you like custard- I do. There used to be more custard in NYC, now the Shake Shack franchise is the number one custard seller. This is Midwestern style from a genuine Midwestern girl and true Midwestern milk products. Frozen custard is very popular in the Midwest and has a dense creamy texture due to the addition of egg yolks. 5OZ has a smaller batch flavor than Shake Shack. The chocolate is really chocolatey and you could customize your custard with yummy add-ons. Fudge, caramel sauce, fleur de sel, and homemade whipped cream. These extras make you a mad custard scientist and flavor combos comfort and rock your palate. The soothing farmhouse interior has a nice bathroom, plants and lovely place to devour your custard concoction. About $7 with add-ons.

Ganso

Ganso is a mega popular ramen joint in the once bargain land of Downtown Brooklyn. They also have killer Japanese food and a great lunch special for $12. I have been there twice and both times have had the lunch bento plate. The choices all sound great- Tonkatsu, chicken cooked under a brick with a special sauce, wings, but I had the salmon teriyaki both times. The salmon is of high quality with a sauce that is not over-sweet like some of the cheaper joints. The plate, not box is served with a generous and tasty salad, a Japanese yam, seaweed and rice with black sesames. The food here is a welcome respite from the fast food joints in the area. The mega- thrift Unique or huge Goodwill or emptyish Macy's makes Ganso a fun weekend destination if your not brunching. GO!

Picnic

Picnic showcases regional American food from the Midwest in a lovely corner East Village restaurant. I went when they were just opened a few days and service was very new, and friendly. Went with a sandwich was one of the best values on the menu. Pulled pork, rootbeer barbecue, corn and coleslaw. One side comes with and I went with sweet potato casserole. $13 for the combo. The sandwich was good, but the sweet potato casserole was velvety goodness. Lots of great American fare on the menu here with good value to boot. GO!

Marco's

Franny's redux is the uber cool retroish designed Marco's. The big oven went to Franny's and Marco's dishes small plates Italian or trattoria style as they say. The Italian fare is top of the line, but so are the prices for teeny portions. Their is no bread service which seems ingracious at these prices, but a request for bread brought a small grilled piece for two people. The two of us shared the entire meal. Spedino alla Romana($) is a tiny albeit flavorful Italian grilled cheese. The tagliatelle with prosciutto di Parma($18) was amazing- carbonarra like also a teeny tease. As a main the wood grilled lamb chops($28) were so well seasoned and cooked to perfection it was a meaty dream. The accompanying veggies- Sicilian charred eggplant($6) with pine nuts, raisins ricotta salata and Summer Squash in a lemony butter sauce($6) were a fine compliment though the generously portioned squash was way overcooked. We left this pricey establishment for their offshoot grocery store Brooklyn Larder for dessert and the chocolate caramel pudding for $6 and the chocolate caramel bar ($3) really satisfied. GO!