Sigiri

22. August 2006 East Village, Indian + South Asian 0
91 First Avenue between 5th and 6th Streets 212/614.9333 $60 for two, BYOB, without tip ♥ Because it’s the only Sri Lankan restaurant in Manhattan, Sigiri is a gem. It’s on the same block as the East 6th Indian restaurants, so if you blink–or if the red lights make you squint–you might just miss it. ...

Menkuitei

18. August 2006 East Village, Japanese 0
63 Cooper Square on 3rd Avenue 212/228.4152 $30 for two, with two drinks, without tip ♥ Astor Place is filled with restaurants serving Japanese comfort food. I go to Menkuitei for their grilled fish neck. Their ramen selection is good, too, plus you’ll deal with less of a crowd here. The house special is one ...

Degustation Wine & Tasting Bar

06. June 2006 American, East Village 0
239 East 5th Street off 2nd Avenue 212/979.1012 $130 for two, with two drinks, with tip ♥ ♥ ♥ The latest from the Jack and Grace Lamb empire, Degustation is the replacement for Jewel Bako’s robato grill next door. They kept the same layout: an open kitchen where you can sit at the bar and ...

ChikaLicious and ChikaLicious Puddin’

06. June 2006 East Village, Japanese 0
203 East 10th Street off Second Avenue 212/995.9511 $104 for four, desserts only with matching drinks, with tip ♥ ♥ If you have room for dessert, Chika will whip up one of the most simple yet satisfying desserts for you at ChikaLicious, a tiny space on 10th Street. Assuming, of course, that they haven’t sold ...