194 Washington St, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601, 845-473-1576, www.thepalacediner.com We don't normally drive two hours north from Manhat...

1448 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10021, 212-517-2066, www.ristorantecortina.com We'll confess, we had our first date at Cortina and have b...

600 Ocean Ave, Patchogue, NY 11772, 631-654-8970, www.lombardisonthebay.com Brian and I usually agree on our reviews but Lombardi's h...

600 Ocean Avenue, Patchogue, NY 11772, 631-654-8970 We LOVE it here. We're in the area during the summers and this place is beautiful...

539 East 81st Street, New York, NY 10028, 212-249-1473, www.leboeufalamode.net We frequently pass this restaurant on our way to the upper...

1431 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10028, 212-650-0850 This Turkish/ Mediterranean offers meze's (small dishes) in a beautiful, color...

Asparagus Salad The menu at the American Bounty is seasonal with a lot of emphasis on presentation. A classic beet & goat cheese sal...

Dining at any of the restaurants at the Culinary Institute of America is much more than just a meal.

1265 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10021, 212-772-9393, www.dallasbbq.com Prices are low and portions are large at this noisy, crowded BBQ ...

1309 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10021, 212-517-3800, www.bistrolesteak.com Space is tight at this busy upper east-sider, especially on...

1453 York Avenue, New York, NY 10075, 212-861-3600 When we're in the mood for a great (and we do mean great) burger and all the fixin...

1396 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10075, 212-772-3331, www.duenyc.com This lovely northern Italian does everything right. A nice room, ...

1422 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10075, 212-744-6327, www.brasseriejulien.com Brasserie Julien in pretty, romantic and not too stuffy. Ser...

We're by the Great South Bay in summers and Louis was our find. Our hands-down-favorite restaurant. Pricey but so worth it. We plan a...

1594 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028, 212-861-9368, www.firenzeristorantenyc.com A stroll up 2nd Avenue in Yorkville on a warm Saturday eveni...

1442 First Avenue, New York, NY 10021, 212-861-4670 We ducked in here on a freezing night without expecting too much. But this place is f...

1477 First Avenue, New York, NY 10075, 212-988-4163, www.greenkitchennyc.com This is a cut above a diner. We wandered in one evening ...

137 East 61st Street, New York, NY 10021, 212-980-2300, www.brionyc.com Located slightly off the avenue, Brio offers a little side-street...

63 Newtown Lane, East Hampton, NY 11937, 631-329-5377, www.babetteseasthampton.com While on vacation in the area during Christmas week, w...

111 Main Street, Sag Harbor, NY 11693, 631-725-2270, www.goldenpearcafe.com We'd noticed this mini-chain of cafes in several locatio...

The Old Hook Mill just off Main Street

143 Main Street, East Hampton, NY 11937, 631-324-1770, www.1770house.com We dined here while staying upstairs at the inn during Christ...

143 Main Street, East Hampton, NY 11937, 631-324-1770, www.1770house.com We knew we wanted to spend a romantic Christmas week in East ...

251 East 82nd St., NY, NY 10028, 212-734-5490, www.kingscarriagehouse.com This restaurant is somewhat nondescript from the street and you...

1483 First Avenue, New York, NY 10075, 212-988-8877, www.maruzzellanyc.com This mid-priced Italian offers decent food in a newly renovate...

323 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075, 212-535-1414 Quatorze Bis always seems to be bustling with an older, respectable looking crowd...