CARNEGIE DELI                  Deli

Like many other things “New York”, the Carnegie Deli has an outsized reputation, outsized sandwiches, and walls covered in photos of celebs from David Letterman to Barack Obama. Since 1937, this deli has become the tourist’s (as well as the native New Yorker’s) idea of an authentic NY deli, with "ginormous" sandwiches built from huge stacks of fresh, tender corned beef or pastrami between two slices of rye, and bowls of gratis sour pickles and tomatoes. Immortalized in copious films and books, the menu includes aptly named sandwich combos such as the Woody Allen--from the film "Broadway Danny Rose".

Even if this cuisine may not be considered gourmand (the prices are), this restaurant certainly deserves inclusion here for the quality of the meats (home-cured and briny, rich, but not overly fatty), the crispness of the pickles, and the wholesome satisfaction of the food. The range of the Eastern European menu includes all the necessary items of a great deli, such as creamy chopped liver, rich matzoh ball soup, dreamy cherry and cheese blintzes, tender beef brisket, homemade hard salami, potato latkes, and smoked sturgeon.

The fast-talking, street-smart wait staff and the ramshackle ambiance are all part of the Carnegie Deli experience. There’s no wine list, but a full range of Dr. Brown’s sodas substitutes nicely. And try to leave room for the melts-in-your-mouth cheesecake.

854 7th Avenue at 55th Street      (212) 757-2245

ESCA           Italian, Seafood

You've got to hand it to master chef, TV personality and entrepreneur Mario Batali, he keeps rolling out hit after hit in the gastronomic galaxy. With partner Joe Bastianich and chef David Pasternack, Batali has established Esca as another signature Italian restaurant/cafe, and has again found an opportunity to earn a gold star.

The menu emphasizes super-fresh homemade pastas like Spaghetti enhanced with fresh chiles, mint, and a one-pound Lobster, and seafood dishes from an herbal enhanced grilled and marinated Sardines appetizer to the Crudo (think Italian sashimi made from such sea creatures as razor clam), Alaskan King Salmon with sugar snap peas, or the Grilled Calamari with salsa verde-- specifically Italian but created with a flair that elevates to the highest of haute cuisine. The whole fish for two, baked in a sea-salt crust that's cracked at the table, makes for a performance suitable to the neighborhood.

With its patio allowing for folks to sit outdoors in warm weather, Esca has the touch of a rustic eatery in some Southern Italian town. The ambiance is quiet with the faint sound of everyday life adding to the authentic feel of the culinary experience. Perfectly matched wine list spotlights regional Italian favorites.

402 West 43rd Street at Ninth Avenue
212-564-7272