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It is not uncommon for smaller (and occasionally larger) restaurants in New York not to accept credit cards as a form of payment. It is wise to ask before eating. I have tried to point out "Cash Only" restaurants in the list below.

French | Italian | Delis and Diners | American | Asian | Indian | International | Cafes

French

Lucky Strike [Soho]
59 Grand St., New York, NY; (212) 941-0479
(Major credit cards)
Gauloise-smoking hipsters frequent this cozy, long-running hot spot. Above-average bistro fare - including steak frites, mesclun salads loaded with goat cheese, and spaghetti with oil and garlic - packs them in, especially late at night, since the kitchen cranks along merrily 'til 4 a.m. on the weekends.

Le Pain Quotidien [SoHo]
100 Grand St., New York, NY; (212) 625-9009
[Midtown]: 1131 Madison Ave., New York, NY; (212) 327-4900
[Upper East Side]: 833 Lexington Ave., New York, NY; (212) 755-5810
This trio of cozy bakeries-cum-cafes bring a sunny slice of Provencal farm life to the city thanks to their rough-hewn floors, communal tables, antiqued walls and fabulous selection of pastries and breads. Settle in for a cafe creme or rich brioche with a soft-boiled egg, or go for the more substantial tartines (sandwiches), salads and soups. Delicieux!

La Lunchonette [Chelsea]
130 10th Ave. (18th St.) New York, NY (212/ 675-0342)
(Major credit cards)
Long before Chelsea's art scene heated up, this was a destination for heartwarming French cooking. A really mixed clientele, both young and old, lingers in the rouged space that hasn't changed much in the past 13 years. It's justifiably renowned for cassoulet, civet de lapin (rabbit stew with red wine and plums) and tarte tatin.

Picholine [Upper West Side]
35 W 64th St between Broadway and Central Park West, (212/724-8585)
(Major credit cards)
Although dinner is too pricey for most, this bistro by Lincoln Center is a the home of the ultimate cheese course which can be ordered on its own or with a glass of wine if the restaurant is not too full. Chef-owner Terry Brennan says that a cheese course was always a priority for his restaurant. Picholine now stocks anywhere from 40 to 50 cheeses on any given night. The plate ($15 for three choices; $4 for each additional) is served with prune and fig almond cakes and a quince pate. To be able to offer such a huge selection, Picholine has a specially constructed temperature- and humidity-regulated cheese "cave" in the wine cellar, where cheeses can mature until they are ready to serve. It also has its very own maitre de fromager, Max McCalman, whose sole job it is to tend to and present the cheese course. "It's nice to have a palate of cheeses to work with," says McCalman, who speaks of assembling selections as a fine art form. "We've managed to get a pretty broad spectrum - from cheeses so mild you almost don't know they're there to ones so strong they make your tongue numb." In the former category he places subtle Tomme de Savoie and single-creme Gloucester, and in the latter, Cabrales, a cheese "so intense you want to withdraw for a moment of quiet meditation."

** UPDATE(April 9, 2001) The Cheese section of this restaurant opened as a separate entity - "Artisinal" in the Flatiton district... More to come.

Brasserie [Upper East Side]
100 E 53rd St between Park and Lexington Aves in the Seagram Building(212-751-4840). Subway: E, F to Lexington Ave; 6 to 51st St.
(Major credit cards)
Tucked into the basement of the Mies van der Rohe - designed Seagram Building, the 41-year-old eatery reopened in January 2000 after a five-year dormancy. Billing itself as 'midtown's downtown restaurant,' Brasserie has undergone a multimillion-dollar redesign by Diller & Scofidio, complete with translucent lime-green tables, a central staircase just made for dramatic entrances and numerous video monitors displaying every entrance and exit. Alsatian Chef Luc Dimnet's new menu combines old Brasserie classics like rabbit stew with spirited newcomers like a fabulous burger with oyster mushrooms and tempura peppers. The restaurant serves dinner till 1am.

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Italian

Lombardi's [NoLita]
32 Spring St between Mott and Mulberry Sts. (212-941-7994). Subway: 6 to Spring St.
(Cash only)
The crust is thin, delicate and coal-oven crisp at Lombardi's, a sure sign that the pizza you're eating could slice the competition's to ribbons. Indeed, a crowd of locals can often be found on the sidewalk waiting to be seated at rickety tables, knowing that Lombardi's pizza invariably ranks among the three or four best in New York. The pizza is never overseasoned, a chronic problem at lower-rung parlors. The Marzano tomato sauce is tangy and only slightly sweet, and unlike at many places, where cheese is piled on to cover inferior ingredients, Lombardi's mozzarella and pecorino are fresh and judiciously applied, which lets the sauce and crust do their own talking. If you are a toppings fan, forgo extra cheese, since it ruins the delicate flavor balance, and go for small-cut pepperoni, wild mushrooms or kalamata olives. Garlic is even better - it's free. And if you need a cheese fix, try the three-cheese white pizza instead.

John's of 12th Street [East Village]
302 East 12th Street at Second Avenue. (212/475-9531)
Old style New York Italian, chow down on huge portions of garlicky southern Italian standards in a dark, candlelit room, with red-checked tablecloths and an informal feel. Good pastas.

Two Boots/Two Boots to go
42 Ave A, at 3rd St (tel 505-5450) [East Village]; 74 Bleecker St, at Broadway (tel 777-1033) [NoHo]; 75 Greenwich, between 7th Ave and 11th St (tel 633-9096) [West Village].
Great take out/ eat in pizza joint with branches around town serving great thin-crust pizzas with a Cajun flavor - crawfish and jalapeno peppers are common toppings. Excellent value, and fun.

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Delis and Diners

Katz's Delicatessen [Lower East Side]
205 E Houston St at Ludlow St (212-254-2246) Subway: F to Second Ave.
(cash only).
This venerable, cafeteria-style New York deli, immortalized in the orgasm scene in When Harry Met Sally..., stands at the invisible portal to the Lower East Side. Other than the fact that there aren't too many Jewish guys working here anymore, the lunch hall, with its hanging salamis and scores of autographed photos, looks like it hasn't changed in 50 years. Grab a meal ticket from the door guy and stride up to the mile-long counter, where gifted surgeons, wielding long carving knives, slice open big, blackened hunks of pastrami. Watch as the men pile the meat - slice after thick, rosy pink slice - onto a piece of rye; be glad you agreed to share the sandwich with your buddy. If you have any room left, order one of the city's best hot dogs (crispy on the outside, juicy and tangy within), a fat, crispy potato pancake and a big bowl of pickles. Wash it all down with an egg cream - an old-fashioned drink with a misleading name - or one of Katz's own brews (pilsner, lager and pale ale).

Diner [Brooklyn]
85 Broadway at Berry St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-486-3077) (no reservations)
Subway: J, M, Z to Marcy Ave; L to Bedford Ave.
(Major credit cards)
As rents rise, and Williamsburg's overarching style changes from Goodwill bohemian to sample-sale Barneys, it's nice to know that one neighborhood restaurant continues to keep its cool and, in the meantime, manages to attract both the future artist and the current collector. In the two years since this converted dining car opened, it has gained one of the strongest scenester followings of any restaurant in New York. Don't be fooled by the name. This dark, atmospheric not-so-greasy spoon serves more Cosmos than coffees. While the menu's burgers and fries are cheap and absolutely delicious, the ooh-la-la factor comes through in nightly specials, such as poached oysters, duck rillettes or grilled salmon. These treats are pricier but also irresistibly innovative, thanks to chef Caroline Fidenza's fearless chance-taking. Live DJs spin on Saturdays and Sundays, guaranteeing a showing of in-the-know Manhattanites. Be prepared to wait awhile at the bar for a table - mobs are the rule here.

Relish [Brooklyn]
225 Wythe Ave., Brooklyn, NY, 11211; (718) 963-4546
A classic stainless steel diner sat forlorn and empty for nearly a decade until the transformation of arty Williamsburg willed it back into commission. The original furniture and fixtures are intact, but there's no theme-parky nostalgia involved. Able comfort food with updated twists is matched by an excellent cocktail list. Burgers and onion rings are phenomenal.

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American

Cafe Coloniel [NoLiTa]
276 Elizabeth Street at Houston (212/ 274 0044)
Cute little restaurant in Nolita with a nice atmosphere and good food.

The Oyster Bar [Midtown]

Grand Central Station, lower level; 42nd St at Vanderbilt Ave (490-6650). Subway: S, 4, 5, 6, 7 to 42nd St / Grand Central.
Mon - Fri 11:30am - 9:30pm; Sat 5:30 - 9:30pm.
A New York City classic, the Oyster Bar has been serving its namesake on the half shell, plus wickedly creamy oyster pan roasts and oyster stews, for more than 85 years. Since lunch is a zoo and dinner on the too-quiet side, think of dropping by for a mid- to late-afternoon oyster pick-me-up. Oyster Bar stocks a generous selection of bivalves from all over the world, making it a terrific place to try exotic species you've never heard of, like the firm and crisp Caraquet from New Brunswick, Canada. If you like the idea of red-checked tablecloths set with little bowls of oyster crackers, lots of dark wood and train-awaiting commuters smoking fat cigars, head for the Saloon. I prefer the more genteel white Formica counters, which swirl around the main room like ribbon candy. As for the quality, Oyster Bar deserves to keep its name. The oysters I've had there have been perfectly shucked, plump and pristine. And the sweetish cocktail sauce makes a great dip for those crackers.

Odeon [Tribeca]
145 West Broadway between Duane & Thomas Streets (212/ 233-0507)
Who hasn't been to this institution fast approaching its 25th year? Perfect for a lunch, brunch or dinner of simple brasserie fare like a grilled chicken and Gruy*re sandwich or a knockout burger, or heartier dishes like the braised lamb shank with a navy bean ragout. Slide into a banquette, order a cosmo, and take in the only-in-New York hipster scene. Great for late-night dining, too.

Five Points [NoHo]
(good for brunch)
31 Great Jones St between Lafayette St and Bowery (212-253-5700). Subway: B, D, F, Q to Broadway - Lafayette St; 6 to Bleecker St
(Major credit cards)
Zingy Mediterranean flavors accent the food at Five Points, incongruously named after Manhattan's most notorious 19th-century slum. As soon as this place opened, a young downtown crowd started lining up to dig into chef Marc Meyer's well-conceived dishes. The thick pork chop gets its kick from a lime-juice-and-honey marinade, and the lamb casserole is spiked with tangy preserved lemon; these entrees are two of the menu's best. The decor here includes a fountain that feeds into a long, hollowed-out oak tree.

Sylvia's [Harlem]
328 Lenox Avenue between 126th & 127th Streets (212/ 966 0660) A justly celebrated Harlem institution whose stick-to-your-ribs Soul Food, rich deserts and live music all at low tabs, keep it mobbed with tourists, famous people and jazz buffs. The gospel choir brunch is a real experience.

Mama's Food Shop [East Village]
(very inexpensive, cafeteria style soul food)
200 E 3rd St between Aves A and B (212-777-4425). Subway: F to Second Ave.
(Cash only)
Mama's, an East Village institution, feels like the cafeteria at your summer camp - only with superb grub. If you think mac and cheese is something that comes from a box, you need to get some of Mama's version. Or choose from any of the other 16 (all vegetarian) sides to heap alongside your chicken (fried or roasted) or meat loaf. Mama also has family: Across the street is Stepmama, a sandwich grill whose giant fried-egg sandwich (complete with lettuce and tomato) is one of the best bargains in the city ($2.50). The adjacent Mama's Milk has closed; the space is now additional seating for Mama's fans. One caveat: Don't show up near closing and expect to have a wide selection. Mama might be a good cook, but she ain't fixing something special just for you.

The Grange Hall [West Village]
(elegant Art Deco)
(Major credit cards)
50 Commerce St at Barrow St (212/ 924-5246). Subway: 1, 9 to Christopher St-Sheridan Sq.
One of the West Village's most pleasant (though hardly undiscovered) hideaways, this handsome reincarnation of the Blue Mill Tavern celebrates Depression-era American food of the Midwest with flair, from fat little loaves of white bread to succotash, pork chops and lake fish. The food is usually good, the decor is inspiring and the all-American wine and beer list is appealing.

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Asian

Tsampa [East Village]
212 E. 9th St., New York, NY, 10003; (212) 614-3226
(Major credit cards)
If you didn't get a taste of Tsampa at the Tibetan Freedom Concert, you should really try this healthy, warming cuisine, served in a soothing atmosphere. Chicken momos (dumplings) and baked udon noodles with sesame and ginger are just some of the offerings enjoyed by the cool local crowd. $15.

THAI

Planet Thailand [Brooklyn]
141 N. 7th St., Brooklyn, NY, 11211; (718) 599-5758
Subway: L to Bedford Avenue
(cash only)
Newly relocated to accommodate the mobs, the venerable Planet Thailand is now the emperor, er, Republic of Williamsburg restaurants. The L-shaped spot has two giant rooms, two bars, two entrances, a DJ station and an extensive menu of Thai and Japanese fare. A sculpture by Jon Kessler keeps it arty while the space stays industrial-modern. Best of all, the food is still incredibly well priced.
Cash only

CHINESE

Funky Broome [Chinatown]
176 Mott St at Broome St (212-941-8628). Subway: 6 to Broome St
(major credit cards)
At first glance, Funky Broome's unorthodox decor - zebra-patterned chairs, pastel-colored and backlit wall panels - appears to be its most distinctive feature. But to the restaurant's credit, the food does not get upstaged by all the theatrics. The Cantonese - and Hong Kong - centric menu offers lots of unusual and terrific dishes such as scallops and winter melon in XO sauce ($12.95), pork stew with lotus root ($9.95), marinated goose intestines ($8.95) and a selection of "mini woks," like the excellent pork-stuffed lotus roots dish ($10.95). If your eyes aren't sufficiently diverted by the flora and fauna on your plate, they should find plenty to look at in the vibrant, constantly busy dining room.

Kelley & Ping [SoHo]
127 Greene St., New York, NY, 10012; (212) 228-1212
(Major credit cards)
This Asian grocery and noodle shop is where Blade Runner - era Harrison Ford could have repaired to straighten up his act. The raw, lofty space is busier during the day than at night and offers brothy soups, sesame chicken salad, pad Thai and Japanese curry with veggies over rice.

Vegetarian Dim Sum House [Chinatown]
24 Pell St., New York, NY, 10013; (212) 577-7176 The best place to go for veggie dim sum in New York, hands down. Most everything is unique, such as sweet yam soup with ginger juice, sticky rice in lotus leaves and lotus root cakes. Since all the food is delectable, the best way to proceed is to take one of the dumpling order forms and start checking off boxes. You'll be halfway through the menu before you know it. (there are many many regular Dim-Sum 'palaces' in Chinatown too , however, the crowds start early - By 11:00 in the morning you cannot get a seat without a considerable wait, and it remains crowded until at least 3:00. There are a few small tables in these gigantic place but sharing your table can be part of the fun.)

JAPANESE

Village Yokocho [East Village]
8 Stuyvesant St between Third Ave and Ninth St, one flight up - follow the neon tube. (598-3041).
Subway: 6 to Astor Pl. 8pm - 3am.
(Major credit cards)
Housed in the same sprawling indoor 'village' as Angel's Share (see nightlife section), This cheap and delicious is where all of the Japanese NYU students eat. Though very noisy, and everything on the wall is written in Japanese, the food is great with items on the menu most Japanese restaurants in the west wouldn't dare to include. Very inexpensive too.

The Tea Box Cafe [Midtown]
693 Fifth Ave., New York, NY, 10022; (212) 350-0180
(Major credit cards)
This serene jewel box space on the lower level of the Takashimaya department store offers a small selection of culinary treasures in addition to its fine teas, like a grass-green bowl of snow and round-pea soup, or Early Grey and green-tea ice cream. The too-pretty-to-eat bento-box lunch is a steal at $15.

Takahachi [East Village]
85 Ave. A, New York, NY, 10009; (212) 505-6524
(Major credit cards)
For sushi, tempura, seaweed salad and noodles, it's impossible to go wrong at this homey and tasteful Japanese temple. The nightly chef's specials are inventive, and since there's often a wait at prime time, check out the $13 early-bird special from 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Omen [SoHo]
113 Thompson St between Prince and Spring Sts. (212-925-8923). Subway: C, E to Spring St
(Major credit cards)
Even the salads are impeccable at this calm, countrified Japanese retreat. The house salad, which is enlivened with seaweed and baby scallops, is the perfect accompaniment to an assortment of sashimi and udon specials. Order the herby shiso rice on the side. The different prix fixe menus always offer unusual choices like pumpkin souffle or an eel omelet, and every chef in town should steal the brilliant pan-seared flounder in white radish sauce.

Otafuku [East Village]
236 E 9th St between Second and Third Aves (212-353-8503). Subway: 6 to Astor Pl; N, R to 8th St-NYU.
(Cash only)
Although the microscopic space and streetside order window might lead you to believe that this is fast food, it's not: You'll wait 10 to 15 minutes for your takoyaki or okonomiyaki - moist, briny Japanese cephalopod snacks. For fans of octopus and squid, it's worth the wait - and the cramped quarters - to have food this good made from scratch. Takoyaki, loosely translated as "octopus balls", are flour dumplings fortified with chopped octopus, ginger, scallions and red seaweed, individually deep-fried in an egg crate-shaped pan until golden brown (order of six takoyaki, $5.00). Okonomiyaki, or "cook what you like," are a heartier take on the Korean scallion pancake: A thin batter holds together chunks of tender shredded cabbage and squid, topped with a lightly fried egg (beef, shrimp or pork are available for the non-squid-eater). Both dishes are drizzled with a barbecue-like "special sauce," mayonnaise, dried seaweed powder and shards of subtly flavored dried bonito (order of two okonomiyaki, $7.00).

KOREAN

Dok Suni's [East Village]
(Very popular East Village staple - often the wait for a table approaches an hour)
119 First Ave between 7th St and St. Marks Pl (212-477-9506) (no reservations).
Subway: F to Second Ave; 6 to Astor Pl.
(Cash only)
Compact and dimly lit, Dok Suni's has the air of a hip bar - it's not at all like the emporium-size 24-hour Korean eateries on 32nd Street. As trendy Korean eateries sprout up south of 14th Street, Dok Suni's continues to hold its own as a destination for both hipsters and kimchi lovers - not to mention regular Quentin Tarantino (he invested in Dok Suni's younger, more chichi sister, Do Hwa). The ample menu of generously marinated and spiced Korean staples features braised short ribs, grilled squid and, for comfort-food seekers, bibimbop, a rice, meat and vegetable casserole that Korean women traditionally created from what remained after the men in their family had eaten.

Kum Gang San [Midtown]
49 W 32nd St at Broadway (212-967-0909) Subway: B, D, F, Q, N, R to 34th St - Herald Sq.
24hrs.
(major credit cards)
This midtown Korean fave will tantalize all of your senses. A waterfall and faux-stone walls create a sense of escape from the bustle of the city, and a gaya (Korean harp) player, dressed in traditional attire, sits atop a deck strumming lilting folk tunes. Once you take your seat, you're regally served a wide array of ban chan (mini side dishes), including kimchi, tofu in soy-sauce marinade, pickled beets, egg souffle and apple salad - all of which, when served together, create color and textural differences that stimulate the palate. Yes, they let you grill your own smoky barbecue at your table, but turn the page on the menu and brave the lesser-known choices, like the agu maewoon tang, a stew of monkfish, shrimp, mussels, clams, tofu and vegetables in a spicy broth. Another alternative is the sae woo gui, grilled butterfly shrimp in a peppery marinade, served with soybean paste, raw garlic cloves, chili peppers and red-leaf lettuce for wrapping. It doesn't matter when you get your craving for culinary adventure: Kum Gang San is open 24 hours a day.

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International

Rice [NoLIta]
227 Mott Street between Prince & Spring (212/ 226-5775)
(Cash only)
Rice, a trendy eat-in and takeout restaurant in NoLIta, offers a choice from six different types -- Sticky, Basmati, Brown, Japanese, Bhutanese Red and Thai Black Rice. The restaurant serves an international array of toppings and rice dishes, from Thai to Indian. Among deserts one can order kheer or "Indian Rice Pudding."

UN Delegates Dining Room [Midtown]
UN Headquarters, 46th St. & First Ave., New York, NY, 10017; (212) 963-7626
One of New York's more cosmopolitan experiences is lunch in the Brasilia Moderne restaurant at the United Nations. Each month, chefs from a different member nation take over the kitchen, serving a groaning buffet or a la carte menu. As in all multinational enterprises, a little compromise is necessary: It's lunch only, men must wear jackets and everyone needs ID.

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Indian

Jackson Diner [Queen's]
(Far away in Queens but worth the trek for the transporting illusion of being in New Delhi)
37-47 74th St between Roosevelt and 37th Aves, Jackson Heights, Queens (718-672-1232)
Subway: E, F, G, R to Jackson Hts - Roosevelt Ave; 7 to 74th St / Broadway
(Cash only)
After 14 years in business, this esteemed house of dosais and dal ditched its funky, coffeeshop home for more spacious digs down the block. While the stylish lighting, earth-tone color scheme and chichi banquettes may be a treat for Queens residents, Manhattanites who trek to this Indian-food mecca might feel as if they've simply wound up back in Soho. Even so, the Diner's authentic Indian food (much of it from veggie-friendly South India) remains affordable and some of the best of its kind in any borough.

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Cafes

The Adore [Union Square]
17 E. 13th St. (between 5th ave/University Place) Tel: 212-243-87-42; Mo-Fr 8-18, Sa 9-17; cash; Subway: L,N,R-4,5,6 to Union Sq./14th St. A quiet oasis near Union Square, this Japanese run French teahouse has a fantastic selection of teas and some of the best pastries in town.

Palacinka [SoHo]
28 Grand St. (bet. 6th Ave. & Thompson St.), New York, NY; (212) 625-0362
A sleepy cafe on the western edge of Soho. Co-owners Tariq Haq and John McCormick have masterfully melded their respective European and American backgrounds to create a space reminiscent of a 1930s speakeasy, complete with a tin ceiling, stainless steel tables, school-style auditorium chairs and a faux linoleum-tiled floor. The place takes its name from a thick, soft crepe that hails from Yugoslavia. Palacinka is all about the crepes offering a less-is-more take on the traditional French pancake - a plain crepe basted with a lemon sauce and sprinkled with powdered sugar ($4). Delicate and delicious, its subtle citrus flavor stays with you - in a good way - without being overpowering. Not really a place for the hearty eater, but you can have a great Sunday afternoon here grazing over the hot and sweet offerings.

Hungarian Pastry Shop [Upper West Side]
1030 Amsterdam Ave. (btw 110th & 111th sts) (212-866-42-30)
Mo-Fr 8-23:30, Su, Sa 9-23:30; cash
Subway: 1,9, to 110th Street
A comfortable 20 year old institution loved by Columbia students and proffessors. Delicious coffees and Hungarian desserts served.

Cafe des Artistes Parlor [Upper West Side]
1 W 67th St between Columbus Ave and Central Park West (212/579-2506)
Subway: 1, 9 to 66th St.
For an international capital, New York is shamefully short on real cafes. And laws in this country make it hard to find one where you can savor both an excellent cup of cappuccino and a glass of fine Scotch (not to mention a cigarette). Thank God, then, for the Parlor, the tiny annex - it has just five tables - to the overrated Cafe des Artistes. Although the Parlor provides a civilized alternative to the Upper West Side's busy coffee chains and a respite from the glitz of nearby Jean Georges, there is one drawback: Most people can't find it (take an immediate left after entering the main door). Please note that Cafe des Artistes proper is very expensive.

Sweet & Tart Cafe [Chinatown]
76 Mott Street (between Canal Street and Bayard Street) Looking for something exotic. How about a cafe tailored to Chinese cuisines. Located in the heart of Chinatown in New York City, Sweet Tart Cafe brings about a new taste and flavor to Chinese "sweets" and dishes. Don't expect the favorite shrimp dumplings or roast pork buns. Expect to see a variety of Chinese "tong sui" (both hot, cold, and double broiled) and other various Chinese deserts. Fresh fruit shakes are available or their house special fruit shakes with tapioca pearls, making it more than exotic and tasty.

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Russian

Link to russian supper clubs [Brighton Beach / Cony Island, Brooklyn]

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