I go here mostly because of the vibe, it”s a French bistro meets a plant shop and the sister restaurant to Tartine in the West Village. The Shakchuka and the fennel salad is delicious, so is the onion soup. Cute Rooftop during the summer. 

I have been getting burgers here since I first moved to NYC. I think it is 1000 years old or something like that. Only two types of burgers, with or without bacon. I like easy decisions and this place is full of them. There is usually a line to be seated, but it always seems to go fast with $2.50 mugs of McSorley's. It's also at this strange vortex in the west village where 4th street and 12th street cross. Maybe that's why the line never takes too long and everything is so cheap.

When the weather is nice I love to come here with my friends and eat falafel and talk forever and lay in the sun. It’s just a short walk from my place and has a great view of Manhattan and there’s always good trash washed up on the shore.

This is one of my favorite bars in Manhattan. It has a courtyard in the middle and they only serve a large selection of Belgian beer. It's always dark with red lights so it's like a giant darkroom with everyone developing hangovers instead of film. The courtyard creates a front bar that is open on the weekends, so if you get cornered talking about architecture you can escape over to the front bar and watch people walk down 4th street.

This is another neighborhood favorite, especially for Sunday brunch which is consistently great.