Get a piece of the south back with a chicken biscuit from Pies & Thighs.

The oldest still-operating restaurant in New York City, still in the family of the original founders. At Christmastime, it's decorated to the nines. Go with a big group: portions are large and the wine flows liberally. Look for the little buttons on the walls: in the old days, the mafia would hang out in the back room, and if diners saw the cops come in, they'd press the buttons so the mafia guys could run out the back.

I love this quaint lil bar, as it's a good switch of energy from the bar next door. Mostly quiet, cozy and with a working fireplace, I like it here.

Stupendous views of Manhattan and what feels like all of Brooklyn from the only tall-ish building around. And very good beer.

The operators of the Peter Pan bakery make the best donuts I've ever tasted. This place is charming to its core. Decor and presentation: circa 1971 & virtually unchanged since.