Handmade pasta in a former garage.

Intimate east village record shop with an excellently curated selection of second hand and new vinyl.

If you’re looking for this restaurant by reading the words printed on the awnings of Division Street, you’ll need to know Cantonese: “Kiki’s Greek Tavern” is written only in Chinese characters. Olive green doors and stone walls on the eatery’s interior are a better tell, and are touches that suit the Mediterranean cuisine of Kiki’s well. The restaurant’s Greek cuisine is straightforward and delicious, so whether you order seafood, lamb, or salad, you really can’t go wrong.

When I have a bit of money I like to go there with friends to celebrate our happiness and miseries.

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.