Balthazar

For more than a decade, Balthazar has remained New York's casual-French gold standard, where downtown chic combines with upmarket bistro cooking. Throughout the generous space, gigantic mirrors reflect the glow of the crowd (always a varied mix of next-door neighbours, international foodies and any New Yorker who knows his escargots). The high-powered weekday breakfast scene is a better alternative to the wait-for-two-hours weekend brunch. An insider tip for saving money on wine? Order a carafe instead of a bottle. Imbibing at the revered Balthazar doesn't have to be an expensive outing when you opt for an $18 carafe of Côtes-du-Rhône La Grange de Piaugier or Cuvée George Pinot Blanc from Jean Ginglinger.