Photo: Courtesy of Hibino

Several blocks south from bustling Smith Street sits a quiet Japanese restaurant in Cobble Hill called Hibino. The restaurant is a collaborative effort between two chefs and a graphic designer.

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Photo: Courtesy of Craftbar

Tom Colicchio’s casual spinoff of his highly acclaimed Craft restaurant is a destination in its own right. The menu consists of a range of small dishes that include fried oysters with Old Bay aioli, and white anchovy bruschetta with braised leeks and a poached egg.

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Photo: Courtesy of Bar Milano

A sleek, bustling addition to the 'hood, Bar Milano is turning out elegantly prepared, upscale food with terrific service and a buzzy environment.

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Photo: Daniel Krieger

James is nestled in the Prospect Heights neighborhood on the corner of St. Marks and Carlton Avenue, tucked inside a century-old brownstone.

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Photo: Courtesty of Flatiron Lounge

Step back in time at the Art Deco-styled Flatiron Lounge for classic cocktails using fresh juices and quality ingredients, mixed by knowledgeable bartenders.

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Photo: Staff

This homey, brick-walled Italian spot is bigger than it seems--walk past the long, wine-bottle-lined bar up front and you'll find a cluster of tables in the back, with happy couples sipping glasses of wine and noshing on elegantly prepared, seasonal food like butternut squash soup and house-made gnocchi with fresh ricotta.

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Photo: Courtesy of Freemans

Expect traditional American and English comfort food like grilled cheddar toasts, roast chicken and three-cheese macaroni at this crowded, low-key restaurant at the end of a dark alley.

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Photo: Courtesy of Blue Ribbon Downing Street Wine Bar

The Blue Ribbon empire includes a bakery, sushi restaurant and brasserie, but this tiny bar (serving wine and cocktails) might be our favorite of the lot. There are just a few seats scattered around the bar and back counter-no tables-so if you're lucky enough to snag one, prepare to settle in.

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Photo: Noah Kalina

An upgrade to a bigger location was a smart move for the god-like David Chang, whose original restaurant Momofuku Noodle Bar (there's also Momofuku Ssam Bar and the impossible-to-get-into Momofuku Ko) has a cult following

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Photo: Courtesy of Perilla

Dine at the bar or at one of the few tables in Top Chef season 1 winner Harold Dieterle's sparsely elegant restaurant. Though you might walk in skeptical given all the celebrity hype...

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Photo: Courtesy of Burger Joint

Another contender for the title of "New York's Best Burger," Burger Joint is a small, crowded, diner tucked away in a discreet corner of, strangely enough, the upscale Parker Meridien hotel in midtown.

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Photo: Courtesy of Prune

Don't expect the same old bacon and eggs here--the much-praised brunch at Prune is always an adventure, from the mystery of wondering how long you'll have to wait for a table to navigating your way through the cramped space.

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Photo: Courtesy of Back Forty

Savoy’s Peter Hoffman successfully downscales with this rustic, comforting spot that’s perfect for a casual night out. There’s a well-edited beer, wine and cocktail list with some local choices, like Six Point Brownstone and their own house red and white wines, specially bottled in the North Fork of Long Island.

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Photo: Staff

You can find several "authentic" barbecue joints in the city, but for one of the best, go to Williamsburg. At Fette Sau, there's no table service--but that doesn't stop hungry groups seated at communal picnic tables from chowing down on ribs...

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Photo: Staff

You'll feel good about eating here--most of the food is locally grown or produced, and the space is sleek yet homey, with an open kitchen boasting a large stone oven and rotisserie

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