Balthazar
Address: 80 Spring Street (at Broadway)
Phone: 212-965-1414
Website: balthazarbakery.com
Mmmmm good. Food Master McNalley started this once super-trendy Bistro back in the late 1990s. Nowadays, it's more likely to be filled with tourists than celebrities, but the French fare is anything but fair, and the place still draws a fiercely loyal local crowd. For Sunday brunch, this is still the place to be.
This continues to be one of the hottest spots for raw fish in the city. It's hard to know whether it's because the sushi is so fresh or the atmosphere so sleek. Either way, the magical "secret cave" setting and great food has made this place popular for good reason.
Café Noir
Address: 32 Grand Street (at Thompson Street)
Phone: 212-431-7910
Website: www.cafenoirny.com
This French-Moroccan spot is always packed. Some come here for the lively singles scene, others to carouse with friends and still more stop in for the notable selection of wines and tapas. Whatever the reason, something seems to be working, since this place is always packed.
Fanelli Café
Address: 94 Prince Street (at Mercer Street)
Phone: 212-226-9412
SoHo's answer to the classic beer and burger joint, Fanelli's has been sitting on this quiet little corner of Soho since the beginning of time. While other trendsters have come and gone, it is still out there doling out the booze and late-night nibbles to fiercely loyal locals.
Felix
Address: 340 West Broadway (at Grand Street)
Phone: 212-431-0021
Website: www.felixnyc.com
The corner location on one of Soho's busiest stretches makes this the ideal spot for people watching. That is, if you can actually get a table. Always loud and always crowded, Felix has been drawing in shoppers and tourists for over a decade. The French Bistro food isn't bad either. Definitely not the place to go if you're feeling anti-social.
Lucky Strike
Address: 59 Grand Street (at West Broadway)
Phone: 212-941-0479
Website: www.luckystrikeny.com
From the owner of Balthazar, Lucky Strike has grown remarkably mellow these days. Favorites like turkey burgers with French fries keep the crowds coming back for more. The casual Bistro atmosphere continues to make this a popular spot for those who want a trip to comfortable.
Right across the street from Felix, this authentic Argentinian restaurant is not built for the timid spirited or vegan inclined. Hearty cuts of beef and other Spanish accented entrees with a wonderful selection of wines to go with. Be prepared for a lively crowd and a whole lot of fun.
The Mercer Kitchen
Address: 99 Prince Street (at Mercer Street)
Phone: 212-966-5454
Website: www.jean-georges.com
Wasabi Tuna Pizza anyone? Jean Georges Vongerichten spins out truly innovative cuisine in this super-slick below-ground eatery. The trendy crowd ranges from locals to uptowners looking for a little downtown excitement. It's a fabulous setting for a memorable meal, but be forewarned it packs 'em in on weekends.