Pastis   

More than just a facsimile of an aging Parisian bistro, in the hands of Balthazar restaurateur Keith McNally, Pastis is a sumptuous destination. Once one of the lone bright spots in an otherwise blue-collar Meatpacking District, Pastis still stands out among its new hifalutin' neighbors and continues to be the late-night food destination of choice. The menu sticks close to traditional bistro fare -- steak tartare, oysters on the half shell, pan-roasted chicken with asparagus and mushroom and moules frites au Pernod. Bring anyone to Pastis for brunch and they will be your friend for life. The brioche French toast with fresh fruit or eggs Hussard will weaken even the toughest critic -- perhaps that's why the celebrities keep coming back despite the exposure. You'd be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn't consider Pastis to be one of their either favorite brunch, dinner or late-night noshing spot, especially when an outdoor seat is won and the weather just can't be beat.