In a sea of new seafood restaurants, this elegant wine bar stands out.

The moment we knew we loved it: The Ice Box Plus arrived, sparkling and glistening like a tray of jewels retrieved from a shipwreck.

A perfect order for a spontaneous night out: A bottle of white, shrimp cocktail, the regular Ice Box, pull-apart sesame brioche with butter, stuffed squid, and an ice cream sandwich.

Go if you like… Chilled wine, white marble, and extremely snappy shrimp.

Giant vats of melting pork parts are the main event at this taqueria specializing in carnitas.

The moment we knew we loved it: Deciding that the last bite of a trompa taco was more important than saving our pants from dripping pork fat.

A perfect order for a Sunday hangover brunch: One surtida taco, one trompa, one cuero, and one lengua.

Go if you like... Pork. And textural variety in every mouthful.

A French bistro revival where picking just three courses feels almost impossible.

The moment we knew we loved it: When our server looked as sad as we did when the host told her he really needed the table back.

The perfect order for a special occasion double date: The tête de veau ravigote, oeuf en gelée, frogs legs persillade, and the pommes souflées. Make sure the duck magret is one of your mains.

Go if you like... Decadent French food and the idea of smoking indoors.

The pan-Indian food strikes a balance between comfort and pizzazz at this big-budget, celebrity-chef spot.

The moment we knew we loved it: When the Daal Bungalow, listed at the bottom of the menu alongside, established itself as a garlicky, buttery highlight.

A perfect order to restore your faith in dining downtown: Daal Bungalow, anarkali chicken, paneer chandni, Rajasthani pulled lamb, chicken biryani.

Go if you like… Overstated opulence and butter-infused food.

A labor of love, where the food is so good someone might spontaneously jump up to bang out a tune at the piano.

The moment we knew we loved it: When our fork cut a fluffy, satisfying swath through the fruit-topped masa pancake.

A perfect order for weekday brunch: Fried tortilla con huevo, a crisp ensalada “César,” and a masa pancake. On Wednesdays, add the kalacreme, a dulce de leche donut.

Go if you like… Little restaurants with big personalities.

Eel Bar is where you should go for a long and winding snack parade.

The moment we knew we loved it: When even the dessert was drenched in olive oil.

A perfect order for a Thursday night: The Filthy Martini, gildas, potato salad, fried mussels (two orders), black rice if they have it, and rainbow trout pil pil. Maybe a burger and a bottle of wine if you’re feeling frisky.

Go if you like... Aioli. Or Cervo’s, Hart’s, and The Fly—they’re all from the same team.

At this lively Korean restaurant, raw, soy-marinated crab—with sweetness like ocean candy—is the star.

The moment we knew we loved it: When we got our paper bibs printed with crabs clutching beer and soju in their claws.

A perfect order for the group: $129 Gunsan Platter with two premium Gunsan crabs flown in from Korea, red and white shrimp, and abalone, plus rice and seaweed wraps. If your crew can eat, add the abalone congee to warm you up, or the jokbal and memil noodles.

An all-day secret garden of a cafe, with a dedicated forager on contract.

The moment we knew we loved it: When a bowl of lightly seared spring peas, squeaky fresh cheese, and lovage restored our faith in small plate restaurants.

The perfect order for lunch after the Brooklyn Museum The menu changes seasonally, but order any vegetables that sound good, every bread product available, and at least one beautifully prepared meat. Then come back for the breakfast sandwich.

A Campania-themed restaurant with pastas so unique and elaborate that a trip to Italy becomes unnecessary.

The moment we knew we loved it: When we took a bite of chilled spaghetti, followed by a sip of rosé the color of a Ferrari.

A perfect order for a date night when you'd rather be in Positano: A crudo pizzette baked in an oven hauled in from Naples, followed by the chilled spaghetti with uni and prawn, the candele in a slow-cooked ragu, and the pasta mista.

This food court stall is all about celebrating crab roe, a Shanghainese speciality.

The moment we knew we loved it: Our first sip of the lovely, floral complimentary jujube tea.

A perfect order to fix a crabby mood: Bring someone you love—or just someone who loves crab roe—to split the silky crab roe over noodles and the soft pork meatballs filled with salty roe.

Go if you like… Eating an amazing meal off a plastic tray in a busy food court.