apizz, 217 Eldridge Street, New York, NY 10002  tel. 212 253 9199; one of the finest Restaurant in the Lower East Side. Once you schlepped yourself down there and are inside apizz, you’ll be in no rush to leave its rustic and ingratiating hearthside. for not only do you instantly warm to a room built around an imposing, cycloramic brick oven but the aromas wafting from LaFemina’s homey and hearfelt dishes like wild-boar lasange, boccie ready meatballs with ricotta, and apple crumble impart their own seductive heat. Perfect for a cold winter evening or a romantic date.

Raoul’s, 180 Prince Street, New York, NY 10012 tel. 212 966 3518; this Soho bistro was a pinoeer when it opened in the mid seventies. Decorated with nudes, jazz portraits and tin ceiling and walls, this is where Europeans, kitten-like models, and longtime locals linger over thick steak au poivre with crispy frites, and fleshy steamed artichokes with thick dipping vinaigrette. A great hot spot - always ask for reservations in the front room - at the bar.

BONDST, 6 Bond Street, New  York, NY 10012 tel. 212 777 2500; the crowd is too cool, the rooms too cozy, the waiteres way too pretty. No way is this anywhere you’re going to get chirashi worth much more than a can of Bumble bee. You are about to be suprised. With food this fresh, original and virbantly spiced, the kitchen can easily taken on most traditional midtown sushi houses. My personal favourits are the braised pork, the arugula-carrot-crispy patatoe rolls with lots of spicy mayo. As well as the Edamame. Ask to get seated upstairs once you see the host.