Poi Doughnuts ($8) at Lani Kai come eight to an order—tiny, puffy orbs dusted in powdered sugar. More

Served at both lunch and brunch, Lani Kai's Egg Sandwich ($9) is a simple, no-fuss classic done well. More

If any place can make you forget about the frigid winter for a few hours, it's Lani Kai, the "modern tropical" bar recently opened by cocktail impresario Julie Reiner (Clover Club, Flatiron Lounge). Simply order up a Liquid Luau of Gold Coast Punch--aged rum, pineapple, lime, allspice and Champagne--for the group ($65) and embark on a nice long tour of the island-inspired menu by chef Craig Rivard. More

"I had a lychee tree in my front yard and a mango tree in my back yard; those are the flavors that I often work with." [Photograph: Lush Life Productions] In 2003, Julie Reiner opened the Flatiron Lounge, which was... More