Shi perfectly encapsulates this section of Long Island City. Both exude glitter and polish and sexy elegance, deliberate planning and careful marketing and a little bit of blandness. From inside, you watch Manhattan shine and sparkle, doing the dance it's done in the imaginations of so many for so long. With its floor-to-ceiling windows and plush leather seats, Shi is best for: a loungey date with a lovely view. More

Lower Manhattan just went from zero to two kaiten (conveyor belt sushi) spots in the same week. One kosher, one Mexican. Yes, Mexican. More

There's no denying it: sushi is all about the fish. But vegetarians who love their sushi do have one distinct advantage—it's much cheaper. Considering that top-quality sushi bars are never a bargain, this is definitely an advantage worth exploiting. With that in mind, I decided to explore the vegetarian rolls at one of the more popular (and not-so-cheap) downtown sushi restaurants, Blue Ribbon Sushi. More

Editor's note: Please welcome Zachary Feldman. His column, "In the Midnight Hour," will take you to a different late-night eatery every week. First up: 2:00am sushi. Here's Zachary! [Photos: Zachary Feldman] The Upper East Side is often blasted for having... More

[Photo: Kathy YL Chan] At Ennju right off Union Square, the Miso Katsu Don ($9.50) often shows up as a daily special. It's self-service; order at the counter and wait for your dish. There's plenty of seating, but you... More

While the New York of 2010 may seem to have as many Japanese restaurants as hot dog carts, they're not all created equal. Sure, Manhattan has an impressive number of high-caliber sushi destinations, for those times you're willing to shell out for omakase—but you'll pay dearly for the privilege. What we're always on the lookout for? What Ed Levine once called the "Sushi Holy Grail"—neighborhood restaurants that do simple sushi, right, at a reasonable price. More

[Photo: Kathy YL Chan] Last week we brought you the lunch special at Greenwich Grill in Tribeca—$12 for three courses. This week we're back with an equally wonderful deal from its sister restaurant Sushi Azabu. Ed reviewed Sushi Azabu... More

[Photo: Kathy Chan] Hasaki is a neighborhood Japanese restaurant I find myself at once or twice a week. It would be lovely to dine at the likes of Sushi Yasuda or 15 East every time a sushi craving arose,... More

Editor's note: In "Apps Only," Ben Fishner will be eating his way through New York's appetizer, bar, and lounge menus as your guide to fine dining on a budget. Clockwise from bottom left: Edamame, Fried Taro Potatoes, and the... More

[Photos: Joe DiStefano] New York City's most diverse borough has plenty of pizzerias, from old-school slice joints like New Park Pizza in Howard Beach and brick-oven spots like Nick's in Forest Hills to ethnic interpretations like bulgogi pizza. I... More