After an hour, we reached our unscientific conclusion: people come for the crepes, and stay for the comfortable albeit lively atmosphere. If music had been playing, we couldn't hear it over the low, pleasant rumble of conversation, like the subway gently idling outside of the station. Le Grainne Cafe has an open kitchen, creamed corn-colored walls and pressed tin ceilings, as well as a solid selection of French staples. It's best for: a date who stands out in a crowd. More

At night, Buvette in the West Village is often packed to capacity, diners shoulder-to-shoulder as they sip wine and nibble. But in the mornings, it's pleasantly sedate, smelling of coffee and toasting bread, morning light streaming in. And, it should go without saying, the food is fantastic. I live in Brooklyn and work in Chinatown. There's no reason in the world I should be passing through the West Village in the mornings. But I do, time and again, for breakfast at Buvette. More

Occasionally, the candles flickered really low, and we were eating in Brooklyn's equivalent of Dans le Noir. But there are worse problems to have than too much water and sometimes not being able to see your food. With its impossible-to-dislike atmosphere and cooking, Le Barricou is best for: a first date. More

I had heard people gushing about La Sirene for quite a long time, as it has a stellar reputation for being a cute, French, BYOB date spot. And that it certainly is—but consider yourself warned upfront that it is decidedly a splurge, so perhaps you should take extra precautions to make sure you really like your date first. More

In our Daily Veg series, we've been profiling vegetable dishes we love all over the city. But some restaurants do so many vegetable dishes so fantastically that we can't pick just one. So we're inducting them into our "Vegetable Heroes" hall of fame. First up? Buvette. More

As befits an ingredient so texturally challenging and confounding in taste, tripe is generally regarded with particular revulsion from its dissenters. But once you get past the idea of it, tripe becomes quite delicious. Almost always braised, its fortifying qualities also make it perfect late-night food for the winter months. More

Cafe Henri does a strong takeout business, but those who stay do seem to stay for a while, browsing the magazines on offer, ordering another café au lait, adding a commentary to the narrative outside the windows. With its simple but satisfying food and comfortable surroundings, Cafe Henri is best for: a lingering date. More

Ten dollars cheaper, and this place would be a steal. But with just 26 seats in the whole place, prices have to pay the rent. So, save this restaurant for a wet night, when the streetlights glitter in your sweetie's eyes, when splurging on dinner is still cheaper than a trip to Paris. 26 Seats is best for: un rancard amoureux. More

When Robyn Lee first wrote about macarons in 2007, there were some, but not many macaron shops in New York; but fast forward to 2011 and they're all over the place. But which macarons are the best in the city? We tasted hundreds to find out. More

In July, he opened his bakery, La Boulangerie, in Forest Hills. It's evidently a good-bread-deprived neighborhood, because on weekends the line is out the door. More