Fans reserve tables up to four weeks in advance at this Danny Meyer classic, but the best seats in the house are at the walk-in bar, with sociable, knowledgeable staffers. Wherever you’re plonked, take your taste buds on a Roman holiday. Maialino’s lip-smacking, rustic Italian fare is created using produce from the nearby Union Square Greenmarket.
A solid wine list and good-value $48 prix-fixe lunch (Monday to Friday) seals the deal. Maialino is a 'hospitality included' restaurant, so you don't need to tip waitstaff.