Cornelia Street Café (CLOSED)

This 40-year-old bistro-cum-clubhouse in the West Village features a miniature basement cabaret devoted to readings and music, along with a genial dining room that opens to the sidewalk during warmer months. The solid vino list offers 35 different options by the glass, half-liter, liter and bottle. If you can’t decide, opt for one of the flights and start with small plates like coconut shrimp, Moroccan-style hummus or cheese and charcuterie board that changes daily. If you're looking for dinner a show, dig into orecchiette with cremini and portobello mushrooms and black truffle oil, or Long Island magret of duck in blackberry–pinot noir sauce with goat cheese gratin. End your night with a Frengelico-spiked root beer float or flight of dessert wines.