BRUNCH
If the divine menus at these spots don’t get you out of bed in the morning, nothing will.

BENOIT
60 West 55th Street, 646-943-7373; benoit-newyork.com
Legendary chef Alain Ducasse’s latest venture offers Francophiles a taste of Paris in Manhattan. Executive chef Sébastien Rondier whips up many of the original century-old recipes from the famed Benoit bistro in (where else?) Paris.

CAFÉ LUXEMBOURG
200 West 70th Street, 212-873-7411; cafeluxembourg.com
For the past 25 years, this neighborhood bistro on the Upper West Side has been curing hangovers with natural prime sirloin steak and eggs, lobster rolls, and duck hash.

GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT
483 Amsterdam Avenue, 212-496-0163; goodenoughtoeat.com
To sample the heavenly homemade pies, Belgian chocolate and coconut pancakes, or bacon waffles, be prepared to wait awhile for a table at this tiny, jam-packed spot (no reservations).

ISABELLA’S
359 Columbus Avenue, 212-724-2100; brguestrestaurants.com
House specials like filet mignon Benedict and caramelized bananastuffed French toast are what keep this Upper West Side institution hopping during its all-day Sunday brunch.

PASTIS
9 Ninth Avenue, 212-929-4844; pastisny.com
On weekends, the chic set rolls out of bed to laze away the day at a spot that put the Meatpacking District on the map. Try the French 75 cocktail and a croque monsieur.


FIVE-STAR SPOTS
When only the best of the best will do, snag a table at these forever fabulous restaurants.

DANIEL
60 East 65th Street, 212-288-0033; danielnyc.com
The jewel in star chef Daniel Boulud’s glittering crown, Daniel is still the spot to celebrate, propose, or just indulge in a beyond compare French feast.

FOUR SEASONS RESTAURANT
99 East 52nd Street, 212-754-9494; fourseasonsrestaurant.com
For the city’s Type As, there’s no other place to power-lunch—here, careers are made, takeovers are plotted, and food is devoured.

HARRY CIPRIANI
781 Fifth Avenue, 212-753-5566; cipriani.com
Bellini, anyone? After an exhausting afternoon of shopping at Bergdorf’s and Barneys, nothing recharges better than a little dolce vita at this Fifth Avenue favorite.

LA GRENOUILLE
3 East 52nd Street, 212-752-1495; la-grenouille.com
Lavish floral arrangements, candlelit tables, and rich red banquettes make this one of the most romantic spots in the city. The menu, an ode to classic French food, like oxtail braised in Burgundy, has delighted diners since 1962.

LE CIRQUE
151 East 58th Street, 212-644-0202; lecirque.com
The latest incarnation of Le Cirque is located on the first floor of the sleek Bloomberg Tower and features a sexy bar where the younger set congregates. Old school New Yorkers remain faithful to this dining institution for its stellar service, who’s-who clientele, and classic menu.

MEGU
62 Thomas Street, 212-964-7777; megunyc.com
With a 10-page sake list, an eight page menu that offers sushi flown in daily from Japan, and nearly 300 seats in a dramatic 13,000-squarefoot space, Megu makes a major impression.

NOBU
105 Hudson Street, 212-219-0500; myriadrestaurantgroup.com
The flagship of celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s global sushi empire, Nobu in Tribeca’s David Rockwell designed space pleases palates with a magical menu of South America-meets-Japan fusion.