[Photograph: Alice Gao]

Perla in the West Village: Gabriel Stulman's Latest Hit: Perla seems very much a neighborhood restaurant, but it's stately and sophisticated, a restaurant that belongs on Minetta Lane, with all that name connotes.

First Look: Burritt Room and Tavern, San Francisco: Chef Ashley Weaver shared a number of dishes at Charlie Palmer's new restaurant in the Mystic Hotel, which will remain on the menu year-round, while adjusting to account for in-season fruits and vegetables.

Standing Room Only: Jimmy Bannos Sr.'s Big Easy in the Chase Tower: What this New Orleans-inspired stand lacks in the ambiance of its sister Heaven on Seven, it makes up for in convenience and affordability, making it a solid lunch option for those on the go.

Reality Check: Burger King Japan's Apple-topped Ringo Burger: Japan is a country known for trying out flavor combinations that few others would--tomato-flavored white chocolate, anyone?--so it's no surprise Burger King in Japan released the BK Ringo: a burger with lettuce, honey mustard, mayo, and a slice of apple (ringo in Japanese).

Six Flatbreads in San Francisco that Raise One Big Question: Not quite a bread, not yet a pizza: six curious, quirky topped flatbreads in San Francisco.

• Perla in the West Village: Gabriel Stulman's Latest Hit: Perla seems very much a neighborhood restaurant, but it's stately and sophisticated, a restaurant that belongs on Minetta Lane, with all that name connotes.
• First Look: Burritt Room and Tavern, San Francisco: Chef Ashley Weaver shared a number of dishes at Charlie Palmer's new restaurant in the Mystic Hotel, which will remain on the menu year-round, while adjusting to account for in-season fruits and vegetables.
• Standing Room Only: Jimmy Bannos Sr.'s Big Easy in the Chase Tower: What this New Orleans-inspired stand lacks in the ambiance of its sister Heaven on Seven, it makes up for in convenience and affordability, making it a solid lunch option for those on the go.
• Reality Check: Burger King Japan's Apple-topped Ringo Burger: Japan is a country known for trying out flavor combinations that few others would--tomato-flavored white chocolate, anyone?--so it's no surprise Burger King in Japan released the BK Ringo: a burger with lettuce, honey mustard, mayo, and a slice of apple (ringo in Japanese).
• Six Flatbreads in San Francisco that Raise One Big Question: Not quite a bread, not yet a pizza: six curious, quirky topped flatbreads in San Francisco.
• Los Angeles: Los Cinco Puntos Really Is That Good: A squat and vibrantly painted building that overlooks a confluence of five different streets--Cinco Puntos means "the five points"—these guys are at once a neighborhood small grocer, local lunch spot, and takeaway dinner destination.
• Knockout Noodles: Japchae at Tozi: Japchae is a pretty uncommon sight in Chicago's Korean restaurants. At Tozi, the japchae rocks all that good stuff and more.

Los Angeles: Los Cinco Puntos Really Is That Good: A squat and vibrantly painted building that overlooks a confluence of five different streets--Cinco Puntos means "the five points"—these guys are at once a neighborhood small grocer, local lunch spot, and takeaway dinner destination.

Knockout Noodles: Japchae at Tozi: Japchae is a pretty uncommon sight in Chicago's Korean restaurants. At Tozi, the japchae rocks all that good stuff and more.