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I recommend the Pea Shoots with two eggs (duck egg and 1,000 year egg) at Cantoon Gardens (Elizabeth, between Canal and Bayard, east side of street); Pork Wonton Soup at NY Noodletown (I've heard you can't go wrong with the shrimp wonton either - crnr of Bayard and Bowery); just about any of the casseroles at Congee Village (Allen Street - their baked chicken is also excellent); soup dumplings at New Green Bo, on Bayard (have heard raves about their Tong To Pork as well); the legendary "Combination Bun" at the Bayard Street warhorse, Mei Lei Wah Coffee Shop; meatball congee, as well as a variety of Hong Kong style cheese covered dishes at XO Kitchen (on Hester); the congees are generally excellent at Congee, on Bowery, as well (I have heard they also have excellent medicinal soups as well, cooked with black chicken and dates); the dumplings and sesame pancakes at Dumpling House on Eldridge Street (although rumour has it that Prosperity Dumpling, also on Eldridge, is even better); New Wonton Gardens, on Mott Street, serves up some excellent, nuts and bolts noodle dishes for cheap; Speaking of cheap, you might want to check out some of the Fujianese places that have started to line Division Street between the Manhattan Bridge and Chatham Square, such as New Bei Wei and Golden Bowl, for - if not the best food - the best value in Chinatown. 3 choices out of many dishes, rice and soup for about 4 or 5 bucks. For dessert, go for bubble tea at any number of bakeries such as Fay Da, on Mott I believe, or some Egg Custard tarts out of the psychedelic kickline selection that greats you from under the counter at Egg Custard King on the southeast corner of Grand and Chrystie. Enjoy. P.

Interesting what you say about Absolute Bagels. It just so happens that my favorite bialy place in Queens, Hot Bialys on the edge of Kew Gardens, is also run by a Thai family.

Coincidence...?

Hard to disagree about Babbo as one of the best restaurants in NYC. Have been there twice, met the man once. He was as nice and as gracious as he seems on TV, and, as you say, that warmth translates into the entire dining experience.

I would just say this: Babbo is almost impossible, for any number of reasons, to frequent. It is not what I would call an "everyday", or "neighborhood", kind of place, the kind of place you can manage on, say, a monthly basis. These kind of places deserve a category of their own, places like, say, L&B Spumoni Gardens out in Bensonhurst. While hardly charting in the top 10 for food, the pasta dishes (not to mention the sicilian slice) are rock solid. Plus, the cultural, neighborhood vibe can't be beat.

Have heard great things about Il Mulino. Anyone have any reviews?

I've heard so much about that pork sandwich at Tony Luke's, that I can practically taste it. A trip to Hell's Kitchen is imminent.

In the meantime, I'll cast my vote for the three crisp and moist fried whitings (wheat bread served on the side)with tartar and barbecue sauce, better known as the good old fried fish sandwich at A Taste of Seafood up on the corner of 125th and Madison. That's a mouthful of soul for you.

Also, just about any of the Bahn Mi at Sunset Park's Ba Xuyen - which serves them up with extra fresh pickled veggies on a crisp, toasty bagette.

I'm also looking forward to trying the new Momofuku wrap that Ed wrote about earlier.

I have to agree with Sara - it's a texture thing.

True, the BT sandwich would taste good, but I need that crunch.

If the lettuce is fresh enough, it's like Sensurround in your mouth.

So, Ed, it's a texture, sound and crunch thing.

Ed, you have to update your list here. Rack & Soul's fried chicken was nowhere near one of the best in the city. It wasn't bad, but it was very average to say the most.

I must give a non-NYC fried chicken tip to everyone though. If you ever find yourself in or near Nashville, TN, go to Prince's Hot Chicken. It is truly amazing fried chicken (and really hot).

At the Dumpling House, on Eldridge between Broome and Grand, $1 will get you a pint of the best wonton soup you've ever had, 5 succulent fried pork and scallion dumplings, or 4 tasty pork buns. A giant sesame pancake sandwich tips the scale at $1.25 for vegetable and $1.50 for tuna or beef, but its worth the extra quarters.

The best pies I have ever eaten are Sandy's homemade pies. Her crust is definitely the best I have ever seen or tasted. Sandy's pies are available at Grand Beach Cafe in Old Orchard, Me. You have to try a slice and you will know they are the best you have ever tasted.

Hi Ed,

I read the article back in September and there was a place I was dying to try once I got home from college for winter break. It was in Rockville Centre, NY and I remember you saying it had an excellent crab cake sandwich. Can you (or anyone else reading this) post the name of the restaurant? Thanks!

What about Umanoff and Parsons? I did think having tried a few of their pies last Thanksgiving, that some of the pies did not live up to my memories (I had remembered adoring their chocolate pecan pie for example, but was disapointed with what I got last year-- way too sweet, and all mushed together rather than the bittersweet chocolate chunks that I remembered...) I do think many of their fruit pies with crumb toppings are good though....