Lafayette

On the corner of Lafayette Street and Great Jones in NoHo, chef Andrew Carmellini runs this French grand cafe and bakery, its pastry program drawing as much attention as the dining room. The Infatuation compared it favorably to Balthazar after its own sixteen-year run, while Time Out called it warm without quite catching fire -- 'more controlled burn than conflagration.' The bakery counter does pickup and delivery, and tables can be booked through the site.