Few of the really hyped up places I went to in NYC lived up to their reputations for me. Marlow and Sons in Williamsburg was one that did.

I stumbled onto this little hole in the wall near Grand Central, but after having one of their sweet Kolache pastries, I'm convinced this is the next big trend in New York City.

I admit that I am not a coffee connoisseur. I generally can't tell the difference between most popular brands of coffee (I acknowledge that many people like Peets over Starbucks, but I can't tell you why.) In fact, I'm so bad, that I even failed the Starbucks VIA challenge three times. So, how can I sit here and write about "good coffee"? Well, because Intelligentsia coffee is pretty amazing. Blue Bottle isn't bad either.

I tend to find high priced pizza to be something of an oxymoron. I associate pizza with late night post-party college face-stuffing, or with delivery guys who drive too fast, or with trying to save money when in Italy. Pizzas that cost twenty dollars generally annoy me unless they are the size of a small Uhaul. I've had my fair share of expensive pizzas that claim to use things like truffles, rare hams, and heirloom tomatoes that disappoint more often than surprise. Yet Pizzeria Mozza, part of Mario Batali's burgeoning restaurant empire, delivers pizzas that are worth every pricey penny. Rich in flavor with a substantive yet crispy crust and tons of topping choices, pizzas in Mozza show that expensive pies can indeed live up to their hype.

I remember thinking that Casa was a really cool spot in the middle of Bunker Hill in Downtown LA when I went last year for dinner with a friend. One of the few places in the neighborhood that was still open and alive, sitting outside in the open air surrounded by Bunker Hill's skyscrapers was an experience I hadn't had before. Unfortunately, I don't remember any of what I ate. It just wasn't very good. However, when faced with the dilemma of taking a visiting friend out for a LA meal in Bunker Hill again, Casa seemed like the only choice (Starry Kitchen, which is a pretty decent restaurant that should be tried, just didn't have the ambiance I thought a visitor would be interested in.)