Hatsuhana
Order prix-fixe to sample a little of everything. A la carte specialties include tempura and salmon teriyaki. Monday-Friday for lunch and dinner, Saturday for dinner only. Reservations required. $$$. Most major credit cards. 17 E. 48th St. (near the 47-50th Streets-Rockefeller Center subway station), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-355-3345. Fax 212-759-6774. http://www.hatsuhana.com/newyork.

Indochine
The food is French Vietnamese, the decor is tropical and the preoccupation is people watching -- celebrities of all stripes routinely pack into the plush green booths. Daily for dinner. Reservations recommended. $$$. Most major credit cards. 430 Lafayette St. (between Astor Place and 4th Street; near the Broadway-Lafayette Street subway station), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-505-5111. Fax 212-477-0397.

Match Uptown
This hot spot serves up dishes with an Asian twist, including spicy duck pizza with shiitake mushrooms and wok-seared bluefin tuna with soba-noodle salad. Daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended. $$$. Most major credit cards. 33 E. 60th St. (near the Lexington Avenue-59th Street subway station), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-906-9177. Fax 212-906-9122.

Mitali
Among the best Indian restaurants in all of New York. Favorite dishes include shrimp curry and tandoori chicken. Daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended. $$. Most major credit cards. 334 E. 6th St. (between 1st and 2nd Avenues; Astor Place subway station), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-533-2508.

Nobu
Tasty, creative Japanese food with a California twist. Actor Robert DeNiro is one of the owners of this place, which serves a trendy downtown crowd of dolled-up, wealthy people. The sushi is truly excellent. Monday-Friday for lunch and dinner, Saturday and Sunday for dinner only. Reservations required (call a month in advance). $$$$. Most major credit cards. 105 Hudson St. (near the Franklin Street subway station), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-219-0500.

Sugi No Ko
A charming sushi place in the unassuming Murray Hill neighborhood. Generous and beautifully presented entrees. Don't be surprised if the sushi chefs give you a free side dish. The daily happy hour 5-7 pm knocks 20% of all menu items. Monday-Friday for lunch and dinner, Saturday and Sunday for dinner only. 720 2nd Ave. (between 38th and 39th Streets; near the 42nd Street-Grand Central subway station), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-557-5955.

Vong
This beautifully decorated French/Thai restaurant offers highly creative cuisine to a chic clientele. Rabbit curry and Valrhona chocolate cake are among the offerings. Monday-Friday for lunch and dinner, Saturday and Sunday for dinner only. Reservations required. $$$$. Most major credit cards. 200 E. 54th St. (near the 51st Street-Lexington Avenue subway station), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-486-9592.

Wo Hop
A tiny, below-sidewalk-level Chinatown gem that's open all night and very cheap. We like the small but very flavorful wonton soups, chicken in black bean sauce and the chow fun noodles. More adventurous palates will enjoy the Cantonese crab. Daily 24 hours. $. No credit cards. 17 Mott St. (between Canal Street and Park Row; near the East Broadway subway station), New York City. Phone 212-267-2536.