Bubby's
This Tribeca restaurant serves American food with a southern and Mexican flair. It started off with modest and charming surroundings and doubled its space in four years. There's often a wait of 20-30 minutes, even in the winter. Brunch is popular partly because of the banana-walnut pancakes. Don't pass on the apple pie -- Bubby's bakes all its pies from scratch. Smoking is permitted in one section of the restaurant. Monday-Friday for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Saturday and Sunday for brunch and dinner. $$. Most major credit cards. 120 Hudson St. (at Franklin Street; near the Franklin Street subway station), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-219-0666. Fax 212-219-0076. http://www.bubbys.com/html/frames1.html.

Carnegie Deli
The best known New York deli, with brisk (and brusque) waiters, movie-star photos, close-packed tables and, best of all, towering corned beef and pastrami sandwiches. Round things out with blintzes, some matzoh-ball soup and a piece of cheesecake. Daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Open late. $-$$. No credit cards. 854 7th Ave. (near the 7th Avenue subway station), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-757-2245. Toll-free 800-334-5606. Fax 212-757-9889. http://www.carnegiedeli.com.

Gray's Papaya
A grimy, small, cramped corner eatery with greasy countertops and an indifferent staff -- and some of the best hot dogs in the city. If you're in search of a dirt-cheap, charmingly no-frills New York City meal, there are few better places. The dogs are the perfect blend of crunchy and juicy, and the toppings (sauerkraut, stewed onions) are equally well-prepared. You can also choose from an array of foamy fruit drinks, including coconut juice, virgin banana daiquiris (our favorite) or a papaya shake (hence the store's name). It sounds like an unusual combination, but it works surprisingly well. Daily 24 hours. $. No credit cards. 2090 Broadway (at 72nd Street; near the 72nd Street subway station at Broadway), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-799-0243.

Katz's Delicatessan
This much-beloved New York deli on the Lower East Side has been around for more than a century. It also has the added distinction of providing the setting for the famous deli scene in the film, When Harry Met Sally. You can choose to wait in line at the counter, or grab a table against the wall where a waiter or waitress will take your order and probably call you "honey." The knishes and pastrami are terrific, and the portions are huge. For some reason, they have a confusing payment system where they make you take a ticket when you enter and show it when you leave, at which time you pay. Just don't lose your ticket. If you do, no one will be calling you "honey" for long. Daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Open late Friday and Saturday. $-$$. Most major credit cards. 205 E. Houston (at Ludlow Street; near the 2nd Avenue and Delancey Street subway stations), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-254-2246. Fax 212-674-3270.

Tribeca Grill
Loftlike restaurant with an ornate mahogany bar and such Mediterranean-style dishes as pan-seared red snapper with toasted vegetable orzo. The limos aren't lined up like they used to be, but you still might spot a celebrity filmmaker from the Tribeca Film Center upstairs. Monday-Friday for lunch and dinner, Saturday for dinner only, Sunday for brunch and dinner. Reservations recommended. $$$$. Most major credit cards. 375 Greenwich St. (near the Franklin Street subway station), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-941-3900.