In a city that changes faster than you can go from uptown to down, Raoul’s (open since the 1970s) is a stalwart—here long before SoHo was a brand name. Once inside, order a cocktail and admire the art-filled walls; it’s a veritable walk down memory lane for the bohemian set. This is a place where diners return for consistently well-prepared French American cooking. The kitchen has a delicate touch as seen in the golden-brown jumbo lump crab beignets with a drizzle of Fresno chili remoulade. Duck cooked to medium-rare accompanied by seared foie gras and duck confit on a bed of lentils is a delight. Few things beat profiteroles filled with vanilla ice cream and served with a tableside pour of hot fudge.