Manhattan hot spots come and go (even more rapidly in the trendy Meatpacking District) but Pastis 2.0 is one watering hole that still glows anew. Keith McNally's impressively popular French bistro combines a painted tin ceiling, frosted globe lights, a curved zinc counter stocked with bottles of rosé on ice and precarious wooden stools to great effect.
In case the decor didn't tip you off, the menu is classic French. It's open all day, so pop in for a croissant and coffee in the morning, then swing by to satiate that late-night frites craving. Everything from moules to steak is better with frites, but don't overlook the vegetables—asparagus in béarnaise sauce is dreamy. Traditional desserts, such as crème brûlée and baba au rhum, round out the meal perfectly.