Upper West Side

Earthen Oven (Indian)
53 West 72nd Street (Columbus Ave)
212-579-8888
NY Times review

Aix
2398 Broadway at 88th Street
212-874-7400
New York magazine review

AWASH
(212) 961-1416; 947 Amsterdam Avenue (106th Street);
NY Times: Awash, a small but crowded Ethiopian spot, excels at vegetarian dishes like shiro, spiced chickpeas with chopped onions, peppers and herbs; and at kitfo, a raw beef delicacy.

NOCHE MEXICANA
(212) 662-6900; 852 Amsterdam Avenue (102nd Street); NY Times
NY Times: Noche Mexicana offers a full range of tacos and other antijitos, or street snacks. The tacos are made the authentic way, with two soft corn tortillas providing a gripping surface for the fillings like pork chunks and pineapple, augmented by lettuce, tomatoes, onions and cilantro.

Bouchon Bakery
10 Columbus Circle, nr. 59th St., third fl.; 212-823-9366

Rack & Soul - Southern food
2818 Broadway, at 109th St.; 212-222-4800