The Best Of...

This is the time of year that New York's venerable weeklies reveal their "Best Of" lists. The Village Voice, New York Press and Citysearch dispense much good advice, and listed below is Salli's rather short contribution of superlatives. In some cases, these are not food recommendations, but curiosities.

Best Way to Happily Surprise a Friend
Dessert Delivery (they'll deliver the same day if you call before 3:00 p.m.)
360 E 55th St. (212) 838-5411.

Most Daunting Menu
Sweet-n-Tart Café
136-11 38th Ave., Flushing. (718) 661-3380.

Best Place to Stuff Oneself with Antipasti
Il Mulino (check out those giant stalagmites of Parmigiano)
86 W. 3rd St. (212) 673-3783.

Most Enthusiastic Proponent of Pavé d'Affinois, an Extraordinarily Buttery Soft Cheese
The Cashier at Ninth Avenue Cheese Markets
615 9th Ave. (212) 397-4700.

Most Artistic Meal Presentation
Kai
822 Madison Ave., (212) 988-7277.

Biggest Statue of the Buddha
Tao
42 E. 58th St. (212) 888-2288.

Tastiest Frites
B. Frites (CLOSED, oh well)
1657 Broadway. (212) 767-0858.

Friendliest Sushi Bar
Japonica (they remember your name and offer extra bowls of rice)
100 University Place. (212) 243-7752.

Most Mismatched Chairs
Caffé Rafaella (This location has closed)
134 7th Ave. South. (212) 929-7247.

Most Satisfying Lunch Splurge
Caviarteria (try the "pastrami" salmon) (CLOSED; looking for new location per 6/25/08 phone call)
502 Park Avenue., (212) 759-7410.

Best Place to Watch Gorgeous Yuppies
Park Avalon (CLOSED)
225 Park Ave. South. (212) 533-2500.

Best Fried Oysters
Pearl Oyster Bar
18 Cornelia St. (212) 691-8211.

Most Bizarre Schedule
Ferdinando's Focacceria Restaurant
151 Union St., Brooklyn. (718) 855-1545.

Best Music During Sunday Brunch
Coffee Shop (Brazilian jazz)
29 Union Sq. West. (212) 243-7969.

Most Delicious After-Dinner Biscotti
De Grezia
231 E. 50th St. (212) 750-5353

Greatest Amount of Icing Flowers on a Cupcake
Cupcake Café
522 9th Ave. (212) 465-1530.

Best Place to Celebrate Your Hungarian Grandma's 85th Birthday
Caterina's
316 East 53rd St., (212) 355-5360.

Most Chivalrous Service
Gramercy Tavern (written about below; spectacular food, too!)
42 E. 20th St. (212) 477-0777.

Salli's Favorite Macrobiotic Restaurant
Ozu (try the raspberry tofu cheesecake)
566 Amsterdam Ave. (212) 787-8316.

Best French Onion Soup
La Bonne Soupe
48 West 55th St. (212) 586-7650.

That's all, folks! All this typing is making me hungry!