New Menus at Scarpetta, The JakeWalk, Dokebi

Maybe Scarpetta's not the "best" restaurant in New York (we haven't eaten at all of them!) but it's definitely our favorite. They just do so many things perfectly over there at the old Village Idiot space on West 14th; from chef Scott Conant's phenomenal pastas to the warm, relaxed atmosphere and the attentive yet intuitive service. We're not alone; critics adore the place too, and Conant's baby goat—braised with potatoes and peas, known as capretto—was just named the best in NYC by the Village Voice.

Tonight Scarpetta launches a five-course tasting menu, which costs $80 per person, or $120 with wine pairings. Not cheap, but so worth it. A table of two can start dinner with a duo of crudo & fritto misto followed by a choice of three hot appetizers, three different pastas and then two main courses, finishing with a selection of three desserts. The menu will change nightly, but tonight includes a crudo option of tuna "susci," marinated vegetables, preserved truffles; and a pasta choice such as agnolotti dal plin filled with mixed meat & fonduta, mushrooms & parmigiano. (Photo: Daniel Krieger)