- The poster couple for cute East Village restaurants, Jack and Grace Lamb, brings us Degustation in the 16 seat spot next to Jewel Bako. The menu is small plate-style, with Spanish and French influences. 239 East Fifth Street, (212) 979-1012. [via NYT, Thrillist] more ›

The readers at sushi NYC love Jewel Bako. And the Lambs' other restaurant, Jack's Luxury Oyster Bar, is a great place for some oysters and drinks or for a decadent tasting menu. more ›

Jina Wye, MBA Student more ›

Other Nominees: more ›

A good way to start an evening: Meet a friend at Jack's Luxury Oyster Bar, which is handsomely decorated in a dear carriage house. Kick back with some Kir Royales or some other apertif. Enjoy the quail egg with creme fraiche and black bread with jalapeno cheese spread. Then have Oysters Eight Ways. And Oysters Rockefeller Deconstructed. More cocktails. Then the Shrimp Cocktail. And fresh scallops. Waddle to the street happy. more ›

Gothamist headed to the Blue Goose Cafe on Second Avenue and 6th Street for an afternoon snack with T, who, not so coincidentally, was our companion when we frequented owners Jack and Grace Lamb's other East Village venture, the wonderful Jewel Bako. With pastries from Payard, Ceci Cela, and Sullivan Street Bakery, the Blue Goose is as close to a sure thing a simple cafe can be, but the Lambs have added their elegant touch. more ›