Alegria

Chef-owner Avner Samuel is a true genius in the kitchen! Yes, it's true that Aurora's awfully expensive, even before you order wine or leave the tip. But you'll feel as if you're dining in Paris... and it's worth a splurge.

Service can indeed be spotty, and the waits to be seated can be long -- but we really do like the food enough to brave some annoyances occasionally. The slow-roasted lomo sandwich is my fave, especially if made on a popover (not as huge and fab as the popovers at Neiman's Zodiac room, but good). Margaritas are fine but if you're not drinking alcohol, try a limonada Suiza, which has a sort of cocktail vibe and costs half as much as a marg.