Crudo, New York

Under the glow of blue and purple neon lights, Crudo's Caribbean-Italian fusion fare makes its way to diners from the hands of chef Rene Hernandez, settling down alongside cocktails, beer, and wine from the sleek marble bar. Piled-high plates rest calmly atop the white tablecloths that cloak the dining area's wooden tables, and high ceilings provide plenty of head room for building tall towers of salmon piccata, penne alla vodka, grilled skirt steak, and Cuban-style shredded beef. During warmer months, diners nosh beneath hanging lanterns and bright red canopies in an open-air outdoor seating area. The island cuisine also fuels trips to nearby hotspots that include Macy's on 34th Street, Manhattan Center, and Madison Square Garden.