Sazon NYC, New York

Genaro Morales is no stranger to New York's restaurant scene; his first Puerto Rican restaurant, Sofrito, still draws diners to its midtown Manhattan and White Plains locations. Sazon marks Morales's first venture into the crowded, hip market of downtown eateries, and he's already made his mark, attracting celebrity patrons such as Adrian Grenier. The authentic Caribbean dishes, such as mofongo and ropa vieja, earned a rating of "very good to excellent" from Zagat as well as a spot on Gotham magazine's list of must-visit Tribeca eateries.

Inside the two-story establishment, multitiered chandeliers and bright orange quilted walls bathe diners in a warm glow. The curvaceous bar wends serpent-like through one end of the space, covered in small tiles patterned to resemble snakeskin. Behind the scenes, chefs stuff plantains with beef picadillo or grill up slabs of spicy churrasco sausage to complement fruits of the sea such as calamari, shrimp, and red snapper.