KTCHN Restaurant, New York

Although KTCHN Restaurant doesn't stray too far from tradition, it does manage to inject some metropolitan flair into its menu. The chefs elevate challah french toast by topping it with fruit, coconut, and tiny skyscrapers, and put a spin on the usual appetizer with cheddar-quinoa bites accompanied by a piquillo pepper aioli.

Guests enjoy these new American dishes, as well as time-tested entrees such as the French dip, in one of two dining areas, each with its own distinctive character. In the back, a long communal table serves as the focal point in a space with dark wooden floors and taupe walls. The front section takes a more modern approach, surrounding diners with a melange of "glass, wood, formica, stainless steel, marble, [and] Lucite," according to the Daily News.