Where: Gaia Italian Cafe

226 E 3rd St
New York, NY 10009

Why: Everything is perfect because Gaia (the owner) is the perfect NYC restaurant owner. She is a gift to the city.

What: It’s impossible to have a bad meal here. Gaia’s panini’s are now famous in New York. But so, too, should be her pasta, her tortellini soup, her pizza, and antipasto.