Best of Manhattan 2009

being part of a city of strivers, each year our editorial staff attempts to compile a shortlist of must-eats, must-haves, must-tries and must-visits for our fair borough. we call this feature "the best of manhattan," although most of the things we highlight are on the east and west sides. still, there are plenty of reasons to travel downtown-especially if food and drink are involved. this list is by no means exhaustive, but we do hope that even the most jaded new yorkers will find a few undiscovered gems in the following pages.

-charlotte eichna, editor eats and drinks arts and entertainment readers' choice poll city living services