American classics -- burgers to lobster rolls

Family-style dinners -- with or without the family

While you might want to take a break from your family after the holidays, family-style dining can still be lots of fun. Whether it's big bowls of pasta to pass around, appetizer-like dishes to share or endless salad bar selections to choose from, restaurants that cater to serving groups help keep up the convivial feel of the night. So grab some friends -- or family, if you dare -- and dig in at one of these places:

Sustenance for a shopper

Here, we list the most luxurious department store restaurants to take a little time out.

Pumpkin season: where to indulge a seasonal taste

So much more than a squash, the colorful pumpkin is now in season. The familiar orange gourd, thought to originate in North America, lends itself well to a variety of preparations, both savory and sweet. And though I¹m sure you¹ll still crave classic pumpkin pie, here¹s where you can taste pumpkin in other culinary creations.

Lobster: on a roll

As the weather heats up, we go looking for that ultimate New England treat: lobster rolls. Here's where we found them.

Barbecue madness

We don't -- or most of us don't, anyway -- have a backyard grill.

Turkey with no trouble

You say you want tradition, but you don't want to bother cooking the dinner? Never mind, the city's top chefs will do it for you. All you have to do is make a reservation. Do it soon, though. Plenty of other people have got the same idea.

Tap into American classics

When you want a casual meal, or a place to eat and hang out for the night afterward, there's no better place than a pub.

All-American Burgers

What's more comforting than a classic burger -- thick, juicy, done to a T and capped with melted cheese.

The best sandwiches in New York City

Some people call them sandwiches. Some people call them sangwiches. And some people even call them samiches. Whatever you call them, you've been eating them all your life.

Here's the Beef - Classic City Steakhouses

A Great Cup of Coffee -- or a Pot of Tea

Bring a laptop, spend the day. Some choices for a good cup of coffee or tea.

Where To Get A Good Breakfast

Forget the leftover pizza, here are 10 places to chow down on a hearty breakfast.

Hot Chocolate Gets Real

We tasted hot chocolate all over New York. Here is a list of our favorites.

Bountiful Brunches

Whether you're bringing a crowd or settling in for a Sunday-morning meal for two, here are ten of our favorite brunch places.

Shore thing: 10 places to dine by the water

Here is a selection of places to eat -- or just sip a drink -- by the water's edge.

Best Bar Snacks

There's nothing better than a great drink after work. Unless, perhaps, you enjoy a great drink with fabulous – and sometimes free – bar snacks. If that's of interest to you, check out one of the following spots for tasty grub at your local pub.

Where to get great coffee

Asking about where to get the best coffee is a little like asking about where to get the city's best pizza. Everybody's got an opinion. With a nod to our readers, who recommended coffee places from Brooklyn to Staten Island, here are some of our favorite places for a cup of coffee, a pot of tea, and a quick snack.

Great grilled cheese

As the cooler weather settles in, there's nothing more comforting at the table than a warm grilled cheese sandwich. Whether a classic American on white or a fancy raclette on baguette, here are some varieties that will keep you satisfied.

Best NYC cheesesteaks

Philadelphians are just as particular about their cheesesteaks as New Yorkers are about their pizza. So, when someone claims to have an "authentic" version outside the City of Brotherly Love, it's usually met with scoffs.

Red, white and BBQ

When New Yorkers do something, we do it right, and nowadays, the city is one of the country's best BBQ towns. You can find every style of pit-smoked pork and beef here, and it's all good.

NY's top scoops

As if you need an excuse to go out for ice cream in this weather, it's National Ice Cream Month. So step out of your air-conditioned cocoon and treat yourself to the scoop of your choice, whether a simple vanilla cone under the Brooklyn Bridge or an exotic cup of wasabi in Chinatown. There's no better relief from the heat.

Street food without the street

If you think the San Gennaro festival is your only shot at scoring delectable street foods--think again: upscale eateries are serving festival foods like cotton candy, zeppole, and corn dogs to comfort-food craving customers. Here's where you can find the tasty treats: