Come to Gramercy Tavern and you'll be treated like a king. The service alone gives it five stars, and the food makes it a perfect 10 (a mythical achievement in the 5-star yelp rating system). But seriously, I wish I could give it more stars.

There are two sections of Gramercy Tavern. The first when you walk in is the Tavern, a lively room of excellent drinks and food. It's walk-in only, and you can choose to grab a table or sit at the bar. Both have separate waiting lists, but it didn't seem to take long to grab a spot at the bar. The second section of the restaurant is the dining room, which also has its own menu and reservation system.

My experience on this occasion was in the tavern area. Make no mistake, the tavern is no ordinary bar. The bartender doesn't need your credit card to open a tab because he can remember you, even if you've never been there before. They actually address you by your name when they ask if you want another drink. I know it doesn't seem like a big deal, but in NYC where it's easy to be just another face in the crowd, it's nice to find a place with such hospitality.

The food is no joke either. The menu is everything you'd expect and more from a Michelin star restaurant. I had the arctic char and roasted oysters, both of which go well together for an excellent starter. Unfortunately I couldn't resist the appeal of these two dishes and forgot to take photos before I ate them.

The grilled duck is the best duck I've had. I felt like it was perfectly seasoned and cooked just right. The bed of asparagus and other veggies was a nice balancing touch. The staff even poured me a glass of fine Italian red on the house to pair with the duck. Talk about service.

Dessert deserves an equal piece of this review too. When it comes to dessert menus, I'm often like a kid in a candy store that can't make up his mind. I eventually settled for something warm and went for the rhubarb crisp. To describe it briefly, it made me grateful for all the life decisions that led me to eating it.

I try not to go to the same restaurant more than once because there are so many options in New York, but Gramercy Tavern will undoubtedly be an exception. I already know I'll be coming back. Soon.

For delicious authentic Thai food, Somtum Der is the place to go. They have a location in Bangkok that I've also had the opportunity to visit. There are a few differences in the menu, but for the most part it's the same, as is the food quality. You'll find a lot of spicy salads and meat dishes that you won't find in a typical Thai restaurant in the city. The perfect place to go if you're into spicy food (but in case you're not, they ask if spicy is ok when you order). A nice cozy, casual feel that pairs well with the food, and a mix of communal and private tables. I'd even venture to say this might be one of my favorite restaurants in the city. Especially recommend the spicy duck salad!

Just to clarify, this isn't the place to come if you're looking for the highest quality Chinese food. If you're looking for Chinese food done quick and dirty, this place gets the job done, and it's the perfect place to pick up dinner on the way back home. Everything on the menu is dirt cheap and has a photo on the wall (perfect for those who are visually inclined/too lazy to read a menu). A few tables/seats inside as well, in case you're too famished to take your food to-go.

What's the best way to describe Little Sheep? It's the kind of place that will leave you thinking about how epic the food was for days after you've had it. That's certainly how I feel right now.

The wait time for a table can be pretty crazy for larger groups, but believe me, good things come with patience. Unless you're really not into spicy, I'd recommend just getting the broth half and half (half spicy, half original). As far as items to order, you really can't go wrong with anything you pick. Also, don't forget to order the sides --- they tend to get neglected under the magnificence of the hot pot broth, but I think they really enhance the meal (go for the Mongolian beef pie). Trust me, you'll be leaving a lot more full then you'll wish.