Chanterelle – New York City

Step into the vestibule of this 21-year-old downtown establishment, and enter an oasis of calm in the busiest of cities. The simplicity of the hushed dining room, with its large windows and elegant chandeliers, and the menus (which change monthly) written in the owner’s (Karen Waltuck, the chef’s wife) unique handwriting lend a carefully crafted, homemade feel to what could be yet another stuffy French restaurant. Do order chef David Waltuck’s signature grilled seafood sausage, and by all means, save room for the course of artisinal cheeses. Avoid lunch; while the prices are slightly lower, the menu is less extensive, and the room seems far less cozy.

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