Danny Meyer's Union Square Cafe is one of America's most popular restaurants. Why? Because it eschews fads and flash to concentrate on producing imaginative but satisfying food served up in relaxed and comfortable setting. It sounds simple, but few are the places that manage this balance with quite so much style. The café has been going strong for over twenty years now and the formula still seems to work. The menu is solidly American, robust and seasonal, but with clear Italian influences. The kitchen uses the freshest ingredients, often sourced locally from the Union Square Greenmarket, and the wine list, which has scooped a number of awards, features an outstanding selection of wines by the glass. The décor’s starting to show its age but you can’t argue with dishes such as Pan-seared Scallops with Citrus Butter and Red Wine-braised Veal Cheeks with Peas. For dessert, you won’t want to miss the café’s famous Banana Tart with Honey-Vanilla Ice Cream and Macadamia Brittle.