Since 2005, Eater.com has been compiling a list of the 38 Essential Restaurants of New York. Why 38? I am not sure, but they are holding strong to that number, saying that restaurants will be added and deleted from the list periodically, but the number will stay the same. It includes perennial favorites like Balthazar and Gramercy Tavern alongside the likes of Spotted Pig and Dinosaur Barbeque. The list is meant to provide an answer to any sentence that begins “Can you recommend a restaurant that…” Check out their list, and let us know if any of your favorites are missing from the listing in our comments.

1. Locanda Verde 2. Blaue Gans 3. Oriental Garden Restaurant 4. Little Giant 5. Peasant 6. Balthazar 7. Raoul’s Restrant 8. Blue Ribbon Brasserie 9. Lupa Osteria Romana 10. Momofuku Ssam Bar 11. Ippudo NY 12. Minetta 13. Spotted Pig 14. Little Owl 15. Barbuto 16. Strip House New York 17. East Restaurant 18. Socarrat Paella Bar 19. Gramercy Tavern 20. Co 21. Esca Restaurant 22.Sushi Yasuda 23. Chin Chin 24. Convivio Restraunt 25. Le Bilboquet 26. JG Melon Restaurant 27. Maz Mezcal Mexican Restaurant 28. Nougatine 29. Gennaro Restaurant 30 Dinosaur Barbecue 31. Roberta’s 32. Fette Sau 33. Diner 85 Broadway 34. Vinegar Hill House 35. Frankie’s 457 36. Al Di La 37. Sripraphai Thai Restaurant 38. Sapori D’Ischia

Via: Eater