First opened in 1937 but now under the charge of Keith McNally, Minetta Tavern's distinctly old New York vibe is a feather in the cap of the scene-setting restaurateur's oeuvre. This chic canteen bulges with a full house nightly, attracting a diverse social strata running from sharply suited powerbrokers to gaggles of tourists celebrating a night on the town. To step into Minetta Tavern is to travel back in time. Grab a seat at the bustling oak bar (if only this original fixture could talk) and order a classic cocktail before being graciously steered through the closely set dining room—its salvaged beauty bears grace and warmth, donned in a wraparound mural of Washington Square Park. The kitchen's steady stewardship is responsible for an array of impressive preparations that, like the setting, are deliciously timeless. A chilled block of oxtail terrine filled with buttery-sweet foie gras, scattered with celery root slivers and bloomed mustard seeds is a fine starting point before moving on to entrées like a flawless fillet of trout meunière crowned with jumbo lump crabmeat; or the signature Black Label burger. Finish with a slab of coconut layer cake with crème fraîche pastry cream.