I have fond, but now distant, memories of barhopping until the early hours, rounded off by a meal in one of Chinatown's 24-hour restaurants only to emerge as the sun was rising the next day. Throughout the city, but especially downtown, are some great late-night eats. Here's a sampling:
Open until 4am nightly, Blue Ribbon, 97 Sullivan St., between Prince and Spring streets in SoHo (tel. 212/274-0404), is where the city's top chefs come to unwind after they close their own kitchens. Thanks to a top-drawer oyster bar and excellent comfort food, this cozy bistro is always packed, so expect a wait.
Other great choices for after-hours eats include the funky Francophile diner Florent (69 Gansevoort St., tel. 212/989-5779; www.restaurantflorent.com), in the Meat-Packing District. TriBeCa has The Odeon, an attractive and affordable Art Deco bistro that's one of the top after-hours eateries in town. In the East Village, head to Veselka, a comfortable and appealing diner offering eastern European fare at rock-bottom prices; Katz's Delicatessen for first-class Jewish deli eats Friday and Saturday until 2:30am. In Chinatown, many restaurants are open late or even all night, but don't miss Wo Hop, open 24 hours, for really, really late-night dining.
In the Theater District feast on first-class pastrami and cheesecake until 3:45am at Carnegie Deli, until 2am at the Stage Deli.
