TOP RESTAURANTS OF 2008 (1 - 20)

As I wrote yesterday, I'm posting a list of my 40 favorite New York City restaurants of 2008 on this site. The reason being that the majority of the places I eat at tend to be very affordable. I'm including a price guideline which represents the price of an average entree at each restaurant. At only five of 40 places was the average entree more than $20. Unlike many restaurant lists, which feature places that opened during the calendar year, my list includes restaurants that I dined at for the first time in 2008. Here are the top 20!

$ - Less Than $10 Per Entree
$$ - $10 - $20 Per Entree
$$$ - $20 - $30 Per Entree
$$$$ - More Than $30 Per Entree

TOP RESTAURANTS OF 2008 (1 - 20)

1. Babbo (West Village) – Italian - $$$$

2. Artichoke (East Village) – Pizza - $

3. Scarpetta (West Village) - Italian - $$$

4. Dinosaur Bar-B-Que - (Harlem) – Barbecue - $$

5. Royale – (Alphabet City) – Burgers - $

6. Il Bagatto – (East Village) – Italian - $$

7. Westville – (West Village) – American - $$

8. BonChon Chicken – (Murray Hill) - Korean - $$

9. Nick’s Pizza - (Forrest Hills) - Pizza - $$

10. Parpardella - (Upper West Side) - Italian - $$

11. Philoxenia - (Astoria) - Greek - $$

12. Aloe - (East Village) - American - $$$

13. Zaitzeff - (East Village) - Burgers -$$

14. Melt - (Park Slope) - American - $$

15. L’Express - (Gramercy) - French - $$

16. Pequena - (Fort Greene) - Mexican - $$

17. Una Pizza Napoletana - (East Village) - Pizza - $$$

18. Noodle Pudding - (Brooklyn Heights) - Italian - $$

19. Trattoria Zero Otto Nove - (Bronx) - Italian - $$

20. Bacaro - (Chinatown) - Italian - $$

TOP RESTAURANTS OF 2008 (21 - 40)

Today and tomorrow, I'll be posting a list of my 40 favorite New York City restaurants of 2008. The reason I'm posting this list on NYCDAILYDEALS is because the majority of the places I eat at tend to be very affordable. I'm including a price guideline which represents the price of an average entree at each restaurant. At only five places of the 40 was the average entree more than $20.

Unlike many restaurant lists, which feature places that opened during the calendar year, my list includes restaurants that I dined at for the first time in 2008. Thanks to all of my friends (who I dragged to, yes, all five boroughs) for eating with me near and far this year. Hopefully, 2009 will bring more pleasant surprises on the city's food scene. Without further ado: Restaurants 21 - 40.

$ - Less Than $10 Per Entree
$$ - $10 - $20 Per Entree
$$$ - $20 - $30 Per Entree
$$$$ - More Than $30 Per Entree

TOP RESTAURANTS OF 2008 (21 - 40)

21. Gazala Place - (Hell's Kitchen) - Mediterranean - $

22. Soho Park - (SoHo) - Burgers - $

23. Lupa - (Greenwhich Village) - Italian - $$

24. Farm On Adderly - (Flatbush) - American - $$

25. Ghenet - (Nolita) - Ethiopian - $$

26. P.J Clarke’s - (Midtown East) - Burgers - $

27. Vezzo - (Murray Hill) - Italian - $$

28. Crave - (Carroll Gardens) - American - $$

29. Delicatessen - (Nolita) - American - $$

30. Jimmy Max - (Staten Island) - Pizza - $

31. Del Posto - (Meatpacking District) - Italian - $$$

32. Tournesol - (Long Island City) - French - $$

33. Tebaya - (Chelsea) - Japanese - $

34. Franny’s - (Prospect Heights) - Italian - $$

35. L&B Spumoni Gardens - (Bensonhurst) - Italian - $

36. Curly’s - (East Village) - Vegetarian - $

37. 26 Seats - (East Village) - French - $$

38. Jolie - (Boreum Hill) - American - $$

39. Joe & Pat’s (Staten Island) - Pizza - $

40. Egg - (Williamsburg) - American - $

(41 - 50)

Bella Luna, Blondies, Jane, Ici, Via Quadronno, Back Forty, Denino’s, Lee’s Tavern, Alta, Rare

Wreck Room Bingo + $2 Beers

The Wreck Room in Bushwick hosts a Bingo night every Monday. Even the losers are winners with $2.00 beers and shots available from 2-9PM.

Free Drinks During Jets & Giants Games At 123 Burger Shot Beer

Take in the final week of the NFL season at 123 Burger Shot Beer in Hell's Kitchen. Every time the Giants or Jets score a touchdown, everyone gets a free shot. If either win, free beer on the house! And even if both teams are shutout, there are still $1 burgers, $2 shots, and $3 beers for you to enjoy. Pound 'em down and you might be too woozy to see if the Jets can squeeze into the playoffs.

Grand Central Terminal Kaleidoscope Light Show

Now through New Years, head over to one of the city's most popular transportation hubs and check out this spectacular light show featuring neon lights, swirling snowflakes, and twinkling stars. 11am - 9pm, daily.

Kobayashi Eats Fruitcake - Competitive Holiday Eating

Watch famed competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi attempt to beat the current fruitcake record-holder who ate 4 pouunts and 14.25 ounces 10 minutes in 2001. The event takes place at 11 a.m. at the plaza of Madison Square Garden on 34th Street and Seventh Avenue.

Happy Holidays!

NYCDAILYDEALS wishes you a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and an enjoyable holiday season. We'll be back on Friday!

$1.00 Cupcakes @ Billy's - 5 Year Anniversary Celebration

Billy's Bakery - an offshoot of Magnolia - celebrates it's 5 year anniversary with $1.00 cupcakes all day! 184 9th Avenue between 21st & 22nd Street.

Bull Riding Competition at Johnny Utah's

Johnny Utah's (25 W. 51st St between 5th and 6th Ave) hosts a mechanical bull-riding championship tonight (judged on crowd noise). The winner gets tickets to MSG's real Pro Bull Riding show in January. Starting time: 10 PM.

Free Sliders at Morton's Tonight!

Morton's the Steakhouse celebrates its 30th anniversary today by giving out sliders from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m at the bar, conveniently timed to happy-hour body clocks.

Dozens Of Discounts In Brooklyn

Dozens of shops and restaurants are offering discounts as part of a special "Shop Brooklyn" promotion that ends today. You can check out the entire list of participating vendors here. Some of New York Magazine's favorites are:

Lunetta: Free cannolli
Bubby's: Slice of pie with two entrées
Greene Grape Provisions: 5 percent discount
Bocca Lupo: Free glass of Prosecco with meal
Cake Man Raven: Free coffee and tea
Peperoncino: Free tiramisu dessert with meal

1/2 Priced Holiday Greeting Cards

The other night, I stumbled upon a great deal on greeting cards on the Upper West Side. There is a shop on the southwest corner of Broadway and 81st Street which sell all of it's greeting cards for 50% off the price listed on the back (bringing most cards out to $1.00 - $1.50). For those of you who still need to buy some cards, I suggest doing it here!

CHEAP! CHEAP! CHEAP! $25 Restaurant Gift Certificates For $2.00 @ Restaurant.com

Restaurant.com sells gift certificates to select eateries at a discounted price -- the most common $25 gift certificate can regularly be purchased for $10. Through Dec. 25, if you apply the promo code GIVE, you can receive an additional 80% OFF, bringing the final price down to $2 for a $25 gift card. There are more than 400 New York area restaurants on the site!

To purchase:

1. Click here and enter a zip code or city to find the local participating restaurants
2. Select the gift certificate amount (if more than one choice is available), then add it to your cart
3. Once you’re ready to check out, enter the discount code GIVE on the Shopping Cart page
4. After completing the transaction, you'll be taken to a page where you can print your gift certificates

I purchased 16 yesterday for a total of $27.00! This is where I'll be eating in 2009:

Aperitivo - Italian (Park Slope)
Aloe Restaurant - American (East Village)
Candela Candela - Italian (East Village)
Novecento - Argentinian (Soho)
Boom - Italian (Nolita)
Hill Country - Barbeque (Murray Hill)
Bistro Chat Noir - French (Upper East Side)
Sol Y Sombra - Spanish (Upper West Side)
Rare Bar & Grill - Burgers (West Village)
Copper Chimney - Indian (Murray Hill)
Buzina Pop - Brazilian (Upper East Side)
Gaetana's Cucina Italiana - Italian (West Village)
Pangea - Pan Asian (East Village)
Agozar Restaurant & Lounge - Cuban (East Village)
Via Della Pace - Italian (East Village)
Westside Brewing Company American - (Upper West Side)

Jewcy Holiday Party

It's officially holiday party season and Jewcy is throwing a shindig tonight. RSVP to rsvp@jewcy.com to get on the list or click here. 7 PM. 45 Main St. Ste 613 in Brooklyn.

The Village Pourhouse Matches Your Fare! Drink For Free!

The Village Pourhouse has opened a new outpost on the Upper West Side. The bar has implemented a new policy: if you take a cab to visit the new spot, the Pourhouse will match your cab fare in the form of a bar tab.

For instance, if you are on the LES on a Saturday night and you are ready for a change of scene, but can't imagine spending $20 bucks on a cab up to the Upper West Side, have no fear. Direct the cabby to Amsterdam between 108th and 109th, ask for a receipt when you arrive, and the bartender will start your tab with a credit for the same amount as your fare. You have nothing to lose!

ADC Holiday Party in Chelsea - Free W/ Gift

The Art Directors Club is having a party tonight at the ADC Gallery in Chelsea. Admission is free with an unwrapped toy to benefit The Children's Aid Society.

Join the festivities with a night of food, drinks and gift-giving. Tuesday, December 16, 2008 6-9 PM @ ADC Gallery 106 West 29th Street NYC The Art Directors Annual 87 and ADC Young Guns 6 Annual, along with The Undiscovered Letter companion volume, will be unveiled at the party and available for purchase.



You can RSVP here.

Punk Rock Pillow Fight @ Santos Party House

According to the press release for this event, the master and the mistress of the mattress will be decided once and for all this evening. But we bet most people will just be there to watch a bunch of crazies beat the crap out of each other and pound down $3 PBRs.

The specialty matches of the night will include a grudge match featuring Prime Nate vs. The Duck Down Decapitator, as well as a first time meeting between two proud regulars: El Macho and Chicken Nuts.

Sounds intense... and well worth the $10 cover at the door. Visit www.punkrockpillowfight.com for more information.

Madison Square Park Schnauzers Playgroup

The New York City Schnauzers Playgroup -- about 40 people and their dogs -- meet the second Sunday of each month in Madison Square Park. Bring you pups and pickup lines over to the park this Sunday at 11.

Coquito (Wait What's That?) Tasting Contest

Kick off the holiday season with a coquito, the traditional yuletide drink of Puerto Rico. Sample the unique recipes developed over the centuries by islanders from different towns throughout Puerto Rico. Vote for your favorite while you hang out with friends and neighbors — or compete in the recipe contest yourself! First, second, and third prizes will be awarded.

Admission: Free
Location: El Museo Del Barrio

For advance registration and information on how to participate, e-mail public_programs@elmuseo.org

SantaCon Takes Over NYC This Weekend

SantaCon is tomorrow! For those who don't know what SantaCon is, it's essentially a mass gathering of people dressed in their various interpretations of Santa Claus costumes (most, however, are traditional), and performing publicly on streets and in bars in cities around the world.

The secret meeting location will be posted online tonight at 10 PM. Click here for all the info and start preparing you costume.

FREE HBO Taping W/ Tiger Woods, Michael Phelps, And More -- RSVP Today!

BOB COSTAS HOSTS TOWN HALL SHOW ON
THE YEAR IN SPORTS - 2008
LIVE ON HBO

WEDNESDAY, December 17th - 7:45PM-10:45PM
at NYU's Skirball Center for The Performing Arts

When was the last time we had a sports year quite like 2008? When the biggest stars came through with their most epic performances. When the big events seemed bigger than ever. CostasNOW looks back at 2008, the Year in Sports, live from New York.

The Giants Super Bowl shocker...the marathon Wimbledon final between Nadal and Federer....Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate going an extra 18 holes at the US Open....A Summer Olympics that captivated the country....And finally, a championship for the City of Philadelphia.

Bob will be joined in a Town hall setting by the year's biggest stars to talk about the year's best moments.

Scheduled to appear: Tiger Woods, Michael Phelps, Michael Strahan, Dara Torres, Charles Barkley, Jimmy Rollins, Nastia Liukin, and many more.

To attend this exclusive LIVE COSTAS NOW 3 show on WEDNESDAY December 17th. YOU MUST BE AVAILABLE BETWEEN 7:45PM and 10:45PM. It broadcasts simultaneously on HBO that night with repeats at later dates. YOU MUST BE 18 YEARS OR OLDER TO ATTEND THE SHOW. TICKETS ARE COMPLIMENTARY.

If you are interested in being part of this historic LIVE COSTAS NOW 3 SHOW, please email us at costasnow@broadwayvideo.com with the following information in both the subject line and body of your email:

1.Costas NOW 3/Your full name
2. Your email address (one which will not "spam" out our reply to you and one which you check frequently.) PLEASE ALWAYS CHECK YOUR SPAM FOLDER JUST IN CASE!
3. Your phone number(s)
4. Your age range (35-40, 18-25, 50-55 etc.)
5. 2 tickets is the maximum number we can allow per request.
(SINCE THIS IS A LIVE EVENT WE EXPECT THAT IF YOU ASK FOR TICKETS YOU WILL BE USING THEM. Thanks)
6. Do you consider yourself a big sports fan -- which sports (you can put this in the body of the email)

Example: Costas NOW 3/ Jackie Robinson/ alifeinbaseball@sportsworld.com /(212) 555-1212 /25-30/2 tickets/big fan- Baseball and basketball

We will contact you via email with a detailed ticket confirmation if there are tickets available. You should hear from us within a few days of your request.

EMAIL ~ costasnow@broadwayvideo.com

Free Chipotle Burritos!

Tomorrow, Chipotle officially opens its final store of the year at 274 Madison Avenue and 39th Street. To celebrate, it’s giving away free burritos today from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Meet Michael Phelps - Two Book Signings!

We apologize for posting a book signing two days in a row -- but this one is too good to pass up. Michael Phelps, recently named Sports Illustrated Sportsman Of The Year, will be signing his new book No Limits: The Will To Succeed @ Barnes & Noble on 5th Avenue & 46th Street at 12:30 PM. We suggest getting there early... very early.

And if you miss him today, he'll be at Borders on Thursday. Enjoy!

Tila Tequila Book Signing @ Barnes & Noble

Tila Tequila signs copies of her new book: A Guide to Love, Fame, Happiness, Success, and Being the Life of the Party. Click here for more information. Maybe this is your shot at love with her!

FREE NYC Dessert Fest

Walking Tours Manhattan provides a free tour today of some of the city's sweetest (pun intended) dessert places. There is a $1 suggested donation to Food Bank New York -- well worth the free samples you'll be getting from Jacques Torres and Magnolia. Meet at Magnolia Bakery at 10:30 am.

Gizmodo Gallery Open On The L.E.S.

The popular gadget blog Gizmodo brings it's technology offline at The Gizmodo Gallery (151 Orchard St between Rivington and Stanton Streets). It's open from 11-8 today. The exhibit features both old-school gizmos and toys of the future. Check some of them out here. FREE.

Apple Store In SoHo - Amy Adams & John Patrick Shanley

Actress Amy Adams and director John Patrick Shanley discuss their new film, "Doubt," adapted from Shanley’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony-award winning play. Early reviews indicate the film may get a best picture nod. Free. 7 PM

Six Points Beer + Great Food For $1 @ The Delancy Tonight

At the Delancy this evening:

Live performances by Kelly Rudick, Crooked Looks, Beyondo and Thought.

Free food from Tuck Shop, Kossar’s Bialys, Aprovecho, The Doughnut Plant, Sumile Sushi, and The Kati Roll starting at 9pm.

Free beer from Sixpoints from 10:30 - 11:30.

You don't want to miss this party!

Cover charge is just $1.00!

Chipotle! $5 For Charity Gets You A Full Meal!

A new Chipotle is openting today at 125 East 23rd Street and Lexington. To celebrate, stop by between 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and make a $5 donation to the American Cancer Society. In return you'll get chips and salsa, a large fountain drink, and your choice of burrito, tacos, a bowl, or a salad. Sounds like a good deal to me!

Plus rock band Jack's Mannequin performs a free special in-store performance at the Apple Store in Soho at 4 PM.

Tomorrow: Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony

Tomorrow, the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree will be lit for the first time this holiday season. If you love crowds, make your way down to 30 Rock early to get yourself a good spot.

You can also see the tree from 5:30AM to 11:30PM daily through January 9th, 2009 (and all day long on Christmas Day).

Pizza Slices For $1.00 - All Over Town!

As ingredients become more expensive, the price of a slice of pizza has been becoming more expensive too. When I moved to the city in 2002, it was rare to find a slice for more than $2.00. But now a $2.00 slice is considered a steal. An article that ran in the New York Times last year (Will Subway Fares Rise? Check at Your Pizza Place) chronicled the rise in pizza slices alongside the rise in subway fares.

But wait... A weird thing has been happening... mostly downtown. A number of pizza places have reduced the cost of their slices to $1.00. These places don't serve up the best pizza in town, but it sure is a good bargain.

Here is NYCDAILYDEALS exclusive list of pizza places which are serving up $1 slices:

Pizzanini - 133 2nd Avenue (East Village)

2 Bros Pizza - 32 St. Marks Place (East Village)

2 Bros Pizza - 601 6th Avenue (Flatiron)

99 Cents Fresh Pizza - 569 9th Avenue (Hell's Kitchen)

99 Cent Fresh Pizza - 151 East 43rd Street (Midtown East)

Mamani - 151 Avenue A (Alphabet City)

Prince Deli - 679 3rd Avenue (Midtown East)