$200 Gift Card to L'Artusi

L’Artusi is essentially the same as it was when it opened over a decade ago, but nowadays the city has an overabundance of bustling places with impressive wine lists and bowls of orecchiette. Still, we love this special-occasion West Village spot and will probably continue to do so until the banquettes crumble, the bar deteriorates, and the city runs out of hosts to stand behind host stands.

The pasta here remains perfectly executed, and the bucatini with pecorino and pancetta is still a case study in successful minimalism. But don't forget to order the wagyu carpaccio. Heavily marbled with little pockets of horseradish crema, its one of the best dishes in NYC (top 50, let’s say). The mains also keep pace with the pastas—and sometimes lap them entirely. Try the roasted chicken. It comes crisp, juicy, and absolutely drenched in butter.